(Charles Spurgeon)

“Who makes you different from anyone else?

What do you have, that you did not receive?

And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

It is grace—free sovereign grace, which has made you to differ!

Should any here, supposing themselves to be the children of God, imagine that there is some reason “in them” why they should have been chosen—let them know that as yet they are in the dark concerning the first principles of grace, and have not yet learned the gospel.

If ever they had known the gospel, they would, on the other hand, confess that they were . . .

 the off-scouring of all things,

 undeserving,

 ill-deserving,

 and Hell-deserving!

They would ascribe it all to distinguishing grace, which has made them to differ; and to discriminating love, which has chosen them out from the rest of the world.

Great Christian, you would have been a heinous sinner—if God had not made you to differ!

O! you who are valiant for truth, you would have been as valiant for the devil—if sovereign grace had not laid hold of you!

A seat in Heaven shall one day be yours, but a chain in Hell would have been yours—if grace had not changed you!

You can now sing His love; but a licentious song would have been on your lips—if grace had not washed you in the blood of Jesus!

You are now sanctified, you are quickened, you are justified; but what would you have been today—if it had not been for the interposition of the divine hand?

There is not a crime you might not have committed—there is not a folly into which you might not have run.  Even murder itself you might have committed—if grace had not preserved you.

You shall be like the angels; but you would have been like the devil—if you had not been changed by grace!

Therefore never be proud, though you now have a wide domain of grace.

Once you had not a single thing to call your own—except your sin and misery.

You are now wrapped up in the golden righteousness of the Savior, and accepted in the garments of the Beloved! But you would have been buried under the black mountain of sin, and clothed with the filthy rags of unrighteousness, if He had not changed you!

And are you proud?

Do you exalt yourself?

O! strange mystery, that you who have nothing but sin and misery, should exalt yourself!

That you, a poor dependent pensioner upon the bounty of your Savior, should be proud!

Go, hang your pride upon the gallows as high as Haman! Hang it there to rot, and execrate it to all eternity!

Surely of all things most to be despised—is the pride of a Christian. He, of all men, has ten thousand times more reason than any other to be humble, and walk lowly with his God, and kindly and meekly toward his fellow-creatures.

“By the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

(William Secker, “The Wedding Ring” 1658)

“Train up a child in the way he should go–and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

The goal of the godly mother, is that her children in the flesh–may be God’s children in the spirit. A mother should be more careful of her children’s pious breeding–than she should be fearful of her children’s worldly bearing.

Take heed, lest these flowers grow in the devil’s garden! Take heed, that though you bring them out in corruption–yet do not bring them down to damnation! Those are not mothers–but monsters–who while they are teaching their children the way to heaven with their lips–are leading them to hell with their lives!

You let out your efforts to make them great–lift up your prayers to make them godly; that before you die from them–you may see Christ live in them. While these twigs are green and tender–they should be bowed towards God.

Children are in a family–as passengers are in a boat. The husband and wife are as a pair of oars to row them to their desired haven!

Let these small pieces of timber be hewed and squared for the celestial building.

By putting a scepter of grace into their hands–you will set a crown of glory upon their heads! “Train up a child in the way he should go–and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

As we Christians advance in life, and know more of human nature, and the power of temptation — the greater interest should we take in the young, and the more urgently should we seek their salvation. It is a lovely sight to see aged Christians endeavoring to bring young people to the Savior. And this we ought constantly to see — for they know the power . . .

 of youthful lusts,

 of the world’s attractions,

 of Satanic influence,

 of the deceitfulness of the heart,

 and the value of the immortal soul!

Aged friends, do you feel and act, as you should for the young? Do you do all that you can to snatch them as brands from the burning?

Solomon was an old man when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, and in that book he manifests great solicitude for the young. Again and again he addresses them in different ways — but with what touching and subtle irony, does he speak to them in one place, “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT KNOW that for all these things — God will bring you to judgment!” Ecclesiastes 11:9

The Youth’s Practice. He is happy in his youth — in his physical vigor, personal attractions, and newly acquired liberty. Feeling strong, he puts the day of judgment far from him. Vain of his person — he is proud of his appearance and abilities. Freed from the restraints of home — he removes the reins from the neck of his lusts. His heart cheers him on — and urges him forward in the pursuit of folly! He walks in the way of his heart — which is always evil. He is ignorant of its powers of deception. He is therefore deceived by the corrupt principles that work within it. He hushes his conscience to sleep, or by violence constrains it to be silent.

He then yields to the alluring influence of the world. And while so doing, Satan tempts him to proceed farther and farther — plotting his eternal damnation!

He does what he thinks best in his own eyes — allowing them to mislead him. He walks by sight — not according to God’s Word. He is led away by appearances, and despises the counsel and example of the godly. He refuses to listen to, or be guided by the advice of parents. He despises, or slights, the preacher’s admonition, and will be a law unto himself. He chooses vain people for his companions, and follows the example of the foolish! Let us now listen to,

The Preacher’s Prescription. “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT know that for all these things — God will bring you to judgment!”

Take your own course — if you are determined.

Go on in the way which you prefer — if you think it best.

Persevere in the path that you have chosen.

BUT KNOW that there is an end to your course — and that end is a judgment!

The judgment day is fixed — and it is therefore certain.

The judge stands at the door — it is therefore near.

The dead, small and great, shall stand before God — it is therefore universal.

Every one of us shall give account of himself before God — it is therefore personal.

Before this final judgment, shall be gathered all nations — it will therefore be open and public.

God will judge in justice and uprightness — it will therefore be righteous.

It will be the great day, the last day — and will therefore be final.

“BUT KNOW that for all these things — God will bring you to judgment!”

You will not be able to escape!

You will not be overlooked or forgotten!

You will be personally summoned — and there will be no evading!

Death will arrest and cast you into prison. From thence, the angels will bring you out — and Jesus will judge you! For “He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness, by the Man He has appointed!” Acts 17:31

Young man! Young woman! To you is this word of solemn admonition sent! See how many young people are being called away by death! Fatal diseases and accidents — how common. Sudden deaths — how frequent. It is very probable that God may soon call for YOU! How necessary then that you be ready, for death very often gives but a short notice — or no notice! God . . .

 warns you by His providence;

 He directs you in His Word;

 He invites you by His ministers;

 and He will judge you by His Son!

Whenever therefore you are tempted to indulge in any unholy amusement or practice, remember these words: “BUT KNOW that for all these things — God will bring you to judgment!”

(Matthew Henry)

“Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies!” Proverbs 31:10

The description of the virtuous woman given in Proverbs 31, is designed to show what kind of wives godly women should make — and what wives godly men should choose.

A virtuous woman is very assiduous to recommend herself to her husband’s esteem and affection. She conducts herself so that he may repose an entire confidence in her. She shows her love to him, not by a foolish fondness — but by prudent endearments, accommodating herself to his temperament.

A virtuous woman is one who takes pains in her duties. She hates to sit idle and do nothing. Though she may not need to work for her bread, yet she will not eat the bread of idleness.

A virtuous woman takes care of her family and all the affairs of it, not meddling in the concerns of other people’s houses, as she thinks it enough for her to look well to her own affairs.

A virtuous woman is charitable to the poor. She often serves the poor with her own hand, and she does it freely, cheerfully, and very liberally.

A virtuous woman is discreet and obliging in all her discourse — not talkative, censorious, nor peevish. When she does speak, it is with a great deal of prudence and very much to the purpose. The law of love and kindness is written in her heart — and it shows itself in her tongue!

A virtuous woman has a firmness and constancy of mind, to bear up under the many crosses and disappointments which even the wise and godly must expect to meet with in this poor world.

That which completes and crowns her character, is that she fears the Lord. With all these good qualities, she does not lack that one thing needful — she is truly pious. In all she does, she is guided and governed by Christian principles, and a regard to God.

In the day of death, it will be a pleasure for her to think that she has lived to some good purpose. True virtue will have its praise — both from God and man.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised!” Proverbs 31:30

(Samuel Davies, “On the Death of King George II.” Delivered on January 14, 1761, at Princeton College. It is interesting, that Samuel Davies himself died shortly after delivering this sermon, on February 4, 1761.)

“How the mighty have fallen!” 2 Samuel 1:19

George is dead! George, the mighty, the just, the gentle, and the wise! King George, the father of Britain and her Colonies, the guardian of laws and liberty, the protector of the oppressed, the arbiter of Europe, the terror of tyrants! George, the friend of man, the benefactor of millions–is no more!

“How the mighty have fallen!” Fallen under the superior power of death! Fallen under death–the king of terrors, the conqueror of conquerors;

 whom riches cannot bribe,

 whom power cannot resist;

 whom goodness cannot soften;

 whom dignity and nobility cannot deter, or awe to a reverential distance.

Death intrudes into royal palaces–as well as into humble cottages!

Death arrests the monarch–as well as the slave!

The royal robes of majesty–and the filthy rags of beggary–are equal preludes to the shroud!

A throne is only a higher precipice, from whence to fall with greater noise and more extensive ruin–into the grave!

Since death has climbed the British throne, and from thence snatched “George the Mighty”–who then, can hope to escape?

If temperance, that best preservative of health and life; if extensive benefit to half of the world; if the united prayers of nations; if the collected virtues of the king–could secure an earthly immortality–never, O lamented George, never should your fall have added fresh honors to the trophies of death!

But since this king of Britain is no more–then let all the nobles of earthly courts–be prepared for their “long homes” in the dust! Let those earthly idols–prepare to die like men; and to sink down to a level with beggars and worms–in the clay!

The alarm of mortality has sounded from the throne! And he who lived for their benefit, dies for their benefit too; dies to remind them–that they also must die!

But how astonishing and lamentable is the stupidity of mankind! Can the natural or the moral world exhibit another phenomenon so shocking and unaccountable? DEATH sweeps off thousands of our fellow-mortals every year! Our neighbors, like leaves in autumn–drop into the grave, in a thick succession! And our attendance upon funerals is almost as frequent–as our visits of friendship. Nay, sometimes death enters in at OUR windows, and ravages our families before our eyes!

The air, the waters, the earth, and all the elements–are armed with the powers of death; and have their pestilential vapors and inclemencies, their tempests and inundations, their eruptions and volcanoes–to destroy the life of man!

A thousand dangers lie in ambush for us!

Nay, the principles of mortality lurk in our own bodies!

And sickness, the herald of the last enemy, often warns us to prepare!

Yet how few realize the thought–that they must die! How few familiarize to their minds–that all-important hour, pregnant with consequences of great, of incomparable, of infinite importance! How many forget that they must die–until they feel it; and stand fearless and insolent–upon the slippery brink of eternity–until they unexpectedly fall, and are engulfed forever in that boundless ocean!

The sons of ‘Adam the sinner’, those fleeting phantoms of a day–put on the air of immortality upon earth; and make no provision for their existence in the proper regions–of immortals beyond the grave. Pilgrims and strangers imagine themselves everlasting residents on earth; and make this transitory life their all–as if earth was to be their eternal home–as if eternity was but a fairy land–and heaven and hell but majestic fantasies!

“How the mighty have fallen!” Shall not this loud alarm awaken us out of our vain dream of an earthly immortality? When the mighty has fallen–shall not the feeble tremble?

Since the mighty has fallen, since George is no more–how vain are all things beneath the sun! Vanity of vanities; all is vanity! Can the riches of Britain, or the honors of a crown; can the extent of dominion, or the laurels of victory–now afford the least pleasure to the royal corpse which lies senseless in the dust; or to the royal soul which has winged its flight to its own region, to the eternal world! No! all these are now as insignificant as mere nothings to him!

“How the mighty have fallen!” 2 Samuel 1:19

Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return!

(Anonymous)

“Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return!” Job 16:22

An approaching journey lies before me. I have to pass from time–to eternity; from this world–to the next. And the time of my departure, although to me uncertain, cannot be very far distant. A few years–perhaps a few days–will close my stay on earth!

It is an unavoidable journey. I must go. There is no choice. Willing or unwilling, when God’s summons for me arrives–I shall have to set off.

It is an unknown journey, I have never taken it before. I have no practical acquaintance with the road, the mode of transit, the dangers or the discomforts which await me. And there is no one who can clearly explain them to me. Those of my friends who have traveled that way, have never come back to relate their experience.

It is a solitary journey. I must accomplish it alone. The most beloved of my present companions cannot accompany me. They may think of me, feel for me, pray for me–but they cannot be with me. We must separate; they to remain behind–and I go forward.

It is a momentous journey. For at its termination, I enter upon my everlasting destiny! It will convey me either to the mansions of happiness–or to the abodes of misery! The narrow boundary between the present and the future state once crossed–there will be no possibility of change. “He who is unjust–let him be unjust still; and he who is righteous–let him be righteous still.” Revelation 22:11

It is a final journey. “Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.” My pilgrimage will be forever ended. It will be my last journey. And if I am a Christian, how welcome is this fact! I shall be done forever with sin and sorrow. Eternal felicity will be mine–perfect holiness, and perfect happiness. This journey leads me . . .

 to my eternal home,

 to my Father’s house,

 to my everlasting rest!

Then I will not shrink from its approach, nor complain of its accompaniments. It may be linked with much that is painful and unpleasant–but it is my way home; and therefore, although life has many ties and many joys, I feel an earnest desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than being here. “For this is not my resting place, because it is polluted, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!” Micah 2:10

Death is a solemn journey–but it is a safe journey to Christ’s people; for He will not only receive and welcome them at its close–but He will be with them as they are passing through it. Oh, it will not be lonely with Him! And He is a guide who is well acquainted with the way, for He has trodden it Himself. He went for the purpose of smoothing its difficulties, clearing its dangers, dispersing its terrors–and He fully accomplished His purpose. Therefore when I walk through the dark valley, I will fear no evil; for you, O Jesus, will be with me, and Your rod and your staff shall comfort me!

(George Lawson, “A Practical Exposition of the Book of Proverbs” 1821)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Adversity is commonly reputed the touchstone of friendship. That is the season when our hollow friends forsake us — but a real friend then acts the part of a brother, and reveals his friendship more than ever.

But a true friend is steady in his love and care. Times of prosperity and adversity, honor and dishonor, evil report and good report — make no more difference to him, than the changes of the air to a man of a healthy constitution.

But no friend but Christ deserves our unlimited confidence. In Him the text received, and still receives, its most glorious accomplishment. He remembered us in our low estate, and forgets us not in His own exaltation. Afflictions are the seasons when His kindness is most richly experienced — and our provocations do not alienate His affection from us. This is our Beloved, and this is our Friend. In Him we will trust, and to Him we will devote our hearts!