One inconvenience of “little-faith” is, that while it is always sure
of heaven, it very seldom thinks so . Little-faith is quite as secure
for heaven as Great-faith. When Jesus Christ counts up His jewels at the
last day, He will take to Himself the little pearls as well as the great
ones. If a diamond be never so small, yet it is precious because it is a
diamond. So faith, be it never so little, if it be true faith, is “like
precious” with that which apostles obtained. Christ will never lose even
the smallest jewel of His crown. Little-faith is always secure of
heaven, because the name of Little-faith is in the book of eternal life.
Little-faith was chosen of God before the foundation of the world.
Little-faith was bought with the blood of Christ; ay, and he cost as
much as Great-faith. “For every man a shekel,” was the price of
redemption. Every man, whether great or small, prince or peasant, had to
redeem himself with a shekel. Christ has bought all, both little and
great, with the same most precious blood. Little-faith is always secure
of heaven, for God has begun the work in him, and He will carry it on.
God loves him, and He will love him unto the end. God has provided a
crown for him, and He will not allow the crown to hang there useless; He
has erected for him a mansion in heaven, and He will not allow the
mansion to stand untenanted forever. Little-faith is always safe, but he
very seldom knows it. If you meet him he is sometimes afraid of hell;
very often afraid that the wrath of God abideth on him. He will tell you
that the country on the other side the flood can never belong to one so
base as he. Sometimes it is because he feels himself so unworthy;
another time it is because the things of God are too good to be true, he
says; or he cannot think they can be true to such a one as he. Sometimes
he is afraid he is not elect; another time he fears that he has not been
called aright, or that he has not come to Christ aright; anon, his fears
are that he will not hold on to the end, that he shall not be able to
persevere; and if you kill a thousand of his fears, he is sure to have
another host by to-morrow; for unbelief is one of those things which you
cannot destroy; you may kill it over and over again, but still it lives.
It is one of those ill weeds which sleep in the soil even after it has
been burned, and it only needs a little encouragement, or a little
negligence, and it will sprout up again. Now, Great-faith is sure of
heaven, and he knows it. He climbs Pisgah’s top, and views the landscape
o’er; he tastes of the sweetness of paradise even before he enters
within the pearly gates; he sees the streets which are paved with gold;
he beholds the walls of the city, the foundations whereof are of
precious stones; he hears the mystic music of the glorified, and begins
to smell on earth the perfumes of heaven. But poor Little-faith can
scarcely look at the sun; he very seldom sees the light; he gropes in
the valley, and while all is safe, he always thinks himself unsafe.
“ To be with Christ. ”
“ To be with Christ .” Who can comprehend this but the Christian? It
is a heaven which worldlings care not for. They know not what a mass of
glory is crowded into that one sentence: “To be with Christ.” But to the
believer the words are a concentration of bliss. Take only one of the
many precious thoughts the words suggest– the sight of Christ . “Thine
eye shall see the King in His beauty.” We have heard of Him, and can
say, “Whom having not seen we love.” But then we “ shall see Him .” Yes,
we shall actually gaze upon the exalted Redeemer. Realize the thought.
Is there not a heaven within it? Thou shalt see the hands which were
nailed to the cross for thee; thou shalt see the thorn-crowned head, and
with all the blood-washed throng, shalt thou bow with lowly reverence
before Him, who bowed in lowly abasement for thee. Faith is precious,
but what must sight be? To view Jesus as the Lamb of God through the
glass of faith, makes the soul rejoice with joy unspeakable; but oh! to
see Him face to face, to look into those eyes, to hear that
voice–rapture begins at the very mention of it! If even to think of
it is so sweet, what must the vision be when we shall talk with Him,
“even as a man talketh with his friend”–for the vision of Christ
implies communion . All that which the spouse desired in Solomon’s
Song, we shall have, and ten thousand times more. Then will the prayer
be fulfilled, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: for Thy
love is better than wine.” Then we shall be able to say, “His left hand
is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me.” Then shall we
experience the promise, “They shall walk with me in white, for they are
worthy.” And then we will pour out the song of gratitude, a song such as
we have never sung on earth, tuneful, dulcet, pure, full of serenity and
joy, no discord to mar its melody; a song rapt and seraphic. Happy day,
when vision and communion shall be ours in fulness–when we shall know
even as we are known!
INDEX.
PAGE
The Preciousness of the Promises. 5
Sorrow’s Discipline. 7
The Christian Warfare. 8
The Privileges of Trial. 10
The Joy of Victory. 11
Light in the Cloud. 13
Good Works. 16
The Knowledge of Christ’s Love. 18
Clear Shining after Rain. 21
A Quiet Heart. 23
A Rich Life. 24
“He hath Said.” 27
Safety in Conflict. 30
To-morrow. 32
A Full Heart. 34
Persevering Prayer. 37
Humility. 39
Look Upwards. 41
The Use of Trial. 41
Faith Necessary. 42
Christ “Altogether Lovely.” 44
The Remedy for Doubts. 47
All Things Working for Good. 48
The Triumph of Grace. 49
Religion a Personal Matter. 51
Strength through Weakness. 53
Begin Well. 54
The Robe of Righteousness. 56
Cross-Bearers. 57
The Happiness of Religion. 58
Unchangeable. 59
Increase of Faith. 60
Communion with Christ. 61
The Soul satisfied in Christ. 62
The Lord’s Jewels. 63
Memorials of Jesus. 64
“Freely give.” 66
Religion–a Present Enjoyment. 67
“Our Lord Jesus.” 70
Providence. 71
The Intercession of Christ. 72
Holiness. 73
The New Heart. 74
The Christian’s Daily Cross. 75
Joy over the Repenting. 76
God’s Tender Care. 77
The Christian’s Crown. 78
Obedience to God’s Will. 79
The Gospel. 80
Believing Prayer. 81
Warfare for Sin. 82
How to read the Bible. 83
A View of Christ. 84
The Author and Finisher of Faith. 85
The Glad Command. 86
Untiring Delight. 87
Divine Teaching. 89
Seeking Christ. 91
“Christ in You.” 92
Consolation. 93
Self-Examination. 94
Heaven an Inheritance. 95
The Sleep of Death. 97
Foretastes of Heaven. 99
The Work of the Spirit. 101
Peace. 103
Earth’s Seasons. 104
Love Undeserved. 106
The Infallible Commentary. 106
A Place of Trust. 107
“Consider Him.” 108
The Joy Of Pardon. 109
Inexhaustible Promises. 110
The Fulness of Christ. 111
True Blessing. 111
Faith and Feeling. 112
Near Home. 113
Beauty in Christ. 114
The Savior’s Legacy. 115
Needless Poverty. 116
The Sin of Unbelief. 117
The One Family. 118
The Spirit of Praise. 120
Love to Christ. 122
The First Lesson. 123
Danger of Prosperity. 123
Idleness. 124
Grace. 124
Obtaining Promises. 125
Sympathy. 127
“Endure Hardness.” 128
Usefulness. 129
The Church and the World. 130
The Fight of Faith. 132
Life’s Great Object. 134
Love’s Circumference. 136
The Way to Heaven. 137
Religion Exemplified. 139
The Right Estimate. 139
“Vessels of Mercy.” 140
Christian Diligence. 141
“Comfort ye my People.” 142
Self. 145
Strength through Joy. 145
The Refiner’s Fire. 146