05.26.08
Young Sober Christians by Matthew Henry (8)
This is the eighth part in this short series from Matthew Henry. For an explanation of the series read here.
“You see now what is expected from you that are young, and how justly it is expected, you see both from the word of God; and now, shall I entreat you to make use of what I have said, to make it useful to yourselves, that this discourse may not be lost upon you?
What is Needed?
1. Self-examination
I want you to examine yourselves, and take heed of being mistaken in your judgment concerning yourselves. Can your hearts witness for you, that through the grace of God, by remembering yourselves and your Creator in the days of your youth, you are become in some measure sober-minded, and answer this beautiful character of young people?
…Some are more inclined to soberness in their natural temper than others are…but to them that are not so, though it be more difficult, yet withal it is more necessary. Wisdom, and grace, and consideration, are intended for the checking of disorders of the natural temper…
it is not a sober look that will serve, though that is graceful enough, if it be not affected and forced; but it is a sober mind that we are pressing earnestly upon you…
2. Exhortation
I want you to exhort yourselves. So some read that which we translate, ‘exhort one another;’ preach to your own hearts, preach over this message to them [this is a necessary practice (it is just meditation) even if this verse is not taken that way. One Puritan described meditation as preaching the most powerful sermon you have ever heard to your own heart - pressing the application of the truth very particularly]. Let all young people charge, and admonish, and encourage themselves to be sober-minded…
Let those that spend their time in carnal mirth, and sensual pleasures, whose business is nothing but sport and pastime, and their converse nothing but banter and buffoonery [there is nothing new under the sun], exhort themselves to be sober-minded, sometimes to be serious, and consider themselves; and try if they can make it as pleasant to themselves to think in earnest, as it is now to walk in jest; for I am sure, it will be abundantly more profitable…
Be humble in the use of what you do know, using it for edification, not for ostentation; it is but a windy knowledge that puffs up…”
Part Eight
G.M.
05.10.08
Closing With Christ
The following brief quotation is from one of my favourite, and possibily the most helpful, Puritan authors (a man John Owen spoke extemely highly of, going so far as to state that William Guthrie’s small work The Christian’s Great Interest had more practical divinity in it than all his own folios). The book is particularly useful to those who lack assurance of their salvation.
“We say, then, it is a most necessary duty thus to close with Christ Jesus, as the blessed relief appointed for sinners. Every one who is come to years of understanding, and hearth this gospel, is obliged to take to heart his own lost condition, and God’s gracious offer of peace and salvation through Christ Jesus, and speedily to flee from the wrath to come, by accepting and closing with this offer, heartily acquiescing therein as a satisfying way for the salvation of perishing sinners. And, that all may be the more encouraged to set about this duty, when they hear Him praying them to be reconciled unto Him, let them remember that peace and salvation are offered in universal terms to all without exception: ‘If any man will,’ he shall be welcome. (Rev. 22: 17.) If any thirst, although after that which will never profit, yet they shall be welcome here, on the condition aforesaid–’Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that has no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not breads and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’ (Isa. 55: 1-3.)
All are ‘commanded to believe.’ This is His commandment, ‘that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ.’ (1 John 3: 23.) The promises are to all who are externally called by the gospel. God excludes none, if they do not exclude themselves–’The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.’ (Acts 2: 39.) So that if any desire salvation, they may come forward, ‘He will in no wise cast them out’ (John 6: 37), being ‘able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God through Him.’ (Heb. 7: 25.) And those who have long delayed to take this matter to heart, have now the more need to look to it, lest what belongs to their peace be hid from their eyes. But all these words will not take effect with people, until ‘God pour out His Spirit from on high’ (Isa. 32: 15); to cause them to approach unto God in Christ; yet we must still press men’s duty upon them, and entreat and charge them, by the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, and their reckoning to Him in that day, that they give the Lord no rest until He send out that ‘Spirit, which He will give to them who ask it’ (Luke 11: 13), and cause them to know what belongs unto their peace, and bring them to their duty.”
G.M.
05.08.08
Young Sober Christians by Matthew Henry (7)
This is the seventh part in this short series from Matthew Henry. For an explanation of the series read here.
“Why Be Sober?
1. All are Reasonable Creatures
You are all reasonable creatures, and therefore ought to be sober-minded. Consider how noble and excellent that rank of beings is that you are of – how far advanced above that of the beasts – and, consequently, how unjust you are both to God and to yourselves, if by incogitancy, inconsideration, or of indulgence of any brutish appetite or passion, you level yourselves with the beasts that perish. What have you your reason for, if you do not make use of it?
…Let us, therefore, when we are awake, set reason to work, find it employment, and support its authority by sober-mindedness; and let not the conversation of the day be as idle and impertinent as the dreams of the night are, as I fear with many it is, both young and old… You would dread it as the greatest affliction, not to be able to use your reason – and will you not dread it as a great sin, not to use it well, and as it should be used, now you are able?
2. All are Sinners
you are all sinners, and guilty before God; conceived in iniquity, born in sin, you are by nature children of disobedience, and children of wrath; whether you have ever thought of it or not, certainly it is so; the scripture hath concluded you all under sin, and consequently under the sentence of death… And shall not the consideration of this make you sober?
…you are sinners, and therefore have reason to think very meanly and humbly of yourselves…
3. Setting Out
You are setting out into a world of sorrows and snares, of troubles and temptations, and therefore are concerned to be sober-minded, that you may be armed accordingly, so as that the troubles of the world may not rob you of your peace, nor the temptations of it rob you of your purity…. Nor you are young, and have the world before you, you are apt to flatter yourselves with a conceit that everything will be safe and pleasant…
4. Others are Ruined
You see many young people about you ruined and undone, and it was for want of being sober-minded.
5. On Trial
You are here in this world upon your trial for heaven. O that you would firmly believe this, not only that you are hastening apace to eternity, but that it will certainly be to you a comfortable, or a miserable eternity, according to what you are and do, while you are in the body! And this consideration, one would think, should make you sober…
You ought to be serious and circumspect now, because as you spend your time, so you are likely to spend eternity; and a great deal of work you have
6. Future Judgment
You must shortly go to judgment… Knowing therefore those terrors of the Lord, the terrors of that day, we implore men – we beseech young men – to be sober-minded, and therefore to let their moderation, that is their sober-mindedness, their good government and management of themselves, be known to all men, because the Lord is at hand. ‘The judge standeth at the door.’”
Part Seven
G.M.
