November 14

November 14

Prayer

Pray that husbands love and cherish their wives as their own flesh, and that we be comforted knowing Christ loves and cherishes us, the members of his body.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 61

Question 61 - What is forbidden in the Fourth Commandment?

The Fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.

Reformational Reading

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 149

Question 149 - Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but does daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Private Reading

Amos 3

1.  Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2.  You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
3.  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
4.  Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
5.  Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
6.  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
7.  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8.  The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
9.  Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
10.  For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
11.  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
12.  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
13.  Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
14.  That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
15.  And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

Commentary: Amos 3

Vs. 1-8

The distinguishing favors of God to us, if they do not restrain from sin, shall not exempt from punishment. They could not expect communion with God, unless they first sought peace with him. Where there is not friendship, there can be no fellowship. God and man cannot walk together, except they are agreed. Unless we seek his glory, we cannot walk with him. Let us not presume on outward privileges, without special, sanctifying grace. The threatenings of the word and providence of God against the sin of man are certain, and certainly show that the judgments of God are at hand. Nor will God remove the affliction he has sent, till it has done its work. The evil of sin is from ourselves, it is our own doing; but the evil of trouble is from God, and is his doing, whoever are the instruments. This should engage us patiently to bear public troubles, and to study to answer God's meaning in them. The whole of the passage shows that natural evil, or troubles, and not moral evil, or sin, is here meant. The warning given to a careless world will increase its condemnation another day. Oh the amazing stupidity of an unbelieving world, that will not be wrought upon by the terrors of the Lord, and that despise his mercies!

Vs. 9-15

That power which is an instrument of unrighteousness, will justly be brought down and broken. What is got and kept wrongfully, will not be kept long. Some are at ease, but there will come a day of visitation, and in that day, all they are proud of, and put confidence in, shall fail them. God will inquire into the sins of which they have been guilty in their houses, the robbery they have stored up, and the luxury in which they lived. The pomp and pleasantness of men's houses, do not fortify against God's judgments, but make sufferings the more grievous and vexatious. Yet a remnant, according to the election of grace, will be secured by our great and good Shepherd, as from the jaws of destruction, in the worst times.

Psalm 146-147

1.  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2.  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3.  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4.  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5.  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6.  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7.  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8.  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9.  The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10.  The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

1.  Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2.  The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3.  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4.  He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5.  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6.  The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7.  Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8.  Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9.  He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10.  He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11.  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12.  Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13.  For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14.  He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15.  He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16.  He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17.  He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18.  He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19.  He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20.  He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Commentary: Psalm 146-147

Vs. 1-4

If it is our delight to praise the Lord while we live, we shall certainly praise him to all eternity. With this glorious prospect before us, how low do worldly pursuits seem! There is a Son of man in whom there is help, even him who is also the Son of God, who will not fail those that trust in him. But all other sons of men are like the man from whom they sprung, who, being in honor, did not abide. God has given the earth to the children of men, but there is great striving about it. Yet, after a while, no part of the earth will be their own, except that in which their dead bodies are laid. And when man returns to his earth, in that very day all his plans and designs vanish and are gone: what then comes of expectations from him?

Vs. 5-10

The psalmist encourages us to put confidence in God. We must hope in the providence of God for all we need as to this life, and in the grace of God for that which is to come. The God of heaven became a man that he might become our salvation. Though he died on the cross for our sins, and was laid in the grave, yet his thoughts of love to us did not perish; he rose again to fulfill them. When on earth, his miracles were examples of what he is still doing every day. He grants deliverance to captives bound in the chains of sin and Satan. He opens the eyes of the understanding. He feeds with the bread of life those who hunger for salvation; and he is the constant Friend of the poor in spirit, the helpless: with him poor sinners, that are as fatherless, find mercy; and his kingdom shall continue for ever. Then let sinners flee to him, and believers rejoice in him. And as the Lord shall reign for ever, let us stir up each other to praise his holy name.

Vs. 1-11

Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely; it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. He gathers outcast sinners by his grace, and will bring them into his holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, he speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let others praise him also. Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is a depth that can never be fathomed. And while he telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear the broken-hearted sinner. While he feeds the young ravens, he will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, therefore no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist delights not in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.

Vs. 12-20

The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise him for all the benefits and blessings vouchsafed to her; and these are represented by his favors in the course of nature. The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to the wind, John 3:8. Converting grace softens the heart that was hard frozen, and melts it into tears of repentance, and makes good reflections to flow, which before were chilled and stopped up. The change which the thaw makes is very evident, yet how it is done no one can say. Such is the change wrought in the conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.

Family Reading

1 Chronicles 3-4

1.  Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
2.  The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
3.  The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
4.  These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
5.  And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:
6.  Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7.  And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8.  And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9.  These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
10.  And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
11.  Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
12.  Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
13.  Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
14.  Amon his son, Josiah his son.
15.  And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
16.  And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
17.  And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son,
18.  Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
19.  And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
20.  And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushabhesed, five.
21.  And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
22.  And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
23.  And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three.
24.  And the sons of Elioenai were, Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven.

1.  The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
2.  And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
3.  And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi:
4.  And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.
5.  And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6.  And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.
7.  And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan.
8.  And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
9.  And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10.  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
11.  And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton.
12.  And Eshton begat Bethrapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah.
13.  And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.
14.  And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.
15.  And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.
16.  And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.
17.  And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
18.  And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.
19.  And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
20.  And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.
21.  The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
22.  And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.
23.  These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.
24.  The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul:
25.  Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.
26.  And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son.
27.  And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.
28.  And they dwelt at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,
29.  And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad,
30.  And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
31.  And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David.
32.  And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:
33.  And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy.
34.  And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
35.  And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,
36.  And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,
37.  And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah;
38.  These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
39.  And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
40.  And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.
41.  And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.
42.  And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
43.  And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

Commentary: 1 Chronicles 3-4

Vs. 1-24

Of all the families of Israel, none were so illustrious as the family of David: here we have a full account of it. From this family, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. The attentive observer will perceive that the children of the righteous enjoy many advantages.

Vs. 1-43

In this chapter we have a further account of Judah, the most numerous and most famous of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon. The most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honorable than his brethren; but we find that he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to do God's will, and to pray earnestly. Here is the prayer he made. Jabez prayed to the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people. He does not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; he was afraid to promise in his own strength, and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me; I will be at thy command and disposal for ever. As the text reads it, this was the language of a most ardent and affection desire, Oh that thou wouldest bless me! Four things Jabez prayed for.

1. That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings: God's blessings are real things, and produce real effects.
2. That He would enlarge his coast. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself, and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer.
3. That God's hand might be with him. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is a hand all-sufficient for us.
4. That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. God granted that which he requested. God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy.

Hebrews 9

1.  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2.  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3.  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4.  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5.  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6.  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7.  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8.  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9.  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10.  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11.  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12.  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13.  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14.  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15.  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16.  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17.  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18.  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19.  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20.  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21.  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22.  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23.  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24.  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25.  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26.  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28.  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Commentary: Hebrews 9

Vs. 1-5

The apostle shows to the Hebrews the typical reference of their ceremonies to Christ. The tabernacle was a movable temple, shadowing forth the unsettled state of the church upon earth, and the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily. The typical meaning of these things has been shown in former remarks, and the ordinances and articles of the Mosaic covenant point out Christ as our Light, and as the Bread of life to our souls; and remind us of his Divine Person, his holy priesthood, perfect righteousness, and all-prevailing intercession. Thus was the Lord Jesus Christ, all and in all, from the beginning. And as interpreted by the gospel, these things are a glorious representation of the wisdom of God, and confirm faith in Him who was prefigured by them.

Vs. 6-10

The apostle goes on to speak of the Old Testament services. Christ, having undertaken to be our High Priest, could not enter into heaven till he had shed his blood for us; and none of us can enter, either into God's gracious presence here, or his glorious presence hereafter, but by the blood of Jesus. Sins are errors, great errors, both in judgment and practice; and who can understand all his errors? They leave guilt upon the conscience, not to be washed away but by the blood of Christ. We must plead this blood on earth, while he is pleading it for us in heaven. A few believers, under the Divine teaching, saw something of the way of access to God, of communion with him, and of admission into heaven through the promised Redeemer, but the Israelites in general looked no further than the outward forms. These could not take away the defilement or dominion of sin. They could neither discharge the debts, nor resolve the doubts, of him who did the service. Gospel times are, and should be, times of reformation, of clearer light as to all things needful to be known, and of greater love, causing us to bear ill-will to none, but goodwill to all. We have greater freedom, both of spirit and speech, in the gospel, and greater obligations to a more holy living.

Vs. 11-14

All good things past, present, and to come, were and are founded upon the priestly office of Christ, and come to us from thence. Our High Priest entered into heaven once for all, and has obtained eternal redemption. The Holy Ghost further signified and showed that the Old Testament sacrifices only freed the outward man from ceremonial uncleanness, and fitted him for some outward privileges. What gave such power to the blood of Christ? It was Christ's offering himself without any sinful stain in his nature or life. This cleanses the most guilty conscience from dead, or deadly, works to serve the living God; from sinful works, such as pollute the soul, as dead bodies did the persons of the Jews who touched them; while the grace that seals pardon, new-creates the polluted soul. Nothing more destroys the faith of the gospel, than by any means to weaken the direct power of the blood of Christ. The depth of the mystery of the sacrifice of Christ, we cannot dive into, the height we cannot comprehend. We cannot search out the greatness of it, or the wisdom, the love, the grace that is in it. But in considering the sacrifice of Christ, faith finds life, food, and refreshment.

Vs. 15-22

The solemn transactions between God and man, are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament, which is a willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies on such persons as are described, and it only takes effect upon his death. Thus Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us, but to give power to the disposal of them. All, by sin, were become guilty before God, had forfeited every thing that is good; but God, willing to show the greatness of his mercy, proclaimed a covenant of grace. Nothing could be clean to a sinner, not even his religious duties; except as his guilt was done away by the death of a sacrifice, of value sufficient for that end, and unless he continually depended upon it. May we ascribe all real good works to the same all-procuring cause, and offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ's blood, and so purified from their defilement.

Vs. 23-28

It is evident that the sacrifices of Christ are infinitely better than those of the law, which could neither procure pardon for sin, nor impart power against it. Sin would still have been upon us, and have had dominion over us; but Jesus Christ, by one sacrifice, has destroyed the works of the devil, that believers may be made righteous, holy, and happy. As no wisdom, learning, virtue, wealth, or power, can keep one of the human race from death, so nothing can deliver a sinner from being condemned at the day of judgment, except the atoning sacrifice of Christ; nor will one be saved from eternal punishment who despises or neglects this great salvation. The believer knows that his Redeemer liveth, and that he shall see him. Here is the faith and patience of the church, of all sincere believers. Hence is their continual prayer as the fruit and expression of their faith, Even so come, Lord Jesus.

Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.