Reflections on the Epistles of st. Paul, and on that to the Hebrews, with Scriptural illustrations. By a lay member of the Church of England [J. Stow].

DIVINE Clemency to bring us nearer to GOD, and to a fitness for an Inheritance amidst the Saints of Light and Unfading Glory, and Unfailing Happiness in The Kingdom of Heaven. And why does not perseverance in doing the Will of GOD, and in bearing His Dispensations with thankfulness, be they what they may, enter heartily into our principles and rules of conduct, when we are Assured that by faith, so working by love, we may be Counted worthy of The Kingdom of Everlasting Righteousness, and Purity and Holiness?The Apostle exultingly, as well as gratefully, dwells upon every manifestation of Zeal in the Cause of his Adored Master, and the exercises of Christian Charity; for to the Corinthians he writes, As touching the ministering to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know the forwardness of your mind; for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many-2 Cor. ix. 1, 2; thus shewing how the vital influence of the Religion of JESUS beautifully and sympathetically expands itself-See also 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.—On the subject of patient endurance of suffering and affliction, the Apostle James refers to the example of the Prophets, saying, Take, my Brethren, the Prophets,who have spoken in the Name of The LORD, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience; adding, what seems to have been a favourite view with him of the Church Militant on Earth, Behold, we count them happy, which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the End of The LORD, that The LORD is very Pitiful, and of Tender Mercy-James v. 10, 11. -That trials of faith are Proofs of DIVINE Regard, since GOD Suffereth us not to be tempted above that we are able but with the temptation, always Provideth a means of escape, St. Paul elsewhere insists, as in his Letter to the Philippians he says, Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of The Gospel in nothing terrified by your Adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to you of Salvation, and that of GOD: for unto you it is Given, in the behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His Sake-Phil. i. 27 to 29; 1 Thess. ii. 14. The Hebrew Converts had to endure a great fight of afflictions, partly, whilst they were made a gazing-stock, both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, whilst they became Companions of those, that were so used-Heb. x. 32, 33. For to witness the sufferings of Others endeared to us as Brethren, and embarked with us in the same holy Cause, is scarcely a less trial to our own feelings, than if Ourselves were the objects of such Persecution.

VERSES 6 to 10.-Seeing it is a Righteous Thing with GOD to Recompense tribulation to them, that trouble you; and to you, who are troubled, rest,with us; when The LORD JESUS shall be Revealed from Heaven with His mighty Angels, in Flaming Fire, Taking Vengeance on them, that know not GOD, and that obey not The Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; who shall be Punished with everlasting destruction from the Presence of The LORD, and from the Glory of His Power, when He shall Come to be Glorified in His Saints; and to be Admired in all them, that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. The LORD, Who is A GOD of Knowledge and The JUDGE of all the World, is A Righteous JUDGE, and will by no means Spare the Guilty; Such therefore as give themselves to the heinous evil of persecuting the Children of GOD, and take delight to seek to overturn their faith by the severity or subtilty of trials or temptations inflicted upon them, or studiously placed within their way, and exult in every downfall or desertion from the Ranks of the Church Militant upon Earth, will in their turn be assuredly Overtaken by the Just Chastisement of A GOD of Justice, Whose Arm is Omnipotent to Punish, as It is Almighty to Save and Munificent to Reward. To the truly Faithful in CHRIST JESUS, the Encouragement thus Held out is, not that the Wicked will be turned

into Hell, where the fire of a tormenting conscience at least is never quenched, but that the Wicked, however troubled themselves, will then cease from troubling, and leave the weary but confiding Christians to their Everlasting Rest. And to that Period, as the Consummation of all things, the Apostle Prophetically points, when contemplating the Sovereignty and Universal Supremacy of The SON of GOD, Coming in All The Majesty and Power of HEAVEN, to Judge both Quick and Dead; and when the Destiny of every Human Soul will be finally Fixed, and the Faithful will be Called to the Joy of their LORD; but the Reprobate and Unbelieving will be Sentenced to an endless separation from the Hallowing Presence of CHRIST, in the Fulness of His DIVINE Glory; and the Door of Salvation will for ever be Closed against them. How unspeakable, how utterly inconceivable by the heart of even the most Spiritualized, is that State of Heavenly Holiness and Happiness, which will then Await the Redeemed in CHRIST JEŠUS! And on the other hand, how equally surpassing every effort of the Human imagination, is that Consignment to interminable woe, which will be experienced by the Unreclaimed and the Rejected from the Bosom of DIVINE Love and the Bowels of DIVINE Mercy! Oh may we believe from the heart, in this our Day of Visitation by DIVINE Love and Mercy, that we may be Glorified by our SAVIOUR's Classing us with His Saints in the Great Day of His Final Judgment upon us! That the view of His Power, amidst His Surpassing Glory, may rejoice our Spiritualized eyes in all Eternity!- -In the Revelation made to St. John, on the Prophetic view afforded him of The LAMB's Opening the Fifth Seal, the Apostle's narrative is, that he saw under the Altar the Souls of them, that were slain for the Word of GOD, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O LORD, Holy and True, dost Thou not Judge and Avenge our blood on them, that dwell on the Earth? And white robes were given unto every One of them; and it was Said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their Fellow-Servants also and their Brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled-Rev. vi. 9 to 11. In The LORD's Own Time will the career of Wickedness be Stayed, and the triumph of His Saints, through the Valour and Wisdom of The Great CAPTAIN of Salvation, be complete; for then Blessed will be the Dead, yea unspeakably Blessed, who die in The LORD, having lived in His Service, and proved faithful unto the end-Rev. xiv. 13; 1st Thess. iv. 14. But how awfully different will be the Lot of those Outcasts from The DIVINE Favour, who have done despite to The SPIRIT of Grace and spurned the admonitions of conscience, and lent themselves to work evil continually, and to make even a mock of sin; as will be fatally and irretrievably experienced by them, when The LORD Cometh with ten Thousands of His Saints to Execute Judgment upon All, and to Convince All, that are ungodly, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodlily committed-Jude 14, 15. Let us therefore use the utmost caution over ourselves; and to that end cherish and exercise a prayerful Spirit, lest, having received the knowledge of the Truth, as It is in JESÚS, we afterwards wilfully sin; and there then remaineth no more Efficacy of CHRIST's Sacrifice on our behalf, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and Fiery Indignation, which will devour every persevering Adversary of His CauseHeb. x. 26, 27. On that Awful Day of Retributive Justice, as St. Peter saith, The Heavens and the Earth, which are now, by the Word of The ALMIGHTY are Kept in Store, Reserved unto Fire, against the Day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly Men, and Women too-2 Pet. iii. 7. In the Grandeur of Oracular Utterance Moses represents JEHOVAH Thus to Speak forth His Impending Chastisement over the impenitently Guilty-If I Whet My Glittering Sword and Mine Hand Take Hold on Judgment, I will Render Vengeance to Mine Ene

DIVINE Clemency to bring us nearer to GOD, and to a fitness for an Inheritance amidst the Saints of Light and Unfading Glory, and Unfailing Happiness in The Kingdom of Heaven. And why does not perseverance in doing the Will of GOD, and in bearing His Dispensations with thankfulness, be they what they may, enter heartily into our principles and rules of conduct, when we are Assured that by faith, so working by love, we may be Counted worthy of The Kingdom of Everlasting Righteousness and Purity and Holiness?The Apostle exultingly, as well as gratefully, dwells upon every manifestation of Zeal in the Cause of his Adored Master, and the exercises of Christian Charity; for to the Corinthians he writes, As touching the ministering to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know the forwardness of your mind; for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many-2 Cor. ix. 1, 2; thus shewing how the vital influence of the Religion of JESUS beautifully and sympathetically expands itself-See also 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.—On the subject of patient endurance of suffering and affliction, the Apostle James refers to the example of the Prophets, saying, Take, my Brethren, the Prophets,who have spoken in the Name of The LORD, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience; adding, what seems to have been a favourite view with him of the Church Militant on Earth, Behold, we count them happy, which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the End of The LORD, that The LORD is very Pitiful, and of Tender Mercy-James v. 10, 11.- -That trials of faith are Proofs of DIVINE Regard, since GOD Suffereth us not to be tempted above that we are able but with the temptation always Provideth a means of escape, St. Paul elsewhere insists, as in his Letter to the Philippians he says, Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of The Gospel in nothing terrified by your Adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to you of Salvation, and that of GOD: for unto you it is Given, in the behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His Sake-Phil. i. 27 to 29; 1 Thess. ii. 14. The Hebrew Converts had to endure a great fight of afflictions, partly, whilst they were made a gazing-stock, both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, whilst they became Companions of those, that were so used-Heb. x. 32, 33. For to witness the sufferings of Others endeared to us as Brethren, and embarked with us in the same holy Cause, is scarcely a less trial to our own feelings, than if Ourselves were the objects of such Persecution.

into Hell, where the fire of a tormenting conscience at least is never quenched, but that the Wicked, however troubled themselves, will then cease from troubling, and leave the weary but confiding Christians to their Everlasting Rest. And to that Period, as the Consummation of all things, the Apostle Prophetically points, when contemplating the Sovereignty and Universal Supremacy of The SON of GOD, Coming in All The Majesty and Power of HEAVEN, to Judge both Quick and Dead; and when the Destiny of every Human Soul will be finally Fixed, and the Faithful will be Called to the Joy of their LORD; but the Reprobate and Unbelieving will be Sentenced to an endless separation from the Hallowing Presence of CHRIST, in the Fulness of His DIVINE Glory; and the Door of Salvation will for ever be Closed against them. How unspeakable, how utterly inconceivable by the heart of even the most Spiritualized, is that State of Heavenly Holiness and Happiness, which will then Await the Redeemed in CHRIST JEŠUS! And on the other hand, how equally surpassing every effort of the Human imagination, is that Consignment to interminable woe, which will be experienced by the Unreclaimed and the Rejected from the Bosom of DIVINE Love and the Bowels of DIVINE Mercy!- -Oh may we believe from the heart, in this our Day of Visitation by DIVINE Love and Mercy, that we may be Glorified by our SAVIOUR's Classing us with His Saints in the Great Day of His Final Judgment upon us! That the view of His Power, amidst His Surpassing Glory, may rejoice our Spiritualized eyes in all Eternity!In the Revelation made to St. John, on the Prophetic view afforded him of The LAMB's Opening the Fifth Seal, the Apostle's narrative is, that he saw under the Altar the Souls of them, that were slain for the Word of GOD, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O LORD, Holy and True, dost Thou not Judge and Avenge our blood on them, that dwell on the Earth? And white robes were given unto every One of them; and it was Said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their Fellow-Servants also and their Brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled-Rev. vi. 9 to 11. In The LORD's Own Time will the career of Wickedness be Stayed, and the triumph of His Saints, through the Valour and Wisdom of The Great CAPTAIN of Salvation, be complete; for then Blessed will be the Dead, yea unspeakably Blessed, who die in The LORD, having lived in His Service, and proved faithful unto the end-Rev. xiv. 13; 1st Thess. iv. 14. But how awfully different will be the Lot of those Outcasts from The DIVINE Favour, who have done despite to The SPIRIT of Grace and spurned the admonitions of conscience, and lent themselves to work evil continually, and to make even a mock of sin; as will be fatally and irretrievably experienced by them, when The LORD Cometh with ten Thousands of His Saints to Execute Judgment upon All, and to Convince All, that are ungodly, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodlily committed-Jude 14, 15. Let us therefore use the utmost caution over ourselves; and to that end cherish and exercise a prayerful Spirit, lest, having received the knowledge of the Truth, as It is in JESUS, we afterwards wilfully sin; and there then remaineth no more Efficacy of CHRIST's Sacrifice on our behalf, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and Fiery Indignation, which will devour every persevering Adversary of His CauseHeb. x. 26, 27. On that Awful Day of Retributive Justice, as St. Peter saith, The Heavens and the Earth, which are now, by the Word of The ALMIGHTY are Kept in Store, Reserved unto Fire, against the Day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly Men, and Women too-2 Pet. iii. 7. In the Grandeur of Oracular Utterance Moses represents JEHOVAH Thus to Speak forth His Impending Chastisement over the impenitently Guilty-If I Whet My Glittering Sword and Mine Hand Take Hold on Judgment, I will Render Vengeance to Mine Ene

DIVINE Clemency to bring us nearer to GOD, and to a fitness for an Inheritance amidst the Saints of Light and Unfading Glory, and Unfailing Happiness in The Kingdom of Heaven. And why does not perseverance in doing the Will of GOD, and in bearing His Dispensations with thankfulness, be they what they may, enter heartily into our principles and rules of conduct, when we are Assured that by faith, so working by love, we may be Counted worthy of The Kingdom of Everlasting Righteousness and Purity and Holiness?The Apostle exultingly, as well as gratefully, dwells upon every manifestation of Zeal in the Cause of his Adored Master, and the exercises of Christian Charity; for to the Corinthians he writes, As touching the ministering to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know the forwardness of your mind; for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many-2 Cor. ix. 1, 2; thus shewing how the vital influence of the Religion of JESUS beautifully and sympathetically expands itself See also 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.-On the subject of patient endurance of suffering and affliction, the Apostle James refers to the example of the Prophets, saying, Take, my Brethren, the Prophets,who have spoken in the Name of The LORD, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience; adding, what seems to have been a favourite view with him of the Church Militant on Earth, Behold, we count them happy, which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the End of The LORD, that The LORD is very Pitiful, and of Tender Mercy-James v. 10, 11.-That trials of faith are Proofs of DIVINE Regard, since GOD Suffereth us not to be tempted above that we are able but with the temptation, always Provideth a means of escape, St. Paul elsewhere insists, as in his Letter to the Philippians he says, Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of The Gospel in nothing terrified by your Adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to you of Salvation, and that of GOD: for unto you it is Given, in the behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His Sake-Phil. i. 27 to 29; 1 Thess. ii. 14. The Hebrew Converts had to endure a great fight of afflictions, partly, whilst they were made a gazing-stock, both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, whilst they became Companions of those, that were so used-Heb. x. 32, 33. For to witness the sufferings of Others endeared to us as Brethren, and embarked with us in the same holy Cause, is scarcely a less trial to our own feelings, than if Ourselves were the objects of such Persecution.

VERSES 6 to 10.-Seeing it is a Righteous Thing with GOD to Recompense tribulation to them, that trouble you; and to you, who are troubled, rest, with us; when The LORD JESUS shall be Revealed from Heaven with His mighty Angels, in Flaming Fire, Taking Vengeance on them, that know not GOD, and that obey not The Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; who shall be Punished with everlasting destruction from the Presence of The LORD, and from the Glory of His Power, when He shall Come to be Glorified in His Saints; and to be Admired in all them, that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. The LORD, Who is A GOD of Knowledge and The JUDGE of all the World, is A Righteous JUDGE, and will by no means Spare the Guilty; Such therefore as give themselves to the heinous evil of persecuting the Children of GOD, and take delight to seek to overturn their faith by the severity or subtilty of trials or temptations inflicted upon them, or studiously placed within their way, and exult in every downfall or desertion from the Ranks of the Church Militant upon Earth, will in their turn be assuredly Overtaken by the Just Chastisement of A GOD of Justice, Whose Arm is Omnipotent to Punish, as It is Almighty to Save and Munificent to Reward. To the truly Faithful in CHRIST JESUS, the Encouragement thus Held out is, not that the Wicked will be turned

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Reflections on the Epistles of st. Paul, and on that to the Hebrews, with ...