_But Job answered and said._ JOB’S THIRD ANSWER There is more logic and less passion in this address than in any of Job’s preceding speeches. He felt the dogma of the friends to be opposed-- I. To his consciousness of rectitude. If their dogma was true, he must be a sinner above all the rest, for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore do the wicked live?_ REASON FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE WICKED ON EARTH I. As witnesses to attest. 1. The amount of freedom with which man is endowed. How free is man compared to everything about him. 2. The wonderful forbearance of God. 3. The existence of an extraordinary element in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in a moment go down to the grave._ THINGS CONTINGENT UPON A MOMENT Whatever begins, begins in a moment, and whatever ends, ends in a moment. Thoughts and purposes are formed in a moment--plans contemplated for years are decided in a moment--instantaneously. In so short a space everything come... [ Continue Reading ]
_Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways._ THE RICHES OF GRACE Job shows that wicked men may prosper in life and health (verse 7); in their multitude of children (verse 8); in tranquillity and safety (verse 9); in success and increase of their substance (verse 10); in wealth, s... [ Continue Reading ]
_What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?_ THE PROFITABLENESS OF RELIGION Let me first lay down the doctrine, that no man can hold the Christian view of God’s personality and dominion without his whole intellectual nature being ennobled. He no longer looks at things superficially; he sees b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall any teach God knowledge?_ MENTAL INDEPENDENCE OF GOD The mental independency of God involves two things--uninstructibleness and irresponsibleness. The former in man is either a calamity or a crime. But that which in any finite intelligence would be either a misfortune or a sin, is a gloriou... [ Continue Reading ]
_One dieth in his full strength. .. Another dieth in the bitterness of his soul._ PROVIDENCE VINDICATED AGAINST THE SUPERFICIAL OBSERVER That which hampers men most in understanding providence is its tremendous extent. It is like a great poem, and all that one life or one observer can read is a fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_One dieth in his full strength. .. Another dieth in the bitterness of his soul._ PROVIDENCE VINDICATED AGAINST THE SUPERFICIAL OBSERVER That which hampers men most in understanding providence is its tremendous extent. It is like a great poem, and all that one life or one observer can read is a fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_How then comfort ye me in vain?_ FALSE COMFORT Some years ago, I met a woman in Philadelphia, who was anxious about her soul, and had been a long time in that state. I conversed with her, and endeavoured to learn her state. She told me a good many things, and finally said she knew she ought to be... [ Continue Reading ]