_Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers._ For there is no power but of God. LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS I. Every soul, or man (Exode 12:4; Genèse 46:27). 1. Secular person. 2. Ecclesiastical or religious. II. The object. “The higher powers,” or chief magistrates... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_For rulers are not a terror to good works._ THE DUTIES OF RULERS AND SUBJECTS I. Of rulers. 1. To protect the good. 2. To restrain the evil. 3. To reward merit. II. Of subjects. 1. To respect authority. 2. To do good. 3. And thereby merit praise. (_J. Lyth, D.D_.) DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD, A... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_Owe no man anything._ OWE NO MAN ANYTHING This precept may signify either to leave not our debts unpaid, or never get into debt. It may be looked to as a repetition of “Render unto all their dues” (_debitum, _debt). Be in no man’s books. If he be an individual with whom you are dealing, pay when y... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_Thou shalt not commit adultery … and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this … Thou shalt love thy neighbout as thyself._ THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF LOVE It comprehends-- I. The whole law. II. The letter and the spirit. III. Our neighbour as ourselves. (_J_. _Lyth,... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_And, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep._ A CALL I. To awake. Because-- 1. It is high time. 2. The night of unbelief is past. 3. The day of salvation is at hand. II. To duty. 1. To repentance--“Put off the works of darkness.” 2. To faith--“Put on the armour of... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_The night is far spent, the day is at hand._ THE NIGHT AND THE DAY These words contain-- I. A representation of this life and of the life to come. 1. This life is the night. Our condition in this state is one of-- (1) Ignorance. What feeble conceptions have we of God! What mistakes do we make... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_Let us walk honestly, as in the day._ RULES FOR WALKING IN THE DAY I. In general. Walk honestly (Tite 2:12). 1. Soberly. 2. Righteously. 3. Godly. II. In particular. 1. Not in rioting and drunkenness (Ésaïe 5:13). (1) This deprives us of the use of reason. (2) And so, for the present, blot... [ Continuer la lecture ]