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Archive for the ‘Puritan’ Category

Resurrection“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” — Matthew 28:18-20.

The change from “the man of sorrows” before his crucifixion to the “Lord over all” after his resurrection is very striking.  Before his Passion, he was well known by his disciples, and appeared only in one form, as the Son of man, clad in the common peasant’s garment without seam, woven from the top throughout; but after he had risen from the dead he was on several occasions unrecognized by those who loved him best, and is once at least described as having appeared to certain of them “under another form.”  He was the same person, for they saw his hands and his feet, and Thomas even handled him, and placed his finger in the print of the nails; but yet it would seem that some gleams of his glory were at times manifested to them, a glory which had been hidden during his previous life, save only when he stood on the Mount of Transfiguration. (more…)

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Privileges

A Puritan Prayer

O LORD GOD,

Teach me to know that grace precedes, accompanies, and follows

my salvation,

that it sustains the redeemed soul,

that not one link of its chain can ever break.

From Calvary’s cross wave upon wave of grace reaches me,

deals with my sin,

washes me clean,

renews my heart,

strengthens my will,

draws out my affection,

kindles a flame in my soul,

rules throughout my inner man,

consecrates my every thought, word, work,

teaches me thy immeasurable love.

How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus!

Without him, I stand far off; a stranger, an outcast;

in him I draw near and touch his kingly scepter.

Without him, I dare not lift up my guilty eyes;

in him I gaze upon my Father-God and friend

Without him, I bide my lips in trembling shame;

in him I open my mouth in petition and praise.

Without him, all is wrath and consuming fire;

in him is all love, and the repose of my soul.

Without him, is gaping hell below me, and eternal anguish;

in him its gates are barred to me by his precious blood.

Without him, darkness spreads its horrors in front;

in him an eternity of glory is my boundless horizon.

Without him, all within me is terror and dismay,

in him every accusation is charmed into joy and peace.

Without him, all things external call for my condemnation;

in him they minister to my comfort,

and are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving.

Praise be to thee for grace,

and for the unspeakable gift of Jesus.

from The Valley of Vision.

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