http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/ A forum for the discussion of Reformed Theology and the historic Christian Faith en Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:29:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.puritanboard.com/images/retro/misc/rss.jpg http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/ http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/430-christian-loyalty-matthew-henry.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:18:13 GMT Natural affection must give way to divine grace. Our country is dear to us, our kindred dearer, and our father's house dearest of all; and yet they must all be hated (Luke xiv. 26), that is, we must love them less than Christ, hate them in comparison with him, and, whenever any of these come in competition with him, they must be postponed, and the preference given to the will and honour of the Lord Jesus.... The world, and all our enjoyments in it, must be looked upon with a holy indifference and contempt; we must no longer look upon it as our country, or home, but as our inn, and must accordingly sit loose to it and live above it, get out of it in affection. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/430-christian-loyalty-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/429-when-good-happens-bad-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:19 GMT Those that are under the curse of God may yet perhaps thrive and prosper greatly in this world; for we cannot know love or hatred, the blessing or the curse, by what is before us, but by what is within us, Eccl. ix. 1... Those that are under the curse of God may yet perhaps thrive and prosper greatly in this world; for we cannot know love or hatred, the blessing or the curse, by what is before us, but by what is within us, Eccl. ix. 1. The curse of God always works really and always terribly: but perhaps it is a secret curse, a curse to the soul, and does not work visibly, or a slow curse, and does not work immediately; but sinners are by it reserved for, and bound over to, a day of wrath. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/429-when-good-happens-bad-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/428-father-knows-best-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:12 GMT Note, God consults our benefit rather than our desires; for he knows what is good for us better than we do for ourselves, and how long it is fit our restraints should continue and desired mercies should be delayed. We would go out of the ark before... Note, God consults our benefit rather than our desires; for he knows what is good for us better than we do for ourselves, and how long it is fit our restraints should continue and desired mercies should be delayed. We would go out of the ark before the ground is dried: and perhaps, if the door be shut, are ready to remove the covering, and to climb up some other way; but we should be satisfied that God's time of showing mercy is certainly the best time, when the mercy is ripe for us and we are ready for it. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/428-father-knows-best-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/427-gods-timing-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:06 GMT Note, As the earth was not drowned in a day, so it was not dried in a day. In the creation, it was but one day's work to clear the earth from the waters that covered it, and to make it dry land; nay, it was but half a day's work, ch. i. 9, 10. But, the work of creation being finished, this work of providence was effected by the concurring influence of second causes, yet thus enforced by the almighty power of God. God usually works deliverance for his people gradually, that the day of small things may not be despised, nor the day of great things despaired of, Zech. iv. 10. See Prov. iv. 18. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/427-gods-timing-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/426-saints-afflictions-result-his-promotions-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:42 GMT When all other buildings were demolished by the waters, and buried under them, the ark alone subsisted. Observe, 1. The waters which broke down every thing else bore up the ark. That which to unbelievers is a savour of death unto death is to the... When all other buildings were demolished by the waters, and buried under them, the ark alone subsisted. Observe, 1. The waters which broke down every thing else bore up the ark. That which to unbelievers is a savour of death unto death is to the faithful a savour of life unto life. 2. The more the waters increased the higher the ark was lifted up towards heaven. Thus sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions; and as troubles abound consolations much more abound. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/426-saints-afflictions-result-his-promotions-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/425-what-lord-does-he-does-perfectly-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:47 GMT When God judges he will overcome. If he begin, he will make an end; his way is perfect, both in judgment and mercy. When God judges he will overcome. If he begin, he will make an end; his way is perfect, both in judgment and mercy. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/425-what-lord-does-he-does-perfectly-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/424-mans-dutiful-response-gospel-call-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:39 GMT It is our great duty, in obedience to the gospel call, by a lively faith in Christ, to come into that way of salvation which God has provided for poor sinners. When Noah came into the ark, he quitted his own house and lands; so must we quit our own... It is our great duty, in obedience to the gospel call, by a lively faith in Christ, to come into that way of salvation which God has provided for poor sinners. When Noah came into the ark, he quitted his own house and lands; so must we quit our own righteousness and our worldly possessions, whenever they come into competition with Christ. Noah must, for a while, submit to the confinements and inconveniences of the ark, in order to his preservation for a new world; so those that come into Christ to be saved by him must deny themselves, both in sufferings and services. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/424-mans-dutiful-response-gospel-call-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/423-gods-destruction-yet-longsuffering-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:32 GMT God made the world in six days, but he was forty days in destroying it; for he is slow to anger: but, though the destruction came slowly and gradually, yet it came effectually. God made the world in six days, but he was forty days in destroying it; for he is slow to anger: but, though the destruction came slowly and gradually, yet it came effectually. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/423-gods-destruction-yet-longsuffering-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/422-gods-restraint-has-end-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:22 GMT When wickedness has become general and universal ruin is not far off; while there is a remnant of praying people in a nation, to empty the measure as it fills, judgments may be kept off a great while; but when all hands are at work to pull down the... When wickedness has become general and universal ruin is not far off; while there is a remnant of praying people in a nation, to empty the measure as it fills, judgments may be kept off a great while; but when all hands are at work to pull down the fences by sin, and none stand in the gap to make up the breach, what can be expected but an inundation of wrath? ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/422-gods-restraint-has-end-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/421-oouch-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:13 GMT [T]hose that truly repent of sin will resolve, in the strength of God's grace, to mortify sin and to destroy it, and so to undo what they have done amiss. We do but mock God in saying that we are sorry for our sin, and that it grieves us to the heart, if we continue to indulge it. In vain do we pretend a change of our mind if we do not evidence it by a change of our way. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/421-oouch-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/420-message-people-america-et-al-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:04 GMT The wickedness of a people is great indeed when the most notorious sinners are men of renown among them. Things are bad when bad men are not only honoured notwithstanding their wickedness, but honoured for their wickedness, and the vilest men... The wickedness of a people is great indeed when the most notorious sinners are men of renown among them. Things are bad when bad men are not only honoured notwithstanding their wickedness, but honoured for their wickedness, and the vilest men exalted. Wickedness is then great when great men are wicked. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/420-message-people-america-et-al-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/419-grace-not-given-basis-geneology-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:57:57 GMT Grace does not run in the blood, but corruption does. A sinner begets a sinner, but a saint does not beget a saint. Grace does not run in the blood, but corruption does. A sinner begets a sinner, but a saint does not beget a saint. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/419-grace-not-given-basis-geneology-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/418-fear-sin-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:57:29 GMT Note, Unpardoned guilt fills men with continual terrors, Prov. xxviii. 1; Job xv. 20, 21; Ps. liii. 5 (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bible/asv.Prov.28.html#Prov.28.1). It is better to fear and not sin than to sin and then fear. Note, Unpardoned guilt fills men with continual terrors, Prov. xxviii. 1; Job xv. 20, 21; Ps. liii. 5. It is better to fear and not sin than to sin and then fear. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/418-fear-sin-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/417-complains-gods-just-judgments-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:57:21 GMT Impenitent unhumbled hearts are therefore not reclaimed by God's rebukes because they think themselves wronged by them; and it is an evidence of great hardness to be more concerned about our sufferings than about our sins. ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/417-complains-gods-just-judgments-matthew-henry.html http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/416-satans-wiles-matthew-henry.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:54:44 GMT Satan teaches men first to doubt and then to deny; he makes them sceptics first, and so by degrees makes them atheists. - Matthew Henry Satan teaches men first to doubt and then to deny; he makes them sceptics first, and so by degrees makes them atheists. - Matthew Henry ]]> Joshua http://www.puritanboard.com/blogs/joshua/416-satans-wiles-matthew-henry.html