KenH
Well-Known Member
Which is not another (gospel), but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ.—Galatians 1:7.
Trouble us indeed! it is our wisdom to hear preaching with an attentive mind, a humble heart, and a godly jealousy over what is spoken. The sweet sound of the gospel is joy to the heart, and as marrow and fatness to the soul; for it proclaims nothing but good news or glad tidings. This is its name: its nature and properties perfectly agree therewith.
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But preaching terms and conditions to be performed by us, in order to entitle to gospel grace, hath a native tendency to distress the mind, weaken faith, damp love, deject hope, and of consequence make the believer less zealous of good works. Yet, through blindness and ignorance, some call this gospel; but Paul denies it: he says, "It is not another," he won't mention gospel. It deserves not the name; it is a mere system of man's devising. O but if there is great talk of the interest of morality, and a specious pretence to holiness, this makes a great shew in the flesh, so as to trouble some, and deceive many. But such "pervert the gospel of Christ; the everlasting gospel." For that proclaims eternal election, everlasting love, an established covenant of grace; brings everlasting consolations to the soul, by an everlasting righteousness through faith: and sure and certain salvation to every believer. THE GOSPEL, like some stately ship, is richly laden with the most munificent blessings of the patrimony of our Father; the last will and testament of our precious Saviour, freely consigned under the testimony of the Spirit, to us poor, lost, perishing sinners. O believer! study the immense value and riches of the gospel: be on thy guard, lest any deprive thy mind of its freeness and fulness. Gospel-perverters are conscience-troublers. Listen not to their specious guiles, lest thy mind be perplexed. Glory to our God, here is our mercy; though false teachers shall arise, though they may trouble, yet "it is impossible, saith our Saviour, that they should deceive the elect of God."—Matthew 24:24.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, June 22
Trouble us indeed! it is our wisdom to hear preaching with an attentive mind, a humble heart, and a godly jealousy over what is spoken. The sweet sound of the gospel is joy to the heart, and as marrow and fatness to the soul; for it proclaims nothing but good news or glad tidings. This is its name: its nature and properties perfectly agree therewith.
...
But preaching terms and conditions to be performed by us, in order to entitle to gospel grace, hath a native tendency to distress the mind, weaken faith, damp love, deject hope, and of consequence make the believer less zealous of good works. Yet, through blindness and ignorance, some call this gospel; but Paul denies it: he says, "It is not another," he won't mention gospel. It deserves not the name; it is a mere system of man's devising. O but if there is great talk of the interest of morality, and a specious pretence to holiness, this makes a great shew in the flesh, so as to trouble some, and deceive many. But such "pervert the gospel of Christ; the everlasting gospel." For that proclaims eternal election, everlasting love, an established covenant of grace; brings everlasting consolations to the soul, by an everlasting righteousness through faith: and sure and certain salvation to every believer. THE GOSPEL, like some stately ship, is richly laden with the most munificent blessings of the patrimony of our Father; the last will and testament of our precious Saviour, freely consigned under the testimony of the Spirit, to us poor, lost, perishing sinners. O believer! study the immense value and riches of the gospel: be on thy guard, lest any deprive thy mind of its freeness and fulness. Gospel-perverters are conscience-troublers. Listen not to their specious guiles, lest thy mind be perplexed. Glory to our God, here is our mercy; though false teachers shall arise, though they may trouble, yet "it is impossible, saith our Saviour, that they should deceive the elect of God."—Matthew 24:24.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, June 22