Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. There is no cry so pitiful as "Nothing to live for." The thought will flash across us that God sees us. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. It is a beautiful conclusion; it is a beautiful consequence; it is a blessed deduction. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made, St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. This might lead us to sadness and despair, but the Lord worketh in us . )God all-seeing:In the mythology of the heathen, Momus, the god of fault-finding, is represented as blaming Vulcan, because in the human form, which he had made of clay, he had not placed a window in the breast, by which whatever was done or thought there might easily be brought to light. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. 1, 2. Because Thou "wilt perfect"; therefore "forsake not the works of Thine own hands." The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. 2. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. The Promise of Peace You keep him in perfect peace You keep him in perfect peace. Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. 2. 6. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. Hilary of PoitiersThe Life and Writings of St. Hilary of PoitiersPsalmsThe piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. Rom. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. When I loved people, and poured out my life, Jesus was doing that through me. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, AthanasiusSelect Works and Letters or AthanasiusCovenant Duties. (2)Unseen world.(3)Everywhere. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple St. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatHow those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. In the next verse the curious growth and unfolding of the embryo is referred to. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. Even in its most rudimental form, invisible to any other ken, it is still open to His eyes, and He determines all its subsequent development, recording in His book the days to come, i.e. Whence our expectations of reward for doing right, of punishment for wrong-doing? God knows us, not relatively, but personally. ad probam IV. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. And what is the foundation of the promise? Understand the meaning of Psalms 138:8 using all available Bible versions and commentary. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' 1, 2. G. T. Shedd, D. D.)God's presenceArchbishop Temple. 15. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. This is living with God. AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. feel that assuredly he has got hold of a secret that too many of us do not possess, some less-favored one than the speaker comes up to him with wonder, wistfulness, perplexity, and desire written plainly on his countenance, and begins to -, 1. There is no reason to mourn a son as lost who is a religious, still less to fear for his delicacy of constitution. OURSELVES. Those who live much in refined and educated society acquire refinement insensibly. 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. See "Spurgeon's Sermons", Nos. "The Lord will perfect." That of siding with Him against evil (vers. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. 1, 2. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. They cannot be numbered! : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. Pentecostal. 18 " Ep., cxxx. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? AugustineOf Holy Virginity. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. He will revive us."--HOS. And this will generally be just when we are tempted to do wrong, or perhaps just when we are actually beginning to do it: some secret sin of which no one knows or dreams perhaps, some self-indulgence, which we dare not deny that God condemns. Rom. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. "When a foul crime has been perpetrated, tender-hearted Christian women who would not harm a hair of the enemy's head, but would rather feed him, will express keen resentment, and will be disquieted in mind till they hear that the perpetrator has been convicted and duly punished." If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. He is a man like ourselves; but as we look on him, we note how bright his eye, how radiant his countenance, how calm yet how joyous his tone, how happy in his conviction he seems to be, as he keeps saying to himself, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." Many times in the Psalms we see David speaking to himself, like in Psalm 43:5 where he says to himself why are you downcast O my soul? You can speak to the mountain and it will give way (Mark 11:23). The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. We must understand that everything in life has a spiritual ear. 5, 6. 5, 6. The poet multiplies expressions to indicate how complete is God's knowledge of him. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. the fear of man, as in the case of the Patriarch, may not bring a snare. GOD.1. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. How shall we learn to walk by His side? He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. xlix. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."(W. AugustineOf Holy Virginity. A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. He cannot comprehend it, which is not strange, for how is the finite to comprehend the infinite? Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. Our relation toward such a God should be 1. ID. Ps. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. II. Here first we see that GOD FILLS US WITH ASSURANCE. 15. To Dominicus, Bishop. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. (Admonition 23.) To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. Specially with His people. vi. [2105] And these without all controversy we take to be humble. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. This is living with God. Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. That of a prayerful seeking of the Divine guidance (ver. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. v. 22). 1. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. III. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. 17, 18).2. OURSELVES. [2105] And these without all controversy we take to be humble. How shall we learn to walk by His side? For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. Luke 12:7 says, Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius, The Saints' Final Perseverance Secured by the Mercy of God, The saints' final perseverance secured by the mercy of God, David praises God for the truth of his word, He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God. S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. ", 2. Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. II. Having trouble logging into your account? The faith of that Centurion He on this account chiefly praised, and said St. vi. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. - S.C. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. A man takes his money into the bank and leaves it. Hence Paul. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. (2)His knowledge of us is entire, complete.2. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."(W. (Isa. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. We become unconscious of everything by long use. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. And now you that are afraid about the future, rest with us in this sweet promise. 23, 24). 13-16).4. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. Ps. 18 " Ep., cxxx. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. 1. 8). Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. But yet there is another, not less powerful than any, which deserves special mention. III. AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point Saint Gregory the Greatthe Epistles of Saint Gregory the GreatThe Coming Revival"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. The Coming, 1. He is in (1)Heaven. "But how do you know all this? You are anxiously asking Him, shall I persevere to the end?
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