Part 9

One inconvenience of "little-faith" is, that _while it is always sure of heaven, it very seldom thinks so_. Little-faith is quite as secure for heaven as Great-faith. When Jesus Christ counts up His jewels at the last day, He will take to Himself the little pearls as well as the great ones. If a diamond be never so small, yet it is precious because it is a diamond. So faith, be it never so little, if it be true faith, is "like precious" with that which apostles obtained. Christ will never lose even the smallest jewel of His crown. Little-faith is always secure of heaven, because the name of Little-faith is in the book of eternal life. Little-faith was chosen of God before the foundation of the world. Little-faith was bought with the blood of Christ; ay, and he cost as much as Great-faith. "For every man a shekel," was the price of redemption. Every man, whether great or small, prince or peasant, had to redeem himself with a shekel. Christ has bought all, both little and great, with the same most precious blood. Little-faith is always secure of heaven, for God has begun the work in him, and He will carry it on. God loves him, and He will love him unto the end. God has provided a crown for him, and He will not allow the crown to hang there useless; He has erected for him a mansion in heaven, and He will not allow the mansion to stand untenanted forever. Little-faith is always safe, but he very seldom knows it. If you meet him he is sometimes afraid of hell; very often afraid that the wrath of God abideth on him. He will tell you that the country on the other side the flood can never belong to one so base as he. Sometimes it is because he feels himself so unworthy; another time it is because the things of God are too good to be true, he says; or he cannot think they can be true to such a one as he. Sometimes he is afraid he is not elect; another time he fears that he has not been called aright, or that he has not come to Christ aright; anon, his fears are that he will not hold on to the end, that he shall not be able to persevere; and if you kill a thousand of his fears, he is sure to have another host by to-morrow; for unbelief is one of those things which you cannot destroy; you may kill it over and over again, but still it lives. It is one of those ill weeds which sleep in the soil even after it has been burned, and it only needs a little encouragement, or a little negligence, and it will sprout up again. Now, Great-faith is sure of heaven, and he knows it. He climbs Pisgah's top, and views the landscape o'er; he tastes of the sweetness of paradise even before he enters within the pearly gates; he sees the streets which are paved with gold; he beholds the walls of the city, the foundations whereof are of precious stones; he hears the mystic music of the glorified, and begins to smell on earth the perfumes of heaven. But poor Little-faith can scarcely look at the sun; he very seldom sees the light; he gropes in the valley, and while all is safe, he always thinks himself unsafe.

"_To be with Christ._"

"_To be with Christ_." Who can comprehend this but the Christian? It is a heaven which worldlings care not for. They know not what a mass of glory is crowded into that one sentence: "To be with Christ." But to the believer the words are a concentration of bliss. Take only one of the many precious thoughts the words suggest--_the sight of Christ_. "Thine eye shall see the King in His beauty." We have heard of Him, and can say, "Whom having not seen we love." But then we "_shall see Him_." Yes, we shall actually gaze upon the exalted Redeemer. Realize the thought. Is there not a heaven within it? Thou shalt see the hands which were nailed to the cross for thee; thou shalt see the thorn-crowned head, and with all the blood-washed throng, shalt thou bow with lowly reverence before Him, who bowed in lowly abasement for thee. Faith is precious, but what must sight be? To view Jesus as the Lamb of God through the glass of faith, makes the soul rejoice with joy unspeakable; but oh! to see Him face to face, to look into those eyes, to hear that voice--rapture begins at the very mention of it! If even to _think_ of it is so sweet, what must the _vision_ be when we shall talk with Him, "even as a man talketh with his friend"--for the vision of Christ implies _communion_. All that which the spouse desired in Solomon's Song, we shall have, and ten thousand times more. Then will the prayer be fulfilled, "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth: for Thy love is better than wine." Then we shall be able to say, "His left hand is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me." Then shall we experience the promise, "They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy." And then we will pour out the song of gratitude, a song such as we have never sung on earth, tuneful, dulcet, pure, full of serenity and joy, no discord to mar its melody; a song rapt and seraphic. Happy day, when vision and communion shall be ours in fulness--when we shall know even as we are known!

INDEX.

PAGE The Preciousness of the Promises. 5 Sorrow's Discipline. 7 The Christian Warfare. 8 The Privileges of Trial. 10 The Joy of Victory. 11 Light in the Cloud. 13 Good Works. 16 The Knowledge of Christ's Love. 18 Clear Shining after Rain. 21 A Quiet Heart. 23 A Rich Life. 24 "He hath Said." 27 Safety in Conflict. 30 To-morrow. 32 A Full Heart. 34 Persevering Prayer. 37 Humility. 39 Look Upwards. 41 The Use of Trial. 41 Faith Necessary. 42 Christ "Altogether Lovely." 44 The Remedy for Doubts. 47 All Things Working for Good. 48 The Triumph of Grace. 49 Religion a Personal Matter. 51 Strength through Weakness. 53 Begin Well. 54 The Robe of Righteousness. 56 Cross-Bearers. 57 The Happiness of Religion. 58 Unchangeable. 59 Increase of Faith. 60 Communion with Christ. 61 The Soul satisfied in Christ. 62 The Lord's Jewels. 63 Memorials of Jesus. 64 "Freely give." 66 Religion--a Present Enjoyment. 67 "Our Lord Jesus." 70 Providence. 71 The Intercession of Christ. 72 Holiness. 73 The New Heart. 74 The Christian's Daily Cross. 75 Joy over the Repenting. 76 God's Tender Care. 77 The Christian's Crown. 78 Obedience to God's Will. 79 The Gospel. 80 Believing Prayer. 81 Warfare for Sin. 82 How to read the Bible. 83 A View of Christ. 84 The Author and Finisher of Faith. 85 The Glad Command. 86 Untiring Delight. 87 Divine Teaching. 89 Seeking Christ. 91 "Christ in You." 92 Consolation. 93 Self-Examination. 94 Heaven an Inheritance. 95 The Sleep of Death. 97 Foretastes of Heaven. 99 The Work of the Spirit. 101 Peace. 103 Earth's Seasons. 104 Love Undeserved. 106 The Infallible Commentary. 106 A Place of Trust. 107 "Consider Him." 108 The Joy Of Pardon. 109 Inexhaustible Promises. 110 The Fulness of Christ. 111 True Blessing. 111 Faith and Feeling. 112 Near Home. 113 Beauty in Christ. 114 The Savior's Legacy. 115 Needless Poverty. 116 The Sin of Unbelief. 117 The One Family. 118 The Spirit of Praise. 120 Love to Christ. 122 The First Lesson. 123 Danger of Prosperity. 123 Idleness. 124 Grace. 124 Obtaining Promises. 125 Sympathy. 127 "Endure Hardness." 128 Usefulness. 129 The Church and the World. 130 The Fight of Faith. 132 Life's Great Object. 134 Love's Circumference. 136 The Way to Heaven. 137 Religion Exemplified. 139 The Right Estimate. 139 "Vessels of Mercy." 140 Christian Diligence. 141 "Comfort ye my People." 142 Self. 145 Strength through Joy. 145 The Refiner's Fire. 146 Heart-Learning. 146 The Hope of Heaven. 147 Rejoice Always. 149 Religion a Present Concern. 150 Trouble Lightened. 152 The Gospel Requirement. 153 "Ye are not your own." 155 "Continue in Prayer." 156 The Holy Savior. 157 Christ our Example. 158 God's Government. 160 The Secret of Strength. 162 Nature and Grace. 165 Look to Christ. 166 Love in Chastening. 167 Enduring the Cross. 169 Christian Gravity. 172 Short-Sightedness. 173 Steadfastness. 174 "Be not high-minded, but fear." 176 Evidence of the New Life. 177 "A few Names even in Sardis." 178 Increase of Strength. 181 The Triumphant Deliverance. 182 A Complete Savior. 184 Home-Mercies. 185 "Grace doth much more abound." 187 Unsubmissive Prayers. 190 "More than Conquerors." 192 Christian Gladness. 194 The Condescension of Christ. 196 All of Grace. 197 "This man receiveth sinners." 199 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice." 202 Changefulness. 207 Thoughts of Christ. 209 A Lesson of Humility. 212 Promises and Precepts. 214 Sweetness in Sorrow. 216 Little-Faith. 218 "To be with Christ." 221