This is a collection of brief thoughts extracted from writings of old saints on the Love of God for His People. They knew the Lord in a way I aspire to.
John Kershaw
What a mercy that our Lord Jesus is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever!" He does not love His people's sins, nor their failings, nor their infirmities; He did not love Peter's denial of him with oaths and curses; He did not love David's fall, for "the thing that he did displeased Him", but He loves His children, and will never leave them nor forsake them. Paul exulted in this: "who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?' Shall any or all of these things combined dissolve the union that exists between Christ and His people? No; it is an indissoluble union; for we are more that conquerors, through Him that loved us." O what a blessing that Jesus Christ is the same! "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." If our Jesus were not immutable (unchangeable), we could not stand; it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The mercy of the Lord is like Jesus, "from everlasting to everlasting;" The mercy of the LORD endureth for ever." So that the loving heart of the Lord Jesus Christ is ever firmly fixed upon His spouse; and He is the same in His regard for her "yesterday, and today, and forever." He rests in His love." (Zephaniah 3:17) May the Lord enable us to rest where He rests!
What a mercy that our Lord Jesus is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever!" He does not love His people's sins, nor their failings, nor their infirmities; He did not love Peter's denial of him with oaths and curses; He did not love David's fall, for "the thing that he did displeased Him", but He loves His children, and will never leave them nor forsake them. Paul exulted in this: "who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?' Shall any or all of these things combined dissolve the union that exists between Christ and His people? No; it is an indissoluble union; for we are more that conquerors, through Him that loved us." O what a blessing that Jesus Christ is the same! "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." If our Jesus were not immutable (unchangeable), we could not stand; it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The mercy of the Lord is like Jesus, "from everlasting to everlasting;" The mercy of the LORD endureth for ever." So that the loving heart of the Lord Jesus Christ is ever firmly fixed upon His spouse; and He is the same in His regard for her "yesterday, and today, and forever." He rests in His love." (Zephaniah 3:17) May the Lord enable us to rest where He rests!
John Kershaw 1792-1870
In the first place, we may look at the Lord Jesus Christ in the love of His Heart. We pause upon that; it is a pleasing subject for us to look at; the love of His Heart, His fond affections, firmly fixed upon the objects of His eternal choice from before all worlds. The concluding part of that memorable chapter, Proverbs 8, abundantly proves that His delight was with them before any part of creation was begun. Christ loved His people from the beginning with an everlasting love; as the effect of that love, He became their covenant Head, their Surety, and Mediator. It was the love of His heart that constrained Him to lay aside His radiant glory, and veil His Godhead in a clay tabernacle; that constrained Him to suffer, bleed, and die, "the Just for the unjust." "Herein is love, no that we loved God, but that God loved us," and that "when we were enemies," as the effect of that love, "Christ died for us."
And having finished and completed salvation's work in fulfillment of His covenant engagement, He has entered into heaven itself, and is the church's Head and representative in glory; with the love of His Heart firmly fixed on His church to this day; and blessed be His Name, He does not love His church in glory one jot or tittle more than His church on earth. The church in glory is more happy and blessed, but not more near and dear to the Redeemer, not more locked up in His Heart, than His spouse, His bride, in this her militant state of trial and difficulty on earth. Neither our corruption inwardly, nor our sins outwardly, nor the powers of darkness unitedly, can ever turn the Loving Heart of Jesus away from His people. It is always the same. Hearken to the solemn declaration ; there is food in it for our souls: Jesus, "having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." (John 13:1) His love does not, cannot change as ours does.
In the first place, we may look at the Lord Jesus Christ in the love of His Heart. We pause upon that; it is a pleasing subject for us to look at; the love of His Heart, His fond affections, firmly fixed upon the objects of His eternal choice from before all worlds. The concluding part of that memorable chapter, Proverbs 8, abundantly proves that His delight was with them before any part of creation was begun. Christ loved His people from the beginning with an everlasting love; as the effect of that love, He became their covenant Head, their Surety, and Mediator. It was the love of His heart that constrained Him to lay aside His radiant glory, and veil His Godhead in a clay tabernacle; that constrained Him to suffer, bleed, and die, "the Just for the unjust." "Herein is love, no that we loved God, but that God loved us," and that "when we were enemies," as the effect of that love, "Christ died for us."
And having finished and completed salvation's work in fulfillment of His covenant engagement, He has entered into heaven itself, and is the church's Head and representative in glory; with the love of His Heart firmly fixed on His church to this day; and blessed be His Name, He does not love His church in glory one jot or tittle more than His church on earth. The church in glory is more happy and blessed, but not more near and dear to the Redeemer, not more locked up in His Heart, than His spouse, His bride, in this her militant state of trial and difficulty on earth. Neither our corruption inwardly, nor our sins outwardly, nor the powers of darkness unitedly, can ever turn the Loving Heart of Jesus away from His people. It is always the same. Hearken to the solemn declaration ; there is food in it for our souls: Jesus, "having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." (John 13:1) His love does not, cannot change as ours does.
A. W. Tozer
Divine goodness, as one of God's attributes, is self-caused, infinite, perfect, and eternal. Since God is immutable, He never varies in the intensity of His loving-kindness. He has never been kinder than He now is, nor will He ever be less kind. He is no respecter of persons but makes His sun to shine on the evil as well as on the good, and sends His rain on the just and on the unjust. The cause of His goodness is in Himself; the recipients of His goodness are all His beneficiaries without merit and without recompense. Always, God's goodness is the ground of our expectation. Repentance, though necessary is not meritorious but a condition for receiving the gracious gift of pardon which God gives of His goodness. Prayer is not in itself meritorious. It lays God under no obligation nor puts Him in debt to any. He hears prayer because He is good, and for no other reason. Nor is faith meritorious; it is simply confidence in the goodness of God, and the lack of it is a reflection upon God's holy character.
Divine goodness, as one of God's attributes, is self-caused, infinite, perfect, and eternal. Since God is immutable, He never varies in the intensity of His loving-kindness. He has never been kinder than He now is, nor will He ever be less kind. He is no respecter of persons but makes His sun to shine on the evil as well as on the good, and sends His rain on the just and on the unjust. The cause of His goodness is in Himself; the recipients of His goodness are all His beneficiaries without merit and without recompense. Always, God's goodness is the ground of our expectation. Repentance, though necessary is not meritorious but a condition for receiving the gracious gift of pardon which God gives of His goodness. Prayer is not in itself meritorious. It lays God under no obligation nor puts Him in debt to any. He hears prayer because He is good, and for no other reason. Nor is faith meritorious; it is simply confidence in the goodness of God, and the lack of it is a reflection upon God's holy character.
William Romaine
"Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yealds the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby."
The cross is the only tree upon which the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit, will ripen. Although sense cannot perceive how they should grow or ripen on the cross of Christ, yet faith can. The promise is sure, and waiting faith, exercised with suffering , finds many promised fruits. O my soul, consider this precious scripture, and with close attention. Study it; treasure it up in your heart. It contains a rich cordial for the afflicted. Observe, there is love in sending the cross, love to be manifested by it, and heavenly fruits of love to grow upon it. Why then is suffering so hard? Why are you so little profited by it? Is it not generally barren, because you are not looking to the word of promise, and not depending upon the Holy Spirit to give you the promised fruit. Ask yourself therefore, especially in the hour of suffering, Am I now expecting the communion of the Holy Spirit, that by His grace I may partake with the Son in His salvation , and with the Father in his Love? Is this my present experience? There is no bearing the cross without it.
"Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yealds the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby."
The cross is the only tree upon which the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit, will ripen. Although sense cannot perceive how they should grow or ripen on the cross of Christ, yet faith can. The promise is sure, and waiting faith, exercised with suffering , finds many promised fruits. O my soul, consider this precious scripture, and with close attention. Study it; treasure it up in your heart. It contains a rich cordial for the afflicted. Observe, there is love in sending the cross, love to be manifested by it, and heavenly fruits of love to grow upon it. Why then is suffering so hard? Why are you so little profited by it? Is it not generally barren, because you are not looking to the word of promise, and not depending upon the Holy Spirit to give you the promised fruit. Ask yourself therefore, especially in the hour of suffering, Am I now expecting the communion of the Holy Spirit, that by His grace I may partake with the Son in His salvation , and with the Father in his Love? Is this my present experience? There is no bearing the cross without it.
Edward Samuel
The Word of God informs us that our heavenly Father is the author of our afflictions, Heb 12:5-11; John 18:11. "The cup which my Father hath put into my hands, shall I not drink it?" It is indeed a bitter cup, but it is from a Father, not from a judge, or an enemy. Nothing but good can from from Him Who is Love and Goodness itself; nothing but what is useful comes from a Father Whose affection is not to be measured by the bitterness of the trial, but by His aims and intention. If God is pleased to take away our earthly comforts and gives us more of Himself and His consolations, it is a blessed exchange. If He is pleased to strip us of our outward garment and clothe us with His royal robe of holiness, who can complain? (See Heb 12:10)
The Word of God informs us that our heavenly Father is the author of our afflictions, Heb 12:5-11; John 18:11. "The cup which my Father hath put into my hands, shall I not drink it?" It is indeed a bitter cup, but it is from a Father, not from a judge, or an enemy. Nothing but good can from from Him Who is Love and Goodness itself; nothing but what is useful comes from a Father Whose affection is not to be measured by the bitterness of the trial, but by His aims and intention. If God is pleased to take away our earthly comforts and gives us more of Himself and His consolations, it is a blessed exchange. If He is pleased to strip us of our outward garment and clothe us with His royal robe of holiness, who can complain? (See Heb 12:10)
Isaac Ambrose
The sons of God love God, and obey Him out of a principle of love. Suppose there were no heaven or glory to bestow upon a regenerate person, yet would he obey God out of a principle of love: He is led by the Spirit, and therefore he obeys; now the Spirit that leads him is a Spirit of love; and as many as are led by the Spirit of Go, are the sons of God. Romans 8:14
The sons of God love God, and obey Him out of a principle of love. Suppose there were no heaven or glory to bestow upon a regenerate person, yet would he obey God out of a principle of love: He is led by the Spirit, and therefore he obeys; now the Spirit that leads him is a Spirit of love; and as many as are led by the Spirit of Go, are the sons of God. Romans 8:14
Isaac Ambrose
This name Jesus is better to us than all the titles of God: there is goodness and greatness in the name of Jehovah, but we merited so little good, and deserved so much evil, that in it alone there had been small comfort for us. But in the name of Jesus, there is comfort, and with the name Jesus there is comfort in the name of God. In old times God was known by His Names of power and majesty; but His name of mercy was reserved till now, when God did purpose to pour out the whole treasure of His mercy by the mediation of His Son. AND AS THIS NAME IS EXALTED ABOVE ALL NAMES, SO ARE WE TO EXALT HIS MERCY ABOVE ALL HIS WORKS!
This name Jesus is better to us than all the titles of God: there is goodness and greatness in the name of Jehovah, but we merited so little good, and deserved so much evil, that in it alone there had been small comfort for us. But in the name of Jesus, there is comfort, and with the name Jesus there is comfort in the name of God. In old times God was known by His Names of power and majesty; but His name of mercy was reserved till now, when God did purpose to pour out the whole treasure of His mercy by the mediation of His Son. AND AS THIS NAME IS EXALTED ABOVE ALL NAMES, SO ARE WE TO EXALT HIS MERCY ABOVE ALL HIS WORKS!
Thomas Adam
If it was not for Christ, conscience would tear me in pieces. Conscience is the most positive, teasing, tormenting thing in the world; and nothing can silence it but faith! Conscience is the viper on Paul's hand (Acts 28:1-5); and its nature is to sting, inflame, and kill. Why then do I not swell, or fall down dead? I know, it is the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus!
If it was not for Christ, conscience would tear me in pieces. Conscience is the most positive, teasing, tormenting thing in the world; and nothing can silence it but faith! Conscience is the viper on Paul's hand (Acts 28:1-5); and its nature is to sting, inflame, and kill. Why then do I not swell, or fall down dead? I know, it is the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus!
James Bourne
Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." "This is to show that no outward walk, no demure profession, without the work of the Spirit on the heart, will do us any good. It is a blow against all duplicity (double mindedness), all that shifty, tricky profession, with the face one way and the feet another. Now these evils are found in all professors by nature; but God will come with the hammer of His Word and the fire of His Love to His own, and make them simple, transparent, and honest to seek the witness of His Holy Spirit, the praise of God, and not of man. God looks at the heart."
"If you have divine life, God does not speak to you as to natural man."
"When you feel dead or indifferent or coldness creeping on, be sure to go at once to God with it. Do no wait till you are better or in a more lively frame. This dead, lifeless frame is the very place to prevail with God."
"O that you could be persuaded of this one thing-to come to Christ as you are, not to try to make yourselves better; and that you might have the Godly simplicity to read the Word of God, and see what He says there."
Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." "This is to show that no outward walk, no demure profession, without the work of the Spirit on the heart, will do us any good. It is a blow against all duplicity (double mindedness), all that shifty, tricky profession, with the face one way and the feet another. Now these evils are found in all professors by nature; but God will come with the hammer of His Word and the fire of His Love to His own, and make them simple, transparent, and honest to seek the witness of His Holy Spirit, the praise of God, and not of man. God looks at the heart."
"If you have divine life, God does not speak to you as to natural man."
"When you feel dead or indifferent or coldness creeping on, be sure to go at once to God with it. Do no wait till you are better or in a more lively frame. This dead, lifeless frame is the very place to prevail with God."
"O that you could be persuaded of this one thing-to come to Christ as you are, not to try to make yourselves better; and that you might have the Godly simplicity to read the Word of God, and see what He says there."
James Bourne
"We make great mistakes about God's dealings. If He sends us prosperity and things go well, we take this as a token of His favor--anything that comes like a sugar plum. Whereas any warnings and cautions we call temptations; and if He sends crosses, we are apt to misconstrue them as His curse; while perhaps these are His greatest mercies, and nothing less would save us!
"We make great mistakes about God's dealings. If He sends us prosperity and things go well, we take this as a token of His favor--anything that comes like a sugar plum. Whereas any warnings and cautions we call temptations; and if He sends crosses, we are apt to misconstrue them as His curse; while perhaps these are His greatest mercies, and nothing less would save us!
William Romaine 1714-1795
"When thou art considering thy love to God, and art ashamed at the sight of it, then look at His. Look especially at His, when thine is little. Believing views of His will increase thine. Thine has nothing else to excite it, or to nourish it. Thou art not called upon to warm thyself with the sparks of thy love to God, but with the pure constant flame of His love to thee. His is to keep up thine. His is the first cause, and thine is but the effect. The experience of His will heal all the infirmities of thine."
"When thou art considering thy love to God, and art ashamed at the sight of it, then look at His. Look especially at His, when thine is little. Believing views of His will increase thine. Thine has nothing else to excite it, or to nourish it. Thou art not called upon to warm thyself with the sparks of thy love to God, but with the pure constant flame of His love to thee. His is to keep up thine. His is the first cause, and thine is but the effect. The experience of His will heal all the infirmities of thine."
James Bourne 1773-1853
"During the last fortnight I have walked in the greatest trouble; have any of you walked in spirit with me? I have hard work from morning to night; I see the enemy never rests one moment. All his aim is to get me into sin, and I carry everything to the Lord Jesus. I take care to touch nothing myself. I can see that the only hindrance is not being made thoroughly to feel we can do nothing. It is not our watching against one sin or another that will keep us-that is the Pharisee's way; but rather to go at once to the Lord Jesus as a miserable sinner, and to get His Presence, and keep it. In this exercise I have not a moment's time to lose; for the enemy is always drawing our thoughts to evil. I hold that the Lord does not change, and all the deadness we feel is from some idol that we nurse. Then is it any wonder if we go to church and get nothing? The Lord Jesus will have all the heart or nothing!"
"During the last fortnight I have walked in the greatest trouble; have any of you walked in spirit with me? I have hard work from morning to night; I see the enemy never rests one moment. All his aim is to get me into sin, and I carry everything to the Lord Jesus. I take care to touch nothing myself. I can see that the only hindrance is not being made thoroughly to feel we can do nothing. It is not our watching against one sin or another that will keep us-that is the Pharisee's way; but rather to go at once to the Lord Jesus as a miserable sinner, and to get His Presence, and keep it. In this exercise I have not a moment's time to lose; for the enemy is always drawing our thoughts to evil. I hold that the Lord does not change, and all the deadness we feel is from some idol that we nurse. Then is it any wonder if we go to church and get nothing? The Lord Jesus will have all the heart or nothing!"
Edward Samuel 1812-1896
"The Love of God towards His people is from everlasting, yea, from eternity He Loved them, and He will Love them to all eternity. It is not a thing of yesterday. God Loved His people not only before they were lovely, but before they were in actual existence. He loved them freely too; He stands in no need of them or their love. He Loves them uninterruptedly; it would weary the arm of an angel to write down God's repeated acts of Love!"
"Man by nature is so weak a creature, that he cannot raise even one good thought to the God of Heaven. 'We are not sufficient of ourselves to thing anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God' (II Corinthians 3:5) Without the Eternal Spirit, we cannot rise when we are fallen, neither can we stand after we are risen. Without Him, we can do nothing."
"The Love of God towards His people is from everlasting, yea, from eternity He Loved them, and He will Love them to all eternity. It is not a thing of yesterday. God Loved His people not only before they were lovely, but before they were in actual existence. He loved them freely too; He stands in no need of them or their love. He Loves them uninterruptedly; it would weary the arm of an angel to write down God's repeated acts of Love!"
"Man by nature is so weak a creature, that he cannot raise even one good thought to the God of Heaven. 'We are not sufficient of ourselves to thing anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God' (II Corinthians 3:5) Without the Eternal Spirit, we cannot rise when we are fallen, neither can we stand after we are risen. Without Him, we can do nothing."
The Father is the "Reservoir" or Bosom of the Divine Will. The Son is the Manifested Obedience of the Divine Will, and the Holy Spirit is the Outflowing Power of the Divine will & in man, the "Enfleshment" of that Will.
From Thomas Adam 1701-1784
"The man who has no doubts and fears, has no faith."
"To comprehend the breadth and length, and depth and height of the love of Christ, we must first take the measurements of our own sin. I know so much of Christ as not to be afraid to look my sins in the face!"
"The man who has no doubts and fears, has no faith."
"To comprehend the breadth and length, and depth and height of the love of Christ, we must first take the measurements of our own sin. I know so much of Christ as not to be afraid to look my sins in the face!"