Page:Illustrations of the Holy Word.pdf/50

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ILLUSTRATIONS OF

relation to exploration by truth, and the latter term to deliverance by good.


116. In Psalm cxlviii. 1, we are exhorted to praise the Lord from the heavens; to instruct us, that all our power to praise Him is from that source, and that merely from ourselves we are not able to praise Him. The same observation will extend to our prayers, and to every other religious duty.


117. There is an exact and beautiful correspondence, if it could be seen, between the Word of God and His works, as manifested in the visible creation, and that for this reason, because the works of God are effects, wrought by and from His Word, as it is written in John, All things were made by Him, (the Word,) i. 3. The works of God, therefore, are the body, of which the Word of God is the soul.


118. There never was a night which was not succeeded by a morning; nor was there ever a winter which was not succeeded by a summer. This is a most consolatory consideration to those who are distressed in the night and winter of spiritual trial and trouble. (See Psalm xxx. 5.)


119. Jesus Christ speaks of a two-fold resurrection, namely, a resurrection to life, and a resurrection to damnation, or, as it might more properly be rendered, judgment, (see John v. 29,) and adds, that they who have done good shall come forth to the former, and they who have done evil shall come forth to the latter;