Zechariah 3:2
And the LORD said to Satan: "The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?"
Sermons
A Brand Plucked Out of the FireB. D. Thomas.Zechariah 3:2
A FirebrandZechariah 3:2
A Rescued BrandJames Stewart.Zechariah 3:2
A Suggestive QuestionB. Beddome, M. A.Zechariah 3:2
Danger and DeliveranceG. Brooks.Zechariah 3:2
The Brand Plucked Out of the FireHugh Stowell, M. A.Zechariah 3:2
The Rescued BrandS. H. Tyng, D. D.Zechariah 3:2
The Sinner Rescued from PerditionThe EvanglistZechariah 3:2
Satan and ChristW. Forsyth Zechariah 3:1-5
Three Things Which Concern the SoulW. Forsyth Zechariah 3:1-5
The Good Man on Earth in His Intercessory FunctionD. Thomas Zechariah 3:1-6
By Nature and by GraceJ. Jowett, M. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
Christ the Advocate of His Church and PeopleJ. R. Woodford, M. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
God's Method of SalvationJ. S. Fulton.Zechariah 3:1-7
Help and OppositionG. Brooks.Zechariah 3:1-7
JoshuaE. Auriol, M. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua and SatanJ. R. Woodford, M. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the High PriestD. J. Burrell, D. D.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the High PriestMonday Club SermonsZechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the High PriestT. Vincent Tymms.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the High PriestG. R. Hovey, D. D.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the High Priest Before the Angel of JehovahT. V. Moore, D. D.Zechariah 3:1-7
Joshua the PriestF. B. Meyer, B. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
The Good Man an IntercederHomilistZechariah 3:1-7
The Great ContentionBishop Reynolds.Zechariah 3:1-7
The Hinderer RebukedA. W. Snape, M. A.Zechariah 3:1-7
The Lord, the Defender of His PeopleGeorge Hutcheson.Zechariah 3:1-7
The Vision of JoshuaOutlines by a London MinisterZechariah 3:1-7














Joshua was the representative of the people, not personally, but in his public character. What was done to him in a figure was to be done to them and for them in fact. The great object was to restore confidence in God and in his servants, and to raise the hopes of the people that the work of grace would triumph in spite of all opposition.

I. THE POWER OF SATAN TO RESIST. The adversary. Cunning and strong. Maliciously working as he has done from the beginning, to keep man apart from God. But his power is usurped, and his devices are doomed to exposure and defeat. He may plead in the guise of justice, but it is not from love of right. He may work upon a guilty conscience, but it is not to lead to penitence, but to engender fear and distrust, and to widen the breach between the soul and God.

II. THE POWER OF CHRIST TO REDEEM.

1. Founded in righteousness. He is the true "Daystnan."

2. Inspired by love. He has vindicated his claim to plead for us because he died for us. Whom he "chooses" he will never forsake.

3. Adequate to the greatest emergency. He is able to "rebuke" the adversary; to "rescue" the prey from the hands of the mighty; to "restore" the lost purity, and the failing confidence, and the faltering service. He was manifested to "destroy the works of the devil." In this there is hope for the sinner, comfort for the downcast believer, encouragement to all true servants of the Lord. - F.

Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
The fire meant here is the fire of sin. Sin is a fire which destroys the comfort of mankind here, and all the joy of mankind hereafter. Nothing can be more suitable to burn in a fire than a "brand." It is not a branch just taken from the tree, fresh and full of sap; it is a brand — dry, sere timber, fit for the burning. And what does this indicate but man's natural heart, which is so congenial to the fire of sin? As the firebrand fits with fire, so does the sinner fit in with sin. We read of a brand "in the fire." Not lying on a heap, but burning and blazing in the fire. Does not this portray our condition? We began very early. Disobedience to parents, angry tempers, petty falsehoods, — these were the first catchings on fire of the brand. We have blazed away merrily since then. What with the lusts of the flesh, or pride, or unbelief, or some other form of departing from the living God, how many are like the firebrand, blazing and flashing in the flame! There is, however, a fair side to the picture. We have here a "brand plucked out of the fire." Sinners these, who though they have still within them the propensity to sin, are no longer in the fire of sin. They have been taken away from it. They sin through infirmity, but wilful sin they do not commit. The fire that once burned within them has been quenched. They are rescued from that fire which once threatened their everlasting destruction. They are brands still; but brands no longer in the fire. The force of the passage seems to lie in the words, "plucked out of." The Christian does not escape by his own free will. He is plucked out of his peril. To be plucked out there needs a hand quick to rescue. Every believer in the Lord Jesus is a trophy of the strength as well as of the mercy of God. The question of the text will bear three renderings.

I. THE SENSE OF WONDERMENT. "Is not this," etc. The words are spoken of Joshua, the high priest. There was such astonishment at his preservation that, with hands uplifted, the question was asked, "Is not this man just like a fire. brand snatched from among the glowing coals?" This marvel is not confined to Joshua. Was there ever a man saved by grace who was not a wonder? Out of the state of our natural depravity we have been plucked, so that every man who is delivered from its sway may well say, — "Am not I a brand plucked out of the fire?" Each Christian knowing his own heart, and having a special acquaintance with his own peculiar setting sin, feels as if the conquest of his own sin by the grace of God were a more illustrious trophy of that grace than the conquest of a thousand others. There are instances so uncommon that they excite surprise in the minds of all who hear. In the cases of extraordinary conversion, one of the first is the salvation of the extremely aged. Exceptional, too, is the conversion of people who have been accustomed to hear the Gospel from their youth up, who, though not perhaps absolutely aged, have nevertheless been receiving Gospel privileges without any result. Over in the Bankside, I am told, when a man is first put inside a boiler, while the rivets are being fastened, he cannot stop long, the noise is so dreadful, but after a time the boiler maker gets so used to the horrible din that he can almost go to sleep inside. And so it really is under any ministry where the people get Gospel hardened. There have been cases of gross sinners in which this marvel has been still more exciting. Can we pass over the case of some who have given themselves up to sin, to work it with greediness? There is a wonder which I do see, but not often. It is when a self-righteous religious man gets saved.

II. TAKE THE TEXT BY WAY OF INQUIRY OR HOPE. When a sinner's eye is suffused with tears, and a sigh breaks forth, "Alas! woe is me!" you may say, "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" for the tear of morrow for sin is a blessed omen of mercy's dawning. The sigh of penitence and the prayer of the seeking are evidences of grace. When the poor soul at last, driven by necessity, throws itself flat at the foot of the Cross, and rests its hope wholly and alone on Jesus, then we may say of it, "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" And when, in the midst of many a conflict and soul struggle, the heart still flings away its idols, and hopes to love Christ, and vows, in His strength to be devoted to His service, we may say again with pleasure, "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" I would invite you to think over the signs of grace, and if you see them in yourselves you may be able to answer this question with joy.

III. AND WHAT A QUESTION OF DEFIANCE THIS IS. Do you not catch the idea of the text? There stood Joshua, there stood the angel of the Lord and here stood the adversary: "If God has plucked him out of the fire, you can never put him in again." It is a defiance full of majesty and grandeur. It reflects a gorgeous lustre on the past. If God has chosen him, dost thou think to undo the Divine decree? God hath snatched him from the fire, determined to save him. God has done that which is the earnest and the token of his perfect safety. Then, beloved in Christ, dread not all the temptations that may attack you. God will not leave His purpose half accomplished. He will not be disappointed.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

This is the Divine description of a justified and converted man. The words present at once to our view the sinner's worthless character by nature, his dangerous and dreadful condition while in this natural state, and the fulness of unmerited grace and love of which he has been made the subject. Joshua was here the representative of all the true people of God. Like him, they are all "brands plucked out of the fire." Against them all the same power of Satan is employed to resist them. In behalf of them all the same boundless grace is exercised on the part of the Lord God. The rescued brand forms the subject of our discourse.

1. How unprofitable and worthless in himself. A brand! Useless for any purposes of man; having no value annexed to it in his estimation. Is not every unrenewed sinner precisely this in the sight of God? As a fallen creature man cannot be profitable in the eye of God. No creature can ever render anything to the Creator which shall merit a continuance of blessings bestowed by Him.

2. How dangerous the condition in which this brand was found. The fire from which he was plucked refers to those everlasting burnings which are his heritage in a world of recompense. All earthly woes are temporary. These sorrows are unchangeable and eternal. Under this tremendous load the unconverted sinner now lies, condemned and perishing, as a brand burning in the fire. The wrath of God abideth on him. None can appreciate the dangers of an unconverted soul, but they who have been plucked from the fires in which it is still consuming.

3. How glorious and worthy of praise is that Divine power which can pluck this brand from the fire, and transform it into an eternal monument of love, and a vessel of everlasting holiness! In the midst of the ruin of the world, and the guilt of man, God proposes to the ungodly a reconciliation to Himself.

4. How infinite is the extent of that love, of which this brand is the object. The foundation of all our hope is, that God's love is infinite and free. His love can pardon the greatest and most multiplied transgressions.

5. How precious is the Christian's ground of hope, the glorious union of Divine power and Divine love, in the work of his salvation! The same hand which plucked us from the fire will carry us to the temple. The man who has found peace with God has no enemy in the universe to fear.

6. How inestimable is this privilege of being the objects of God's unchangeable love!

(S. H. Tyng, D. D.)

I. THE DANGER. The brand is —

1. Fit for the fire.

2. Scorched by the fire.

3. Destined to the fire.

4. Unable to deliver itself from the fire.

II. The DELIVERANCE.

1. Its author.

2. Its completeness.

3. Its permanence.

4. Its benefits.

III. THE EXCLAMATION.

1. With regard to the speaker, it expresses triumph.

2. With regard to the enemy of souls, it hurls defiance.

3. With regard to the spectators, it challenges admiration.

4. With regard to the person delivered from the danger, it demands gratitude.

(G. Brooks.)

Under the form of an interrogation, the language of the text is capable of being differently understood.

1. It may be considered as conveying a seasonable reproof to an insulting enemy. It is as if God said, Amidst all his imperfections and failings, thou hast nothing to do with him. I claim a property in him, and will assert it.

2. As expressive of exultation and triumph. "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" I rejoice in him as such. He is a pattern of My long suffering, a monument of My grace.

3. The expression carries with it the force of an affirmation. It is a brand plucked out of the fire.

I. TO WHOM MAY THIS LANGUAGE BE APPLIED? To all Who are finally saved. There are some to whom it is more immediately applicable.

1. Such as great and heinous transgressions, when converted from the error of their way and turned effectually to God.

2. Old and accustomed sinners may be viewed in the same light, when they are brought to repentance and to believe in Jesus.

3. There are some whose cases were despaired of by their friends.

4. Pardoning mercy has in some instances followed upon an overwhelming sense of guilt and distressing apprehensions of Divine wrath.

II. NOTICE THE PROPRIETY OF THE DESCRIPTION.

1. A brand plucked out of the fire was once a brand fit for the fire.

2. A brand plucked out of the fire was very near being consumed.

3. A brand plucked out of the fire retains some evidence of the dangerous situation.

4. The brand plucked out of the fire is no way instrumental to its own deliverance. There it must lie and burn if some kind hand do not snatch it thence.

(B. Beddome, M. A.)

The Evanglist.
Reverse this question, and ask, Is this a brand plucked out of the fire? The text was a sort of challenge to Satan to deny the riches of Divine grace in the salvation of the Israelitish Church, now rescued from the furnace of Babylon. It was a question put concerning them figuratively, for the whole Church of Jesus Christ, and for every individual member of it. Bring the question home, "Am I a brand plucked out of the burning?" Consider the importance of being able to come to a clear decision upon this point.

I. YOUR DANGER AS SINNERS. A state of sin is a state of imminent danger.

1. Sin is destroying your bodies, and will at last destroy your souls.

2. Every sinner is in danger of the law of God.

3. The terrors of a guilty conscience are a fire.

II. THE WONDROUS DELIVERANCE EFFECTED.

1. The sinner is delivered by Divine grace from that dreadful sentence, which is literally destruction begun in the heart.

2. The deliverance signifies to be rescued from the raging violence, the destructive power of sin in our heart.

3. This deliverance signifies to be rescued from the burning stings of inward guilt.

III. THE ACT OF DELIVERANCE. "Plucked out."

1. Here is exhibited God's own sovereign will and purpose.

2. The act of rescue points to the direct personal interposition of the Saviour.

3. The deliverance is to be viewed in its individual application by the Holy Spirit.

IV. THE DIFFERENT EMOTIONS THIS DIVINE AND MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE SHOULD EXCITE.

1. Exultation. Admire the grace of God in your salvation.

2. Confidence. Learn to trust both for yourselves and for others. What cannot Divine grace do!

(The Evanglist.)

It is a "brand," — nothing better; dry, sapless, lifeless, profitless; and such is man. If a brand and lifeless, then powerless. Can a brand quicken itself to life? How can it live? It has lost the principle of life. All our efforts to restore ourselves to the dignity we have lost, and to the state from which we are fallen, are utterly abortive. How little men know their spiritual powerlessness, because they will not make trial of it. But the brand is also worthless; it is only fit to be cast into the fire; it has no utility. And such is man. It may seem a hard thing, but God says it, that the natural man is at best enmity against God. And if enmity against God, is not his moral nature loathsome? It is a brand "out of the fire"; it is black and scorched. So is every sinful son of man. The soul that sinneth, it shall die, A "brand" is fitted for the flames. It is combustible it is dried up, so as to be ready to ignite into flame. And so sin assimilates man to hell, makes him more susceptible of "the worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched." The "brand" is already scorched in the fire. It has been in the fire; it has been "plucked out of the fire." What is hell? Sin unmitigated, unabated by the fear of God, and unassuaged by any kindlier feeling or appliance, sin consummated, sin left to itself. Leave a man to himself, and he needs no other hell. But there is hope for this brand. It is "plucked out of the fire." Was it not grace, sovereign grace that rescued it? What is there in a brand that God should expect anything from it in return? Yet it is taken out of the fire that it might be transformed into a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. What a blessed change passes on the sinner whom God delivers!

(Hugh Stowell, M. A.)

Here Satan is presented to our view as the accuser of the brethren. He does his work in the court of conscience; at the bar of public opinion; and before the Divine Judge. Here Satan accused Joshua to one who was his Advocate as well as his Judge. Christ rebukes Satan; alleges God's election; and points to Joshua as a trophy of power, guided by sovereign mercy.

I. A VIVID AND IMPRESSIVE DESCRIPTION OF JOSHUA'S ORIGINAL CHARACTER AS A SINNER. "A brand." A piece of wood which has been purposely prepared for burning. A sinner, as a brand, is one in every way fitted for destruction. The wicked have a suitableness to the place and the experience assigned to them by God. There is an adaptation of desert, and of character. Their experience results from their character. They have in themselves the causes of misery — a deranged system. They war with everything, and therefore are warred against by everything.

II. AN ACCOUNT OF THE SITUATION, UNDER LAW, AND IN ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, IN WHICH JOSHUA HAD BEEN. "In the fire."

1. The brand is one plucked out of the fire, then it must have been in it.

2. By fire, understand the destruction and misery which are the fruit of sin.

3. The sinner is already under condemnation; spiritually dead; he feels the elements of misery in his breast. He feels the oppressiveness of the thought of God. He draws pain from without. He already suffers as a sinner.

III. A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER WHICH JOSHUA NOW SUSTAINED. "A brand plucked out of the fire." Such a brand has on it the marks of burning. The believer retains marks of his once lost condition. In his conscience, which still accuses. In his heart, where are the remains of spiritual derangement and death. In his body, which is mortally affected. In his moral character, which is disfigured. In his very righteousness, which is imputed. In his life, which is derived. Brands plucked from the burning shall be the eternal character of believers.

IV. THE AGENCY THROUGH WHICH JOSHUA WAS DELIVERED. It was not by himself. The brand retains the burning flame. Salvation is wholly of God — of grace: in its origin; its purchaser; its application. Man takes offence at this, being self-righteous. The believer rejoices in this. God has thus the glory of salvation.

V. THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD RESCUED JOSHUA. He plucked him out of the fire. Indicative of haste — we thus rescue a precious manuscript, accidentally thrown into the fire. God is in haste, for man's guilt is increasing; his depravity is deepening; he is descending with time's flight; his fate is awful!

(James Stewart.)

Satan is represented in the context as an accuser of his brethren. He brings serious charges against Joshua, the high priest. He never committed a greater folly. The Lord never fails to come to the defence of the redeemed. The Lord represents Joshua as a trophy of sovereign grace. "Is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire?"

I. IF THIS FIGURE MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THAT UNSAVED SINNERS ARE IN THE FIRE. "Is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire?" We are accustomed to think of hell as something in the future. There is a sense in which this is true, but it is not all the truth. It is not at death that bad men enter into hell; they are there already.

II. IF THIS IMAGERY MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THAT UNSAVED SINNERS HAVE A NATURAL AFFINITY FOR THE FLAME THAT CONSUMES THEM. A brand is a piece of wood that readily catches fire. The sinner is meet for destruction. See how eagerly men yield themselves to the sins which consume them.

III. IF THIS IMAGERY MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THAT RESCUE FROM THE DEVOURING ELEMENT IS ONLY POSSIBLE BY DIVINE INTERPOSITION — "Is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire?" A brand in the fire will remain there until it is utterly consumed unless it is taken out. Salvation is a Divine act. "By grace are ye saved."

IV. IF THIS IMAGERY MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THAT SAVED SINNERS RETAIN THE MARKS OF THE BURNING. Forgiven, saved, but scarred. Even in heaven there will be evidences of the flame.

V. IF THIS IMAGERY MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THAT DELAY IN THE MATTER OF RESCUE IS INFINITELY PERILOUS. Plucked out of the fire. There is no estimating the possibility of sin. There is enough latent fire in any unregenerate heart to effect its ruin. The flame which is smouldering in the concealed places of human life may be even more ominous than that which blazes forth under the open heavens. These facts should have a twofold influence.

1. They should serve to awaken alarm in the unsaved, and arouse the saved to the intensest solicitude and zeal for their rescue. The human brand is not a dead piece of wood. He has reason, judgment, sensibility, will. He needs to be made to realise his peril.

2. There is no time for dallying. The service is urgent.

(B. D. Thomas.)

People
Joshua, Zechariah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Adversary, Branch, Brand, Burning, Chosen, Delivered, Fire, Fixing, Indeed, Isn't, Jerusalem, Lord's, O, Plucked, Pulled, Push, Rebuke, Satan, Sharp, Snatched, Stick, Yea, Yes
Outline
1. Under the type of Joshua, the high priest, receiving clean garments,
6. and a covenant of promise,
8. Christ the Branch and Cornerstone is promised.

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Zechariah 3:2

     8738   evil, victory over

Zechariah 3:1-2

     4121   Satan, enemy of God
     5201   accusation

Zechariah 3:1-4

     8486   spiritual warfare, armour

Zechariah 3:1-7

     7342   cleanliness

Zechariah 3:1-8

     7377   high priest, OT

Library
June 24. "I Will Clothe Thee with Change of Raiment" (Zech. Iii. 4).
"I will clothe thee with change of raiment" (Zech. iii. 4). For Paul every exercise of the Christian life was simply the grace of Jesus Christ imparted to him and lived out by him, so that holiness was to put on the Lord Jesus and all the robes of His perfect righteousness which he loves to describe so often in his beautiful epistles. "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved," he says to the Colossians, "bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering"; and,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Right of Entry
'I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.'--ZECHARIAH iii. 7. A WORD or two of explanation will probably be necessary in order to see the full meaning of this great promise. The Prophet has just been describing a vision of judgment which he saw, in which the high priest, as representative of the nation, stood before the Angel of the Lord as an unclean person. He is cleansed and clothed, his foul raiment stripped off him, and a fair priestly garment, with 'Holiness to the Lord' written
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Change of Raiment
"Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments."--Zech. iii. 4, 5. G. Ter Steegen. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Lord Jesus, all my sin and guilt Love laid of old on Thee, Thy love the cross and sorrow willed, Love undeserved by me. The victory over death and hell Thou, Lord, for me didst win; And Thou hast nailed upon
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Home Occupations and Travels in England and Wales.
1828--1833. On their return home Martha Yeardley was attacked with a severe illness, consequent probably on hard travelling and bad accommodation during the journey. Under date of the 18th of the Fifth Month, J.Y. writes:-- How circumstances change! Last Yearly Meeting we were in London with the prospect of a long journey before us, and now my dear Martha is on a bed of sickness, and I have myself suffered; but through all there is a degree of peaceful resignation in the belief that all is done
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Some Helps to Mourning
Having removed the obstructions, let me in the last place propound some helps to holy mourning. 1 Set David's prospect continually before you. My sin is ever before me' (Psalm 51:3). David, that he might be a mourner, kept his eye full upon sin. See what sin is, and then tell me if there be not enough in it to draw forth tears. I know not what name to give it bad enough. One calls it the devil's excrement. Sin is a complication of all evils. It is the spirits of mischief distilled. Sin dishonours
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

How to Make Use of Christ, as Truth, for Comfort, when Truth is Oppressed and Born Down.
There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand in need of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when his work is overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and enemies, in their opposition to his work, prospering in all their wicked attempts. This is a very trying dispensation, as we see it was to the holy penman of Psalm lxxiii. for it made him to stagger, so that his feet were almost gone, and his steps had well nigh slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Sum and Substance of all Theology
Note: On Tuesday, June 25th, 1861, the beloved C. H. Spurgeon visited Swansea. The day was wet, so the services could not be held in the open-air; and, as no building in the town was large enough to hold the vast concourses of people who had come from all parts to hear the renowned preacher, he consented to deliver two discourses in the morning; first at Bethesda, and then at Trinity Chapel. At each place he preached for an hour and a quarter. The weather cleared up during the day; so, in the evening,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Concerning Worship.
Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision.
SO long as we are in the Body, we are apt to be governed wholly by its senses, seldom or never minding any thing but what comes to us through one or other of them. Though we are all able to abstract our Thoughts when we please from matter, and fix them upon things that are purely spiritual; there are but few that ever do it. But few, even among those also that have such things revealed to them by God himself, and so have infinitely more and firmer ground to believe them, than any one, or all their
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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