_Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers._ For there is no power but of God. LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS I. Every soul, or man (Exodus 12:4; Genesis 46:27). 1. Secular person. 2. Ecclesiastical or religious. II. The object. “The higher powers,” or chief magistrate... [ Continue Reading ]
_For rulers are not a terror to good works._ THE DUTIES OF RULERS AND SUBJECTS I. Of rulers. 1. To protect the good. 2. To restrain the evil. 3. To reward merit. II. Of subjects. 1. To respect authority. 2. To do good. 3. And thereby merit praise. (_J. Lyth, D.D_.) DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD, A... [ Continue Reading ]
_Owe no man anything._ OWE NO MAN ANYTHING This precept may signify either to leave not our debts unpaid, or never get into debt. It may be looked to as a repetition of “Render unto all their dues” (_debitum, _debt). Be in no man’s books. If he be an individual with whom you are dealing, pay when y... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not commit adultery … and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this … Thou shalt love thy neighbout as thyself._ THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF LOVE It comprehends-- I. The whole law. II. The letter and the spirit. III. Our neighbour as ourselves. (_J_. _Lyth,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep._ A CALL I. To awake. Because-- 1. It is high time. 2. The night of unbelief is past. 3. The day of salvation is at hand. II. To duty. 1. To repentance--“Put off the works of darkness.” 2. To faith--“Put on the armour of... [ Continue Reading ]
_The night is far spent, the day is at hand._ THE NIGHT AND THE DAY These words contain-- I. A representation of this life and of the life to come. 1. This life is the night. Our condition in this state is one of-- (1) Ignorance. What feeble conceptions have we of God! What mistakes do we make... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us walk honestly, as in the day._ RULES FOR WALKING IN THE DAY I. In general. Walk honestly (Titus 2:12). 1. Soberly. 2. Righteously. 3. Godly. II. In particular. 1. Not in rioting and drunkenness (Isaiah 5:13). (1) This deprives us of the use of reason. (2) And so, for the present, bl... [ Continue Reading ]