2 Peter 2:22

REFLECTIONS

READER! what an awful thing it must be, in a church, calling itself Christian, to be under the direction of false teachers. Professing the name of Christ, and yet denying his Godhead! Feeling their own daily state of sin and corruption before God, and yet rejecting the only possible way of finding peace and pardon with God, in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ! My soul! come not thou into their secret; unto their assemble mine honor be not thou united, Oh! for grace, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, to brave every opposition of men; and faithfully, fully, and unceasingly to proclaim the Lord our Righteousness.

Precious Lord Jesus! let thy name be as ointment poured forth. And, as thou knowest how to deliver the godly out of temptation; do thou keep them now, O Lord, in these awful seasons, when the Holy Ghost is admonishing the Church, that false teachers will arise, even among the people. Lord! give! us grace, to discern grievous wolves from true shepherds, and those that love the flock from those that live only to fleece them. My soul is relieved in the view, that Jesus knows his sheep, and is known of them. He will keep them in the dark and cloudy day. He will watch over them for good. He will bring them home, and bring them in, to his everlasting kingdom. Precious Lord Jesus! how safe and secure are all thine, kept by thine own power!