Pasture for the Flock of God (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1875 Excerpt: ... DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS; Or, lamenting; after tjje Lort. i Sam. vii. jT is one thing to be a Christian, it is another thing to be a happy Christian. To know the Scripture doctrine of the believer's position and privileges is very different from having the possession and enjoyment of them. The fact is, that we are slow to enter upon, and make our own, the blessings God has graciously given us in Christ. In Samuel's day, the people were characterized for a long time by lamenting after the Lord; and this, we fear, describes the state of heart of thousands of Christians now. They are desiring rather than possessing--longing for instead of enjoying fellowship with the Lord Himself; hoping to have, instead of entering into God's thoughts and purposes, and tasting His joys. Why is this? In Israel's day there was unjudged evil among them, and the eye and heart were not single. Hence they were told to "put away the strange gods, and Ashtaroth," and also to "serve the Lord only." So now there are "strange gods," some things occupying the heart contrary to the truth, something between the soul and the Lord; it may be the world, its pride, wealth, honour, pleasure, in some shape or other; or it may be darling lusts, self-love, self-exaltation, or something else cherished or allowed, which the word of God positively condemns. The eye, therefore, cannot be single, nor the heart only desiring the glory of God--serving Him only. The affections are not set on heavenly things; the eye and heart are not exercised in the life and walk of faith; and things of time and sense so occupy the soul, that there is desire to have rather than present possession and enjoyment, so that, like Israel of old, they go on year after year lamenting after the Lord. (vv. 2, 3.) The people, however, hea...