Grove Chapel Tracts, 33 Tracts, Original and Selected (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1881. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE FAMILY EPISTLE. P.y THOMAS BRADBURY. Minister Of Grove Chapel, Camherwell. THIS is, indeed, a glorious epistle, which Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote for the instruction, comfort, and edification of the elect of God at Ephesus, and through them to the living children of God throughout all time. Upon a glorious covenant foundation, we have a superstructure of Divine revelation, in the vestibule of which an Arminian cannot breathe freely for two minutes together. It has been well styled "the Family Epistle," because it contains sacred and solemn mysteries which none can comprehend but those who have been regenerated and introduced into the family of the living God by the power, grace, and indwelling of God the Holy Ghost. Not only must an epistle be written, but an understanding must be given to those to whom the epistle is addressed (1 John v. 20), and the understanding must be opened by Divine power before the mysteries of the kingdom can be understood (Luke xxiv. 45). Each book in the Bible gives some evidence of the mental culture, or of the ignorant and unlearned condition, of its writer. This proves that the Holy Ghost, in the display of His sovereign prerogative, will make use of what instruments He pleases. From the plough he takes an Elisha, and from herd-feeding He calls Amos, to fill the prophetic office. From broken nets and fishing boats He allures the unlearned Peter, James and John, who, with the learned Luke, the eloquent Apollos, and the accomplished Paul, are "separated unto the Gospel of God," to make known their Saviour's worth, love, blood, and righteousness. The epistle before us gives evidence of the writer's possession of a well-balanced mind, and that he had been favoured with no small advantages in the learning...