Being the subjects of Christ's atoning work (Quality: Average)

[0:00] Again, I would desire to draw your attention to the words you will find in the ninth chapter, Paul's epistle to the Hebrews, verse 14.

[0:13] The 14th verse of the ninth chapter, Paul's epistle to the Hebrews. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

[0:43] As we ventured upon these words this morning, we endeavored to enter a little, as far as we were led, into the truth concerning Christ, how he came here on earth, and that that precious blood did atone for sin, and how it was so much more valuable than the blood that was shed in the old dispensation, that those sacrifices were not sufficient to take away sin, but were the types and shadows of those good things to come, as he came to fulfill all the things that are written in the Lord and in the Old Testament concerning him.

[2:12] And while men today, and have through the ages, but especially in the day we live, are endeavoring to tell us that there's no need for the Old Testament, in the Old Testament I say, in contradiction to all the critics that might come against it, that the Old Testament is the gospel, as it was preached by God, through the psalmist, the patriarchs, the psalmist, and also the prophets.

[3:00] For Christ himself refers, those his hearers, to those, he says, search the scriptures, for in them, ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they, that testify of me.

[3:21] So then, you and I believe, that the sacred volume, is one gracious whole, from the beginning to the end, and that Christ was revealed, to our forefathers, the prophets, and that they, by faith, looked toward and forward, through those types and shadows, that they observed, to the coming of a better, and more sound, a sacrifice, a solid, ground whereof, they might stand, perfectly for God, whereas, the old, in the old dispensation, those sacrifices, could never make a man, perfect, before God.

[4:19] And not only so, the priests themselves, were so unfulfect, that they had to offer, not only for the people, but also for themselves, a sacrifice.

[4:31] And also, there was a set time, once a year, when, when some of these things, should be, should take place. Well, no, not to dwell too long there.

[4:45] We mentioned, that Christ, was, was, ordained of the Father, that he might come here on earth, to be the sacrifice, that should be acceptable, under the Father, that his church, his people, might be presented, under the Father, pure, and holy, and undefiled, through, through the, eternal redemption, of the Son of God, who obtained it, by, and in and through, that blessed sacrifice, when he shed his precious blood, upon the cross, to take away, the vilest, and the most filthy of sins.

[5:31] There is none too vile. How many times, you heard me say this? Well, I say it, because I felt it. I say, there's none too vile, for I cannot feel, there's a vile of whatever, lived upon the earth, and this poor son, who's speaking?

[5:49] Some say, well, you haven't been to the length, sir. We just look inside, my friends, and find these things. There is no sin. There is nothing too vile.

[5:59] For any person on earth, to enter into, let to themselves, the seeds of iniquity, and filth, are in the heart of man, but not to dwell too long there, because, that's the serpent's meat, and many are left to feed upon it, and to be satisfied, that they are this, before God, and take it as some evidence, of divine life.

[6:27] That isn't. But the knowledge of it, being brought to you, and brought in such a way, that our conscience, is, is so enlivened, to the knowledge of it, will cause us, to cry out, with a lamentable cry, not with mere words, of the lip, but with a lamentable cry, God be merciful to me, a sinner.

[6:53] not because we know, it's in God's word, not because, Christ, and his love, has brought that parable, before us, and to be able, to say it as flippantly, as it often is, but to feel it, as she says, smart, but slightly, to, oh, with lip, confession, is easier still, but oh, the feel, cuts deep beyond expression, so that we are brought, to, to know, how much more, how much greater, is this sacrifice, than the sacrifices, of the old dispensation, how much more, shall the blood of Christ, through the eternal spirit, through the operation, of the eternal spirit, as it is made known, unto you and I, as it is revealed, unto you and I, that he is that, that he is that one, that came here on earth, to lay down his life, that he might take it again, and that he, in his love and mercy, to us here, how he says, in his word, which we read this evening, greater love, hath no man, than this, than that a man, lay down his life, for his friends, and then he, blessedly says, ye are my friends, if you do, whatsoever I command you, what a friend of Jesus, yes, oh, what a great, and unspeakable mercy, if you and I, have the evidence, as we now, poor, try and trouble, that we, that we, have a friend in Jesus, that we have one, that sticketh closer, than a brother, for an earthly brother, loses old, is sometimes off, sometimes cold, but this one, is the same, that died, yesterday, forever, his love, knows no change, knew no change, from eternity past, knows no change, through time, will know no change, throughout the, countless ages, of eternity, bone of his bones,

[9:13] I said this morning, flesh of his flesh, oh, what a mercy, is to have some, humble evidence, in our poor hearts, how that we know, him to be our friend, the friend, Christ Jesus, that he laid down, his life for us, he did indeed, and, and that, with love, in his heart, see, as I was speaking, a little this morning, what he passed through, that he might, redeem your soul, and mine, from hell, how, from the time, he came on this earth, he was hunted, by Satan, and hunted, by men, driven, hither and thither, as it were, not at their will, but, as they, tantalized, and tormented, around him, and then too, even in his earthly courts, as we, as we would turn them in, in our day, in the temple, how, when he entered in, he found those, who, who were, who were desecrated, his temple, and how he made, a whip of small cords, and cast them out, and my friends, what would happen, if he came on earth today, if I might say that, reverently and rightly, well he did it, he cast them out, he did indeed, my house, be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it, a death of thieves, oh I say, this is our saviour, who went through, all those things for us, he did indeed, and he cleansed, his temple, from the idols, and so he will now, indeed the day, will come, when he'll cleanse, these things, he will indeed, and he'll cast out,

[10:53] Satan and dethrone him, and he'll reign, preeminent, over all flesh, in that grave dying, when he, when he, sends the angels, to, to trust in their sickle, they'll gather in the harvest, into everlasting bliss, there my friends, may I say, here and now, there, the saints of God, will see, all the, all things, put under his feet, they will indeed, as I mentioned here, a few sabbaths ago, though we see, not yet all things, put under him, under his feet, but we see Jesus, as he hath entered, into the holies of holies, our great high priest above, ever interceding, our behalf, as we read, in these Hebrews here, this official for Hebrews, how, he became, that high priest, forever, after the order, of Melchizedek, so then, by the eternal spirit, how is revealed, unto us, as being, the only sacrifice, for sin, and then, his love was made known, in that, he, he, did not, curse those around him, when he was, reviled, we're not much like him, are we, when he was, reviled, he reviled again, and even, in the agony, of his soul, how he cried out, father, forgive them, for they know, not what they do, and my dear friend, if you come into that, path, of humiliation, with your dear, savior, at the cross, you'll be able to say, of all those, that come up against you, father, forgive them, for they know, not what they do, this is where, you can pray, your enemies, you can indeed, here you'll find, no reviling, in your heart, against any, here you'll find, that you can commit, all things, into his sovereign hand, who is the divider, of all that, which is right, and which is wrong, as he sets, the one on the left, and the other, on the right, as he is that one, who hath already, separated the precious, from the bile, and is separating it now, even in this our day, even in the churches, and in the world, separating the precious, from the bile, and presently, to separate it, once and forever, and he'll cast, one in his left, and the other, on the right, and that'll be, the last great separation, of these things, oh my friends,

[13:42] I wish I could speak, softer when I speak, these things, but I say, they must come out, as I feel them flow, from my poor soul, caring neither, any who may not, care to hear it, or not, here they are, those things, which are blessed, and I would, the world may know, these blessed, and true realities, that must be known, if we are to enter into heaven, blessed truths, these are, these are my very, meat and drink, if they're not your, meat and drink also, my friends, may God lead you, into them, that you may thirst, after them, long after them, and drink them down, as they, will give you strength, they will indeed, oh I say, to be able to, partake of these, glorious realities, they are ours, to be, are to be found, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who through the, eternal spirit, offered himself, without spot, to God, offered himself, some would say, you know, well, they crucified him, he, voluntarily, gave himself, into their hands, as you know, in the garden, of Gethsemane, how he, voluntarily, and willingly, and he, showed no, struggle, my friend,

[15:02] I may have, mentioned it here, you know, the first thing, I was slaughtered, when I was a young man, in that trade, for a short, very short time, with a lamb, no struggle, no murmur, nothing, whatever, to try, and get out, of, of my hands, as I hold it, so passive, oh, I say, what a picture, it is, or a figure, rather, of our dear Saviour, no struggle, no murmur, willingly suffered, that you and I, might live, willingly, willingly offered himself up, without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing, as it was, with the sacrifices, of old, it was to be a lamb, without blemish, taken from the fold, so it was typical, of our dear Saviour, as he was taken, as the Lamb of God, that was slain, before the foundation, of the world, in the purposes, of Jehovah, so as we see him, then, as that one, without spot, that died, that you and I, might live, offered of himself, a sacrifice, for sin, as we see him, thus, and yet, you see, the whole sins, of the church, were laid upon him, by imputation, of the father, as a great depth, that no carnal mind, will ever fathom, the imputation, of sin, to the dear Lamb, of God, who was without spot, would wrinkle, or any such thing, as he stood, as the God man,

[16:39] Christ Jesus, in the purposes, of Jehovah, to bear, the whole weight, of sin, upon his holy soul, which knew no sin, well might he cry out, under the agony, and the weight, of that awful weight, that laid upon him, which is, and, if yours and mine, sin are such a weight, at times, what must have been, the weight, of the whole election, of grace, as he, caused him, to cry out, in the agony, of his soul, by God, by God, why hast thou forsaken me, but it's your mercy, in mine, that he did stand, the test, as he did, while being, almighty God, offering, offering up himself, a sacrifice, for sin, how you see, it was acceptable, unto the Father, have you ever seen, by faith, a satisfied Father, a satisfied,

[17:42] Holy Spirit, in the, world life, and death, of our dear Savior, oh, how I believe, the Father rejoiced, as he see, the work, complete, when the Son, cried out, it is finished, that wonderful work, of salvation, complete, in Christ, here I say, I believe, there is joy, in heaven, as this was seen, and accomplished, and then you know, there was something, wonderful took place, at the crucifixion, when, when our dear Savior, cried out, it was finished, you know, there was a great, earthquake, and there was darkness, over the whole earth, well, might the Son, have forfeit to shine, when our dear Savior, in all his agony, was there, in, in, that, pouring out, every drop, of my flower, heart, can you say, with me, my dear friend, to say, shamed of Jesus, that dear friend, on whom my hopes, of heaven depend, ashamed of him, whom angels praise, whose glories shine, to endless days, are you ashamed of him,

[19:13] I say, I would say, here and now, may your stammering tongue, be unloosed, to speak well of him, may your stammering tongue, be unloosed, to speak, to those around you, of the preciousness, of your Savior, that you may be exalted, in thy poor soul, and they may know, how God is dealing with you, and I'll say this here, that you'll find, that if they are rightly taught, they'll rejoice with you, yea, here it is, they weep, with those that weep, and they rejoice, with those that rejoice, they do indeed, and another thing too, I might say, at this particular point, I am sure, that it'll be here, that you'll feel repentance, for sin, and there'll be joy, in heaven, over you, the one sinner, that repentance, more than over ninety-nine, that need no repentance, oh, that there might be joy, in heaven, as we few poor sinners, here meet tonight, in praise, and adoration, to God, how that there may be, that knowledge given, how that there is joy, in heaven, over the repenting, sinner, here before you, repentance, repentance, is a blessed thing, indeed it is, and it is, at the cross of Christ, where this is known, offered him up, offered up himself, without spot, to God, who, through the eternal spirit, offered up himself, without spot, to God, purge your conscience, from dead works, so then, there is a purging, of your conscience, from dead works, oh,

[21:11] I say, the purging, effect of his precious blood, means, cleanse, you know, oh, what a mercy it is, to know something, of the purging effect, of his precious blood, well, when one drop of this, is applied, you can cry out, with one, I'm clean, just God, I'm clean, you can indeed, won't have it, many, very often, perhaps in the, in the enjoyment, of it, of it, to the fullness, of it, but there will be times, it may only be, once or twice, through one's life's journey, but you will be able, to say, and feel, that you are clean, well, his blood, his precious blood, washeth, the Ethiopian white, it does it, and it changes, the lipid spots, purge your conscience, from dead works, so that, we, it brings us, into a place, even there, that we have, nothing to bring, no good works, to bleed, nothing in mine, hand I bring, simply to thy, cross I clean, naked, come to thee, for dress, helpless, look to thee, for grass, black,

[22:40] I, I, I, through the fountain, fly, wash, me, saviour, or I die, that'll be your, and be your words, as you come before him, that he'll purge your conscience, from dead works, that you won't be able, to bring anything, whatsoever, then you'll know, the sweetness, of the words, in Isaiah, when he says, oh, every one, that thirsteth, come ye, to the waters, come, buy wine, and milk, without money, and without price, oh, these thirsty ones, and these hungry ones, you may come, come, just as you are, bring nothing, you may be, trying, perhaps, to, fit yourself, and a fit condition, to come to God, all the fitness, he requires, is to feel, your need of him, this he gives you, tis the spirit, rising theme, may he give it, to you poor sinner, that you may rejoice, in him, and that he may, have all the glory, and all the praise, which is due, unto his holy name, for all his greatness, and his mercy, and untold, love, to his people, my tongue, cannot speak, of it fully,

[24:06] I wish he could, sometimes, but we shall never, know the fullness, of God's love, until we reach, on yonder shore, never, there is no, entering into it, there is the, that's the only place, I believe, the fullness, of his love, is on the other side, when we cross, the river, into that, everlasting, heavenly land, that land, which, we, are, a seeker after, or how true it is, they seek a city, that hath foundations, whose builder, and maker is God, as this world, of wilderness, to you sinner, are you seeking, a city, a heavenly city, a city, of immense delight, a city, where Christ, dwelleth, God before us, to prepare, a place for us, and then, that one day, we may be with him, always,

[25:08] I go, to prepare, a place for you, that where I am, there, you may be also, you, who may feel, to be so unlike him, and born, of that account, and born, because you cannot, live, born in these things, well I know, how I sometimes, feel, when I am, thus, helped, in the pulpit, to speak these things, I think, oh, I wish I could live in them, I wish they could be, my, hourly, atmosphere, day by day, I don't want, anything else really, when I come, to speak the truth, on it, I want to live in them, die in them, and be with them, in eternity, to come, they become, so exceedingly, precious sometimes, but you know, God has so ordered it, that we must have, to deal, with the things, of time and sense, some for the bread, that perish in, some to make, provision, it is ordered, wisely so, but you know, there's some of us, that are finding, that this world, is becoming, more and less, more and more, to us, and less, attractive to us,

[26:40] I should have said, more and less, attractive to us, than, it has been, before, and, I sometimes, wonder, in my own case, how long, we shall be, wallowing about, in this time state, floundering about, as it were, in time things, oh, I say, there is a yearning, sometimes, for that heavenly land, there is indeed, the one said in the word, thine appointed time, will I wait, till my change comes, and in, I believe, it is God's servant, sometimes, are made willing, to remain, if it be but, for the help, of a few poor sinners, a few more days, in his wilderness below, that they may receive, a benefit, in and through, the word that is declared, by the operation, of the Holy Ghost, while they have to say, who is sufficient, for these things, and as I have to say, many times, when I leave the pulpit, to say, unprofitable servant, is no more, than one's duty to do, and we feel,

[28:04] I must say, that, truly and rightly, I feel the least, of all men, I do indeed, as I have said before, what it be of mercy, if these little ones, get to heaven, for they will.

[28:20] well, to purge, your conscience, from dead works, to serve, the living God, well, many are lent, to serve, false gods, idols, many, serve, what they believe, to be God, but are enemies, to his cross, there is solemn truth, there are many, I say again, who profess, to serve, the living God, by our enemies, to his cross, what is it, to serve, the living God, it is to serve, him in the newness, of spirit, it is to serve, him, by, walking, in that path, that he has laid, down in his womb, to forsake, those things, here below, how he says, in the word, seek ye first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things, these things,

[29:36] I have been speaking of, all these things, shall be added unto you, oh, what a mercy, to seek first, the kingdom of God, as many seeking, kingdoms on earth, many seek, many things on earth, but you know, as I have said, before today, these are things, where moth, and rust, doth perupt, sometimes, thieves, break food, steal, you, but let your treasure, be in heaven, who is that, well, Christ, our treasure, is he a treasure, to you, our treasure, is in heaven, sweet indeed, to a sinner, a saving sinner, is the name of Jesus, it is indeed, he becomes there, all and in all, and they desire, to serve him, as far as, they are enabled, to serve him, the living God, where he lives, he lives, to, as our high priest, above, whoever lived, to make intercession, for us, oh, what a wonderful thing, we have a high priest, above, more wonderful, isn't it, we're not at a common, and, do as many are left to do, to, do penance, penance for it, now, he doesn't treat his people, like that, my friends, now, when they come, before him, as the high priest, and confess their sins, he, in his love, and mercy, pleads their cause, as he is, in that office, as our priest, also our advocate, above, we have an advocate, above, him, who is ever, before the father, pleading our cause, as I have said, before, he is that, his presence, only, before the father, is that, intercession, for you, and for me, and those sins, which are immense, are blotted out, in and through him, whoever liveth, to make intercession, for us, and whoever liveth, to bring us, safely through life's journey, who hath overcome, already, really, our enemies, if we could but see it, for all enemies, are in his hand, they are already overcome, so that, in due time, we shall be overcomers, in and through him, and him alone, blessed is he, that overcometh, or as the word says, blessed is he, that endureth, unto the end, well, you and I, globally endure, as we are given, enduring grace, to endure in these things, unto the end, oh, what a mercy it is that, to have that knowledge, given to us, that he ever liveth, above, before the father, and also, he says in the word, because I live, he shall live also, so then, it is, because, he liveth in his people, that they live, and though you may feel, may as you came to God's house, this night, feel dead, and lifeless, yet, you know, he is in you, as that life within, by touch,

[33:38] divine, you will find a spring, in your arms, and you'll know, that there is life within, and there is another evidence, of life, that, if you love, his gospel, the word says, if you know, the sound of it, the word says, blessed are they, that know the joyful sound, that's God's word, and, I believe, there's none, know this joyful sound, really, in the, right sense, and in the right way, where there is, unstopped, that in mind, enter it, to the heart, through the ear, and, who, cling to it, love it, and, find it to be, their meat, and their drink, the gospel, brings tidings, good tidings, indeed, to those, who need, redemption, through his blood, good tidings, from a far country, spoken of, even from that, far country, that Canaan, above, as good news, unto the sinner, there is indeed, in, that, command, to come, come, under me, all ye, that labor, on every life, and I'll give you, rest, and he bids, the sinner, come, just as they are,

[35:20] I've often, thought about, that blind man, in the word, when, when, Christ, called him, to him, now, he cast, away, his garments, cast, away, your garments, there, sinner, if Christ, fools you, you will come, with any, patch up, work, now, you'll come, in your native, I'm sure, you will, like that, dear, blind man, he cast, away, his garments, you see, before he came, into the presence, of God, I was telling someone, that once, he said, you mean Joshua, I said, I don't, you know, I mean what I say, the blind man, in the word, you read it, you'll find it, if you search for it, there was one blind man, in the word, where, when he came to Christ, he cast, away his garments, I was that blind man, once, and I had those garments, once, when my wires, were opened, I had to cast, away my garments, to come naked, before him, my friend, and he opened my eyes, see what I mean, ah, these things are real, as they opened up, so then, there is, serving the living God, well, they'll serve him, as they are enabled, they will indeed, they'll serve him, as, they come, into his house, they will enter his house, with reverence, they will indeed, realizing, they are coming, before him, to worship, there won't be, lightheartedness,

[37:01] I don't mean, to be like, the Pharisees, have a long countenance, and appear, under men, to fast, I don't mean that, because, the word tells me, when ye fast, anoint thine head, with oil, as ye appear, not under men, to fast, by speaking, about the inward witness, of it, when you come, into God's house, cast down, and, and a burden, upon you, you won't come, into his house, with lightness, you'll come, to serve, the living God, and you'll come, to worship him, not only, not only, to come, and hear his word, declare, not only, to come, to worship him, as you know him, to be the king of kings, and lord of lords, but you'll worship, in all the service, in the singing, of the hymns, you'll worship him, you heard me say, before, many are charmed, with, with any, with a particular, melody, and forget, the blessed words, that are spoken, so then, there is a need, to have our thoughts, carried right away, from everything, else, but him, that's sitting, upon the throne, as we enter, into God's house, and however, feeble, our singing, may be, ever weak, whatever errors, or feelings, there may be, about it, the king of kings, hears those cries, in your heart, as they go, heavenward, you may be out of tune, but not with God, your heart is in tune, as you come, before your God, trying, to pipe out, as it were, a few words, before him, as he's sitting, upon the throne, he sees these, poor sinners, not those, who are pumped up, with pride, in their abilities, in these things,

[38:53] I speak, these things, kindly, but I say again, we need, to be kept, from our old spirit, try the spirits, see what, spirit you are, and you will, and you will, find that, there are many spirits, that we are, the subject of all, that are, detestable, to the, pure and, holy eye, of him, that cannot look, upon these things, only with, an immense, degree, of importance, so that, we may, come then, into his earthly, courts, with fear, that we may, worship him, and, in this sense, may we be, the only one, in God's earthly, courts, as we enter, my face, my soul, and, those things, that concern me, are my, greatest, and heaviest, thing, to bring before him, that he may, purge our conscience, of all dead works, to serve the living God, serve him, a guy, to enter into his, earthly, courts, that we may, indeed, give him, all the honor, and glory, and praise, as due, unto his holy name, well then, how much more, shall the blood, of Christ, who, through the eternal spirit, offered himself, without spot, to God, purge your conscience, from dead works, to serve the living God, well it's a mercy, to be brought, to serve him, here on earth, as we are enabled, we come, we shall be sure, don't we,

[40:37] I don't speak, these things, that I, can keep my soul, but I see, what we ought to be, and I hope, I'll try to pray, that we might, indeed, have more, walk, in that pattern, he said, in his sacred world, that we might, worship him, in spirit, and in truth, well, there will be, a serving him, without a vial, between, for some plain, serving him, in that heavenly, land above, there will be, that praise in him, forever, and ever, throughout, the countless, ages of eternity, serving him, round the throne, with the saints, above, those that are, made saints, in and through, the purity, of a precious Christ, as they have, the robe of righteousness, cast upon them, who are these, these are the, which have come, out of great tribulation, and have washed, their robes, white in the blood, of the land, the precious robe, of righteousness, cast on every one of them, they stand, round the throne, and as they stand, there, completely in Christ, there they shall, serve him, night and day, yes, so then, there will be, that serving him, throughout, the countless, ages of eternity, as he is, that eternal, everlasting light, for they shall, have no need, of the candle, or the light, of the sun, for he shall, be the light, thereof, he is the temple, of it, oh my friends, so I wish,

[42:16] I could, enter into this, depth more, and more, but I found this, I don't know, if you ever, been in this, particular path, it may be peculiar, to me, this particular thing, I'm going to mention, but I've tried, sometimes, to pry, into those, things above, in my meditation, and, I find, we can get, just so far, and no further, I find this, that there becomes, such a solemnity, in those things, that will cause us, to begin to tremble, and there'll be, that in us, to say, thus far, I may go, no further, we're not entering, to heaven yet, I said, we're not entering, to heaven yet, but we may go, just so far, as is revealed, a little here, a little there, we know, it was revealed, under dear John, in the Isle of Patmos, to a wonderful degree, but he does, now and then, give us an earnest, he does indeed, of that land, the witcher said, there is a land, of pure delight, where saints, in mortal reign, infinite dying, excludes the night, and pleasures, banished pain, not the pleasures, we know on earth, oh no, pleasures important, the pleasure, of praising him, throughout the camp, the days of eternity, the pleasure, of placing our, brother, in his dear, sacred ground, the pleasure, of being among, those our kindred, our flesh, our bone,

[43:52] I don't mean, in earthly relationships, that we have, come right away, from relationships, on earth, husbands, wives, children, and many, hours, here I say, to be, in relationship, with him, our dear, saviour, and there to, be brought, into that place, where the wicked, cease from troubling, and the wicked, are forever, last, and the rest, well may the Lord, be with us each, and grant us, to know more, and more, of these divine, realities, and grant to, that we may, be able, able to serve him, better, serve him, more, and let go, those things, which so often, oppress us, and bring us, into darkness, and into much, trouble of soul, well may he add, his blessing, to his few remarks, and his dear, names of all, of us, amen.

[44:47] Amen.