15. xviii. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. His omnipotence (vers. )God and ourselvesW. Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. But God's eye penetrates the darkest abode, the deepest cell, the obscurest corner, the blackest night. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' 2. How shall we learn to walk by His side? (Admonition 23.) In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the DeepWherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind32. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. 6. He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. The Lord Will Perfect That Which Concerneth Me: 12/14/2014 (SUN) | Bible: Psalm 138:8. xviii. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. His communion is unbroken. And here is a particular attribute, a particular perfection in God, singled out signalized. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship. IS THERE AN ALL-SEEING GOD? Those who live much in refined and educated society acquire refinement insensibly. (Isa. OURSELVES. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. It leads to prayer. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, AthanasiusSelect Works and Letters or AthanasiusCovenant Duties. S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? Chapter i. The word perfect can be used in various ways. "Forsake not the works of Thine own hands." Perfect all that concerns me O Lord (Psalm 138:8) O Lord, let Your hand of perfection straighten every crooked path before me. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. Some are too small and some too distant. We have the help of Almighty God! So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. Those who live much in refined and educated society acquire refinement insensibly. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. To Dominicus, Bishop. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? 17, 18).2. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. "(Archbishop Temple. cxxxviii. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. ad probam IV. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. As low as $30/day. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. God; God in Christ. And here let us look upon the bright as well as the dark side of this subject. Here first we see that GOD FILLS US WITH ASSURANCE. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. (Admonition 23.) It's that simple. How shall we learn to walk by His side? Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? 2. "Thou hast made me: I reverently challenge Thee to complete Thy work." THE RESULT OF THIS CONFIDENCE. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. 15. 5. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. 2. 23, 24). vi. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? v. 22). Our relation toward such a God should be 1. "You saw me before I was born. That of a prayerful seeking of the Divine guidance (ver. Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. His omnipotence (vers. on all sides of man, and His hand is upon him to restrain and control. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made John CunninghamThe Ordinance of CovenantingIntroduction. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. To Dominicus, Bishop. "He is both, sir." 1. The worst thing that can happen to anyone is for the mercy of God to depart from the person. In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the DeepWherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind32. Before the Searcher of hearts all mankind must appeal to mere and sovereign mercy. Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. 2. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. Rom. 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. And do you not know that you, as do even the best of men, often sin, often transgress God's commandment by thought, word, or deed?" Though the transgressor is ignorant of much of his sin, because, at the time of its commission, he sins blindly as well as wilfully, and unreflectingly as well as freely; and though the transgressor has forgotten much of that small amount of sin, of which he was conscious, and by which he was pained, at the time of its perpetration; though, on the side of man, the powers of self-inspection and memory have accomplished so little towards this preservation of man's sin, yet God knows it all, and remembers it all. . The Christmas Messengers, Audience and Message. 3. (Isa. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. Those who live much in refined and educated society acquire refinement insensibly. 2. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. vi. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. To Dominicus, Bishop. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. His omnipresence. And here let us look upon the bright as well as the dark side of this subject. 2. We will be engaging in this for 21 days. Hilary of PoitiersThe Life and Writings of St. Hilary of PoitiersPsalmsThe piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point Saint Gregory the Greatthe Epistles of Saint Gregory the GreatThe Coming Revival"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. And this perpetual though not always conscious sense of God's presence would, no doubt, if we would let it have its perfect work, gradually act on our characters just as the presence of our fellow-men does. We could never discharge our duties properly if we were to be perpetually distracted by the consciousness of what was around us: and, above all, we might be daunted by the perpetual thought of the presence of God, and so be paralyzed instead of helped. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . He will revive us."--HOS. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 1, 2. He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. cxxxviii. But He sees all, His eye takes in the immeasurable universe. There is no reason to mourn a son as lost who is a religious, still less to fear for his delicacy of constitution. )God all-seeing:In the mythology of the heathen, Momus, the god of fault-finding, is represented as blaming Vulcan, because in the human form, which he had made of clay, he had not placed a window in the breast, by which whatever was done or thought there might easily be brought to light. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. 2. We become unconscious of everything by long use. 24).(W. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. 17, 18).2. We become unconscious of everything by long use. )PeopleDavid, PsalmistPlacesJerusalemTopicsAbandon, Accomplish, Age, Chief, Complete, Concerneth, Concerns, David, Endures, Endureth, Eternal, Everlasting, Fall, Forever, Forsake, Fulfil, Fulfill, Hands, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Musician, O, Perfect, Psalm, Purpose, Steadfast, WorksOutline1. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. 3. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. Thoughtfulness soon degenerates into distrust, and holy anxiety easily rusts into unbelief. So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. xlix. (Psa. If God makes your son His son also, what do you lose or what does he himself lose? And this perpetual though not always conscious sense of God's presence would, no doubt, if we would let it have its perfect work, gradually act on our characters just as the presence of our fellow-men does. (Weekly Pulpit. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. He wants them to believe that Jesus gave up his divinity and performed miracles etc. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. Give me to see, and know that I am thine in an everlasting Covenant, which cannot be broken: that from having committed my soul-concerns into thy hands; all my earthly interests I may safely leave at the disposal; and that . To Dominicus, Bishop. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. So, here is an attempt at a definition: the glory of God is the infinite beauty and greatness of God's manifold perfections. 1, 2. "Forsake not the work of Thine own hands." Download MP3 (13.5MB) Request: transcript & translate this sermon What? Here are 6 to get started: 1. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. Whether he be at rest or in motion, in every posture and state, God knows him. able characteristics of a rational being is the power of self-inspection. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. And here let us look upon the bright as well as the dark side of this subject. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. 1, 2. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. THE LORD GIVES US REST IN HIS MERCY, for what says the text, "Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever." Psalm 138:8 King James Version 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatHow those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops promotes the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. Thomas AquinasOn Prayer and The Contemplative LifeEpistle Xlvii. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . : The fact that God is always present and knows every minute trifle in our lives, and that His unerring judgment will assuredly take count of every detail of our character and our conduct, neither exaggerating nor omitting, but applying absolute justice; this truth is one of those which lose force from their very universality. iii. ", 3. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. And this perpetual though not always conscious sense of God's presence would, no doubt, if we would let it have its perfect work, gradually act on our characters just as the presence of our fellow-men does. Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. For whereas man sinned, and is fallen, and by his fall all things are in confusion: death prevailed from Adam to Moses (cf. vi. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. Thomas AquinasOn Prayer and The Contemplative LifeEpistle Xlvii. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. The psalmist affirms . How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race Wherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. "What do you mean when you say, 'The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me'? 17, 18).2. The faith of that Centurion He on this account chiefly praised, and said St. I am as certain of this as I am that I am alive; he has given me new tastes, dispositions, and desires; the sins I once loved I now hate, and the holiness which heretofore I had no care for I now long after; hence I am sure the Lord has begun his work in me. This is living with God. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. vi. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. "Show me as much as I can stand, Lord." So what did God show him. ad probam IV. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. 15. (2)Unseen world.(3)Everywhere. But yet there is another, not less powerful than any, which deserves special mention. xlix. The Lord will make all things complete for me: O Lord, your mercy is eternal; do not give up the works of your hands. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. III. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. He will revive us."--HOS. Cultivate a loving affection for Him.(Homilist. This is a plea that every reconciled soul may urge. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. lxxxv. xviii. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. 7. The answer is the same. He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. | 28:00 min. Rom. 1, 2. 2. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. 1. Psalm 138:8 Choice comfort for a young believer As every state has its dangers, so the peril of religious concern is despondency. 19 III. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." 1, 2. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. He who superintends all must be all-seeing, and He who presides over all history must take cognizance of every event. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. Davids confident assurance that God will perfect all that concerns him was based on what David knew about God from his own personal dealings with God. Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. And as God thus begins the work of a sinner's salvation from mercy, it no way depends upon our merit or worth. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. The daily prayer in the closet, the endeavour to keep the attention fixed when praying with others, either in our regular services or in family worship.