The Precepts of Jesus
A guide through life — to immortality!
"Remember the words I spoke to you." John 15:20
"This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Mark 9:7
"O be my Counsellor,
My Pattern and my Guide;
And through this desert land,
Still keep me near Your side.
O let my feet ne'er run astray,
Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way!"
INTRODUCTION
It is our incumbent duty to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, and give earnest heed to the truths which proceeded from His gracious lips. "Never any man spoke like this man!" was the testimony of the officers who were sent to apprehend him—a testimony altogether spontaneous and unbribed on the one hand — and most faithful and true on the other.
The whole of His instructions have the highest claims upon our devout regards. In every doctrine He taught, every invitation He uttered, every promise He gave — we should "listen to Him!" And while we ought to listen to His voice as He speaks to us in words of encouragement and consolation, we are also to be equally attentive when, in a more practical strain, He enforces the various duties we have to discharge as His followers!
Our attachment to the gospel is very doubtful, if we are only concerned about enjoying its privileges — while its demands and obligations are viewed with less favour. But if we take as much delight in the precepts which enjoin holiness of heart and life — as we do in the promises which contain the richest blessings, and insure exemption from the sorest calamities — it is a conclusive evidence that our love of the truth is sincere and genuine.
The following brief meditations, intended for the Christian's daily perusal, are based upon a few of those divine injunctions which the Savoir delivered — and which relate to the spirit we should nourish — and the conduct it befits us to pursue. Favoured with such lessons from the mouth of the great Teacher, all of which are most impressively enforced by His own bright example — what kind of people ought we to be in all holy living and godliness! May each reader of this small volume aspire to reach that high standard which is laid down in these sacred precepts — and thereby afford a living demonstration of the unspeakable superiority of the Christian system, to all that ancient sages ever taught, or the most enlightened moralists of more modern times ever inculcated!
John MacDuff
Index
The Great Commandment
The True Disciple
The Brotherhood of Believers
Continuance in Well-Doing
The Prevailing Plea
The Power of Faith
Brotherly Love
The Divine Work
The Hard Saying
The Christian and the Secret Place
The Father Glorified
The Important Injunction
The Fear of God
The Evidence of Love
The Needful Caution
The Shining Light
Persevering Supplication
Mutual Forgiveness
The Saviour Reverenced
The Golden Rule
Neutrality Condemned
The Reasonable Requirement
The Sacred Oracles
Intolerance Rebuked
The Honour of Humility
The Dying Command
Inordinate Anxiety
Concealed Allegiance
The Infallible Test
Love of the World
The Solemn Warning