John Mason
(6 posts)I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)
A Song of Praise for Creation
by John Mason
hou wast, O God, and Thou wast blessed
Before the world began;
Of Thine eternity possessed
Before time’s glass did run.
Thou needest none Thy praise to sing
As if Thy joy could fade;
Couldst Thou have needed anything
That couldst have nothing made.
Thou spoke, and heaven and earth appeared,
And answered to Thy call;
As if their Maker’s voice they heard,
Which is the creature’s all.
Thou spoke the word, most mighty Lord,
Thy word went forth with speed;
Thy will, O Lord, it was Thy word,
Thy word it was Thy deed.
Thou brought forth Adam from the ground,
And Eve out of his side;
Thy blessing made the earth abound
With these two multiplied.
Those three great leaves – heaven, sea, and land –
Thy name in figures show,
Brutes feel the bounty of Thy hand,
But I my Maker know.
Should not I here Thy servant be,
Whose creatures serve me here?
My Lord, whom should I fear but Thee,
Who am Thy creatures’ fear?
To whom, Lord, should I sing but Thee,
The Maker of my tongue?
Lo, other lords would seize on me,
But I to Thee belong.
As waters haste unto their sea,
And earth unto its earth;
So let my soul return to Thee,
From whom it had its birth.
But, ah! I’m fallen in the night,
And cannot come to Thee;
Yet speak the Word, let there be light,
It shall enlighten me.
And let Thy Word, most mighty Lord,
Thy fallen creature raise;
Oh make me o’er again, and I
Shall sing my Maker’s praise.
—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
Psalme 85 (Geneva Bible)
To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah.
1 Lord, thou hast bene fauourable vnto thy land: thou hast brought againe the captiuitie of Iaakob.
2 Thou hast forgiuen the iniquitie of thy people, and couered all their sinnes. Selah.
3 Thou hast withdrawen all thine anger, and hast turned backe fro the fiercenes of thy wrath.
4 Turne vs, O God of our saluation, and release thine anger toward vs.
5 Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer? and wilt thou prolong thy wrath from one generation to another?
6 Wilt thou not turne againe & quicken vs, that thy people may reioyce in thee?
7 Shew vs thy mercie, O Lord, and graunt vs thy saluation.
8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say: for he will speake peace vnto his people, and to his Saintes, that they turne not againe to follie.
9 Surely his saluation is neere to them that feare him, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercie and trueth shall meete: righteousnes and peace shall kisse one another.
11 Trueth shall bud out of the earth, and righteousnes shall looke downe from heauen.
12 Yea, the Lord shall giue good things, and our land shall giue her increase.
13 Righteousnesse shall go before him, and shall set her steps in the way.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)
A Song of Praise for the Patience of God
by John Mason
lmighty God, how hast Thou borne
Wrongs not to be expressed—
Daring rebellion, injured love,
Light quenched in my breast?
Man would be God, and down he fell
Yet he lifts up his bruised bones
Against his maker still.
Lord, what a monster is base man,
Thus given to rebel!
Oh, that Thou dost not cleave the earth,
And send him quick to hell!
His sins for wages loudly cry;
Justice, with dreadful sound,
Cries too, cut down this fruitless tree,
Why cumbers it the ground?
But God waves His advantages
Of right and vengeance too;
And by His single patience
Doth daring man outdo.
The creature doth disdain his God,
By whom he is maintained;
Yet God maintains this rebel worm
By whom He is disdained.
Fool, ask not where the Almighty is;
All glory to Him give;
Is not His power most fully proved
In suffering thee to live?
Were He not God, He could not bear
Such weights as on Him lie;
Weak things are quickly set on fire,
And to their weapons fly.
Why should not patience make me sing,
When hell would make me roar?
Lord, let Thy patience end in love,
I'll sing forevermore.
—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
Psalme 127 (Geneva Bible)
A song of degrees, or Psalme of Salomon.
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the citie, the keeper watcheth in vaine.
2 It is in vaine for you to rise earely, and to lie downe late, and eate the bread of sorow: but he wil surely giue rest to his beloued.
3 Beholde, children are the inheritance of the Lord, and the fruite of the wombe his rewarde.
4 As are the arrowes in the hand of ye strong man: so are the children of youth.
5 Blessed is the man, that hath his quiuer full of them: for they shall not be ashamed, when they speake with their enemies in the gate.
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Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)
Communion With God
by John Mason (1645–1694)
las, my God, that we should be
Such strangers to each other;
Oh, that as friends we might agree,
And walk and talk together.
Thou knowest my soul does dearly love
the place of Thine abode;
No music drops so sweet a sound,
As these two words—My God.
I long not for the fruit that grows
Within these gardens here;
I find no sweetness in their rose,
When Jesus in not near.
Thy gracious presence, O my Christ,
Can make a paradise;
Ah! What are all the goodly pearls
Unto these pearl of price?
May I taste that communion, Lord,
The people have with Thee?
Thy Spirit daily talks with them,
Oh, let Him talk with me.
Like Enoch, let me walk with God,
And thus walk out my day,
Attended by the heavenly guards
Upon my King’s highway.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
Oh, come, my Lord most dear;
Come near, come nearer, nearer still,
I’m well when Thou art near.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
I languish for Thy sight,
Ten thousand suns, if Thou art strange,
Are shades instead of light.
When wilt Thou come to me, O Lord?
For till Thou doest appear,
I count each moment for a day,
Each minute for a year.
Come, Lord, and never from me Go,
This world’s a darksome place;
I find no pleasure here below,
When Thou dost veil Thy face.
There’s no such thing as pleasure here,
My Jesus is my all;
As Thou dost shine or disappear,
My pleasures rise or fall.
Come, spread Thy savor o’er my frame;
No sweetness is so sweet,
Till I get up to sing Thy name,
Where all Thy singers meet.
—from Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
salme 59 (Geneva Bible). To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him.
1 O my God, deliuer mee from mine enemies: defend me from them that rise vp against me.
2 Deliuer me from the wicked doers, and saue me from the bloody men.
3 For loe, they haue layd waite for my soule: the mightie men are gathered against me, not for mine offence, nor for my sinne, O Lord.
4 They runne and prepare themselues without a fault on my part: arise therefore to assist me, and beholde.
5 Euen thou, O Lord God of hostes, O God of Israel awake to visit all the heathen, and be not merciful vnto all that transgresse maliciously. Selah.
6 They goe to and from in the euening: they barke like dogs, and goe about the citie.
7 Behold, they brag in their talke, and swords are in their lips: for, Who, say they, doeth heare?
8 But thou, O Lord, shalt haue them in derision, and thou shalt laugh at all the heathen.
9 He is strong: but I will waite vpon thee: for God is my defence.
10 My mercifull God will preuent me: God wil let me see my desire vpon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, least my people forget it: but scatter them abroad by thy power, and put them downe, O Lord our shield,
12 For the sinne of their mouth, and the words of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride, euen for their periurie and lies, that they speake.
13 Consume them in thy wrath: consume them that they be no more: and let them knowe that God ruleth in Iaakob, euen vnto the ends of the world. Selah.
14 And in the euening they shall go to and from, and barke like dogs, and go about the citie.
15 They shall runne here and there for meate: and surely they shall not be satisfied, though they tary all night.
16 But I wil sing of thy power, and will prayse thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast bene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Vnto thee, O my Strength, wil I sing: for God is my defence, and my mercifull God.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I reioyced, when they sayd to me, We wil go into the house of the Lord. (Psalme 122:1 Geneva Bible)
A Song of Praise for Deliverance
by John Mason (1645–1694)
that I am drawn out of the depth,
Will sing upon the shore;
I that in hill’s dark suburbs lay,
Pure mercy will adore.
The terrors of the living God
My soul did so affright,
I feared lest I should be condemned
To an eternal night.
Kind was the pity of my friends,
But could not ease my smart;
Their words, indeed, did reach my case,
But could not reach my heart.
Ah, then, what was this world to me,
To whom God’s Word was dark;
Who in my dungeon could not see
One beam or shining spark?
What, then, were all the creatures’ smiles,
When the Creator frowned?
My days were nights, my life was death,
My being was my wound.
Tortured and racked with hellish fears,
When God the blow should give;
Mine eyes did fail, my heart did sink;
Then mercy bid me live.
God’s furnace doth in Zion stand,
But Zion’s God sits by;
As the refiner views his gold
With an observant eye,
God’s thoughts are high, His love is wise,
His wounds a cure intend;
And though He doth not always smile,
He loves unto the end.
Thy love is constant to its line,
Though clouds oft come between;
Oh, could my faith but pierce these clouds,
It might be always seen.
But I am weak, and forced to cry,
Take up my soul to Thee;
Then, as Thou ever art the same,
So shall I ever be.
Then shall I ever, ever sing,
While Thou dost ever shine;
I have Thine own dear pledge for this,
Lord Thou art ever mine.
—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
salme 7
(Geneva Bible) Shigaion of Dauid, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the wordes of Chush the sonne of Iemini.
1 O Lord my God, in thee I put my trust: saue me from all that persecute me, and deliuer me,
2 Least he deuoure my soule like a lion, and teare it in pieces, while there is none to helpe.
3 O Lord my God, if I haue done this thing, if there be any wickednes in mine handes,
4 If I haue rewarded euill vnto him that had peace with mee, (yea I haue deliuered him that vexed me without cause)
5 Then let the enemie persecute my soule and take it: yea, let him treade my life downe vpon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath, and lift vp thy selfe against the rage of mine enemies, and awake for mee according to the iudgement that thou hast appointed.
7 So shall the Congregation of the people compasse thee about: for their sakes therefore returne on hie.
8 The Lord shall iudge the people: Iudge thou me, O Lord, according to my righteousnesse, and according to mine innocencie, that is in mee.
9 Oh let the malice of the wicked come to an ende: but guide thou the iust: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reines.
10 My defence is in God, who preserueth the vpright in heart.
11 God iudgeth the righteous, and him that contemneth God euery day.
12 Except he turne, he hath whet his sword: he hath bent his bowe and made it readie.
13 Hee hath also prepared him deadly weapons: hee will ordeine his arrowes for them that persecute me.
14 Beholde, hee shall trauaile with wickednes: for he hath conceiued mischiefe, but he shall bring foorth a lye.
15 Hee hath made a pitte and digged it, and is fallen into the pit that he made.
16 His mischiefe shall returne vpon his owne head, and his crueltie shall fall vpon his owne pate.
17 I wil praise the Lord according to his righteousnes, and will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.
Grace be with you, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
The Sinner’s Address to Christ
John Mason (1645–1694)
Where lies a sin, I’ll drop a tear,
Then view redeeming blood;
To mourning souls Christ will appear,
And surely do them good.
’Tis thou alone, my Lord, canst give
This aching heart relief;
Christ’s gentle voice would make it live,
His hand wipe off my grief.
Those falsely called the sweets of sin
Are bitter unto me;
I loath the state that I am in,
Lord, may I come to thee?
But, oh, wilt Thou receive him now
That’s coming to Thy door?
For I can bring no dowry, Lord;
I come extremely poor.
What if my tears could make a flood,
My righteousness is dross;
Those tears need washing in Thy blood,
Though wept upon Thy cross.
I have an argument to plead,
Which Thou canst not deny—
Thy grace is free, and Thou doest give
To sinners such as I.
Thou doest invite all wandering souls,
And I am one of those;
With Thee the sick do find a cure,
The weary find repose.
The world and sin will never vex,
Will trouble and molest;
I therefore trust my soul with Christ,
To bring to heaven’s rest.
—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
The Gospel According to John
Christ Witnesses to the Woman at the Well
4Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
There are two sayings in these verses which deserve particular notice. They throw light on two subjects in religion, on which clear and well defined opinions are of great importance.
We should observe, for one thing, what is said about baptism. We read that “Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.”
The expression here used is a very remarkable one. In reading it we seem irresistibly led to one instructive conclusion. That conclusion is, that baptism is not the principal part of Christianity, and that to baptize is not the principal work for which Christian ministers are ordained. Frequently we read of our Lord preaching and praying. Once we read of His administering the Lord’s supper. But we have not a single instance recorded of His ever baptizing any one. And here we are distinctly told, that it was a subordinate work, which He left to others. Jesus “himself baptized not, but his disciples.”
The lesson is one of peculiar importance in the present day. Baptism, as a sacrament ordained by Christ Himself, is an honorable ordinance, and ought never to be lightly esteemed in the churches. It cannot be neglected or despised without great sin. When rightly used, with faith and prayer, it is calculated to convey the highest blessings. But baptism was never meant to be exalted to the position which many now-a-days assign to it in religion. It does not act as a charm. It does not necessarily convey the grace of the Holy Spirit. The benefit of it depends greatly on the manner in which it is used. The doctrine taught, and the language employed about it, in some quarters, are utterly inconsistent with the fact announced in the text. If baptism was all that some say it is, we would never have been told, that “Jesus himself baptized not.”
Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the first and chief business of the Church of Christ is to preach the Gospel. The words of Paul ought to be constantly remembered,—“Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel.” (1 Cor. i. 17.) When the Gospel of Christ is faithfully and fully preached we need not fear that the sacraments will be undervalued. Baptism and the Lord’s supper will always be most truly reverenced in those churches where the truth as it is in Jesus is most fully taught and known.
We should observe, for another thing, in this passage, what is said about our Lord’s human nature. We read that Jesus was “wearied with his journey.”
We learn from this, as well as many other expressions in the Gospels, that our Lord had a body exactly like our own. When “the Word became flesh,” He took on Him a nature like our own in all things, sin only excepted. Like ourselves, He grew from infancy to youth, and from youth to man’s estate. Like ourselves, He hungered, thirsted, felt pain, and needed sleep. He was liable to every sinless infirmity to which we are liable. In all things His body was framed like our own.
The truth before us is full of comfort for all who are true Christians. He to whom sinners are bid to come for pardon and peace, is one who is man as well as God. He had a real human nature when He was upon earth. He took a real human nature with Him, when He ascended up into heaven. We have at the right hand of God a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, because He has suffered Himself being tempted. When we cry to Him in the hour of bodily pain and weakness, He knows well what we mean. When our prayers and praises are feeble through bodily weariness, He can understand our condition. He knows our frame. He has learned by experience what it is to be a man. To say that the Virgin Mary, or any one else, can feel more sympathy for us than Christ, is ignorance no less than blasphemy. The man Christ Jesus can enter fully into everything that belongs to man’s condition. The poor, the sick, and the suffering, have in heaven One who is not only an almighty Savior, but a most sympathetic Friend. The servant of Christ should grasp firmly this great truth, that there are two perfect and complete natures in the one Person whom he serves. The Lord Jesus, in whom the Gospel bids us believe, is, without doubt, almighty God,—equal to the Father in all things, and able to save to the uttermost all those that come unto God by Him. But that same Jesus is no less certainly perfect man,—able to sympathize with man in all his bodily sufferings, and acquainted by experience with all that man’s body has to endure. Power and sympathy are marvellously combined in Him who died for us on the cross. Because He is God, we may repose the weight of our souls upon Him with unhesitating confidence. He is mighty to save.—Because He is man, we may speak to Him with freedom, about the many trials to which flesh is heir. He knows the heart of a man.—Here is rest for the weary! Here is good news! Our Redeemer is man as well as God, and God as well as man. He that believes on Him, has everything that a child of Adam can possibly require, either for safety or for peace.—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007), 3:190–193
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
The Conflict
John Mason (1645–1694)
Oh, what a war is in my soul, which fain would be devout!
I am most weary with the fight, but may not yet give out.
The flesh and spirit both contend for this weak soul of mine,
That oft I know not what to do; but, Lord, I would be Thine.
I would believe, but unbelief prevails the other way;
And I have constant cause for grief, a longer night than day.
I cry to God; those cries declare whose part my soul does take;
Accept my poor desires while I do this resistance make.
My evidences should be clear; but, ah, the blots of sin
Turn cheering hope to saddening fear and make black doubts within.
The laws of sin and grace will jar both dwelling in one room,
The saints expect perpetual war till ye are sent for home.
Although these combats make you fear they should not cast you down;
God will give grace to hold out here, and glory for its crown.
—Worthy Is the Lamb (Soli Deo Gloria, 2004).
John 11:7–16
Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 12 The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” 16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
Things such as these are often going on around us. The servants of Christ are often placed in circumstances just as puzzling and perplexing as those of the disciples. They are led in ways of which they cannot see the purpose and object; they are called to fill positions from which they naturally shrink, and which they would never have chosen for themselves. Thousands in every age are continually learning this by their own experience. The path they are obliged to walk in is not the path of their own choice. At present they cannot see its usefulness or wisdom.
At times like these a Christian must call into exercise his faith and patience. He must believe that his Master knows best by what road His servant ought to travel, and that He is leading him, by the right way, to a city of habitation. He may rest assured that the circumstances in which be is placed are precisely those which are most likely to promote his graces and to check his besetting sins. He need not doubt that what he cannot see now, he will understand hereafter. He will find one day that there was wisdom in every step of his journey, though flesh and blood could not see it at the time. If the twelve disciples had not been taken back into Judæa, they would not have seen the glorious miracle of Bethany. If Christians were allowed to choose their own course through life, they would never learn hundreds of lessons about Christ and His grace, which they are now taught in God’s ways. Let us remember these things. The time may come when we shall be called to take some journey in life which we greatly dislike. When that time comes, let us set out cheerfully, and believe that all is right.
We should notice, secondly, in this passage, how tenderly Christ speaks of the death of believers. He announces the fact of Lazarus being dead in language of singular beauty and gentleness: “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” Every true Christian has a Friend in heaven, of almighty power and boundless love. He is thought of, cared for, provided for, defended by God’s eternal Son. He has an unfailing Protector, who never slumbers or sleeps, and watches continually over his interests. The world may despise him, but he has no cause to be ashamed. Father and mother even may cast him out, but Christ having once taken him up will never let him go. He is the “friend of Christ” even after he is dead! The friendships of this world are often fair-weather friendships, and fail us like summer-dried fountains, when our need is the sorest; but the friendship of the Son of God is stronger than death, and goes beyond the grave. The Friend of sinners is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
The death of true Christians is “sleep,” and not annihilation. It is a solemn and miraculous change, no doubt, but not a change to be regarded with alarm. They have nothing to fear for their souls in the change, for their sins are washed away in Christ’s blood. The sharpest sting of death is the sense of unpardoned sin. Christians have nothing to fear for their bodies in the change; they will rise again by and by, refreshed and renewed, after the image of the Lord. The grave itself is a conquered enemy. It must render back its tenants safe and sound, the very moment that Christ calls for them at the last day.
Let us remember these things when those whom we love fall asleep in Christ, or when we ourselves receive our notice to depart this world. Let us call to mind, in such an hour, that our great Friend takes thought for our bodies as well as for our souls, and that He will not allow one hair of our heads to perish. Let us never forget that the grave is the place where the Lord Himself lay, and that as He rose again triumphant from that cold bed, so also shall all His people. To a mere worldly man death must needs be a terrible thing; but he that has Christian faith may boldly say, as he lays down life, “I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, that makest me dwell in safety.”
We should notice, lastly, in this passage, how much of natural temperament clings to a believer even after conversion. We read that when Thomas saw that Lazarus was dead, and that Jesus was determined, in spite of all danger, to return into Judæa, he said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” There can only be one meaning in that expression: it was the language of a despairing and desponding mind, which could see nothing but dark clouds in the picture. The very man who afterwards could not believe that his Master had risen again, and thought the news too good to be true, is just the one of the twelve who thinks that if they go back to Judæa they must all die!
Things such as these are deeply instructive, and are doubtless recorded for our learning. They show us that the grace of God in conversion does not so re-mold a man as to leave no trace of his natural bent of character. The sanguine do not altogether cease to be sanguine, nor the desponding to be desponding, when they pass from death to life, and become true Christians. They show us that we must make large allowances for natural temperament, in forming our estimate of individual Christians. We must not expect all God’s children to be exactly one and the same. Each tree in a forest has its own peculiarities of shape and growth, and yet all at a distance look one mass of leaf and verdure. Each member of Christ’s body has his own distinctive bias, and yet all in the main are led by one Spirit, and love one Lord. The two sisters Martha and Mary, the apostles Peter and John and Thomas, were certainly very unlike one another in many respects. But they had all one point in common: they loved Christ, and were His friends.
Let us take heed that we really belong to Christ. This is the one thing needful. If this is made sure, we shall be led by the right way, and end well at last. We may not have the cheerfulness of one brother, or the fiery zeal of another, or the gentleness of another. But if grace reigns within us, and we know what repentance and faith are by experience, we shall stand on the right hand in the great day. Happy is the man of whom, with all his defects, Christ says to saints and angels, “This is our friend.”—J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Baker Books, 2007).
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
