Author: Paul J. Barth

Four Reasons Samuel Did Not Return From The Dead

Necromancy is when Satan is consulted within the form of a dead man. A memorable example hereof is recorded in 1 Samuel 28. First, I prove that the opinion which says that true Samuel appeared unto Saul is a flat untruth by four reasons. Response to four objections. Observations about Witchcraft from 1 Samuel 28: First, that there is a league between the witch and the devil. Second, the devil will be ready at the call and command of witches and sorcerers when they are intending any mischief. Third, by this, the great power of the devil in the behalf of the sorcerer is made manifest.… Read More Four Reasons Samuel Did Not Return From The Dead

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Satan’s Evil Wonders

Having seen that the devil can in general work wonders, yet not true miracles, we continue to the types of wonders he can do, and the practical uses of understanding this doctrine. Now more particularly, the devil’s wonders are of two sorts: illusions or real actions. Application: 1. The working of wonders in itself is no consolation. 2. Scripture alone is the rule, not things confirmed by wonders. 3. God permits evil wonders and witchcraft. 4. God holds Satan’s leash.… Read More Satan’s Evil Wonders

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Satan is Incapable of True Miracles

A true wonder is a rare work, done by the power of God simply, either above or against the power of nature, and it is properly called a miracle. Now the effecting of a miracle in this kind is a work proper to God only. And no creature (man or angel) can do anything either above or contrary to nature, but He alone who is the Creator. For as God in the beginning made all things of nothing, so He has reserved to Himself, as a peculiar work of His almighty power, to change or abolish the substance, property, motion, and use of any creature. The second sort of wonders are lying and deceitful, which also are extraordinary works in regard of man, because they proceed not from the usual and ordinary course of nature. And yet, they are not miracles, because they are done by the virtue of nature, and not above or against nature simply, but above and against the ordinary course thereof. And these are properly such wonders as are done by Satan and his instruments.… Read More Satan is Incapable of True Miracles

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Genuine Repentance Requires Self-Examination

Do with your hearts as men do with their wheat; they will not suffer their corn to lie long in the chaff lest the chaff hurt it, but they commit it to the fan so that the wind may separate them. So, the graces of God in our hearts are but corn, our sins and corruptions are chaff. Look well, and you shall find in yourself much chaff, and but little corn. Let not then the chaff lie too long mingled with the corn, lest it corrupt the corn. Let not your sins lie mingled with the grace of God in you. If you do, they will choke it in the end, and so deprive you of all grace. Therefore, rip up your heart, and look into your life, and when you have sinned, enter into yourself, ask your conscience what you have done, and be not quiet till you have found out your sin and the foulness of it. And never think that you know anything in religion till you know what is in your own heart and what are in your special and priviest corruptions. And look into your own faults, not with a partial eye, but with a censorious and strait judgment. Spare sin in no man, but especially condemn it in yourself.… Read More Genuine Repentance Requires Self-Examination

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Christ’s Intercession In The Old & New Testaments

The intercession of Christ is perpetual. This perpetuity was prefigured of old by the constant fire on the brazen altar, by the daily holocaust of sweet savour, and by the perpetual incense—all of which were brought to a point by the burning of incense on the Day of Atonement. Christ is a nobler Priest, and He belongs to a more noble dispensation. He lives forever as the God-man. His is a personal life; but He also lives forever officially as Priest. And His office is therefore not transferable. He exercises an unchangeable priesthood. As His pleas are of everlasting force, so He ever lives to plead them. His meritorious undying love is constant, fervent, and unchangeable. His fulfillment of the conditions of the Covenant is an enduring ground for pleading the promises.… Read More Christ’s Intercession In The Old & New Testaments

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Why Be A Covenanter? | J.G. Vos

Why be a Covenanter? The Reformed Presbyterian Church is a small, unpopular denomination with “old-fashioned” beliefs and strict principles. Why should we continue as members of this Church which differs from other denominations and is regarded as “queer” by so many people? 1. Not because of custom or family tradition. 2. Not because of cowardice or people pleasing. 3. Not because of convenience. 4. But because of conviction!… Read More Why Be A Covenanter? | J.G. Vos

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Christ Is Our Gain In Life, Death, & After Death

(1) Christ is our gain in this life; (2) He is our gain in death; and (3) He is our gain after death. He is our gain in life if we turn from our evil ways and believe in Him, in as much as He has gained for us many benefits, which I will reduce to ten heads. Second, as Christ is our gain in life, so He is also our gain in death, in as much as He has taken away the sting of death, and has changed the condition of it by making it of the gate of hell to be the way to eternal life. Third, He is our gain after death in three ways.… Read More Christ Is Our Gain In Life, Death, & After Death

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A Godly Man Is A Humble Man

Augustine calls humility the mother of the graces. A humble soul is emptied of all swelling thoughts of himself. A humble soul thinks better of others than of himself. A humble soul has a low esteem of his duties. A humble man is always giving bills of indictment against himself. A humble man will justify God in an afflicted condition. A humble soul is a Christ-magnifier (Phil. 1:20). He gives the glory of all his actions to Christ and free grace. A humble soul is willing to take a reproof for sin. A wicked man is too high to stoop to a reproof. A humble man is willing to have his name and gifts eclipsed, so that God’s glory may be increased. A humble saint is content with that condition which God sees is best for him. Test yourself: are you humble?… Read More A Godly Man Is A Humble Man

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A Godly Man is an Evangelical Weeper

A godly man weeps for indwelling sin, the law in his members (Romans 7:23), the outbursts and first risings of sin [cf. WCF 6:5]. He weeps for clinging corruption. A child of God weeps that he is sometimes overcome by the prevalence of corruption. A godly heart grieves that he can be no more holy. A godly man sometimes weeps out of the sense of God’s love. A godly person weeps because the sins he commits are in some sense worse than the sins of other men. How far from being godly are those who scarcely ever shed a tear for sin! Let us strive for this divine characteristic. Be weepers!… Read More A Godly Man is an Evangelical Weeper

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