The first step to humility is to see one's pride; the first step to self-denial is to be convinced of one's desire after self-exalting, self-admiring, self-advancing—O what a proud heart have I! What a self advancing heart have I! There is no believer till he is fully renewed but what has something of self. We had need therefore to be jealous of ourselves; and if at any time self break out, if at any time the soul begins to be advanced in regard of duty or spiritual things, let us fall down before God and humble ourselves for the pride of our hearts.
Now the word of the gospel and the work of the Spirit always go together—not that God is tied to any means, but that He ties Himself to the means. Hence the gospel is called the power of God to salvation because the power of God ordinarily, and in common course, appears therein. The waters of life and salvation run only in the channel of the gospel.
It is not so much your loose companions that are your tempters to evil as the devil in and by them. When Peter tried to persuade his Master to avoid sufferings, Christ rebuked the evil spirit that spoke in Peter and said, "Get thee behind me, Satan." Peter was set to work by Satan; therefore Christ calls him by the name of Satan. Those wicked men are instruments in the hand of Satan who propose carnal comforts as a cure for spiritual wounds.
Angels are exact and careful observers and eyewitnesses of our behavior and deportment in the public ordinances. To this end were the curtains of the tabernacle pictured: full of cherubim to signify that about our solemn meetings, whole troops of angels take notice of our behavior. Surely, if this were considered, we should be very serious in God's worship. Yea, how spiritual and heavenly should we be if our hearts were but fixed on these glorious angels?Communion with Angels, 100