Notes on The Shadow of Calvary
The Shadow of Calvary by Hugh Martin
Praying for Salvation
Pray for salvation. Jesus cried tears of agony and blood for the salvation of sinners yet you will not wrestle for the salvation which his prayers and blood have purchased? If you live in such prayerlessness, how inevitable and righteous will be the everlasting loss of your soul. But be encouraged and come in confidence for what he agonized in prayer with tears and blood to procure, he will now most joyfully and readily receive you. p. 52
A Labour of Love
Being made servants of Christ we are obligated to obedience to him. We are enlisted by the gospel to render many a personal favour to our Lord. To Gratify the Son of God, to promote his highest satisfaction and keep his commandments. But we are not left with difficult labor but a labour of Love. For above the comfort and moral dignity we receive through his work for us, Jesus also pours a peculiar tenderness, life, strength and unfaltering freshness to the obligations of his people. It is this that wakens the finest feelings of the regenerated heart. It is this alone that infinitely separates the evangelical obedience of God’s freely forgiven with the selfish, self righteous efforts of those that do not know the gospel. p. 56
Christ Our Intercessor
We pray with Christ and Christ is intercessor and merit for us in our unworthiness. p. 62
Dwelling at the Cross
Sinners should not only come to the cross but dwell there. p. 73
I am crucified with Christ. Yet not I but Christ in me. I am spiritually identified with Christ in his cross. I am united to Christ the crucified one. I am offered up into God with him who offered himself. Nevertheless it is as a living sacrifice that I am offered up, for he with whom I am crucified was crucified for me and even in dying he was the living one. Therefore I live also. Yet not I, but Christ in me. p. 73
Oh to be justified perfectly with no stain of condemnation. Brought before the Father wearing the spotless and pure robes of his Son. Will you not keep your honour bright and your garments unspotted from the world? p. 84
Praying Beside Christ
You do not come to God alone. You do not kneel in prayer alone. You do not pray in your own name at all or in your own voice alone as if you could pray with prevailing voice. No, you draw near to Jesus. You pray side by side with your Prince in Prayer. By faith you identify your prayer with his. In one mind and Spirit we must pray with him. p. 85
The Answer to the prayer of our Lord and saviour in a high sense is in reality the first fruits of answered prayer as all others shall receive answer only in falling into concert with his. p. 88
Refuge for the Flock
Where does the flock find refuge? Follow the Scripture which is the shepherd’s voice and thou shalt find rest unto thy soul. p. 129
Taking Up the Cross
From the cross he fled not, that sinners may have hope to flee too.
Oh believer, as thou takest up thy cross and follows Jesus. Abide in thy calling and observe every ordinance of God. Pray in Faith to thy father refusing the aid of fleshly wisdom and sinful policy, for multitudes of Angels at the last moment can rescue thee and at the worst, even as thou thinkest, it shall be the best when they carry thee to Abraham’s bosom. Fulfill the scriptures, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word, and blessed in the deed. And finally receive all appointments of God as from your father’s hand, that hand in which you must be forever safe. So shalt thou walk in safety, amidst all adversaries whatsoever, thine eye being single and thy whole body full of light.