But a faithful believer will in all circumstances mediate on the mercy and fatherly goodness of God.
He makes this favor common to all, because it is propounded to all, and not because it is in reality extended to all; for though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God’s benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive him.
Human will does not by liberty obtain grace, but by grace obtains liberty.
The evil in our desires typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much.
The surest source of destruction to men is to obey themselves.
The happiness promised us in Christ does not consist in outward advantages-such as leading a joyous and peaceful life, having rich possessions, being safe from all harm, and abounding with delights such as the flesh commonly longs after. No, our happiness belongs to the heavenly life!
Tears that are shed in time of affliction are rarely tears of penitence, but more likely they are shed out of self pity and pain or sorrow.
We must always speak of the efficacy of the ministry in such a manner that the entire praise of the work may be reserved for God alone.
It is entirely the work of grace and a benefit conferred by it that our heart is changed from a stony one to one of flesh, that our will is made new, and that we, created anew in heart and mind, at length will what we ought to will.
Concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, we must also be aware that he is our Advocate, and that without him we cannot approach God.
Thus the woman, who had perversely exceeded her proper bounds, is forced back to her own position. She had, indeed, previously been subject to her husband, but that was a liberal and gentle subjection; now, however, she is cast into servitude.
The Fanaticism which discards the Scripture, under the pretense of resorting to immediate revelations is subversive of every principle of Christianity. For when they boast extravagantly of the Spirit, the tendency is always to bury the Word of God so they may make room for their own falsehoods.
Who will venture to place the authority of Copernicus above that of the Holy Spirit?
This is what entertainment is all about- idiots, explosives and falling anvils.
The Bible is the sceptre by which the Heavenly King rules His Church.
But we have nothing of the Spirit except through regeneration. Everything, therefore, which we have from nature is flesh.
Because the will renewed is the Lord’s work, it is wrongly attributed to man that he obeys prevenient grace with his will as attendant.
Can true repentance exist without faith? By no means. But although they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished.
The denial of ourselves which Christ has so diligently commanded his disciples from the beginning will at last dominate all the desires of our heart.
We must resist wandering thoughts in prayer. Raising our hands reminds us that we need to raise up our minds to God, setting aside all irrelevant thoughts.