We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men but to look to the image of God in them, an image which, covering and obliterating their faults, an image which, by its beauty and dignity, should allure us to love and embrace them.
How do we know that God has elected us before the creation of the world? By believing in Jesus Christ.
No one will calmly and quietly submit to bear the cross except those who have learned to seek their happiness beyond this world.
It behooves us to accomplish what God requires of us, even when we are in the greatest despair respecting the results.
The subject then of these chapters may be stated thus, – man’s only righteousness is through the mercy of God in Christ, which being offered by the Gospel is apprehended by faith.
It is certain that man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God’s face, and then descends from contemplating him to scrutinize himself.
The answer of our prayers is secured by the fact that in rejecting them God would in a certain sense deny His own nature.
Prosperity inebriates men, so that they take delights in their own merits.
The highest honor in the church is not government but service.
All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors.
But those who wish to prove to unbelievers that Scripture is the Word of God are acting foolishly, for only by faith can this be known.
If God were not to test us, there would be no patience.
It is no small honour that God for our sake has so magnificently adorned the world, in order that we may not only be spectators of this beauteous theatre, but also enjoy the multiplied abundance and variety of good things which are presented to us in it.
We shall never be fit for the service of God, if we look not beyond this fleeting life.
Prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy.
There can be no courage in men unless God supports them by his Word.
The real proof of spiritual poverty is to patiently endure the loss of worldly goods and without any regret when it pleases our heavenly Father that we should be despoiled of them.
So great and boundless is God’s wisdom that he knows right well how to use evil instruments to do good.
Because I know that I am not my own master, I offer my heart as a true sacrifice to the Lord.
All whom the Lord has chosen and received into the society of his saints ought to prepare themselves for a life that is hard, difficult, laborious and full of countless griefs.