Few are made better by prosperity, whom afflictions make worse.
A pilot without his chart, a scholar without his book, and a soldier without his sword, are alike ridiculous. But, above all these, it is absurd for one to think of being a Christian, without knowledge of the word of God and some skill to use this weapon. – William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour.
Faith hath an incarnating virtue, as they say of some strengthening meat; it feeds upon the promise, and that ‘is perfect, converting’ – or rather restoring – ‘the soul,’ Ps. 19:7. Though.
The more public thy place, Christian, and the more eminent thy service for God, the more thou must look that the devil will have some more dangerous design or other against thee; and therefore, if every private soldier needs armour against Satan’s bullets of temptation, then the commanders and officers who stand in the front of battle much more.
Gospel peace comforts the soul, and that strongly, when it hath no other comfort to mingle with it.
What have we Bibles for, ministers and preaching for, if we mean not to furnish ourselves by them with armour for the evil day? In.
If ever you would have a blessed issue of this evil day, so as to stand in judgement before the great God, rest not till thou hast got into a covenant-relation with Christ.
Jerusalem above is a city whose builder and maker is God.” Every grace, yea, every degree of grace, is a stone in that building, the topstone whereof is laid in glory, where saints shall more plainly see, how God was not only Founder to begin, but Benefactor also to finish the same. The glory of the work shall not be crumbled and piece-mealed out, some to God and some to the creature, but all entirely paid in to God, and he acknowledged all in all.
Christ is a prince that loves to see his people thrive and grow rich under his government. This.
Meditate of Christ’s coming to judgment. Surely thou wilt not easily sleep while this trumpet, that shall call all mankind to judgment, shall sound in thy ear.
Prayer is a great heart-easer; it breathes out those distempered passions which, being bound up in others, break out when God at any time crosseth them in their wills.
They say stars have greatest influences when they are in conjunction with the sun; then sure the graces of a saint should never work more powerfully than in prayer, for then he is in the nearest conjunction and communion with God. That.
The providences of God to his saints here, while on this low bottom of earth, are mixed and parti-coloured, as was signified by the ‘speckled’ horses, Zech. 1:8, in.
We are to choose affliction rather than sin, yea, the greatest affliction before the least sin. Moses.
The news which the gospel hath in its mouth to tell us poor sinners is good. It speaks promises, and they are significations of some good intended by God for poor sinners.
Christian, hath not God secretly instructed thee by his Spirit from the Word, how to read the shorthand of his providence? Dost.
Till he be merciful to pardon our sins through Christ, he cannot bless or look kindly on us sinners.
Jehoshaphat cried when in the throng of his enemies, and the Lord helped him; much more mayest thou promise thyself his succor in thy soul combats.
Confession of the mouth without faith in the heart is gross hypocrisy.
It is more honour to take one soul alive out of the devil’s clutches, than to leave many slain upon the field. Erasmus.
When afflicted, love can allow thee to groan, but not to grumble.