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Gifts and Calling
An ignorant miniser is none of God's making, for God gives gifts where He gives a calling. [Henry Wilkinson]
Posted by Deejay, June 30, 2008@15:38
Uniformity at any Cost?
It is better to have divisions than an evil uniformity. [Walter Craddock]
Posted by Deejay, June 29, 2008@16:28
Reformer's Corner
For readers here, who may not have any means of knowing, but I hve restarted Reformer's Corner on some basis. Not sure if it will be posted at as frequently as in the past, but I will keep it going on some footing as long as my health and time allows.
Take Heed
Take heed an hour not produce that which may shame us forever. [George Hutcheson]
Posted by Deejay, June 28, 2008@23:02
How to Foil the Tempter
Our great Pattern hath showed us what our deportment ought to be in all suggestions and temptations. When the devil showed Him "all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them," to tempt Him withal, He did not stand and look upon them, viewing their glory, and pondering their empire...but instantly, without stay, He cries, "Get thee hence, Satan." Meet thy temptation in its entrance with thoughts of faith concerning Christ on the cross; this will make it sink before thee. Entertain no parley, no dispute with it, if thou wouldst not enter into it. [John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, June 28, 2008@10:16
Vigilance
Set a strong guard about thy outward senses: these are Satan's landing places, especially the eye and the ear. [William Gurnall]
Posted by Deejay, June 28, 2008@00:30
Golden Sceptre or Iron Rod?
The Lord has a golden sceptre and an iron rod. Psalm 2:9. Those who will not bow to the one, shall be broken by the other. [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, June 27, 2008@21:30
For our good and to God's Glory
Look as our greatest good comes through the sufferings of Christ, so God's greatest glory that He hath from His saints comes through their sufferings. [Thomas Brooks]
Posted by Deejay, June 26, 2008@00:18
Blessings vs Crosses
What unthankfulness is it to forget our consolations, and to look upon matters of grievance; to think so much upon two or three crosses as to forget an hundred blessings. [Richard Sibbes]
Posted by Deejay, June 25, 2008@17:26
The Blissful position of the Patient Man
The patient man is merry indeed...The jailers that watch him are but his pages of honour, and his very dungeon but the lower side of the vault of heaven. He kisseth the wheel that must kill him; and think the stairs of the scaffold of his martyrdom but so many degrees of his ascent to glory. The tormentors are weary of him, the beholders have pity on him, all men wonder at him; and while he seems below all men, below himself, he is above nature. He hath so overcome himself, that nothing can conquer him. [Thomas Adams]
Posted by Deejay, June 24, 2008@11:21
Beloved of God
Some of the saints are more beloved of God than others, even on earth. The Angel told Daniel that he was 'a man greatly beloved' (Dan 9:23); and Luke is called 'the beloved physician' (Col 4:14}; and John, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (John 20:2).
And so doubtless, those that have been most eminent in fidelity and holiness, and that are highest in glory, are most beloved by Christ in heaven; and doubtless those saints that are most beloved of Christ, and that are nearest to him in glory, are most beloved by all the other saints. Thus we may conclude that such saints as the apostle Paul and the apostle John are more beloved by the saints in heaven than other saints of lower rank. They are more beloved by lower saints than those of equal rank with themselves.
But then there are answerable returns of love in these cases; for as such are more beloved by all the other saints, so they are fuller of love to other saints. [Jonathan Edwards]
Posted by Deejay, June 23, 2008@18:32
On Being Readers, Hearers, AND Doers
It is not enough to be given to reading and hearing of the Word, neither would folks rest on it: but join practice with both, Luk 11:28. Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. It is not the reader, or the hearer, but the doer, that is the blessed man. Yea, though ye were able to open and unfold all the Mysteries that are in this Book, if ye be not suitable and conform thereto in your practice, ye are but like that man spoken of Jam. 1:23-24. who beholding his natural face in the glass, goeth his way and forgetteth what manner of man he was. He that is a hearer and not a doer, deceives his own soul: as much hearing and reading doth you good, as is improven in practice. [James Durham]
Posted by Deejay, June 23, 2008@00:11
Mercies should beget thankfulness not pride
Few can bear great and sudden mercies without pride and wantonness, till they are hampered and humbled to carry it moderately. [Samuel Lee]
Posted by Deejay, June 22, 2008@20:07
Faith-The Believer's Fortress
Is there anything still lacking that prevents the complete happiness of a believer's life, that faith cannot supply? The flesh (which is ever cowardly and loves ease) is not happy at the poverties, crosses, and pressures it must endure. But here faith shines and triumphs over nature and reason, not merely as a sufferer, but more than a conqueror and victor, rejoicing in tribulations! Faith can make you like an adamant stone that nothing can break, like a palm that does not sink under the heaviest of burdens, like oil that rises above the greatest quantity of water that can be poured over it, or the sheet anchor that holds when all other tackling breaks. This is the crown and glory of faith.
Faith tackles great obstacles. Small boats do well in calm conditions, ordinary men can stand up to a light breeze, but when a heavy tempest blows, and wave after wave crashes in, nature yields, spirits faint, hearts fail. To stand up against such storms and to live and reign is the work of faith, which has the Word as its compass, and Christ at the helm. The greatest adversities are but the exercise and lustre of faith. Therefore when a storm rises, immediately run and awaken your sleeping faith. Knock at faith's door! Say, "Faith! Now do your work!" [Samuel Ward]
Posted by Deejay, June 22, 2008@12:47
God is Good to Israel ALL the Time
This yet relates unto his sufferings, Ps 73:14: All the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. Notwithstanding the variety and frequency of the saint's sufferings, yet God is good. Though sorrow salutes them every morning at their first awaking, and trouble attends them to bed at night, yet God is good. Though temptations many and terrible make batteries and breeches upon their spirits, yet God is good to Israel. 2. This yet reflects upon his sinning, the fretting and wrangling of his distempered heart (Ps 73:2-3,21). Though sinful motions do mutiny in the soul against God's wise administration, though there be foolish, proud quarrelling with divine providence, and inexcusable distrust of his faithful promises; though fretfulness at others prosperity and discontent at their own adversity, yet God is good. Israel's sinful distempers cause not the Almighty to change the course of his accustomed goodness. While corruptions are kept from breaking out into scandal, while the soul contends against them, and is humbled for them (as the psalmist was), this conclusion must be maintained: yet God is good. 3. This yet looks back upon his misgivings. There had been distrustful despondency upon the good man's heart. For from both the premises (viz., his sufferings and sinning) he had inferred this conclusion, Ps 73:13, Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. As if he had said, "I have kept fasts, observed Sabbaths, heard sermons, made prayers, received sacraments, given alms, avoided sins, resisted temptations, withstood lusts, appeared for Christ and his cause and servants in vain": yea, his heart had added an asseveration (verily) to this faithless opinion, but now he is of another mind: Yet God is good. The administrations of God are not according to the sad surmises of his people's misgiving hearts. For, though they through diffidence are apt to give up their holy labours as lost, and all their conscientious care and carriage as utterly cast away; yet God is good to Israel.[ Simeon Ash, in a Sermon entitled "God's Incomparable Goodness unto Israel." 1647.]
Posted by Deejay, June 21, 2008@23:30
Humility-A means to Comfort
Never any of God's children were comforted thoroughly, but they were first humbled for their sins. [Richard Greenham]
Posted by Deejay, June 21, 2008@12:59
That is well which ends well
In order of good, the last is still the best; for all good tends to perfection. The end is still the last enjoyed, though first intended. Now, this rest is the saints' last estate. Their beginning was as a grain of mustard seed, but their perfection will be an estate high and flourishing. They were taken with David from the sheep-fold to reign as kings forever. Their first day was a day of small things, but their last will be everlasting perfection. They sowed in tears, but they reap in joy. If their prosperity here, their res secundae were desirable, much more their res ultimae, their final blessedness, Psalm cxxvi. 5. The forethought of that last estate should bring a considering Christian into such unfeigned ecstasy, that he should even forget the things of the flesh, and no care of fear should raise him out of it. Surely that is well which ends well, and that is good which is good at last; and, therefore, heaven must needs be good. [Richard Baxter]
Posted by Deejay, June 20, 2008@22:35
Its Priority
For it is not what a church practices, but what it is warranted to practice: not what it holds for a truth, but what it is warranted to hold as the word of truth. The Word was written after the church; but as it is the Word of God, it is before it. [John Collins]
Posted by Deejay, June 20, 2008@15:35
We mustn't let the bounties of God Occasions for lust.
Fullness of bread and idleness were the sins of Sodom that ocassioned such an exuberance of lust. "They are like fed horses, everyone neighing after his neighbours wife. When I had fed them to the full,, then they committed adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlot's houses." [Jer 5:7-8] This is a sad requital of the bounty of God, in giving us the enjoyment of the creatures, to make them fuel to lust, and instruments of sin. [John Flavel]
Posted by Deejay, June 19, 2008@22:10
Pride
Pride is the fruitful mother of many vices, but it nurseth none with more care and tenderness than it does anger. The proud man is the greatest self-lover in the world; he loves himself without a rival. [Ezekiel Hopkins]
Posted by Deejay, June 19, 2008@00:24
The Prayer behind Thomas Cramner's right hand offering
O Father of heaven: O Son of God, Redeemer of the world; O Holy Ghost, proceeding from them both, three persons in one God, have mercy on me most wretched Caitiff and miserable sinner. I who have offended both heaven and earth, and more grievously than any tongue can express, whither then I may go, or whither should I fly for succour? To heaven I may be ashamed to lift up mine eyes; and in earth shall I find no refuge. What shall I then do; shall I despair? God forbid. Oh good God, thou art merciful, and refusest none that come to thee for succour. To thee therefore do I run. To thee do I humble myself saying, O Lord God, my sins be great, but yet have mercy upon me for they great mercy. Oh God the Son, thou wast not made man, this great mystery was not wrought for few or small offenses. Nor thou didst not give thy Son unto death O God the Father, for our little and small sins only, but for all the greatest sins of the world; so that the sinner return unto thee with a penitent heart, as I do here at this present. Wherefore have mercy upon me, O lord, whose property is always to have mercy. For although my sins be great, yet thy mercy is greater. I crave nothing, O Lord for mine own merits, but for thy name's sake, that it be may be glorified thereby; and for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake. [The prayer Thomas Cramner wrote the night he prepared to die, and which he prayed before his final recantation and martyrdom.]
Posted by Deejay, June 18, 2008@17:53
When in a storm
Did you never run for shelter in a storm, and find fruit which you expected not? Did you never go to God for safeguard, driven by outward storms, and there find unexpected fruit? [John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, June 18, 2008@04:35
Unity
Till men can be again content to make the Scripture the sufficient rule, in necessaries to be explicitly believed, and in all the rest implicitly, we are never likely to see a catholic, Christian, durable peace..That is the thing that I would recommend therefore to all my brethren, as the most necessary thing to the Church's peace: that you unite in necessary truths and tolerate tolerable failings; and bear with one another in things that may be borne with; and do not make a larger creed and more necessaries than God hath done...He that shall live to that happy time when God will heal his broken Church shall see all this reduced to practice, and this moderation take place.[Richard Baxter]
Posted by Deejay, June 17, 2008@16:22
Contention-Not a good use of time
I have other things to do than to be a contentious man. [John Penry]
Posted by Deejay, June 16, 2008@19:21
Gospel Worship
The principle that the church hath power to institute any thing or ceremony belonging to the worship of God, either as to matter or manner, beyond the observance of such circumstances as necessarily attend such ordinances as Christ Himself hath instituted, lies at the bottom of all the horrible superstition and idolatry, of all the confusion, blood, persecution, and wars, that have for so long a season spread themselves over the face of the Christian world. (John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, June 15, 2008@19:25
LOVE
Let us get love to Christ. Love is a holy transport. It fires the affections, steels the courage and carries the Christian above the love of life, and the fear of death. Many waters cannot quench love. (Song of Sol 8::7). Love made Christ suffer for us. If anyone asks what Christ died of, it may be answered, He died of love. If we love Christ we will own him in the worst of times and be like that virgin of whom Basil speaks who, not accepting deliverance upon sinful terms, cried out, 'Let life and money go, welcome Christ!' [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, June 15, 2008@19:25
Adultery *
[Walk in fear of the Lord]
This kept Joseph from this sin, (Gen 39:9).' How can I do this wickedness and sin against God?' Consider, 'the darkness hidest not from him, but shineth as the light.' If you could find a place where the eye of God should not discover you, it were somewhat; you dare not to act this wickedness in the presence of a child, and will you adventure to commit it before the face of God? See Argument Prov 5:20-21, 'And wilt thou my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.' [John Flavel]
Posted by Deejay, June 15, 2008@15:27
*The law designates adultery as any turning away from God.
Bless HIM
Let your conscience "bless the Lord," by unvarying fidelity. Let your judgment bless Him, by decisions in accordance with his word. Let your imagination bless him, by pure and holy musings. Let your affections praise him, by loving whatsoever he loves. Let your desires bless him, by seeking only his glory. Let your memory bless him, by not forgetting any of his benefits. Let your thoughts bless him, by meditating on his excellencies. Let your hope praise him, by longing and looking for the glory that is to be revealed. Let your every sense bless him by its fealty, your every word by its truth, and your every act by its integrity. [John Stevenson.]
Posted by Deejay, June 14, 2008@12:10
Faith and Joy
O vain man! Show me your faith by your joy. If you say you have faith and live a life of sadness, I will not believe you. Use your faith, and have joy; increase your faith and increase your joy. [Samuel Ward]
Posted by Deejay, June 10, 2008@02:24
The Lord does not shut up His bowels to mercy
"Joseph's brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying": he marked what Joseph spake about his dreams, he laid it up, and did not let it pass away as a dream, or as a vision of the night. Thus, by "If the Lord should mark iniquity", we understand -- if he should treasure up our sins in his memory, and keep them by him, "who were able to stand when accounted with?" The Lord, in a way of grace, seeth as if he saw, not, and winks at us oftentimes when we do amiss. [Joseph Caryl]
Posted by Deejay, June 07, 2008@19:52
11 Directions for recognizing sinful Anger
- When it opposes God or good; as in the case of those who become angry with us because we seek to win them for the Lord or separate them from their sins.
- When it disturbs our reason, and hinders us from thinking rightly.
- When it causes us to act unbecomingly, so as to use sinful words or actions.
- When it causes us to wrong another by our words and deeds, or to treat others in a way in which we would not like to be treated
- When it is mistaken and with no just cause behind it.
- When it is greater in measure than that which provoked the anger.
- When it makes us unfit to do our duty to God or man.
- When it hinders love, brotherly kindness and the good we might do for others.
- When it encourages malice, revenge, contentions, division, oppression of those under us, and dishonour to those over us.
- When it lasts too long, and does not cease when it has accomplished its purpose
- When it is used as a means to further our selfish, carnal, and sinful ends. When we are angry because our pride, profit, enjoyment, or fleshly will is crossed. [Richard Baxter]
Posted by Deejay, June 06, 2008@05:23
Adding Nothing to the Word
Make not laws upon the saints where Christ hath not made any. [Walter Craddock]
Posted by Deejay, June 05, 2008@18:34
Set Your Heart upon a Better Country
You that are poor, and think yourself despised by your neighbours and little cared for among men, do not much concern yourselves for this. Do not care much for the friendship of the world; but seek heaven where there is no such thing as contempt, and where none are despised, but all are highly esteemed and honoured, and dearly beloved by all. You that think you have met with many abuses, and much ill-treatment from others, care not for it. Do not hate them for it, but set your heart on heaven, the world of love, and press toward that better country, where all is kindness and holy affection [Jonathan Edwards]
Posted by Deejay, June 05, 2008@06:26
A warm, Lively faith.
Keep yourselves close night and day at your studies and most ferverent prayers: He will make the best divine that studies on his knees...It is one thing to be learned in the truths of Christ, another to be taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus...As ever we expect the truths we preach should operate upon the hearts of others, we first labour to work them in upon our own hearts. Such a preacher was St. Paul; he preached with tears accompanying his words, Phil. 3:18. An hot iron, though blunt, will pierces sooner than a cold one, though sharp. [John Flavel]
Posted by Deejay, June 04, 2008@23:25
The "Depths" of a believer
However profound these" depths" they are not the depths of hell, draped with its mist of darkness, and lurid with its quenchless flames. There is in them no curse, nor wrath, nor condemnation. Sink as the gracious soul may, it ever finds the Rock of Ages beneath, upon which faith firmly and securely stands. Whatever may be the depression of the believer, it is important to keep in mind his real standing before God. From this no chequered spiritual history can move him. There is not an angel in heaven so divinely related, so beauteously attired,, or who stands so near and is so dear to God, as the accepted believer in Christ, though earth is still his abode, and a body of sin his dwelling. [Octavius Winslow on Psalm 130]
Posted by Deejay, June 04, 2008@17:21
Redeeming the Time
O spend your time as you would hear of it in the Judgement! [Richard Baxter]
Posted by Deejay, June 03, 2008@14:45
The importance of Sabbath-Keeping
The stream of all religion runs either deep or shallow according as the banks of the Sabbath are kept up or neglected. [Unknown]
Posted by Deejay, June 03, 2008@02:19
The Christians Countenance
Christians ought not to have their souls ruffled or put into disorder, nor let any cloud sit on their brow, though dark and dismal ones seem to hang over their heads. [John Howe]
Posted by Deejay, June 02, 2008@13:56
Call to Worship-inward purity, outward holiness
Surely men should not need so much pressing to give what is due, especially when the payment is so pleasant. Unbelief and distrust, complaining and murmuring, rob God of his honour; in this respect, even the saints fail to give due glory to their King. Worship the Lord, bow before him with devout homage and sacred awe, and let your worship be such as he appoints. Of old, worship was cumbered with ceremonial, and men gathered around one dedicated building, whose solemn pomp was emblematic of the beauty of holiness; but now our worship is spiritual, and the architecture of the house and the garments of the worshippers are matters of no importance; the spiritual beauty of inward purity and outward holiness being far more precious in the eyes of our thrice holy God. O for grace ever to worship with holy motives and in a holy manner, as becometh saints! [Charles H. Spurgeon]
Posted by Deejay, June 01, 2008@20:44
For His Names's Sake
The good which God doth unto his church, be it temporal or spiritual, is for his own sake. What I do (saith God), I do for mine holy name's sake; there is nothing to move me but mine own name; that is holy, great, and glorious, and I will for my name's sake do much for my church and people. That they were preserved in Babylon, was for his holy name's sake; that they were brought out of Babylon, was for his holy name's sake; that they were replanted in Canaan, was for his holy name's sake; that they had a temple, sacrifices, priests, prophets, ordinances again, was for his holy name's sake; when they were near to destruction often, in former days, God wrought for his name's sake, Ezekiel 20; so Isaiah 48:8-9. It is not for the enemies' sake that God doth preserve or deliver his people; nor for their sakes, their prayers, tears, faith, obedience, holiness, that he doth great things for them, bestows great mercies upon them; but it is for his own name's sake. For man's sake God cursed the earth, Genesis 8:21; but it is for his name's sake that he blesseth it. The choicest mercies God's people have, are for his name's sake: they have pardon of sin for his name's sake, Psalms 25:11 1 John 2:12; purging of sin for his name's sake; Psalms 79:9; leading in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake, Psalms 23:2; quickening of their dead and dull hearts for his name's sake, Psalms 143:11. Though his people offend him, yet he forsakes them not, for his great name's sake. [William Greenhill]
Posted by Deejay, June 01, 2008@12:41
