Sin Sticks!
Oh, better were it for you to die in jail, in a ditch, in a dungeon, than die in your sins. If death, as it will take away all your comforts, would take away all your sins too, it were some mitigation; but your sins will follow you when your friends leave you, and all worldly enjoyments shake hands with you. Your sins will not die with you as prisoners other debts will; but they will go to judgment with you there to be your accusers; and they will go to hell with you there to be your tormentors. [Joseph Alleine]
Posted by Deejay, May 31, 2008@11:42
Be settled and grounded in the faith.
Not to be settled in the faith, is provoking to God. To espouse the truth and then to fall away brings an ill-report upon the Gospel, which will not go unpunished. "They turned back and dealt unfaithfully. When God heard this, he was wroth and greatly disturbed of Israel." The apostate drops as a windfall into the devils mouth. [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, May 30, 2008@20:53
Taking Heaven by Storm
God hath not appointed heaven for idle droans, and loiterers, but for such as labour for it; heaven is a crown or garland, win it and wear it; it is an harvest, labour for it, if thou wilt enjoy it; it is a field of treasure, thou must purchase it, if thou wilt possess it; it is a strong city, and must be taken by force and violence. [William Gearing]
Posted by Deejay, May 30, 2008@11:32
Mercy
Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, May 29, 2008@23:27
Be Not Discouraged Despairing souls
Poor I, that I am but of yesterday would have known some that have been deeply plunged into the gulf of despair, that they would throw all the spiritual cordials that have been tendered to them against everything that might be a comfort and support unto them. They have been much set against all ordinances and religious services; they have cast off holy duties themselves, and peremptorily refused to join with others in them; refused the necessary comforts of this life, even to the overthrow of natural life, and yet out of this horrible pit, this hell upon earth, hath God delivered their souls, and given them such manifestations of his grace and favour, that they would not exchange them for a thousand worlds. O despairing souls, you see that others, whose conditions have been as bad if not worse than yours have obtained mercy. God hath turned their hell into a heaven; he hath remembered them in their low estate; hath wiped all tears from their eyes; and he hath been a well-spring of life unto their hearts. Therefore, be not discouraged, O despairing souls but look up to the mercy seat. [Thomas Brooks]
Posted by Deejay, May 29, 2008@13:16
In Days of Trouble
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; in days of inward trouble especially when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him and seek till we find him. In the day of his trouble he did not seek for the diversions of business or recreation, to shake off his trouble that way, but he sought God, and his favour and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must not think to drink it away, or laugh it away, but pray it away. [Matthew Henry on Psalm 77:2]
Posted by Deejay, May 28, 2008@23:26
The Ministry
A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God, that he is and no more. [John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, May 28, 2008@12:28
Self-authenticating Scripture
God's Truth, always agrees with itself. [Richard Sibbes]
Posted by Deejay, May 25, 2008@19:04
A Corrupted Legacy
If it be the usual method of Divine Providence to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, see then what great reason parents have to beware that they do not lay up a stock of plagues and curses for their posterity; nor clog the estate which they leave them, with so many debts to be paid to the justice of God as will certainly undo them [Ezekiel Hopkins]
Posted by Deejay, May 24, 2008@21:27
God's pruning
Better to be pruned to grow, than cut up to burn. [John Trapp]
Posted by Deejay, May 23, 2008@17:08
Meditation
Continued meditation brings great profit to the soul. Passant and transient thoughts are more pleasant, but not so profitable. Deliberate meditation is of the most use because it secures the return of the thoughts. [Thomas Manton]
Posted by Deejay, May 22, 2008@08:31
God glorified within Himself
God is glorified within Himself these two ways: 1. By appearing… to Himself in His own perfect idea [of Himself], or in His Son, who is the brightness of His glory. 2. By enjoying and delighting in Himself, by flowing forth in infinite… delight towards Himself, or in his Holy Spirit.… So God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to… their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself.… God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it
Posted by Deejay, May 21, 2008@20:53
God and conscience
There is a conscience in man; therefore there is a God in heaven. [Ezekiel Hopkins]
Posted by Deejay, May 21, 2008@14:59
Mercy
Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, May 29, 2008@23:27
Be Not Discouraged Despairing souls
Poor I, that I am but of yesterday would have known some that have been deeply plunged into the gulf of despair, that they would throw all the spiritual cordials that have been tendered to them against everything that might be a comfort and support unto them. They have been much set against all ordinances and religious services; they have cast off holy duties themselves, and peremptorily refused to join with others in them; refused the necessary comforts of this life, even to the overthrow of natural life, and yet out of this horrible pit, this hell upon earth, hath God delivered their souls, and given them such manifestations of his grace and favour, that they would not exchange them for a thousand worlds. O despairing souls, you see that others, whose conditions have been as bad if not worse than yours have obtained mercy. God hath turned their hell into a heaven; he hath remembered them in their low estate; hath wiped all tears from their eyes; and he hath been a well-spring of life unto their hearts. Therefore, be not discouraged, O despairing souls but look up to the mercy seat. [Thomas Brooks]
Posted by Deejay, May 29, 2008@13:16
In Days of Trouble
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; in days of inward trouble especially when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him and seek till we find him. In the day of his trouble he did not seek for the diversions of business or recreation, to shake off his trouble that way, but he sought God, and his favour and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must not think to drink it away, or laugh it away, but pray it away. [Matthew Henry on Psalm 77:2]
Posted by Deejay, May 28, 2008@23:26
The Ministry
A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God, that he is and no more. [John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, May 28, 2008@12:28
Self-authenticating Scripture
God's Truth, always agrees with itself. [Richard Sibbes]
Posted by Deejay, May 25, 2008@19:04
A Corrupted Legacy
If it be the usual method of Divine Providence to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, see then what great reason parents have to beware that they do not lay up a stock of plagues and curses for their posterity; nor clog the estate which they leave them, with so many debts to be paid to the justice of God as will certainly undo them [Ezekiel Hopkins]
Posted by Deejay, May 24, 2008@21:27
God's pruning
Better to be pruned to grow, than cut up to burn. [John Trapp]
Posted by Deejay, May 23, 2008@17:08
Meditation
Continued meditation brings great profit to the soul. Passant and transient thoughts are more pleasant, but not so profitable. Deliberate meditation is of the most use because it secures the return of the thoughts. [Thomas Manton]
Posted by Deejay, May 22, 2008@08:31
God glorified within Himself
God is glorified within Himself these two ways: 1. By appearing… to Himself in His own perfect idea [of Himself], or in His Son, who is the brightness of His glory. 2. By enjoying and delighting in Himself, by flowing forth in infinite… delight towards Himself, or in his Holy Spirit.… So God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to… their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself.… God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it
Posted by Deejay, May 21, 2008@20:53
God and conscience
There is a conscience in man; therefore there is a God in heaven. [Ezekiel Hopkins]
Posted by Deejay, May 21, 2008@14:59
The Word
The Word work, forbids loitering and Word ministry lording. [John Boys]
Posted by Deejay, May 20, 2008@15:10
Love
A man that is charitable and not pure, is better to others than to himself. [Thomas Manton
Posted by Deejay, May 16, 2008@21:36
Making use of the means
Use thy duties, as Noah's dove did her wings, to carry thee to the ark of the Lord Jesus Christ, where only there is rest. [Isaac Ambrose]
Posted by Deejay, May 16, 2008@04:20
In the right order
You begin at the wrong end if you first dispute about your election. Prove your conversation, and then never doubt your election. If ye cannot yet prove it, set upon a present and thorough turning. Whatever God's purposes be, which are secret, I am sure his promises are plain. How desperately do rebels argue! "If I am elected I shall be saved, do what I will. If not, I shall be damned, do what I can." Perverse sinner, will you begin where you should end? [Joseph Alleine]
Posted by Deejay, May 15, 2008@02:02
He gave up ALL
The precious Lamb of God gave up His golden fleece for us. [Christopher Nesse]
Posted by Deejay, May 15, 2008@15:15
On not minimizing sin
Consider that no sin against a Great God can be strictly a little sin, though compared to a greater one it may be. But however little it is, to account it so, makes it greater. [Ralph Venning]
Posted by Deejay, May 14, 2008@2:47
Christian proportions of giving
Thy alms to the poor, thy counsel to the simple, thy inheritance to thy children, thy tribute to Caesar, but thy heart to God. [Henry Smith]
Posted by Deejay, May 13, 2008@14:50
Scripture-The only Rule
While we have Christ's Word for the things we do or refuse to do, we need not fear the threats of any vain men; neither be amazed at any vain titles of Church, Sacraments etc., For this we know, that their is no church that can excuse us for the breach of God's Law before that great Judge. [Henry Barrow]
Posted by Deejay, May 13, 2008@2:50
Precepts not Precedents
"Follow not a multitude to do evil,." Examples are not our warrant, but precepts. Neither will it procure a man a discharge because he had a precedent in his sin. Adam indeed said the woman gave him the apple, but it did not excuse him from paying the reckoning with her; she was indeed first in the transgression, yet both met in the punishment. [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, May 12, 2008@12:17
Approach unto God
God is a Spirit infinitely happy, therefore, we must approach him with cheerfulness; he is a Spirit of infinite majesty, therefore we must come before him with reverence; he is a Spirit infinitely high, therefore we must offer up our sacrifices with deepest humility; he is a Spirit infinitely holy, therefore we must address him with purity; he is a Spirit infinitely glorious, we must therefore acknowledge his excelelncy..he is a Spirit infinitely provoked by us, therefore we must offer up our worship in the Name of a pacifying mediator and intercessor. [Stephen Charnock]
Posted by Deejay, May 11, 2008@15:30
One fear cures another
We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God. [William Gurnall]
Posted by Deejay May 11, 2008"10:46
Authority of the Scriptures greater than any teacher of the Scriptures
God speaks in the Scriptures, and by it teaches the Church herself; and therefore His authority in the Scriptures is greater, the authority of Him that teaches, than of those by whom He teaches as an authority of a king in his laws is greater than that of an officer that proclaims them. [unknown]
Posted by Deejay, May 10, 2008@18.31
Gathering In
The Jews shall be gathered from all parts of the earth where they now are scattered, and brought home into their homeland.
[John Owen]
Posted by Deejay, May 9, 2008@13.37
A Puritan at heart forum
Pure Geneva Discourse forum is opening for posting now, so anyone who wishes to and/or has an interest in the lives and teachings of the Puritans, then please consider joining.
Humility
In spiritual graces let us study to be great, and not to know it. [Thomas Adams]
Posted by Deejay, May 9, 2008@02.53
Sweat and sin
Sin brought in sweat (Genesis 3:19), but now, not to sweat increases sin. [John Flavel]
Posted by Deejay, May 8, 2008@14.20
Putting knowledge into practice
Many a man's knowledge is a torch to light him to hell. Thou who hast knowledge of God's will, but doth not do it, wherein dost thou excel the devil, "Who transforms himself into an angel of light." [Thomas Watson]
Posted by Deejay, May 6, 2008@03.35
Persons and Conditions
Moreover, as God respects no persons, so He respects no conditions upon which He gives salvation to us. [Thomas Goodwin]
Posted by Deejay, May 5, 2008@12.30
God's Delight in His Creatures
Since holiness is a glorious perfection of the nature of God, “he will certainly value every holy soul.” It is of a greater value with him than the souls of all men in the world, that are destitute of it: “wicked men are the worst of vilenesses,” mere dross and dunghill.123 Purity, then, which is contrary to wickedness, must be the most precious thing in his esteem; he must needs love that quality which he is most pleased with in himself, as a father looks with most delight upon the child which is possessed with those dispositions he most values in his own nature. “His countenance doth behold the upright” (Psalm 11:7). He looks upon them with a full and open face of favor, with a countenance clear, unmasked, and smiling with a face full of delight. Heaven itself is not such a pleasing object to him as the image of his own uncreated holiness in the created holiness of men and angels: as a man esteems that most which is most like him, of his own generation, more than a piece of art, which is merely the product of his wit or strength. And he must love holiness in the creature, he would not else love his own image, and, consequently, would undervalue himself. He despiseth the image the wicked bears (Psalm 73:20), but he cannot disesteem his own stamp on the godly; he cannot but delight in his own work, his choice work, the master-piece of all his works, the new creation of things; that which is next to himself, as being a Divine nature like himself (2 Pet. 1:4). When he overlooks strength, parts, knowledge, he cannot overlook this: he “sets apart him that is godly for himself” (Psalm 4:3), as a peculiar object to take pleasure in; he reserves such for his own complaceny, when he leaves the rest of the world to the devil’s power; he is choice of them above all his other works, and will not let any have so great a propriety in them as himself. If it be so dear to him here in its imperfect and mixed condition, that he appropriates it as a peculiar object for his own delight, how much more will the unspotted purity of glorified saints be infinitely pleasing to him! so, that he will take less pleasure in the material heavens than in such a soul. Sin only is detestable to God; and when this is done away, the soul becomes as lovely in his account, as before it was loathsome.
[Stephen Charnock]
Posted by Deejay, May 4, 2008@22.02
Knowing Means Possessing
Sometimes a great mystery is made out of the life hid with Christ in God as though it is a strange mystical thing that ordinary people cannot understand. But the contrast between bondage and liberty makes it very plain: we are no longer servants but sons, and must enter into the privileges of this relationship. We all know what it is to be a child; there is no mystery about that. God did not use the figures of Father and children without knowing all that this relationship implies. Those, therefore, who know Him as their Father, know the whole secret. They are their Father’s heirs and may now enter into possession of all that is necessary for their present needs. They will therefore be very simple in their prayers. "Lord," they will say, "I am your child, and I need such and such things." "My child," He will answer, "all things are yours in Christ; come and take just what you need."
Where the executors are honorable men, the heirs to an estate are not obliged to “struggle” for their inheritance. The executors are appointed not to keep them out of it but to help them into possession of it. I sometimes think Christians look on our Lord as someone appointed to keep them out of their possessions, rather than to bring them in to them. They little know how such an implication grieves and dishonors Christ. When they do recognize it, the spirit of bondage becomes impossible to them. [Hannah Whitall Smith]
Posted by Deejay, May 3, 2008@22.28
Crime and Punishment
If it be allowed that it is requisite that great crimes should be punished with punishment in some measure answerable to the heinousness of the crime… because of their great demerit and the great abhorrence and indignation they justly excite:—it will follow that it is requisite that God should punish all sin with infinite punishment, because all sin, as it is against God, is infinitely hateful to him, and so stirs up infinite abhorrence and indignation in him [Jonathan Edwards]
Posted by Deejay, May 3, 2008@13.30
Means of assurance
There are no men more careful of the use of means than those that are surest of a good issue and conclusion, for the one stirs up diligence in the other. Assurance of the end stirs up diligence in the means. For the soul of a believing Christian knows that God has decreed both. [Richard Sibbes]
Posted May 02, 2008@23:50 by Deejay
Sin and Reason
To serve God and labour diligently for salvation, and prefer it before all worldly things, is so reasonable a thing, that every one that repenteth of the contrary course, doth call it from his heart an impious madness. Reason must needs be for God that made it. Reason must needs be for that which is its proper end and use. Sin, as it is in the understanding, is nothing but unreasonableness ; a blindness and error; a loss and corruption of reason in the matters of God and our salvation. And grace, as in the understanding, doth but cure this folly and distraction, and make us reasonable again; it is but the opening of our eyes, and making us wise in the greatest matters. It is not a more unmanly thing to love and plead for blindness, madness, and diseases, and to hate both sight, and health, and wit, than it is to love and plead for sin, and to hate and vilify a holy life.
Grant me but1 this one thing, that thou wilt but soberly exercise thy reason about these great, important questions ; Where must I abide for ever ? What must I do to be saved ? What was I created and redeemed for ? and I shall hope that thy own understanding, as erroneous as it is, will work out something that will promote thy good. Do but withdraw thyself one hour in a day from company and other business, and consider but as soberly and seriously of thy end and life, as thou knowest the nature and weight of the matter doth require, and I am persuaded thy own reason and conscience will call thee to repentance, and set thee, at least, in a far better way than thou wast in before. [Richard Baxter]
Posted May 02, 2008@02:45 by Deejay
Love one another
A greater hell I would not wish any man, than to live and not love the beloved of God. [Thomas Brooks]
Posted May 01,, 2008@00:22 by Deejay
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