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if a man be informed of the birth of his child, or that his house is on fire, the message takes up his thoughts, and he is seldom much disgusted with the manner in which it is delivered. But what an insuperable bar is the refined taste of many, to their profiting by the preaching of the gospel, or even to their hearing it!Letters to a Nobleman
Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour.
Upon this head I cannot but lament how universally, almost, education is suited, and as it were designed, to add to the stimulus of depraved nature. Letters to a Nobleman
All that appears great and interesting in the present life, abstracted from its influence upon our internal character, and our everlasting allotment, will soon be as unreal as the visions of the night.Letters to a Nobleman
That which finally evidences a proper call, is a correspondent opening in providence, by a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work.
Knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of obedience.
We may have excellent notions in divinity, but the Holy Ghost must enable us to know them after a spiritual manner; a man may see the figures upon a dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun shine. We may read many truths in the Bible, but we cannot know them savingly till God's Spirit does shine upon us (1 Cor. 2:10).
The knowledge of a godly man is self-emptying; carnal knowledge makes the head giddy with pride (1 Cor. 8:2). True knowledge brings a man out of love with himself; the more he knows, the more he blushes at his own ignorance.
The knowledge of a godly man is growing. True knowledge is like the light of the morning, which increases in the horizon till it comes to the full meridian. So sweet is spiritual knowledge that the more a saint knows, the more thirsty he is of knowledge.
Some know but to know. Some know to be known. Some know to practice what they know. Now to know but to know, that is curiosity. To know to be known, that is vainglory. But to know to practice what we know, that is gospel duty. This makes a man a complete Christian; the other without this makes a man almost, and yet but almost a Christian.
The mind is to the heart as the door to the house; what comes into the heart comes in at the understanding, which is introductive to it.
Remember that as it is Christ's work to teach, it is yours to hear and read and study and pray and practice what you hear. Do your part, then, if you expect the benefit. You come not to the school of Christ to be idle. Knowledge drops not into the sleepy dreamer's mouth. Dig for it, as for silver, and search for it in the Scriptures as for a hidden treasure.
Ignorance of the nature and design of the law is at the bottom of most religious mistakes.Works of John Newton, 240
Of all people who engage in controversy, we, who are called Calvinists, are most expressly bound by our own principles to the exercise of gentleness and moderation.
Let me caution you, lest, instead of gaining Christ by your knowledge, you rather lose him, by putting your knowledge in the place of Christ, and trusting on it for your salvation.
As to myself, if I was not a Calvinist, I think I should have no more hope of success in preaching to men, than to horses or cows.
In general, I see no preaching made very useful for the gathering of souls, where poor sinners are shut out of the discourse.
A man learns to preach by learning to acquire confidence, not in himself, but in his cause, and in him in whose name he speaks.
All must be left soon; for all below is polluted, and in its best state is too scanty to afford us happiness.
Oh the excellency of the knowledge of Christ! It will be growing upon us through time, yea, I believe, through eternity.
Labored explications of the Trinity I always avoid. I am afraid of darkening counsel by words without knowledge.https://gracegems.org/Newton/91.htm
In such cases, I think hearers should be careful not to be prejudiced against a doctrine, merely because it is not well supported; for perhaps it is capable of solid proof, though the preacher was not so happy as to hit upon that which was most suitable; and extempore preachers may sometimes hope for a little allowance upon this head, from the more candid part of their auditory, and not be made offenders for an inadvertence which they cannot perhaps always avoid in the hurry of speaking.https://gracegems.org/Newton/91.htm
Afflictions quicken us to prayer. It is a pity it should be so; but experience testifies, that a long course of ease and prosperity, without painful changes—has an unhappy tendency to make us cold and formal in our secret worship. But troubles rouse our spirits, and constrain us to call upon the Lord in good earnest—when we feel a need of that help which we only can have from his almighty arm.
Afflictions likewise strengthen us—by the exercise our graces. As our limbs and natural powers would be feeble if not called to daily exertion—so the graces of the Spirit would languish, without something which was provided to draw them out to use.
Lastly, afflictions are honorable, as they advance our conformity to Jesus our Lord, who was a man of sorrows for our sake. Methinks, if we might go to heaven without suffering, we would be unwilling to desire it. Why should we ever wish to go by any other path to heaven—than that which Jesus has consecrated and endeared, by his own example?
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1. Thomas Watson (196)
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7. J.I. Packer (95)
8. William Gurnall (93)
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10. John Piper (87)
11. John Owen (74)
12. Thomas Manton (70)
13. A.W. Pink (68)
14. Louis Berkhof (63)
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16. B.B. Warfield (59)
17. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (58)
18. R.C. Sproul (55)
19. Richard Baxter (54)
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2. Charles Spurgeon (135)
3. J.C. Ryle (117)
4. Thomas Brooks (113)
5. John Calvin (107)
6. John Flavel (96)
7. J.I. Packer (95)
8. William Gurnall (93)
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11. John Owen (74)
12. Thomas Manton (70)
13. A.W. Pink (68)
14. Louis Berkhof (63)
15. C.S. Lewis (59)
16. B.B. Warfield (59)
17. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (58)
18. R.C. Sproul (55)
19. Richard Baxter (54)
20. Matthew Henry (54)
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1. Sin (241)2. Prayer (186)
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