Preparation for Perfection

This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection; but the preparation for it. [Richard Baxter]

Who is he that lives a happy life?

He is not said to lead a happy life who, after infinite difficulties during a long period, at last laboriously works out his escape, but he who calmly enjoys present blessings without any alloy of suffering. [John Calvin]

On Reproofs

Oh, that I might never be so void of love to my fallen brother, as not to give him a serious reproof, nor so void of love to myself as not to receive a serious reproof. [George Swinnock]

To the doubting Christian

Ah, doubting Christians! remember this, that the promise of assurance and comfort is made over, not to lazy but laborious Christians; not to idle but to active Christians; not to negligent but to diligent Christians…The lazy Christian hath his mouth full of complaints, when the active Christians hath his heart full of comforts. [Thomas Brooks]

The evil of want

In heaven they are free from want; they can want nothing there unless it be want itself. They may find the want of evil, but never feel the evil of want. [Edward Willan]

Faith and the Law

The usefulness of the precepts is great if free-will is so esteemed that God’s grace may be the more honoured…Faith achieves what the law commands… Indeed, God requires faith itself of us; yet he does not find something to require unless he has given something to find.. Let God give what he commands, and command what He will. [Augustine]

The Lord puts forth His healing hand in divine election

It is divine election which distinguishes among men. We have not the least hesitation to admit what Paul strenuously maintains, that all, without exception, are depraved and given over to wickedness; but at the same time we add, that through the mercy of God all do not continue in wickedness. Therefore, while we all labor naturally under the same disease, those only recover health to whom the Lord is pleased to put forth his healing hand. The others whom, in just judgment, he passes over, pine and rot away till they are consumed. And this is the only reason why some persevere to the end, and others, after beginning their course, fall away. Perseverance is the gift of God, which he does not lavish promiscuously on all, but imparts to whom he pleases. If it is asked how the difference arises — why some steadily persevere, and others prove deficient in steadfastness, we can give no other reason than that the Lord, by his mighty power, strengthens and sustains the former, so that they perish not, while he does not furnish the same assistance to the latter, but leaves them to be monuments of instability. [John Calvin]

No good thing in ourselves

To crucify this corruption, Providence takes off the bridle of restraint from ungodly men, and sometimes permits them to traduce the names of God’s servants, as Shimei did David’s. Yea, they shall fall into disesteem among their friends, as Paul did among the Corinthians; and all this to keep down the swelling of their spirits at the sense of those excellencies that are in them. [John Flavel]

Following our calling

Every man should have a calling to follow, and should follow his calling… God has given no man a dispensation to be idle. The rule is, and that by commandment, that if any will not work, that is able to work, neither should he eat. [2 Thessalonians 3:10] If this rule were observed, I am afraid that more rich than poor would go with hungry stomachs and empty bellies. [Ralph Venning]

Same way to heaven for everyone

Poor souls are apt to think that all those whom they read or hear of to be gone to heaven, went thither because they were so good and holy.. Yet not one of them, not any one that is now in heaven (Jesus Christ alone excepted) did ever come thither any other way but by forgiveness of sins. [John Owen]

invisibles

Faith deals with invisibles, but God hates that love which is invisible. [Thomas Watson]

mercies

Sorry, increased illness laid me low:

There are two sorts of mercies that are seldom eclipsed by the darkest affliction that befalls the saints in their temporal concerns, that is, sparing mercy in this world and saving mercy in that to come. [John Flavel]

The Sum of all

This is the sum of all; for he which can abstain not only from evil, but from the appearance of evil, is so perfect as a man can be in this sinful life. [Henry Smith]

Forgiveness

Whilst wrongs are remembered they are not remitted. He forgives not that forgets not. [John Trapp]

Sure confidence and trust

If a man would lead a happy life, let him but seek a sure object for his trust, and he shall be safe: "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:his heart is fixed, trusting in the the Lord." He hath laid up his confidence in God, therefore his heart is kept in an equal poise. [Thomas Manton]

God's subduing of sin

Wherever God pardons sin, He subdues it. "He will have  compassion on us, He will subdue our iniquity" (Micah 7:19). Where mens person’s are justified, their lusts are mortified. There is in sin a commanding and a condemning power. The condemning power of sin is taken away when the commanding power of sin is taken away. We know our sins are forgiven, when they are subdued. [Thomas Watson]

God's subduing of sin

Wherever God pardons sin, He subdues it. "He will have  compassion on us, He will subdue our iniquity" (Micah 7:19). Where mens person’s are justified, their lusts are mortified. There is in sin a commanding and a condemning power. The condemning power of sin is taken away when the commanding power of sin is taken away. We know our sins are forgiven, when they are subdued. [Thomas Watson]

The Maker of the Key

Christ is the door that opens into God’s presence and lets the soul into His very bosom, faith is the key that unlocks the door; but the Spirit is He that makes the key. [William Gurnall]

Medicinal

There is no medicinal cup to the body, that is poisonous to the conscience. [Thomas Adams]

The Christian's Way and end

Here is the Christian’s way and his end…His way is holiness, his end happiness.[John Whitlock]

The Christian's Way and end

Here is the Christian’s way and his end…His way is holiness, his end happiness.[John Whitlock]

The Godly man's portion

“When Christ reveals Himself there is satisfaction in the slenderest portion, and without Christ there is emptiness in the greatest fulness.”[Alexander Grosse]

The Godly man's portion

“When Christ reveals Himself there is satisfaction in the slenderest portion, and without Christ there is emptiness in the greatest fulness.”[Alexander Grosse]

Parents Arrows

Well doth David call children "arrows"; for if they be well bred, they shoot at their parents enemies; and if they be evil bred, they shoot at their parents. [Henry Smith]

First things first

A man must first love that he would be, before he can be that which he loveth. [Andrew Willet]