Performing holy duties

With respect unto duties, which are more directly to be performed unto God, such as the Word, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, sacraments, surely these must be attended upon, because they are acts of love to God and trust in God; and these holy duties are the ways of God, wherein he hath promised to meet with his people, and hath appointed us to expect his grace, and therefore they must not be neglected by us. Serve him in these things: ‘With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you’ (Mark 4:24) It is a rule of commerce [fellowship] between us and God. [Thomas Manton--Temptation of Christ]

Hearken unto God

Our life shall always be full of disorder and confusion, until we have yielded so much authority unto God over us as to have the [whole] guiding of us, and that we have made our account to rest simply upon his word. To be short, we be taught here, to rid ourselves of all selfweening, and that when the case concerneth how to live well, we must not step upon our own head, and after our own fancy, to say, this seemeth good to  me. Whereat must we then begin? At learning, as Moses declareth. And therefore he that giveth ear unto God, to recieve whatsoever is told him from him, shall be well-learned. but on the contrary part, until such time as we have heard our GOD speak, and that he have performed the office of teacher towards us: it is certain that our life shall be quite out of order. We may well flatter ourselves as ignorant wretches do, who bear themselves in hand that the world goes as well with them as is possible, when in the mean while they be no better than bewitched, so as there is neither wit nor discretion in them. Ye see then that the thing which we have to mark upon this text, is that if we mean not to lead a disordered life, and such a one as God utterly misliketh: we must hearken unto him. And here it appeareth of what value good intent (as they term them) are: For if it behove us to hear God speak, before we lift up one foot to go forward: what will become of us when everyone of us is wedded to his own fancy, and when our lusts are so wild? Doth it not appear that God  refuses all such things in one word? Moses tells us that God on his side, will teach us faithfully and soundly, and perfectly: conditionally that we refuse not to be ruled by him and obey him. [John Calvin--sermon on Deut 4:1]

God's Sovereignty

For the support of the soul in bearing evil, consider that it is the Lord that giveth and the Lord that takes. The thought of God’s sovereignty over us, and over ours, may quiet our spirits in all that he doth unto us or ours. As it doth justify God, so it should quiet us: here David Psalm 39:9 I was dumb, saith he, and opened not my mouth, because he did it: he doth not say, I was contented because thou dealest thus and thus with me, but I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didest; that it was an act of God the sovereign Lord satisfied him, he had not a word to say, because God did it.  So Job here. The Lord hath taken away, is as if he had said, I could not have borne this at the hands of any creature, but at the  hands of my Sovereign Lord that may dispose of me and mine, and do what he pleaseth, at this hands I not only bear it, but take it well.

Joseph had not a word of discontent to vent against his brethren, being thus resolved. It was not you that sent me hither but God, Gen. 45. And David lays aside all revenge against railing Shimei on this ground, so let him curse, because the Lord hath said  unto him, curse David, 2 Sam. 16:10. A godly man cannot be angry at the doing or speaking of that, which pleaseth God, that it should be done or spoken. And it takes away all complaining, That the Lord hath taken away. [Joseph Caryl]

God's Sovereignty

For the support of the soul in bearing evil, consider that it is the Lord that giveth and the Lord that takes. The thought of God’s sovereignty over us, and over ours, may quiet our spirits in all that he doth unto us or ours. As it doth justify God, so it should quiet us: here David Psalm 39:9 I was dumb, saith he, and opened not my mouth, because he did it: he doth not say, I was contented because thou dealest thus and thus with me, but I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didest; that it was an act of God the sovereign Lord satisfied him, he had not a word to say, because God did it.  So Job here. The Lord hath taken away, is as if he had said, I could not have borne this at the hands of any creature, but at the  hands of my Sovereign Lord that may dispose of me and mine, and do what he pleaseth, at this hands I not only bear it, but take it well.

Joseph had not a word of discontent to vent against his brethren, being thus resolved. It was not you that sent me hither but God, Gen. 45. And David lays aside all revenge against railing Shimei on this ground, so let him curse, because the Lord hath said  unto him, curse David, 2 Sam. 16:10. A godly man cannot be angry at the doing or speaking of that, which pleaseth God, that it should be done or spoken. And it takes away all complaining, That the Lord hath taken away. [Joseph Caryl]

Wisdom vs Knowledge

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. [Charles Spurgeon]

We will suffer in this world…BUT

However much they are despised now, the day is coming when they shall not be despised; and though all the world should despise them, yet our Lord takes a great care of them. They have each of them angels waiting upon them, that guard them while walking through the weary wilderness of this world. Will no less serve the saints upon earth, but to have angels to serve them? What is the reason? Just because it is the Lord’s will and pleasure. And if He came himself to seek, save, and suffer for them, well may they come, attend and guard them home to heaven, whither the Forerunner is now entered to prepare mansions for them. The Master Christ will not lose any of those little ones for whom He died, and whom He effectually calls; He will carry on that good work once begun by the Spirit, unto perfection; He will carrry it on, unto the day of the Lord. [Richard Cameron]

The authority of God and His Church

God speaks by the Church (the true Church we mean); but He speaks nothing by her but what He speaks in the Scriptures, which she does only ministerially declare to us; and therefore the authority of God and His Law is above hers, who, though she publish, yet did not make it, but is herself subject to it. [John Owen]

The exceeding awefulness of sin

Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love. [John Bunyan ]

Adminstrators Note

The quotes on this site almost always have appeared on a daily basis. However, I am moving home on Monday,  and for those of you who know me from other than at this site,  I am having to get everything arranged for that while dealing with my illness which isn’t easy, and is taking most of my energy at present.  Shortly after the move,  the level of quotes should return to normal. (DV)

Please bear with me.  Thank you for your patience.

~Deejay

Aspiring to holiness

What shall we do to resemble God in holiness?

(1.) Have recourse to Christ’s blood by faith. This is lavacrum animae [the washing of the soul]. Legal purifications were types and emblems of it. I John 1:1. The Word is a glass to show us our spots, and Christ’s blood is a fountain to wash them away.

(2.) Pray for a holy heart. ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God.’ Psa 51:10. Lay thy heart before the Lord, and say, Lord, my heart is full of leprosy; it defiles all it touches; Lord, I am not fit to live with such a heart, for I cannot honour thee; nor die with such a heart, for I cannot see thee. Oh create in me a clean heart; send thy Spirit into me, to refine and purify me, that I may be a temple fit for thee the holy God to inhabit.

(3.) Walk with them that are holy. ‘He that walketh with the wise shall be wise.’ Prov 13:30. Be among the spices and you will smell of them. Association begets assimilation. Nothing has a greater power and energy to effect holiness than the communion of saints. [Thomas Watson]

 

Calvin on the inspiration of Scripture

That is the principle that distinguishes our religion from all others, that we know that God has spoken to us and are fully convinced that the prophets did not speak of themselves, but as organs of the Holy Spirit uttered only that which they had been commissioned from heaven to declare. All those who wish to profit from the Scriptures must first accept this as a settled priniciple, that the Law and the prophets are not teachings handed on at the pleasure of men or produced by men’s minds as their source, but are dictated by the Holy Spirit. [John Calvin]

on humility

It is hard to have the heart low when comfort is high. God sees humility to be better for us than joy.  It is better to want comfort, and be humble, than to have it and be proud . [Thomas Watson]

on confession

Confession is an act of mortification, it is as it were the vomit of the soul; it breeds a dislike of the sweetest morsels when they are cast up in loathsome ejections; sin is sweet in commission, but bitter in the remembrance. God’s children find that their hatred is never more keen and exasperated against sin than in confessing. [Thomas Manton]

Trust in the Lord!

Trust to that God only who is unchangeable. ‘Cease ye from man,’ Isa 2:22; leave trusting to the reed, but trust to the Rock of ages. He that is by faith engarrisoned in God, is safe in all changes; he is like a boat that is tied to an immoveable rock. He that trusts in God, trusts in that which cannot fail him; he is unchangeable. ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ Heb 13:3. Health may leave us, riches, friends may leave us, but, says God, I will not leave thee; my power shall support thee; my Spirit shall sanctify thee; my mercy shall save thee; I will never leave thee. Oh trust in this unchangeable God! God is jealous of two things; of our love, and of our trust. He is jealous of our love, lest we love the creature more than him, therefore he makes it prove bitter; and of our trust, lest we should place more confidence in it than in him, therefore he makes it prove unfaithful. Outward comforts are given us as food by the way to refresh us, not as crutches to lean on. If we make the creature an idol, what we make our trust God will make our shame. Oh trust in the immortal God! Like Noah’s dove, we have no footing for our souls, till we get into the ark of God’s unchangeableness. Psa 125:5. ‘They that trust in the Lord shall be like mount Sion, which cannot be removed.’ [Thomas Watson]

Let fear of God dictate the heart

If a man do really look to God in a day of trouble and fear, as to the Lord of Hosts, (i.e.) one that governs all the creatures, and all their actions; at whose beck and command all the Armies of Heaven and Earth are, and then can rely upon the care and love of this God, as a child in danger of trouble reposes on, and commits himself with greatest confidence to the care and protection of his Father: O what peace, what rest must necessarily follow upon this! Who would be afraid to pass through the midst of armed troops and regiments, whilst he knows that the General of that Army is his own Father? The more power this filial fear of God obtains in our hearts, the less will you dread the power of the creature.When the dictator ruled at Rome, then all other officers ceased; and so in a great measure will all other fears when the fear of God is Dictator in the heart. [John Flavel]

Secret sins?

We can never sin but there will be two witnesses present to observe and register it, our own selves, and God Himself. [Ralph Venning]

The trappings of riches

Solomon got more hurt by his wealth, than he got good by his wisdom. [Thomas Brooks]

Duty and the Christian

Duty well performed lifts a Christian higher towards heaven, and sets a Christian a step nearer to a blessed eternity. [Thomas Watson]