What is the reason that some believers are so much brighter and holier than others? I believe the difference, in nineteen cases out of twenty, arises from different habits about private prayer. I believe that those who are not eminently holy pray little, and those who are eminently holy pray much.
– JC Ryle –
We want more men and women who walk with God and before God, like Enoch and Abraham. Though our numbers at this date far exceed those of our evangelical forefathers, I believe we fall far short of them in our standard of Christian practice. Where is the self-denial, the redemption of time, the absence of luxury and self-indulgence, the unmistakable separation from earthly things, the manifest air of being always about our Master’s business, the singleness of eye, the simplicity of home life, the high tone of conversation in society, the patience, the humility, the universal courtesy, which marked so many of our forerunners seventy or eighty years ago? Yes: where is it indeed? We have inherited their principles, and we wear their armour, but I fear we have not inherited their practice. The Holy Ghost sees it, and is grieved; and the world sees it, and despises us. The world sees it, and cares little for our testimony. It is life, life–a heavenly, godly, Christ-like life–depend on it, which influences the world. Let us resolve, by God’s blessing, to shake off this reproach. Let us awake to a clear view of what the times require of us in this matter. Let us aim at a much higher standard of practice. Let the time past suffice us to have been content with a half-and-half holiness. For the time to come, let us endeavour to walk with God, to be ‘thorough’ and unmistakable in our daily life, and to silence, if we cannot convert, a sneering world.
– JC Ryle –
The hard judgments and unreasonable expectations of old disciples have often driven back and discouraged young beginners in the school of Christ.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
Abide in Me says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this and I will never fail you. I will ever abide in you.
– JC Ryle –
Obedience is the only proof of reality. Faith without works is dead, being alone. “Ye are my friends,” says Jesus, “if ye do whatever I command you” (John 15:14)
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
A right understanding of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity.
– JC Ryle –
Above all let us humbly pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He alone can apply truth to our hearts, and make us profit by what we read.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
Nevertheless settle it firmly in our minds that sin is “the abominable thing that God hateth” that God “is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look upon that which is evil.” That the least transgression of God’s law makes us “guilty of all” that “the soul that sinneth shall surely die” that “the wages of sin is death” that God shall “judge the secrets of men” that there is a worm that never dies, and a fire that is not quenched. That “the wicked shall be turned into hell” and “shall go away into everlasting punishment” and that “nothing that defiles shall in any wise enter heaven.”
– JC Ryle –
For my own part, I can only say that I read everything I can get hold of which professes to throw light on my Master’s business, and the work of Christ among men. But, the more I read, the less I admire modern theology. The more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers, the more I marvel that men and women can be satisfied with such writings. There is a vagueness, a mistiness, a shallowness, an indistinctness, a superficiality, an aimlessness, a hollowness about the literature of the “broader and kinder systems”, as they are called, which to my mind stamps their origin on their face. They are of the earth, earthy. I find more of definite soul-satisfying thought in one page of Gurnall than in five pages of such books as the leaders of the so-called “Broad Church School” put forth. In matters of theology, the old is better.
– JC Ryle –
talking about William Gurnall’s book, “The Christian In Complete Armour” (dated April 23, 1864)
