Prayer is the surest remedy against the devil and besetting sins. That sin will never stand firm which is heartily prayed against. That devil will never long keep dominion over us which we beseech the Lord to cast forth. But then we must spread out all our case before our heavenly Physician, if he is to give us daily relief.
– JC Ryle –
from A Call to Prayer
People may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a holy life.
– JC Ryle –
Our Lord has . . .
many weak children in His family,
many dull pupils in His school,
many raw soldiers in His army,
many lame sheep in His flock.
Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.
Blessed is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.
– JC Ryle –
A man’s life is the best proof of a man’s opinions.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856
I cannot see how any man deserves to be called “holy,” who willfully allows himself in sins, and is not humbled and ashamed because of them.
– JC Ryle –
True repentance begins with KNOWLEDGE of sin. It goes on to work SORROW for sin. It leads to CONFESSION of sin before God. It shows itself before a person by a thorough BREAKING OFF from sin. It results in producing a DEEP HATRED for all sin.
– JC Ryle –
Fear not because your prayer is stammering, your words feeble, and your language poor. Jesus can understand you.
– JC Ryle –
I am persuaded the more light we have, the more we see our own sinfulness: the nearer we get to heaven, the more we are clothed with humility.
– JC Ryle –
We could not be happy if we reached the kingdom of glory with a heart loving sin. The company of saints and angels would give us no pleasure. Our minds would not be in tune for an eternity of holiness. Let these things sink down into your hearts. We must repent as well as believe, if we hope to be saved.
– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856