Our greatest hindrance in the Christian life is not our lack of effort but our lack of acquaintedness with our privileges.
– John Owen –
Christian Life
Martin Luther on the Black Plague
I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.
– Martin Luther –
concerning The Black Plague death of his day
The Living Example of Theology – John Wesley
I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.
– John Wesley –
Look to the End – Thomas a’ Kempis
In all things look to the end, and how you will stand before that just Judge.
– Thomas a’ Kempis –
1380-1471
Praying for Others – Samuel Rutherford
I have been helped … by praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them, I have gotten something for myself.
– Samuel Rutherford –
1600-1661
The Aim of Scripture – Martin Luther
The whole Scripture doth principally aim at this thing, that we should not doubt, but that we should hope, that we should trust, that we should believe, that God is a merciful, a bountiful, a gracious, and a patient God to his people.
– Martin Luther –
1483-1546
Different From the Rest of Mankind – Richard Baxter
That this Spirit is given to all true believers is evident by the effects of his being given. They have ends, affections, and lives different from the rest of mankind; they live upon the hopes of a better life, and their heavenly interest overrules all the opposite interest of this world. In order to this they live under the conduct of divine authority, and to obey and please God is the great business of their lives.
– Richard Baxter –
from Dying Thoughts, 1683
No Need for Envy in Spiritual Things – Richard Sibbes
In spiritual things there is no basis for envy, for everyone may partake of everything. In the things of this life there is envy, because the more one has, the less another has. But for more to partake of spiritual things is a matter of glory and excellency.
– Richard Sibbes –
from Glorious Freedom, 1639
God Is With Us – CS Lewis
God whispers to us in our joys, speaks to us in our difficulties, and shouts to us in our pains.
– CS Lewis –
1898-1963