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
What a foolish thing is this, that because I have not got what I want, I will not enjoy the comfort of what I have.
– Jeremiah Burroughs –
from The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, 1648
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
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
If the prayers of God’s children are so faint that they can not reach up as high as heaven, then God will bow the heavens and come down to their prayers.
– Thomas Brooks –
1608-1680
God whispers to us in our joys, speaks to us in our difficulties, and shouts to us in our pains.
– CS Lewis –
1898-1963
Truth is never afraid of examination.
– Tim Dilena –
Resolved, whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, that I will endeavor to imitate it.
– Jonathan Edwards –
Conversion is not the taking upon us the profession of Christianity. Christianity is more than a name. If we will hear Paul, it does not lie in word, but in power (1 Cor. 4:20).
– Joseph Alleine –
from A Sure Guide to Heaven, 1671