Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.
J.C. Ryle (Preacher, 1816 – 1900)
We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ’s steps, and let the world say what it likes.
J.C. Ryle (Preacher, 1816 – 1900)
Satan’s time of tempting is usually after an ordinance; and the reason is, because then he thinks he shall find us most secure. When we have been at solemn duties, we are apt to think all is done, and we grow remiss, and leave off that zeal and strictness as before; just as a soldier, who after a battle leaves off his armour, not once dreaming, of an enemy. Satan watches his time, and when we least suspect, then he throws in a temptation.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God in the name of Christ, for such things as are agreeable to his will. It is an offering of our desires. Desires are the soul and life of prayer; words are but the body; now as the body without the soul is dead, so are prayers unless they are animated with our desires.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
Prayer delights God’s ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.
Thomas Watson (Preacher, 1620 – 1686)
“The basic principle in application is to know whether the passage is a statement of the law or of the gospel. For when the Word is preached, the law and the gospel operate differently….. Both the law and the gospel must be preached; the law to give birth to repentance and the gospel to lead to faith. But they must be preached in their proper order, first the law to bring repentance and then the gospel to work faith and forgiveness- never the other way around.”
William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)