The effect of scripture: it converts people, and even although it is completely contrary to their thinking and desires, it wins them to itself.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

This [temptation/affliction] the Lord does in great wisdom for the good of His children: first to teach them, that no man is able of himself to carry himself in any acceptable course of his calling without God’s special assistance and grace. Secondly, to stir up in them those good gifts and graces which He has formerly bestowed on them; as the fear of His name, the love of His majesty, the gifts of prayer, faith, patience, and many other which He would have tried in the entrance of their callings, and exercised in the continuance therein unto the end.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

He who would be a faithful minister of the gospel must deny the pride of his heart, be emptied of ambition, and set himself wholly to seek the glory of God in his calling.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

Godly sorrow causeth grief for sin, because it is sin. It makes any man in whom it is to be of this disposition and mind, that if there were no conscience to accuse, no devil to terrify, no Judge to arraign and condemn, no hell to torment, yet he would be humbled and brought on his knees for his sins, because he hath offended a loving, merciful, and longsuffering God.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

The Word of God alone is to be preached, in its perfection and inner consistency. Scripture is the exclusive subject of preaching, the only field in which the preacher is to labour.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

Preach one Christ by Christ to the praise of Christ.

William Perkins (Theologian, 1558 – 1602)

Faith, whereby especially Christ rules, sets the soul so high that it looks down on all other things as far below, as having represented to it, by the Spirit of Christ, riches, honor, beauty and pleasures of a higher nature.

Richard Sibbes (Theologian, 1577 – 1635)

We are only safe when we wisely make use of all good advantages that we have access to. By going out of God’s ways we go out of His government, and so lose our good frame of mind, and find ourselves overspread quickly with a contrary disposition. When we draw near to Christ (James 4:8), in His ordinances, He draws near to us.

Richard Sibbes (Theologian, 1577 – 1635)

If believers decay in their first love, or in some other grace, yet another grace may grow and increase, such as humility, their brokenheartedness; they sometimes seem not to grow in the branches when they may grow at the root; upon a check grace breaks out more; as we say, after a hard winter there usually follows a glorious spring.

Richard Sibbes (Theologian, 1577 – 1635)

Sin is not so sweet in the committing as it is heavy and bitter in the reckoning.

Richard Sibbes (Theologian, 1577 – 1635)