Private Judgment # 2
That which can abide the fire of the Bible - receive, hold, believe and obey. That which cannot abide the fire of the Bible - reject, refuse, repudiate, and cast away.!
This is private judgment. This is the right we are to exercise if we love our souls. We are not to believe things in religion merely because they are said by Popes or Cardinals - by Bishops or Priests - by Presbyters or Deacons - by Churches, Councils, or Synogs - by Fathers, Puritans, or Reformers. We are not to argue, "Such and such things must be true - because these men say so." We are not to do so. We are to prove all things by the Word of God.
Now, I know such doctrine sounds startling in some men's ears. But I write it down advisedly, and believe it cannot be disproved. I would be sorry to encourage any man in ignorant presumption or ignorant contempt. I pity the man who seldom reads his Bible, and yet sets himself up to pick holes in his minister's sermons. I pity the man who knows nothing but a few texts in the New Testament, and yet undertakes to settle questions in divinity which have puzzled God's wisest children. But still I hold with Bishop Thomas Bilson that "all hearers have both liberty to discern and a charge to beware of seducers - and woe to them that do it not." And I say with Bishop Davenant, "We are not to believe all who undertake to teach in the Church - but must take care and weigh with serious examination, whether their doctrine is sound or not."
"The people of God are called to try the truth, to judge between good and evil, between light and darkness. God has made them the promise of His Spirit, and has left unto them His Word. They of Berea, when they heard the preaching of Paul, searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so as he taught them, and many of them believed. So do you - give heed to instruction, and yet receive not all things without proof and trial that they are not contrary to the wholesome doctrine of the Word of God." (Bishop Jewell).
Some men I know, refuse to believe this doctrine of private judgment - but I assert confidently that it is continually taught in the Word of God.
This is the principle laid down by the prophet Isaiah, "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn." (Isaiah 8:20). His words were written, we should remember, at a time when God was more immediately King over His Church, and had more direct communication with it than He has now. They were written at a time when there were men upon earth who had express revelations from God.
Yet what does Isaiah say? "When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter - should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn!" If this is not private judgment, what is?
This again, is the principle laid down by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. The Head of the Church says there, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruit." (Matt. 7:15). How is it possible that men shall know these false prophets, except they exercise their private judgment as to what their fruits are?
This is the practice we find commended in the Bereans, in the Acts of the Apostles. They did not take the Apostle Paul's word for granted, when he came to preach to them. We are told, that they "searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so," and "therefore" it is said, "many of them believed." (Acts 17:11-12). What was this again but private judgment?
This is the spirit of the advice given in 1 Corinthians 10:15, "I speak as unto wise men - you judge what I say." And in Colossians 2:18, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit." And in 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." And in 2 John verse 10, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him."
If these passages do not recommend the use of private judgment, I do not know what words mean. To my mind, they seem to say to every individual Christian, "Prove all things!" Whatever men may say against private judgment, we may be sure it cannot be neglected without immense danger to the soul. We may not like it - but we never know what we may come to if we refuse to use it. No man can say into what depths of false doctrine we may be drawn, if we will not do what God requires of us, and "prove all things."
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 3)
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Private Judgment # 1
Private Judgment # 1
"Prove all things - hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
There were three great doctrines or principles which won the battle of the Protestant Reformation. These three were:
1. the sufficiency and supremacy of Holy Scripture.
2. the right of private judgment, and
3. justification by faith only, without deeds of the law.
These three principles were the keys of the whole controversy between the Reformers and the Church of Rome. If we keep firm hold of them when we argue with a Roman Catholic, our position is unassailable - no weapons that the Church of Rome can forge against us will prosper. If we give up any one of them, our cause is lost. Like Samson, with his hair shorn - our strength is gone. Like the Spartans, betrayed at Thermopylae - we are outflanked and surrounded. We cannot maintain our ground. Resistance is useless. Sooner or later we shall have to lay down our arms, and surrender at discretion.
Let us carefully remember this. The Roman Catholic controversy is upon us once more. We must put on the old armor, if we would not have our faith overthrown. The sufficiency of Holy Scripture - the right of private judgment - justification by faith only - these are the three great principles to which we must always cling. Let us grasp them firmly, and never let them go.
One of the three great principles to which I have referred, appears to me to stand forth in the verse of Scripture which heads this paper. I mean the right of private judgment. I wish to say something about that principle. The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Paul, says to us, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good." In these words, we have two great truths:
1. The right, duty, and necessity of private judgment: "Prove all things."
2. The duty and necessity of keeping firm hold upon truth: "Hold fast that which is good."
In this paper, I propose to dwell a little on both these points.
Let me speak first, of the right, duty, and necessity of private judgment. "Prove all things."
When I say the right of private judgment, I mean that every individual Christian has a right to judge for himself by the Word of God, whether that which is put before him as religious truth, is God's truth, or is not.
When I say the duty of private judgment, I mean that God requires every Christian man to use the right of which I have just spoken - to compare man's words and man's writings with God' revelation, and to make sure that he is not deluded and taken in by false teaching.
And when I say the necessity of private judgment, I mean this - that it is absolutely needful for every Christian who loves his soul and would not be deceived - to exercise the right, and discharge the duty to which I have referred; seeing that experience shows that the neglect of private judgment has always been the cause of immense evils in the Church of Christ.
Now, the Apostle Paul urges all these three points upon our notice when he uses these remarkable words, "Prove all things." I ask particular attention to that expression. In every point of view it is most weighty and instructive.
Here, we must remember, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Thessalonians - to a Church which he himself founded. Here is an inspired Apostle writing to young inexperienced Christians - writing to the whole professing Church in a certain city, containing laity as well as clergy - writing, too, with especial reference to matters of doctrine and preaching, as we know by the verse preceding the text; "Despise not prophesyings."
And yet mark what he says, "Prove all things." He does not say, "Whatever Apostles - whatever evangelists, pastors, and teachers - whatever your ministers tell you is truth, that you are to believe." No! he says, "Prove all things." He does not say, "Whatever the universal Church pronounces true, that you are to hold." No! he says, "Prove all things."
The principle laid down is this: "Prove all things by the Word of God - all ministers, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices - prove all by the Word of God.
Measure all by the measure of the Bible.
Compare all with the standard of the Bible.
Weigh all in the balances of the Bible.
Examine all by the light of the Bible.
Test all in the crucible of the Bible.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
"Prove all things - hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
There were three great doctrines or principles which won the battle of the Protestant Reformation. These three were:
1. the sufficiency and supremacy of Holy Scripture.
2. the right of private judgment, and
3. justification by faith only, without deeds of the law.
These three principles were the keys of the whole controversy between the Reformers and the Church of Rome. If we keep firm hold of them when we argue with a Roman Catholic, our position is unassailable - no weapons that the Church of Rome can forge against us will prosper. If we give up any one of them, our cause is lost. Like Samson, with his hair shorn - our strength is gone. Like the Spartans, betrayed at Thermopylae - we are outflanked and surrounded. We cannot maintain our ground. Resistance is useless. Sooner or later we shall have to lay down our arms, and surrender at discretion.
Let us carefully remember this. The Roman Catholic controversy is upon us once more. We must put on the old armor, if we would not have our faith overthrown. The sufficiency of Holy Scripture - the right of private judgment - justification by faith only - these are the three great principles to which we must always cling. Let us grasp them firmly, and never let them go.
One of the three great principles to which I have referred, appears to me to stand forth in the verse of Scripture which heads this paper. I mean the right of private judgment. I wish to say something about that principle. The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Paul, says to us, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good." In these words, we have two great truths:
1. The right, duty, and necessity of private judgment: "Prove all things."
2. The duty and necessity of keeping firm hold upon truth: "Hold fast that which is good."
In this paper, I propose to dwell a little on both these points.
Let me speak first, of the right, duty, and necessity of private judgment. "Prove all things."
When I say the right of private judgment, I mean that every individual Christian has a right to judge for himself by the Word of God, whether that which is put before him as religious truth, is God's truth, or is not.
When I say the duty of private judgment, I mean that God requires every Christian man to use the right of which I have just spoken - to compare man's words and man's writings with God' revelation, and to make sure that he is not deluded and taken in by false teaching.
And when I say the necessity of private judgment, I mean this - that it is absolutely needful for every Christian who loves his soul and would not be deceived - to exercise the right, and discharge the duty to which I have referred; seeing that experience shows that the neglect of private judgment has always been the cause of immense evils in the Church of Christ.
Now, the Apostle Paul urges all these three points upon our notice when he uses these remarkable words, "Prove all things." I ask particular attention to that expression. In every point of view it is most weighty and instructive.
Here, we must remember, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Thessalonians - to a Church which he himself founded. Here is an inspired Apostle writing to young inexperienced Christians - writing to the whole professing Church in a certain city, containing laity as well as clergy - writing, too, with especial reference to matters of doctrine and preaching, as we know by the verse preceding the text; "Despise not prophesyings."
And yet mark what he says, "Prove all things." He does not say, "Whatever Apostles - whatever evangelists, pastors, and teachers - whatever your ministers tell you is truth, that you are to believe." No! he says, "Prove all things." He does not say, "Whatever the universal Church pronounces true, that you are to hold." No! he says, "Prove all things."
The principle laid down is this: "Prove all things by the Word of God - all ministers, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices - prove all by the Word of God.
Measure all by the measure of the Bible.
Compare all with the standard of the Bible.
Weigh all in the balances of the Bible.
Examine all by the light of the Bible.
Test all in the crucible of the Bible.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Paul's Subject # 2 (and others)
Paul's Subject # 2 (and others)
But all Christians love it, all the ministers of Christ glory in it, all poor perishing sinners need it!
The more we know of God's nature and government - the more we see of man's natural state and condition; and the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity - the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the Cross. Christ, and Him crucified shall be the subject of my ministry, the theme of my songs, the joy of my heart, and the foundation of my everlasting hope!
Christians, what do we preach? We are all preachers - and we preach daily! But do we preach Christ? Do we speak of Him with our tongues? Do we write of Him with our pens? Do we honor Him with our lives? Is Christ and His glory, the grand end and aim of our life?
Why do we preach Christ? Is it out of love to Him? Is it that we may do good to souls? Is it that we may please God?
Christ crucified should be preached by every Christian. Christ crucified should be preached in all companies. Christ crucified should be preached every day.
Beloved, if we would save souls from death, if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery, if we would make believers happy, if we would cover satan with shame, if we would deprive death of its sting, and if we would make the road to glory plain - we must preach Christ crucified; we must exercise faith in Christ crucified; and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!
May Christ and His Cross be all my theme!
May Christ and His Cross be all my hope!
May Christ and His Cross be all my joy!
Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!
To You would I look in life, and all its troubles!
To You would I look in death - and all its pangs!
To You would I look in glory - when filled with all its joys!
"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
_____________________
An Angel on the Outside - and a Devil Within
"Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence!" (Matthew 23:25).
A hypocrite's outside never corresponds with his inside. A hypocrite's outside is one thing - and his inside another. A hypocrite's outside is religious - but his inside is wicked.
Hypocrites have a seeming sanctified outside - but are stuffed within with malice, pride, worldliness, and envy.
A hypocrite may offer sacrifice with Cain, and fast with Jesebel, and humble himself with Ahab, and lament with the tears of Esau, and kiss Christ with Judas, and follow Christ with Demas, and be baptized with Simon Magus; and yet for all this, his indise is as bad as any of theirs!
A hypocrite is a Jacob on the outside - and an Esau within; a David on the outside - and a Saul within; a John on the outside - and a Judas within; a saint on the outside - and a satan within.
But let all such hypocrites know, that pretend sanctity is double iniquity - and accordingly at last they shall be dealt with. "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell!" (Matthew 23:33).
~Thomas Brooks~
(The End)
But all Christians love it, all the ministers of Christ glory in it, all poor perishing sinners need it!
The more we know of God's nature and government - the more we see of man's natural state and condition; and the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity - the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the Cross. Christ, and Him crucified shall be the subject of my ministry, the theme of my songs, the joy of my heart, and the foundation of my everlasting hope!
Christians, what do we preach? We are all preachers - and we preach daily! But do we preach Christ? Do we speak of Him with our tongues? Do we write of Him with our pens? Do we honor Him with our lives? Is Christ and His glory, the grand end and aim of our life?
Why do we preach Christ? Is it out of love to Him? Is it that we may do good to souls? Is it that we may please God?
Christ crucified should be preached by every Christian. Christ crucified should be preached in all companies. Christ crucified should be preached every day.
Beloved, if we would save souls from death, if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery, if we would make believers happy, if we would cover satan with shame, if we would deprive death of its sting, and if we would make the road to glory plain - we must preach Christ crucified; we must exercise faith in Christ crucified; and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!
May Christ and His Cross be all my theme!
May Christ and His Cross be all my hope!
May Christ and His Cross be all my joy!
Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!
To You would I look in life, and all its troubles!
To You would I look in death - and all its pangs!
To You would I look in glory - when filled with all its joys!
"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
_____________________
An Angel on the Outside - and a Devil Within
"Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence!" (Matthew 23:25).
A hypocrite's outside never corresponds with his inside. A hypocrite's outside is one thing - and his inside another. A hypocrite's outside is religious - but his inside is wicked.
Hypocrites have a seeming sanctified outside - but are stuffed within with malice, pride, worldliness, and envy.
A hypocrite may offer sacrifice with Cain, and fast with Jesebel, and humble himself with Ahab, and lament with the tears of Esau, and kiss Christ with Judas, and follow Christ with Demas, and be baptized with Simon Magus; and yet for all this, his indise is as bad as any of theirs!
A hypocrite is a Jacob on the outside - and an Esau within; a David on the outside - and a Saul within; a John on the outside - and a Judas within; a saint on the outside - and a satan within.
But let all such hypocrites know, that pretend sanctity is double iniquity - and accordingly at last they shall be dealt with. "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell!" (Matthew 23:33).
~Thomas Brooks~
(The End)
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Paul's Subject
Paul's Subject
Paul was an extraordinary man, called to an extraordinary office, and being sent to perform an extraordinary work, he chose an extraordinary subject.
He knew history, he was acquainted with philosophy, and he was well versed in tradition.
There were few subjects that he could not handle, few themes that he could not discuss, few congregations that he could not interest.
But he made the conversion of sinners the object of his life - and he chose Christ crucified to be the subject of his ministry! No matter where he went - he took his subject with him. No matter whom he addressed - he directed their attention to this point.
He knew what man required - and what man preferred; but it made no matter to him. As he wrote to the Corinthians, so he always acted, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified - a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God!" (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
Paul's subject then, was Christ Crucified! Christ was God's anointed, the Messiah, the Son of God! Christ was the promised Saviour, who came to destroy the works of the devil! Christ the anointed Son of God - was put to the most cruel, shameful, and degrading death - He was crucified, and He was put to this death - that He may be a sacrifice for our sins, expiating them, and putting them away forever! He died as the Substitute of His people, as the Surety, who had engaged to discharge their debt, and as the conquering Saviour putting all His foes to flight.
Blessed Jesus, you were the representative of Your people, the victim of their transgressions, and the sacrifice for their sins! Your blood was the price paid for their ransom; and Your resurrection secured their discharge!
O my soul, look to Jesus - as crucified for your sins!
Think of Jesus - as dying in your stead!
Speak of Jesus - as full of grace and love!
Paul CHOSE this subject - and he had good reasons for doing so!
First, it is a most comprehensive subject, for it is the center where time and eternity, God and man, sin and holiness, life and death - meet!
It is the theater where God displays His perfections, unfolds His purposes, maintains His rights, confounds His foes, and secures His glory!
It is the instrument by which death is destroyed, sin is conquered, rebels are reconciled, saints are sanctified, and heaven is opened!
It is an object which confounds reason, astonishes angels, attracts sinners, imparts holiness, and furnishes matter for endless praise!
Second, it is the most honored subject. It tunes the harps of heaven. It fills the sweetest songs on earth. It is that by which the Holy Spirit works in the conversion of sinners, in the consolation of saints, in the sanctification of believers, and in the establishment of the church of God.
By the preaching of Christ crucified the oracles of the heathen were silenced, the altars of the heathen were cast down, and the temples of the heathen were transformed into houses of prayer.
By the preaching of the Cross society is elevated, nations are honored, and millions are snatched from hell.
Third, it is a subject that is intensely hated! Devils hate it, and try to prevent its publication. Erroneous men hate it, and try to substitute something or their own for it. And just in proportion as men are influenced by the prince of darkness, or yield to the pride of their own fallen natures - will they hate the doctrine of the Cross!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
Paul was an extraordinary man, called to an extraordinary office, and being sent to perform an extraordinary work, he chose an extraordinary subject.
He knew history, he was acquainted with philosophy, and he was well versed in tradition.
There were few subjects that he could not handle, few themes that he could not discuss, few congregations that he could not interest.
But he made the conversion of sinners the object of his life - and he chose Christ crucified to be the subject of his ministry! No matter where he went - he took his subject with him. No matter whom he addressed - he directed their attention to this point.
He knew what man required - and what man preferred; but it made no matter to him. As he wrote to the Corinthians, so he always acted, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified - a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God!" (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
Paul's subject then, was Christ Crucified! Christ was God's anointed, the Messiah, the Son of God! Christ was the promised Saviour, who came to destroy the works of the devil! Christ the anointed Son of God - was put to the most cruel, shameful, and degrading death - He was crucified, and He was put to this death - that He may be a sacrifice for our sins, expiating them, and putting them away forever! He died as the Substitute of His people, as the Surety, who had engaged to discharge their debt, and as the conquering Saviour putting all His foes to flight.
Blessed Jesus, you were the representative of Your people, the victim of their transgressions, and the sacrifice for their sins! Your blood was the price paid for their ransom; and Your resurrection secured their discharge!
O my soul, look to Jesus - as crucified for your sins!
Think of Jesus - as dying in your stead!
Speak of Jesus - as full of grace and love!
Paul CHOSE this subject - and he had good reasons for doing so!
First, it is a most comprehensive subject, for it is the center where time and eternity, God and man, sin and holiness, life and death - meet!
It is the theater where God displays His perfections, unfolds His purposes, maintains His rights, confounds His foes, and secures His glory!
It is the instrument by which death is destroyed, sin is conquered, rebels are reconciled, saints are sanctified, and heaven is opened!
It is an object which confounds reason, astonishes angels, attracts sinners, imparts holiness, and furnishes matter for endless praise!
Second, it is the most honored subject. It tunes the harps of heaven. It fills the sweetest songs on earth. It is that by which the Holy Spirit works in the conversion of sinners, in the consolation of saints, in the sanctification of believers, and in the establishment of the church of God.
By the preaching of Christ crucified the oracles of the heathen were silenced, the altars of the heathen were cast down, and the temples of the heathen were transformed into houses of prayer.
By the preaching of the Cross society is elevated, nations are honored, and millions are snatched from hell.
Third, it is a subject that is intensely hated! Devils hate it, and try to prevent its publication. Erroneous men hate it, and try to substitute something or their own for it. And just in proportion as men are influenced by the prince of darkness, or yield to the pride of their own fallen natures - will they hate the doctrine of the Cross!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
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