Joy Imparted
"You have put gladness into my heart!" (Psalm 4:7).
I am sad enough at times. I get looking within - and the corruptions that lurk, and work there, make me sad.
I look into the church - and lack of life, union, and love there, makes me sad. I look at the world - and like David, who beheld transgressors and was grieved, I see enough there to make any Christian sad!
But my sadness often arises from my wandering from God, who is the fountain of joy; from my violating God's precepts, in keeping which there is great reward; from a view of my unlikeness to God, and unfitness to enjoy God; and at times from a sinful, slavish, painful fear of God.
At other times, I take my eye off the gospel, and get back under the law - and then a sight of its extensive demands, its fearful threatenings, and its awful curses, makes me sad.
So also, if I look at God as a just lawgiver, and an angry judge, this makes me sad.
Besides which, my repeated failures, when I have endeavored to be more spiritual and consistent; my lack of a suitable frame to love and enjoy God; and my lack of satisfaction with God's providential arrangements - these things make me sad.
But I am not always sad, for if heaviness endures for the night - then joy comes in the morning. And to my gracious God I can say, "You have put gladness into my heart!"
This He does sometimes by showing me the infinite efficacy of the atoning blood; by applying the blood to the conscience; by shedding abroad his sweet, powerful, and everlasting love in my heart; by sending the Holy Spirit to breathe upon my soul, as the Spirit of adoption and liberty; by revealing to me more clearly than heretofore, that I am accepted in the Beloved, and am pleasant in His sight; by showing me my interest in, and title to - the many exceeding great, and precious promises recorded in His Word; by manifesting His divine approbation, and treating me as His friend; by also raising my expectations, and directing my eye upward to the celestial mansions, and forward to the glorious appearing of His beloved Son!
Blessed be God, He has often put gladness in my heart, not only by revealing blessings in His Word - but by presenting them to me by His Spirit. And also by giving me the oil of joy for mourning; a sweet subject for meditation; and a glorious prospect for anticipation.
Blessed be God for a glad heart! A heart made glad by the light of His countenance, the whispers of His love, and the work and witness of the Holy Comforter! This gladness makes one holy - as well as happy; useful - as well as peaceful; and fits us for Heaven - while it makes us ornamental on earth!
Joy is a fruit that will not grow,
In nature's barren soil;
All we can boast, until Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.
But where the Lord has planted grace,
And made His glories known;
There fruits of Heavenly joy and peace
Are found - and there alone.
A bleeding Saviour seen by faith,
A sense of pardoning love;
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.
To take a glimpse within the veil,
To know that God is mine;
Are springs of joy that never fail,
Unspeakable! Divine!
These are the joys which satisfy,
And sanctity the mind;
Which make the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Painful Recollections
Painful Recollections
"I remembered God - and was troubled!" (Psalm 77:3).
Memory often cheers our hearts by its remindings - but it sometimes saddens our spirits by its contrasts. In some of our gloomy seasons, we cannot help looking back - and contrasting
our former happy experience, with our present sadness and sorrow. Thus the Psalmist acted, and his very recollections of God troubled him. O how dependent we are on the blessed Comforter - for settled peace, quietness of conscience, and joy in God. Let us for a few moments sit down with the Psalmist, compare notes, and talk the matter over; it may do us good, and bring relief to our minds.
"I remember God" - how sweetly He manifested Himself to my soul, and held communion with my spirit, filling me with joy and love. Then His varied excellencies feasted and delighted my heart. I could say, "The Lord is my portion!" and be satisfied with the poorest fare. Nothing troubled me much, or troubled me long. But now, I have no bright manifestations, no sweet views, no sensible communion with God. I am left with His Word in my hand - but without the sweet savor of it in my heart!
I know that the Lord is glorious - but I cannot perceive His glory. I know that God is love - but I cannot realize His love for me. I know that God is the portion of His people - but I cannot enjoy Him as my portion. Comparing the past with the present, troubles me, and I cannot help exclaiming with Job, "O How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when His lamp shone upon my head and by His light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me!" (Job 29:2-5). I am troubled indeed!
"I remember God" - how He used to meet me in my prayer closet, and in my solitary walks, and draw out my soul to Himself. Then I could pray with fervor and praise with a melting heart. Then to be alone - was to be with God; and to be with God - was to enjoy a little bit of heaven upon earth. The promises flowed sweetly into my soul, and the Holy Spirit helped my infirmities. I could my title to the heavenly inheritance, and my saving interest in the everlasting covenant with all its spiritual blessings. Temporal things were little thought of - the spiritual and eternal appearing all important. But now, the closet is an empty place and the solitary walk is lonely and unpleasant. Now my prayers are lifeless, and my attempts to praise are dull and graceless! To be alone now - is to muse on my misery, and to deepen my distress by reflecting on my lost joys. I read and repeat the promises - but they make no impression on me; nor can I claim and plead them as my own. If I look forward - I have no sweet anticipations, and if I look backward - I cannot read my name in the book of life, or discern my saving interest in covenant blessings. Temporal things affect me deeply, while spiritual things make little impression. I am troubled indeed!
"I remembered God" - how frequently He answered my prayers, gave me tokens for good, and appeared for me in straits and difficulties. I could then plead with Him, trust in Him, and expect from Him - as a Father. Then He seemed to take me by the hand, choose out my way for me, and lead me kindly and gently in it. I looked upon earth - as my Father's world; upon the Church - as my Father's temple; and upon heaven - as my Father's house. A spirit of fillal love, confidence, and hope, ruled my heart, and regulated my feelings. But now, I cry out and shout - but He shuts out my prayer. I get no answers, no deliverances, no sensible tokens for good. I have lost my sense of acceptance, my strong confidence in God's paternal heart, and appear to be left alone to find out my way as I can. O what a change! I am troubled indeed!
"But why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him!" There is no change in Him - the change is wholly and entirely in yourself. His loving heart is still eternally the same. Once He led you by sense - and now He calls upon you to walk by faith. His eye is still upon you - His ear is open to you - and His heart still glows with unutterable love to you! All the difference is, you were once lying at the breasts of consolation - and now you are being weaned. Once milk was your food, and warm, sweetened milk too; and now you have placed before you, solid food!
It is to you, that Jesus speaks, saying, "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me!" Let not the contrast between former and present experience lead you to examine yourself; but hold fast the confidence you had at the beginning, steadfast unto the end.Trust God's heart - when you cannot trace His hand! Believe His Word - in the absence
of feeling. Call upon Him, and expect Him to answer you, and all shall be well, and well forever - troubled though you have been.
Holy Spirit, lead me to view God in Jesus, to trust in the finished work of Jesus alone, to walk by faith in the promise, and to rejoice in hope of the glory that is to be revealed. Amen
~James Smith~
(The End)
"I remembered God - and was troubled!" (Psalm 77:3).
Memory often cheers our hearts by its remindings - but it sometimes saddens our spirits by its contrasts. In some of our gloomy seasons, we cannot help looking back - and contrasting
our former happy experience, with our present sadness and sorrow. Thus the Psalmist acted, and his very recollections of God troubled him. O how dependent we are on the blessed Comforter - for settled peace, quietness of conscience, and joy in God. Let us for a few moments sit down with the Psalmist, compare notes, and talk the matter over; it may do us good, and bring relief to our minds.
"I remember God" - how sweetly He manifested Himself to my soul, and held communion with my spirit, filling me with joy and love. Then His varied excellencies feasted and delighted my heart. I could say, "The Lord is my portion!" and be satisfied with the poorest fare. Nothing troubled me much, or troubled me long. But now, I have no bright manifestations, no sweet views, no sensible communion with God. I am left with His Word in my hand - but without the sweet savor of it in my heart!
I know that the Lord is glorious - but I cannot perceive His glory. I know that God is love - but I cannot realize His love for me. I know that God is the portion of His people - but I cannot enjoy Him as my portion. Comparing the past with the present, troubles me, and I cannot help exclaiming with Job, "O How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when His lamp shone upon my head and by His light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me!" (Job 29:2-5). I am troubled indeed!
"I remember God" - how He used to meet me in my prayer closet, and in my solitary walks, and draw out my soul to Himself. Then I could pray with fervor and praise with a melting heart. Then to be alone - was to be with God; and to be with God - was to enjoy a little bit of heaven upon earth. The promises flowed sweetly into my soul, and the Holy Spirit helped my infirmities. I could my title to the heavenly inheritance, and my saving interest in the everlasting covenant with all its spiritual blessings. Temporal things were little thought of - the spiritual and eternal appearing all important. But now, the closet is an empty place and the solitary walk is lonely and unpleasant. Now my prayers are lifeless, and my attempts to praise are dull and graceless! To be alone now - is to muse on my misery, and to deepen my distress by reflecting on my lost joys. I read and repeat the promises - but they make no impression on me; nor can I claim and plead them as my own. If I look forward - I have no sweet anticipations, and if I look backward - I cannot read my name in the book of life, or discern my saving interest in covenant blessings. Temporal things affect me deeply, while spiritual things make little impression. I am troubled indeed!
"I remembered God" - how frequently He answered my prayers, gave me tokens for good, and appeared for me in straits and difficulties. I could then plead with Him, trust in Him, and expect from Him - as a Father. Then He seemed to take me by the hand, choose out my way for me, and lead me kindly and gently in it. I looked upon earth - as my Father's world; upon the Church - as my Father's temple; and upon heaven - as my Father's house. A spirit of fillal love, confidence, and hope, ruled my heart, and regulated my feelings. But now, I cry out and shout - but He shuts out my prayer. I get no answers, no deliverances, no sensible tokens for good. I have lost my sense of acceptance, my strong confidence in God's paternal heart, and appear to be left alone to find out my way as I can. O what a change! I am troubled indeed!
"But why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him!" There is no change in Him - the change is wholly and entirely in yourself. His loving heart is still eternally the same. Once He led you by sense - and now He calls upon you to walk by faith. His eye is still upon you - His ear is open to you - and His heart still glows with unutterable love to you! All the difference is, you were once lying at the breasts of consolation - and now you are being weaned. Once milk was your food, and warm, sweetened milk too; and now you have placed before you, solid food!
It is to you, that Jesus speaks, saying, "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me!" Let not the contrast between former and present experience lead you to examine yourself; but hold fast the confidence you had at the beginning, steadfast unto the end.Trust God's heart - when you cannot trace His hand! Believe His Word - in the absence
of feeling. Call upon Him, and expect Him to answer you, and all shall be well, and well forever - troubled though you have been.
Holy Spirit, lead me to view God in Jesus, to trust in the finished work of Jesus alone, to walk by faith in the promise, and to rejoice in hope of the glory that is to be revealed. Amen
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, May 16, 2020
God Is Love!
God Is Love!
"God is love!" (1 John 4:16).
This is a truth which cannot be learned from nature. For though we see the bright, the beautiful, and the benevolent in nature - we see also the dull, the dreary, and the frightening. If we see the smiles of infancy- we see also the wrinkles of old age. If we hear the laugh of health - we hear also the groans of suffering. Walk through a large hospital; stand on the shore and witness a dreadful shipwreck; or read the horrible details of the ravages of plague, and famine - and who would from these conclude, that God is love?
Neither creation nor providence without the Bible, would teach us that God is love. It is God in Christ - that is love. Here God can speak the most loving words, and wear the most loving smiles. Here He is pure, unmixed, and infinite love; because in Christ, His justice has received satisfaction for man's sin, and His law has been magnified and made honorable. In Christ, God has to ask nothing of man, except that he yield to him his heart, for he has received all that as the moral Governor, and Judge of all - He could require. In Christ He asks us to be friends, beseeches us to be reconciled, offers us the richest, choicest, blessings, and rejoices to do us good.
Look at God in nature - and you see some of His greatness, goodness, and power. Look at God in providence - and you see something of His beneficence, wisdom, and justice. But look at God in Jesus - and you see all of His glorious perfections, and all His divine attributes - but especially you see His LOVE. Love to sinners shines above every other perfection of His nature, and sheds a glorious luster on them all.
All that He does for His children - is in love! All that He withholds from us - is in love! All that He requires of us - is in love! His precepts are from love - as much as His promises! His warnings are as much from love = as His invitations! His prohibitions are from love - as His permissions! His love uses the rod - as well as gives the kiss! His love withholds - as well as gives! All, all, is in love! "The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son!" (Hebrews 12:6).
"God is love." That is, in Christ, God is love. Let me therefore always looks to God in Christ. Let me deal, and worship God in Christ. I must know God in His beloved Son. I see the Most High God as the God of peace - speaking peace to coming sinners; as the God of patience - exercising patience toward weary saints; as the God of all comfort - comforting those who are cast down; as the God of all grace - giving grace and glory to all who apply in the name of Jesus. How can I fear a God of love? How can I be justified in complaining of any of His dealings? In Jesus, all His thoughts are loving thoughts; all His words, are loving words; and all His works are loving works.
In giving, or withholding - He manifests His love. In giving and afflicting - He manifests His love. In afflicting and restoring - He displays His love. Every storm, and every sunbeam is from love.
O my soul, never indulge a hard thought of God. Never listen to satan's insinuations against God. Never judge of the Lord's ways by your feelings, or by sense; but believe the testimony of His Word, and rejoice in the well proved fact, that "God is love!" Holy Spirit, give me clearer views of God in Christ, help me so to believe, as always to realize, let whatever will happen, or let my circumstances be what they may, that "God is Love!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
"God is love!" (1 John 4:16).
This is a truth which cannot be learned from nature. For though we see the bright, the beautiful, and the benevolent in nature - we see also the dull, the dreary, and the frightening. If we see the smiles of infancy- we see also the wrinkles of old age. If we hear the laugh of health - we hear also the groans of suffering. Walk through a large hospital; stand on the shore and witness a dreadful shipwreck; or read the horrible details of the ravages of plague, and famine - and who would from these conclude, that God is love?
Neither creation nor providence without the Bible, would teach us that God is love. It is God in Christ - that is love. Here God can speak the most loving words, and wear the most loving smiles. Here He is pure, unmixed, and infinite love; because in Christ, His justice has received satisfaction for man's sin, and His law has been magnified and made honorable. In Christ, God has to ask nothing of man, except that he yield to him his heart, for he has received all that as the moral Governor, and Judge of all - He could require. In Christ He asks us to be friends, beseeches us to be reconciled, offers us the richest, choicest, blessings, and rejoices to do us good.
Look at God in nature - and you see some of His greatness, goodness, and power. Look at God in providence - and you see something of His beneficence, wisdom, and justice. But look at God in Jesus - and you see all of His glorious perfections, and all His divine attributes - but especially you see His LOVE. Love to sinners shines above every other perfection of His nature, and sheds a glorious luster on them all.
All that He does for His children - is in love! All that He withholds from us - is in love! All that He requires of us - is in love! His precepts are from love - as much as His promises! His warnings are as much from love = as His invitations! His prohibitions are from love - as His permissions! His love uses the rod - as well as gives the kiss! His love withholds - as well as gives! All, all, is in love! "The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son!" (Hebrews 12:6).
"God is love." That is, in Christ, God is love. Let me therefore always looks to God in Christ. Let me deal, and worship God in Christ. I must know God in His beloved Son. I see the Most High God as the God of peace - speaking peace to coming sinners; as the God of patience - exercising patience toward weary saints; as the God of all comfort - comforting those who are cast down; as the God of all grace - giving grace and glory to all who apply in the name of Jesus. How can I fear a God of love? How can I be justified in complaining of any of His dealings? In Jesus, all His thoughts are loving thoughts; all His words, are loving words; and all His works are loving works.
In giving, or withholding - He manifests His love. In giving and afflicting - He manifests His love. In afflicting and restoring - He displays His love. Every storm, and every sunbeam is from love.
O my soul, never indulge a hard thought of God. Never listen to satan's insinuations against God. Never judge of the Lord's ways by your feelings, or by sense; but believe the testimony of His Word, and rejoice in the well proved fact, that "God is love!" Holy Spirit, give me clearer views of God in Christ, help me so to believe, as always to realize, let whatever will happen, or let my circumstances be what they may, that "God is Love!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Private Judgment # 8
Private Judgment # 8
I have set forth in plain language two things: One, the right, the duty, and necessity of private judgment. The other is the duty and necessity of keeping firm hold upon truth.
It only remains to APPLY these things to the individual consciences.
1. For one thing, if it is our duty to "prove all things" - then let me beseech and exhort all Christians to arm themselves with a thorough knowledge of the written Word of God.
There is no royal road to a knowledge of the Bible. There must be patient, daily, systematic reading of the Book - or the Book will not be known.
The devil can quote Scripture. He could go to our Lord and quote a text when he wished to tempt Him. A man must be able to say, when he hears Scripture falsely quoted, perverted, and misapplied, "It is written again!" lest he be deceived.
2. For another thing, if it is aright to "prove all things" - then let us take special care to try every false doctrine, by whoever put forward by the written Word of God. Let us believe nothing, however specially advanced - believe nothing,with whatever weight of authority brought forward - believe nothing, though supported by all the Fathers - believe nothing, unless it can be proved to us out of the Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible. That alone is light. That alone is God's measure of truth and falsehood. "Let God be true, and every man a liar."
All the learning in the world could never have supplied a better answer than that. Latimer, or Knox, or Owen, could never have made a more crushing reply. Let this be our rule when we are attacked by non-believers and false-preachers. Let us hold fast the sword of the Spirit and say, in reply to all their arguments, "It cannot be true, because it is not in the Bible."
3. Last of all, if it is right to "hold fast that which is true" - then let us make sure that we have each laid hold personally upon Christ's truth for ourselves. It will not save us to know all controversies, and to be able to detect everything which is false. Head knowledge will never bring us to Heaven. It will not save us to be able to argue and reason, or to detect the errors of our Christian religion. Let us see that we each lay hold upon Jesus Christ for ourselves, by our own personal faith. Let us see to it that we each flee for refuge, and lay hold upon the hope set before us in His glorious gospel. Let us do this, and then all things are our's. The Church may fail. The state may go to ruin. The foundations of all establishments may be shaken. The enemies of truth may for a season prevail. But as for us - all shall be well. We shall have in this world peace, and in the world which is to come, life everlasting; for we shall have Christ, and having Him, we have all!
This is real "good," lasting good, good in sickness in health, good in life, good in death, good in time, and good in eternity. All other things are but uncertain. They all wear out. They fade. They droop. They wither. They decay. The longer we have them - the more worthless we find them; and the more satisfied we become that everything here below is "vanity and vexation of spirit." But as for hope in Christ, that is always good. The longer we use it, the better it seems. The more we wear it in our hearts, the brighter it will look. It is good when we first have it. It is far better when we grow older. It is better still in the day of trial, and the hour of death. And it will prove best of all in the day of judgment!
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
I have set forth in plain language two things: One, the right, the duty, and necessity of private judgment. The other is the duty and necessity of keeping firm hold upon truth.
It only remains to APPLY these things to the individual consciences.
1. For one thing, if it is our duty to "prove all things" - then let me beseech and exhort all Christians to arm themselves with a thorough knowledge of the written Word of God.
There is no royal road to a knowledge of the Bible. There must be patient, daily, systematic reading of the Book - or the Book will not be known.
The devil can quote Scripture. He could go to our Lord and quote a text when he wished to tempt Him. A man must be able to say, when he hears Scripture falsely quoted, perverted, and misapplied, "It is written again!" lest he be deceived.
2. For another thing, if it is aright to "prove all things" - then let us take special care to try every false doctrine, by whoever put forward by the written Word of God. Let us believe nothing, however specially advanced - believe nothing,with whatever weight of authority brought forward - believe nothing, though supported by all the Fathers - believe nothing, unless it can be proved to us out of the Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible. That alone is light. That alone is God's measure of truth and falsehood. "Let God be true, and every man a liar."
All the learning in the world could never have supplied a better answer than that. Latimer, or Knox, or Owen, could never have made a more crushing reply. Let this be our rule when we are attacked by non-believers and false-preachers. Let us hold fast the sword of the Spirit and say, in reply to all their arguments, "It cannot be true, because it is not in the Bible."
3. Last of all, if it is right to "hold fast that which is true" - then let us make sure that we have each laid hold personally upon Christ's truth for ourselves. It will not save us to know all controversies, and to be able to detect everything which is false. Head knowledge will never bring us to Heaven. It will not save us to be able to argue and reason, or to detect the errors of our Christian religion. Let us see that we each lay hold upon Jesus Christ for ourselves, by our own personal faith. Let us see to it that we each flee for refuge, and lay hold upon the hope set before us in His glorious gospel. Let us do this, and then all things are our's. The Church may fail. The state may go to ruin. The foundations of all establishments may be shaken. The enemies of truth may for a season prevail. But as for us - all shall be well. We shall have in this world peace, and in the world which is to come, life everlasting; for we shall have Christ, and having Him, we have all!
This is real "good," lasting good, good in sickness in health, good in life, good in death, good in time, and good in eternity. All other things are but uncertain. They all wear out. They fade. They droop. They wither. They decay. The longer we have them - the more worthless we find them; and the more satisfied we become that everything here below is "vanity and vexation of spirit." But as for hope in Christ, that is always good. The longer we use it, the better it seems. The more we wear it in our hearts, the brighter it will look. It is good when we first have it. It is far better when we grow older. It is better still in the day of trial, and the hour of death. And it will prove best of all in the day of judgment!
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Private Judgment # 7
Private Judgment # 7
If we would "hold fast" that which is good, we must never tolerate any doctrine which is not the pure doctrine of Christ's gospel. There is a hatred which is downright charity - that is, the hatred of erroneous doctrine. There is an intolerance which is downright praiseworthy - that is, the intolerance of false teaching in the pulpit. Who would ever think fo tolerating a little poison given to him day by day? If men come among us who do not preach "all the counsel of God," who do not preach of Christ, and sin, and holiness, of ruin, and redemption, and regeneration, and do not preach of these things in a Scriptural way - then we ought to cease to hear them! We ought to act upon the injunction given by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causes to err from the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 19:27). We ought to carry out the spirit shown by the Apostle Paul, in Galatians 1:8: "Though we, or an angel from Heaven preach any other doctrine unto you than that which we have preached - then let him be accursed."
If we can bear to hear Christ's truth mangled or adulterated - and can see no harm in listening to that which is another gospel - and can sit at ease while sham Christianity is poured into our ears - and can go home comfortably afterwards, and not burn with holy indignation - if this is the case, there is little chance of our ever doing much to resist Rome. If we are content to hear Jesus Christ not put in His rightful place, we are not men and women who are likely to do Christ much service, or fight a good fight on His side. He who is not zealous against error - is not likely to be zealous for truth.
If we would hold fast the truth, we must be ready to unite with all who hold the truth, and love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. We must be ready to lay aside all minor questions as things of subordinate importance. Establishment or no Establishment, Liturgy or no Liturgy, Bishops or Presbyters - all these points of difference, however important they may be in their place and in their proportion - all ought to be regarded as subordinate questions. I ask no man to give up his private opinions about them. I wish no man to do violence to his conscience. All I say is, that these questions are wood, hay, and stubble - when the very foundations of the faith are in danger! The Philistines are upon us. Can we make common cause against them - or can we not? This is the one point for our consideration. Surely it is not right to say that we expect to spend eternity with men in Heaven - and yet cannot work for a few years with them in this world. It is nonsense to talk of alliance and union - if there is to be no cooperation. The presence of a common foe ought to sink minor differences. We must hold together, if we mean to "hold fast that which is good."
Some men may say, "This is very troublesome." Some may say, "Why not sit still and be quiet?" Some may say, "Oh, that horrid controversy! What need is there for all this trouble? Why should we care so much about these points of difference?" I ask, what good thing were ever gotten, or ever kept, without trouble? God does not lie in English cornfields - but at the bottom of rivers, and in the rocks. Pearls do not grow on English hedges - but deep down in Indian seas.
Difficulties are never overcome without struggles.
Mountains are seldom climbed without fatigue.
Oceans are not crossed without tossings on the waves.
Peace is seldom obtained with war.
And Christ's truth is seldom made a nation's property, and kept a nation's property, without pains, without struggles, and without trouble.
Let the man who talks of trouble tell us where we would be at this day, if our forefathers had not taken some trouble? Where would be the gospel if martyrs had not given their bodies to be burned? Who shall estimate out debt to Crammer, Latimer, Hooper, Ridley and Taylor, and their brethren? They "held fast that which is good." They would not give up one jot or Christ's truth. They counted not their lives dear for the Gospel's sake. Shame on us, if we will not take a little trouble to keep with us what they so nobly won! Trouble or no trouble - pains or no pains - controversy or no controversy - one thing is very sure - that nothing but Christ's gospel will ever do good to our own souls. Nothing else will ever bring down God's blessing upon our land. "Hold fast" firmly the gospel, and refuse to let it go.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 8)
If we would "hold fast" that which is good, we must never tolerate any doctrine which is not the pure doctrine of Christ's gospel. There is a hatred which is downright charity - that is, the hatred of erroneous doctrine. There is an intolerance which is downright praiseworthy - that is, the intolerance of false teaching in the pulpit. Who would ever think fo tolerating a little poison given to him day by day? If men come among us who do not preach "all the counsel of God," who do not preach of Christ, and sin, and holiness, of ruin, and redemption, and regeneration, and do not preach of these things in a Scriptural way - then we ought to cease to hear them! We ought to act upon the injunction given by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causes to err from the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 19:27). We ought to carry out the spirit shown by the Apostle Paul, in Galatians 1:8: "Though we, or an angel from Heaven preach any other doctrine unto you than that which we have preached - then let him be accursed."
If we can bear to hear Christ's truth mangled or adulterated - and can see no harm in listening to that which is another gospel - and can sit at ease while sham Christianity is poured into our ears - and can go home comfortably afterwards, and not burn with holy indignation - if this is the case, there is little chance of our ever doing much to resist Rome. If we are content to hear Jesus Christ not put in His rightful place, we are not men and women who are likely to do Christ much service, or fight a good fight on His side. He who is not zealous against error - is not likely to be zealous for truth.
If we would hold fast the truth, we must be ready to unite with all who hold the truth, and love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. We must be ready to lay aside all minor questions as things of subordinate importance. Establishment or no Establishment, Liturgy or no Liturgy, Bishops or Presbyters - all these points of difference, however important they may be in their place and in their proportion - all ought to be regarded as subordinate questions. I ask no man to give up his private opinions about them. I wish no man to do violence to his conscience. All I say is, that these questions are wood, hay, and stubble - when the very foundations of the faith are in danger! The Philistines are upon us. Can we make common cause against them - or can we not? This is the one point for our consideration. Surely it is not right to say that we expect to spend eternity with men in Heaven - and yet cannot work for a few years with them in this world. It is nonsense to talk of alliance and union - if there is to be no cooperation. The presence of a common foe ought to sink minor differences. We must hold together, if we mean to "hold fast that which is good."
Some men may say, "This is very troublesome." Some may say, "Why not sit still and be quiet?" Some may say, "Oh, that horrid controversy! What need is there for all this trouble? Why should we care so much about these points of difference?" I ask, what good thing were ever gotten, or ever kept, without trouble? God does not lie in English cornfields - but at the bottom of rivers, and in the rocks. Pearls do not grow on English hedges - but deep down in Indian seas.
Difficulties are never overcome without struggles.
Mountains are seldom climbed without fatigue.
Oceans are not crossed without tossings on the waves.
Peace is seldom obtained with war.
And Christ's truth is seldom made a nation's property, and kept a nation's property, without pains, without struggles, and without trouble.
Let the man who talks of trouble tell us where we would be at this day, if our forefathers had not taken some trouble? Where would be the gospel if martyrs had not given their bodies to be burned? Who shall estimate out debt to Crammer, Latimer, Hooper, Ridley and Taylor, and their brethren? They "held fast that which is good." They would not give up one jot or Christ's truth. They counted not their lives dear for the Gospel's sake. Shame on us, if we will not take a little trouble to keep with us what they so nobly won! Trouble or no trouble - pains or no pains - controversy or no controversy - one thing is very sure - that nothing but Christ's gospel will ever do good to our own souls. Nothing else will ever bring down God's blessing upon our land. "Hold fast" firmly the gospel, and refuse to let it go.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 8)
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