What They Said

"Just as the telescope and microscope show us that there is order and design in all the works of God’s hand, from the greatest planet down to the least insect, so does the Bible teach us that there is wisdom, order and design in all the events of our daily life. There is no such thing as “chance”, “luck”, or “accident” in the Christian journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God: and all things are ‘working together’ for the believer’s good"

J.C. Ryle

“Take care what you do in front of your child. It is a true proverb, ‘He who sins before a child, sins double.’ Strive rather to be a living epistle of Christ, such as your families can read, and that plainly too. Be an example of reverence for the Word of God, reverence in prayer, reverence for means of grace, reverence for the Lord’s day. Be an example in words, in temper, in diligence, in temperance, in faith, in charity, in kindness, in humility.

“Do not think your children will practice what they do not see you do. You are their model picture – and they will copy what you are. Your reasoning and your lecturing, your wise commands and your good advice – all this they may not understand, but they can understand your life!”

J.C. Ryle

"Poverty hath slain a thousand, but riches have slain ten thousand.  They are very uncertain, they promise that which they cannot perform, neither can they afford a contented mind."

Richard Greenham

(1535-1594)

“Take a straight stick, and put it into the water; then it will seem crooked.  Why?  Because we look upon it through two mediums, air and water: there lies the deception visus; thence it is that we cannot discern aright.  Thus the proceedings of God, in His justice, which in themselves are straight, without the least obliquity, seem unto us crooked:  that wicked men should prosper, and good men be afflicted; that the Israelites should make the bricks, and the Egyptians dwell in the houses; that servants should ride on horseback, and princes go on foot:  these are things that make the best Christians stagger in their judgments.  

And why?  Because they look upon God's proceedings through a double medium of flesh and spirit, so that all things seem to go cross, though indeed they go right enough.  And hence it is that God's proceedings, in His justice, are not so well discerned, the eyes of man alone being not competent judges thereof."

Thomas Fuller

"Let me beg you, not to rest contented with the commonplace religion that is now so prevalent."

 Adoniram Judson

"The doctrines of grace humble man without degrading him and exalt him without inflating him."

Chalres Hodge

"Not to be afflicted is a sign of weakness; for, therefore God imposeth no more on me, because he sees I can bear no more."

Joseph Hall

"I am now going from a prison to a palace. I have finished my work, I am now to receive my wages."

Christopher Love

(From a letter by Christopher Love, a Welsh Protestant preacher, to his wife, on the day before his execution by the English government.)

"" They say that all things are fair in love and war; but the holy man thought not so: while he carried his life in his hand, he also carried the law in his heart. No danger of body should make us endanger our souls by forgetting that which is right. Trouble makes many a man forget his duty, and it would have had the same effect upon the Psalmist if he had not obtained quickening (verse 107) and teaching (verse 108). In his memory of the Lord's law lay his safety ; he was certain not to be forgotten of God, for God was not forgotten of him.  It is a special proof of grace when nothing can drive truth out of our thoughts, or holiness out of our lives. If we remember the law even when death stares us in the face, we may be well assured that the Lord is remembering us."

Charles Spurgeon

(Treasury of David: Psalm 119:109)