Would We Know What we are Ourselves - J.C. Ryle

Would we know what we are ourselves? Let us see whether we have treasure in heaven, or whether all our good things are here upon earth. - Would we know what our treasure is? Let us ask ourselves what we love most? This is the true test of character. This is the pulse of our religion. It matters little what we say, or what we profess, or what preaching we admire, or what place of worship we attend. What do we love? On what are our affections set? This is the great question. "Where our treasure is there will our hearts be also." (Luke 12:34)

 

Taken from the book Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J.C. Ryle 1856

Joy in the Face Puts a New Beauty - Thomas Brooks

A beautiful face is at all time pleasing to the eye, but then especially when there is joy manifested in the countenance. Joy in the face puts a new beauty, and makes that which before was beautiful to be exceeding beautiful. It puts a lustre and glory upon beauty; so does joy in the face, heart, and life of a Christian, cast a general splendor and glory upon him, and the ways of God wherein he walks. The joy of the Lord is not only the strength, but also the beauty and glory of Christians. Nehemiah 8:10

 

Taken from the book Heaven on Earth: A Treatise on Christian Assurance by Thomas Brooks 1654

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

 

Taken from the book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment By Jeremiah Burroughs 1648

The Greatness of His Sufferings - John Bunyan

For my part, I stand amazed at those that would not have the world believe, that the death of Jesus Christ was, in itself, so terrible as it was....

I say, if Christ was put into the very capacity of one that must suffer what in justice ought to be inflicted for sin; then, how we can so diminish the greatness of his sufferings, as some do, without undervaluing of the greatness of his love, I know not; and how they will answer it, I know not.

 

Taken from the book All Loves Excelling by John Bunyan 1692

Repentance Without Sorrow - Thomas Watson

A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow. He that can believe without doubting, suspect his faith; and he that can repent without sorrowing, suspect his repentance.

Taken from the book The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson 1668

It is necessary for us to sail - Joseph Alleine

It was a saying of the noble Roman when he has hasting with corn to the city in the famine and mariners were loath to set sail in foul weather, "It is necessary for us to sail - it is not necessary for us to live." What is it that you count necessary?

 

Taken from the book A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine 1671

glorious in mercy above all - Richard Sibbes

 

When Satan tempts us to run from God and discourages us, as he will do at such times, then keep this in mind:  God has set himself to be glorious in mercy above all other attributes.

 

Taken from the book Glorious Freedom by Richard Sibbes 1639