While the mariner has the loadstone, the philosopher may attempt to investigate the cause; but after all, in steering through the ocean, he can make no other use of it than the mariner.
When a Christian goes into the world, because he sees it is his call, yet while he feels it also his cross, it will not hurt him.
Satan will seldom come to a Christian with a gross temptation. A green log and a candle may be safely left together; but bring a few shavings, then some small stick, and then larger, and you may soon bring the green log to ashes.
I should have thought mowers very idle people, but they work while they whet their scythes. Now devotedness to God whether it mows or whets the scythe, still goes on with the work.
A Christian should never plead spirituality for being a sloven; if he be but a shoe-cleaner, he should be the best in the parish. My principal method for defeating heresy, is by establishing truth.
One proposes to fill a bushel with tares; now if I can fill it first with wheat, I shall defy his attempts.
Many have puzzled themselves about the origin of evil. I observe there is evil, and that there is a way to escape it. With this I begin and end.
Apostasy in all its branches takes its rise from atheism. “I have set the Lord always before me.” The doctrine of omnipresence is universally allowed.
I remember, in going to undertake the care of a congregation, I was reading as I walked in a green lane, “Fear not Paul, I have much people in this city:” but I soon afterwards was disappointed in finding that Paul was not John, and that Corinth was not Warwick.
A Christian in the world is like a man transacting his affairs in the rain. He will not suddenly leave his client because it rains; but the moment the business is done he is off: as it is said in the Acts, “Being let go they went to their own company.”
One said that the great saints in the calendar were many of them poor sinners. Mr Newton replied they were poor saints indeed, if they did not feel they were great sinners.
I went one day to Mrs G____’s, just after she had lost all her fortune; I could not be surprised to find her in tears, but she said “I suppose you think I am crying for my loss; but that is not the case — I am now weeping to think I should feel so much uneasiness on the account. After that, I never heard her speak again upon the subject. Why now, this is just as it should be.