The best fighting!

(A letter of Charles Spurgeon, written to his father, at the age of 17)

God saves whom He will, when He will, and where He will.

I feel persuaded that I shall never fathom the depths of my own natural depravity—nor climb to the tops of the mountains of God's eternal love. I feel constrained day by day to fall flat down upon His promises, and leave my soul in Jesus' safe keeping.

How soon would our lamps go out—did not our mighty Lord supply fresh oil. And if it were not for His unshaken promise to supply all our needs out of the fullness of His grace—poor indeed would we be!

Yes, where Jesus comes—He comes to reign. How I wish He would reign more in my heart—then I might hope that every atom of SELF, self-confidence, and self-righteousness, would be swept out of my soul. I surely I long for the time when all evil affections, corrupt desires, and rebellious, doubting thoughts shall be overcome, and completely crushed beneath the Prince's feet, and my whole soul be made perfectly pure and holy. But so long as I am encaged within this house of clay, I know that my corruptions will lurk about, and I must have hard fighting—though the victory by grace is sure. Praying is the best fighting; nothing else will keep them down! I would go forth by prayer, like the Israelites, to gather up this Heavenly manna, and live upon free-grace!