Pithy Puritan Pearls #3

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

"Here are some further sayings of the wise." Proverbs 24:23

It is unlovely when some in the congregation sing out of tune—but the greatest absurdity of all is when our hearts are out of tune! (Thomas Ford)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Word is a trumpet to proclaim Christ. The Lord's table is a looking-glass to represent Him. (Thomas Watson)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To institute holy days, and to make them parts of God's worship, is a privilege of God alone. God alone can prescribe His own worship. (Daniel Cawdrey)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In our worst condition—we have cause to praise God. (Richard Sibbes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The humble Christian looks with one eye upon God's grace, to keep his heart cheerful; and with the other eye upon his sin, to keep it humble! Thomas Watson

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many a preacher is now in Hell, who has a hundred times called on his hearers to use the utmost care and diligence to escape it! Richard Baxter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Slight thoughts of God, will make but a slight impression on the affections. He who thinks slightly of God, will serve him slightly, and love him slightly.
He who thinks slightly of sin, will slight sin.
He who thinks slightly of God—God will slight him! Edmund Calamy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God's wrath is a calm and quiet appointment of just punishment! Stephen Marshall

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

No man was ever kept out of Heaven for his confessed wickedness, but many are for their supposed goodness! Richard Capel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a singular comfort, that all things come to pass not according to wicked men's counsels, but according to what God determines. George Gifford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We are much obliged to God for keeping wicked men and devils in bonds and for limiting their malice and enmity; for if God gave permission to them to execute their power and malice, all the world would quickly be in flames! George Gifford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Men may read or hear the word diligently, but without meditation it bears no fruit. Meditation makes that which we have read become our own. Richard Greenham

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Men may be diligent to read and hear the Word—yet they shall not profit by it if God does not infuse the hearing of his word by his Spirit. Richard Greenham

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Saving faith is always fruitful; and that faith which is not fruitful is not true faith. The apostle does not deny that we are justified by faith, and only by faith; but he denies that faith without works is a true faith. It is only an empty notion; and such a faith cannot justify nor save a man! Thomas Senior

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Proud men cannot endure scrutiny, either by the public ministry, or by a private admonition. Thomas Senior

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The word brings one nearer Heaven, or further from it; it does good or harm; it makes better or worse. It is either a quickening spirit, or killing letter. David Clarkson

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As flowers are the joy of plants, so joy is the blossom of our graces. Nathaniel Holmes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even as true believers do not make an end of sinning, so God cannot make an end of pardoning. And as his pardoning removes our fear of sin, so it also removes our love of sin. Nathaniel Holmes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is meditation that makes you master of the truths that you read; otherwise, the wisdom remains in the book. William Bridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The reason we meditate little, is because we love God little. When a man hears the Word of God in public or in private, but does not continue to meditate on it afterward—it is because it has made no impression on him. William Bridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Knowledge brings us to the door of truth, but meditation opens the door to the house and takes us into all its rooms. This is the way to enter into the secret places of the things of God. William Bridge