Concerning Death

Death is only a grim porter to let us into a stately palace.

Richard Sibbes

Surely We Shall Die

God, to prevent all escape, hath sown the seeds of death in our very constitution and nature, so that we can as soon run from ourselves, as run from death. We need no feller to come with a hand of violence and hew us down; there is in the tree a worm, which grows out of its own substance, that will destroy it; so in us, those infirmities of nature that will bring us down to the dust.

 

William Gurnall

 

Life Carries Pain

“What!” cries one, “Is there not a terrible amount of pain connected with death?” I answer, No. It is life that has the pain; death is the finis of all pain. You blame death for the disease of which he is the cure.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) _Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit_

 

Concerning God’s Providence

It is the great support and solace of the saints in all the distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues.

John Flavel

 

Concerning times of Peace

No wise man can expect that…God should diet us with a continual feast. It would neither suit with our health, nor the condition of this pilgrimage. Live, therefore, on your peace of conscience as your ordinary diet; when this is wanting, know that God appointeth you a fast for your health; and when you have a feast of high joys, feed on it and be thankful! But when they are taken from you, gape not after them as the disciples did after Christ at His ascension; but return thankfully to your ordinary diet of peace.

Richard Baxter

Trials Make us Great Christians

Fiery trials make golden Christians.

Charles H. Spurgeon’s Proverbs

Afflictions Compared to Glory

Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.

Arthur W. Pink

Concerning God’s Dealings with His Children

God takes a safe course with His children, that they may not be condemned with the world, He permits the world to condemn them, that they may not love the world, the world hates them….

Richard Sibbes

Our Afflictions are nothing, if our eye is on the Prize

He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day.

John Trapp

 

Greater Trouble, for Greater Comfort?

Look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath not suffered me to be molested, but would with one Scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, Were it lawful, I could pray for greater trouble, for the greater comfort’s sake.

John Bunyan