Thomas Watson Quote

"The flesh inclines us more to believe a temptation than a promise. There needs no wind to blow to sin when this tide within is so strong to carry us there....Bernard said that great sins are scratched at, but are not eradicated....In the best of saints there is something that needs mortifying--much pride, envy, and passion....They who pray that they may not be led into temptation must not lead themselves into temptation" (Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm Pg.11-13).

Thomas Watson Quote Heaven Taken by Storm

"Truth may be opposed, but never quite deposed....Truth is the seal that leaves the print of its own holiness upon us; it is both a glass to show us our blemishes and a laver to wash them away....Take away truth and our faith is fancy" (Thomas Watson Heaven Taken by Storm Pg.7,8).

Thomas Watson Quote (Heaven Taken by Storm)

"John did not so much preach to please as to profit; he chose rather to discover men's sins than to show his own eloquence....That preaching is to be preferred that makes the truest discovery of men's sins and shows them their hearts. John the Baptist was a burning and shining light; he burned in his doctrine and shined in his life; and therefore men pressed into heaven" (Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm Pg.3).

Spurgeon Quote

"Better nail your heart to the cross than your ears to the pulpit."
"That is to say, true love to Jesus is better than slavishly following any human preacher, and accepting all that he may say" (Spurgeon, Salt Cellars Pg.93).

Self Examination

To be introspectively concerned that one cannot "get it right" is a mark that one has "gotten it right." To be overly scrutinizing at this point is to get it wrong.

Spurgeon Quote

"Behind a frowning providence God hides a smiling face (Spurgeon, Salt Cellars Pg. 91).

Pride

Riding on a high horse increases the distance of a fall. Also both neck and spiritual problems may result in posturing one's nose at a forty five degree angle for long periods of time. A good indicator as to if one is at risk for such problems is the company one keeps, or rather doesn't keep.

Mercy and Justice

Let us ask ourselves: Do our hearts swell with mercy or does our blood boil hot for justice? I fear that we are too swift to pursue justice because we do not see our own selves as we ought--in comparison to God's holiness--as the true sinners we are. We too often compare ourselves to whatever offence is before us and seems to be above our own. Those that are unbalanced on the matter of mercy and justice are so because they have not felt the weight or fear of justice in their own souls. To only know justice is to have never known mercy. Mercy has a high respect for justice. And much trembling ought to accompany the call for justices. I am glad that God is slower in his anger than we are. And that in wrath he remembers mercy. Many well meaning Christians would have the world condemned while God would have it saved.