A Friend to Grace

“In what soft terms doth the scripture express the death of the saints; it is a dissolution, not a violent rending and tearing to pieces: Phil. 1:23, ‘Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ;’ it is a departure, a setting sail for another world; it is a sleep, the grave is a chamber and bed of rest: Isa. 57:2, ‘He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds;’ it is a hastening to the great assembly that is above. Such soft terms the scripture useth concerning the death of the saints; for death, though it is an enemy to nature, yet it is a friend to grace.”  –Thomas Manton “By Faith” p. 454

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The Gate of Life

“There is a great deal of difference between death and death.  Death hath many considerations; as Christ endured it, so it was a ransom; as wicked men suffer it, so it is wages; as godly men suffer it, so it is the gate of life, the messenger to bring them home to God,–the Lord will be no longer without your company, and therefore he sends for you.” –Thomas Manton “By Faith — Sermons on Hebrews 11” p. 454

Our Keeper

“It ought greatly to humble us to be taught as we are in every part of Scripture that our safety entirely depends upon our having a keeper (Ps. 121:5) It is very kind and condescending in the Almighty to undertake this office for us!

We may rest assured that all the evils which can possibly assail us shall certainly be controlled by the Lord, if we commit our case to him.  No ill-fated star, no scorching sun, nor smiting moon, nor spirit infernal, nor human malice can harm those who are kept under the shadow of the Almighty.”

–W.S. Plumer “Psalms” p. 1098

God Has His Plan

“As architects and embroiderers have a plan by which they accomplish their designs; so has God also his plan, his counsel, his purpose, his book , according to which he reigns and does all things, even to the formation of a human body in the womb.”  –W. S. Plumer “Psalms” p. 1166

No One Comes Unless…

“Quoting Augustine:  ‘How have you come?  By believing.  Fear lest while you are claiming for yourself that you have found the just way, you perish from the just way.  I have come, you say, of my own free choice; I have come of my own will. Why are you puffed up?  Do you wish to know that this also has been given you?  Hear Him calling, ‘No one comes to me unless my Father draws him’ [John 6:44]’ ” ” –John Calvin “Institutes of the Christian Religion” Edited by John T. McNeill published by The Westminster Press, Book Two, Chapter 1, p 304″

Apostasy

“To have been made in the likeness of God seemed a small matter to a son of earth unless he also attained equality with God–a monstrous wickedness!  If apostasy, by which man withdraws from the authority of his Maker–indeed insolently shakes off his yoke–is a foul and detestable offense, it is vain to extenuate Adam’s sin.  Yet it was not simple apostasy, but was joined with vile reproaches against God. These assented to Satan’s slanders, which accused God of falsehood and envy and ill will.  Lastly, faithfulness opened the door to ambition, and ambition was indeed the mother of obstinate disobedience…”  –John Calvin “Institutes of the Christian Religion” Edited by John T. McNeill published by The Westminster Press, Book Two, Chapter 1, p 245-6

Unfaithfulness Root of the Fall

“…the first man revolted from God’s authority, not only because he was seized by Satan’s blandishments, but also because, contemptuous of truth, he turned aside to falsehood.  And surely, once we hold God’s Word in contempt, we shake off all reverence for him.  For, unless we listen attentively to him, his majesty will not dwell among us, nor his worship remain perfect.  Unfaithfulness, then was the root of the Fall.  But thereafter ambition and pride, together with ungratefulness, arose, because Adam by seeking more than was granted him shamefully spurned God’s great bounty, which had been lavished upon him.”   –John Calvin “Institutes of the Christian Religion” Edited by John T. McNeill published by The Westminster Press, Book Two, Chapter 1, p 245