The
bitterest things in religion are sweet - there is a sweetness even in reproofs,
when God meets with our corruptions and whispers unto us such and such things
are dangerous, and that if we cherish them they will bring us to hell. The Word
of God is sweet to a Christian that has his heart under its influence. Is not
pardon sweet to a condemned man, and riches sweet to a poor man, and favor sweet
to a man in disgrace, and liberty sweet to a man in captivity? So all that comes
from God is sweet to a Christian that has his heart touched with the sense of
sin. - Richard Sibbes
Faith
is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or
feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm
reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such
inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that
goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his
own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love
of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son. - Horatius
Bonar
Pardon
comes not to the soul alone; or rather, Christ comes not to the soul with pardon
only! It is that which He opens the door and enters by, but He comes with a
Spirit of life and power. - John Owen
The
bitterest things in religion are sweet - there is a sweetness even in reproofs,
when God meets with our corruptions and whispers unto us such and such things
are dangerous, and that if we cherish them they will bring us to hell. The Word
of God is sweet to a Christian that has his heart under its influence. Is not
pardon sweet to a condemned man, and riches sweet to a poor man, and favor sweet
to a man in disgrace, and liberty sweet to a man in captivity? So all that comes
from God is sweet to a Christian that has his heart touched with the sense of
sin. - Richard Sibbes
Faith
is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or
feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm
reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such
inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that
goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his
own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love
of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son. - Horatius
Bonar
Pardon
comes not to the soul alone; or rather, Christ comes not to the soul with pardon
only! It is that which He opens the door and enters by, but He comes with a
Spirit of life and power. - John Owen