Such is the efficacy of the promises of the Gospel, that, as soon as anyone receives them by a living faith, and applies them to himself, he straightway derives from thence firm and solid consolation. But how can the promise of the forgiveness of sins yield to the believer solid comfort, while he remains uncertain whether he has faith or not? . . . Faith wrought by the Spirit apprehends the forgiveness of sins, and the paternal love of God towards us. This faith, in laying hold of the free love of God towards us, does not make men reckless and easy; but the want of this assurance is the cause why men wallow in earthly lusts. ‘Men do not’ (says Bernard) ‘repay the love of God with a return of love, unless as the Spirit reveals to them, through faith, the eternal purpose of God respecting their future salvation.’-John Davenant (1576 – 1641),Words Old and New: Gems from the Christian Authorship of all Ages (pp. 137-139)
"That students should flock for instruction to a place so devoid of human attractions is indicative of the terrible earnestness which then existed in the hearts of many for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. Conscious of the deadly struggle which was being fought out with error all over Europe, young men considered no hardship too great provided they might be instructed in the oracles of God and trained to carry the word of reconciliation to dying men. Geneva thus became the great missionary centre of the 16th century."
Hugh Y. Reyburn, John Calvin, His Life, Letters, and Work. p. 284. Quoted by Iain Murray, Ministerial Training: Sketch of Theological Education n the 16th and 17th centuries, 1959.
If you have no wish to bring others to heaven, you are not going there yourself. -C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) _Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit_, Volume 35 [1889]
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