There is a true apostolicism in the character 
of St. Paul. It is a combination of zeal and love
The Zeal of some men is of a haughty, un- 
bending, ferocious character. They have the 
letter of truth, but they mount the pulpit like 
prize-fighters. It is with them a perpetual scold. 
This spirit is a reproach to the Gospel. It is 
not the spirit of Jesus Christ. He seems to have 
laboured to win men. 
But there is an opposite extreme. The Love 
of some men is all milk and mildness ! There is 
so mucli delicacy, and so much fastidiousness ! 
They touch with such tenderness ! รข€” and, if the 
patient shrinks, they will touch no more ! The 
times are too flagrant for such a disposition. The 
Gospel is sometimes preached in this way, till all 
the people agree with the preacher. He gives no 
offence, and he does no good! Richard Cecil

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God of my Fathers

Science is doing grand things today. Her beneficent step is heard almost everywhere. But physical science is comparatively young. And you know the characteristic defects of youth. It is headstrong and impatient, and often irreverent.It is sometimes not over reticent, even on matters concerning which it cannot form reliable judgments I now speak on "the claims of the religion of our fathers." 1. It was "our fathers'." That the sires trusted in God is a very sufficient reason why the sons should hesitate, and hesitate long, before they reach the grave conclusion that there is no God, or that if there be He cannot be trusted because He cannot be known. One of the healthiest facts of human nature and of human life has ever been that spirit of reverence for the past which links generation to generation, and practically makes the race one. We Englishmen are by no means destitute of this fine sentiment. 2. Our fathers proved it. What is the testimony borne by honest ...
Read more

Psalm 23

The song of the flock, View it-- I. AS EXPRESSING THANKFULNESS FOR THE PAST. Jehovah, all-sufficient, has been my Shepherd. Many there are who can see no better law or principle regulating the allotments of their daily life than accident and capricious fortune. They see the shuttles of apparent chance darting hither and thither in the loom of existence. They do not see that the shuttle is in the hands of the Great Artificer. Life is not a mere kaleidoscope. II. AS IMPLYING CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESENT. Jesus, all-sufficient, is my Shepherd. How blessed thus to repose our present in God, and to say, “Undertake Thou for me.” He does not consult our short-sighted wisdom in what He does. A necessary result of this confidence in the wisdom of God’s shepherd dealings will be contentment with our lot, whatever it is. And if we thus confide in God He will confide in us. III. AS EXPRESSING TRUST FOR THE FUTURE. Jehovah, all-sufficient, shall be my Shepherd. That dark future. How many are speaking ...
Read more