We must shape not in our fancies such troubles as are never likely to fall out. It comes either from weakness or guiltiness, to fear shadows. We shall not need to make crosses; they will, as we say of foul weather, come before they be sent […]
Union with Christ must be a regular part of our thinking, if we are to grow in treasuring Christ and becoming more like Him. Who we are in Christ has not yet appeared, but is to rule our thoughts now. The power of the gospel for […]
The mind and affections of the new creature are set upon heavenly and spiritual things (cf. Col 3:1-2; Eph 4:23; Rom 8:5). If, therefore, thy heart and affections be habitually earthly and wholly intent upon things below, driving eagerly after the world, as the great business […]
Good examples have a powerful influence upon us, for we are led more by pattern than by precept, especially the examples of those we love, for such we are prone to imitate; but more especially of those who are in nearest relation to us, for there […]
Watch over your desires, such as would dull and blunt the edge of the spirit. As iron drives out iron, so one desire drives out another. If we are taken with other things, Christ loses His sweetness and relish. Vain worldly desires extinguish those that are […]