Great Quotes by Gurnall

 “Never think to find honey in the pot when God writes poison on its cover.

“We may say of every sin in this respect...if God call it folly, there is no wisdom to be found in it.

“The devil, indeed, teacheth sinners to cover foul practices with fair names.”

— William Gurnall

 “Never think to find honey in the pot when God writes poison on its cover.

— William Gurnall

HOGS COME IN THE OPEN GATES

 He who prays and watches not, is like him that sows a field with precious seed — but leaves the gate open for hogs to come and rout it up!

-- William Gurnall (1616 – 1679)

Two Prisoners

‎"Paul was Nero's prisoner, but Nero was much more God's." ~ WILLIAM GURNALL

Fear God

We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.

—William Gurnall

CURE

God's wounds cure, sin's kisses kill.

—William Gurnall

SAME LESSON

"Indeed all the saints are taught the same lesson - to renounce their own strength, and rely on the power of God; their own policy, and cast themselves on the wisdom of God; their own righteousness, and expect all from the pure mercy of God in Christ, which act of faith is so pleasing to God, that such a soul shall never be ashamed."

- William Gurnall,

REAL JOY

An Oxymoron: Sad Saints

from Puritan At Heart

Christian, what bad news has Christ brought from heaven with him, that makes you walk with your arms folded and pensive countenance? To see a wicked man merry, or a Christian sad is alike uncomely. "A feast is made for laughter," says Solomon. I am sure God intended his people's joy in the feast of the Gospel; mourners were not to sit at God's table (Deut. 26:14).

Truly the saint's heaviness reflects unkindly upon God himself. We do not commend his cheer, if it does not cheer us. What saith the world? "The Christian's life is but a melancholy walk," thinks the carnal wretch, "it is a dry feast they sit at, where so little wine of joy is drunk." And will you confirm them in this their opinion, Christian? Shall they have your example to produce against Christ and his Word, which promises peace and joy to all that will come to this feast?...

Now will they believe 'tis good news indeed the Gospel brings, when they can read it in your cheerful lives; but when they observe Christians sad with this cup of salvation in their hands, truly they will suspect the wine in it is not so good as the preachers commend it... O Christians, let the world see you are not losers in your joy, since you have been acquainted with the Gospel; give them not cause to think by your uncomfortable walking, that when they become Christians, they must bid farewell to all joy, and resolve to spend their days in the hour of mourning.

--William Gurnall, "A Homiletic Encyclopedia, pp. 757."

http://www.apuritanatheart.com/puritanism/devotionals/misc-puritans/578-an-oxymoron-sad-saints

I fail in this area daily and for years, I have a long way to grow.