Quotable

All the evils of the world have entered into the Church…just as they entered into Eve…and from the same cause: namely, a desire for knowledge other than that which comes from the inspiration of the Spirit of God alone. This desire is the serpent’s voice in every man….It shows and recommends to him that same beautiful tree of human wisdom, self-will, and self-esteem…which Eve saw in the Garden.

He who dares to be poor and contemptible in the eyes of this present evil world in order to approve himself to God; who resists and rejects all human glory; who opposes the clamor of his passions; meekly bears all injuries and wrongs; and dares to wait for his reward until the invisible hand of God gives to every one his proper place; that one will be found to be the man of true wisdom in the coming day.

—William Law, The Power of the Spirit, 1761, re-edited by Dave Hunt

The plain fact of the matter is, though you can clean up the outside of the cup and leave the inside full of corruption, you cannot clean up the inside without cleaning up the outside also. If the heart is right, the life will be right….If the life is wrong, the heart is wrong.

—Henry Gouger, 1799-1860

God is a wise husbandman, “who waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it.” He cannot gather the fruit till it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory. Waiting in the sunshine of His love is what will ripen the soul for His blessing. Waiting under the cloud of trial, that breaks in showers of blessings, is as needful. Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. Our times are in His hands…He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long.

—Andrew Murray, 1828-1917