The power of true religion!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

(Thomas Reade)

The power of true religion is so little felt by the bulk of professing Christians.    

There are four evils which mark the decaying state of Christians in general:
  their love of the world;
  their love of ease;
  their fear of man;      
  their distrust of God's providence.    

The New Testament believers were just the reverse of all this:
they despised the world, and its flattering allurements;
they took up the cross, and denied themselves;
they boldly confessed Christ, and suffered for His sake;      
they trusted God for all things, and so took joyfully the the confiscation of your property.

And what was the blessed fruit?
They abounded in consolation;     
they grew in grace;
they shone as lights in the world;
they felt joy and peace in believing.    

But now we see professing Christians, even many of whom we charitably hope well . . .
  languid in their graces,
  timid in their confession,
  afraid of consequences,
  and fearful of trusting God.    

Sad symptoms these, of spiritual decay!


    ~  ~  ~  ~  ~