Brilliants: Selected from the Works of C. H. Spurgeon

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BX 6333 .S6 B74 1892
Spurgeon, C. H. 1834-1892
Brilliants
SELECTED FROM
THE WORKS OF

Rev. Chas. H. Spurgeon.

RY ALICE L. WILLLMS

ILLUSTRATED BY
RAVEN S. CROFT.

BOSTON:
SAMUEL E. CASSINO.

Exchange Building.

Copyright, 1892,
Samuel E. Cassino.

Berwick & Smith, Boston, U.S.A.

SPURGEON.

* * * *

The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time, but using every hour for the highest ends.

So sweet are the comforts of the Lord, that not only the saints themselves may sing of them, but even the heavens and the earth may take up the song. It takes something to make a mountain sing; and yet the prophet summons quite a choir of them. Lebanon, and Sirion, and the high hills of Bashan and Moab, he would set them all singing because of Jehovah’s grace to His own Zion. May we not also make mountains of difficulty, and trial, and mystery, and labor become occasions for praise unto our God? “Break forth into singing, O mountains!”

SPURGEON.

A little faith is a nest ^gg; more faith will come to it. But then it must not be seeming faith, but real and true. What a necessity is laid upon us to make sure work in religion, and not to profess much, and possess nothing! for one of these days the very profession will be taken from us, if that be all we have.... Abundance of grace is a thing to be coveted. It would be well to know much, but better to love much. It would be delightful to have abundance of skill to serve God, but better still to have abundance of faith to trust in the Lord for skill and everything.

Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.

The Lord would have His people happy because of His unfailing love. He would not have us sad and doubtful; He claims from us the worship of believing hearts. He cannot fail us; why should we sigh or sulk as if He would do so?

SPURGEON.

Calmly resolute in duty, brave in conflict, patient in suffering, let us go our way, keeping to our road, and neither swerving from it

nor loitering in it.

* * *

In this day’s labors or trials say, “The Lord God will help me.”’ Go forth boldly. Set your face like a flint, and resolve that no faintness or shamefacedness shall come near you. If God helps, who can hinder? If you are sure of omnipotent aid, what can be too heavy for you? Begin the day joyously, and let no shade of doubt come between thee and the eternal sunshine.

Put God’s law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.... We are moving along the great high road of God’s providence and grace when we keep to the way of His law. 3

SPURGEON.

The Word of God does not mislead; its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the Lord, are as much words of wisdom to make our way prosperous as rules of holiness to keep our garments clean. He walks surely who walks righteously.

A vile imagination, once indulged, gets the

key of our minds, and can get in again very

easily, whether we will or no, and can so

return as to bring seven other spirits with it

more wicked than itself; and what may follow

no one knows.

* * *

O brethren, it is sickening work to think of your cushioned seats, your chants, your anthems, your choirs, your organs, your gowns, and your bands, and I know not what besides, all made to be instruments of religious luxury, if not of pious dissipation, while ye need far more to be stirred up and incited to holy ardor for the propagation of the truth as it is in Jesus.

SPURGEON.

Home is the grandest of all institutions,

* * *

Learn to say No! and it will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.

* * *

Our troubles will bring us blessings. They are the dark chariots of bright grace. “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.”’ (Eccl. xi. 3.) These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be the gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us wuth grief, but He will not drown us with wrath; nay, He will refresh us with mercy. Our Lord’s love-letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds, but sing because May flowers are brought to us through April clouds and showers.

* * *

The higher a man is in grace, the lower he will be in his own esteem.

SPURGEON.

O Lord, the clouds are the dust of Thy

feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and

dark day! Love beholds Thee, and is glad.

Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves

and making the little hills rejoice on every

side.

* * *

We have noticed men of considerable parts and opportunities who have never succeeded in doing real good in the conversion of souls: and after close observation we have concluded that they lacked certain graces which are absolutely essential to fruit-bearing. For real usefulness, graces are better than gifts. As the man is, so is his work. If we would do better we must be better.

When home is ruled according to God’s Word, angels might be asked to stay a night with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element.

* * *
Idleness is tli£ key of 1 pt - 1

SPURGEON.

Better discourage a man’s climbing than help him to break his neck. Pigs will never play well on the flute, teach them as long as

you like.

* * *

Incredulity is not wisdom.

* * *

When you see a mad dog. don’t argue with him, unless you are sure of your logic.

* * *

Iniquity may be defined as deliberate wrong-doing.

* * *

The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the foundation of all true religion. Without a solemn awe and reverence of God, there is no foothold for the more brilliant virtues. He whose soul does not worship will never live in holiness.

Tongues are more terrible instruments than can be made with hammers and anvils, and the evil which they inflict cuts deeper and spreads wider.

SPURGEON.

He is happy who feels a jealous fear of doing wrong. Holy fear looks not only before it leaps, but even before it moves. It is afraid of neglecting duty, afraid of committing sin. It fears ill company, loose talk, and questionable policy. This does not make a man wretched, but it brings him happiness. The watchful sentinel is happier than the soldier who sleeps at his post. He who foreseeth evil and escapes it is happier than he who walks carelessly on, and is destroyed.

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