The Eyes of Faith

The Body is a Weak Uncertain Vessel

In Heaven

Curse and Blessing
Consider what punishment a sinner was, by the violated law of works and nature, liable to in this world or in the world to come. And what of this [punishment] is remitted in virtue of the Redeemer’s sacrifice and covenant. He was liable to whatsoever miseries in this life God should please to inflict, to temporal death, and to a state of misery hereafter. [But] Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, that blessing might come upon us… that we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal. 3:13, 14). “Repent, be baptized, for the remission of sins, and receive the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). The great promise of the

The Saint in Prayer
True prayer is born first from our own sense of need, then from faith in God’s promises. Here will the readers be best awakened to sense their ills, and, as well, to seek remedies for them Whatever can stimulate us when we are about to pray to God, this book teaches. Not only are God’s promises presented to us there, but often there is shown to us, someone girding himself for prayer, caught between God’s invitation and the hindrance of the flesh thus are we taught how, if at any time, we are plagued with various doubts, to fight against them, until the mind freed, rises to God.–John Calvin, “Piety of John Calvin” pp. 70

Election
I believe that election is free and permanent, being founded in grace and the unchangeable will of God. I believe that we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29, 300).I believe that without Christ Jesus there is neither election, grace, nor salvation (Eph 1:3-14)… I believe that no man can know his election but by his calling… Election does not foretell or prevent the means which are appointed of God to bring us to Christ, to grace and to glory (II Pet. 1:8-11).I believe that in effectual calling the Holy Ghost must accompany the work of the Gospel, and that with mighty power… Calling is the fruit of electing love (

The Sword and the Trowel
The Christian’s state in this life is one of combat… He needs his sword as much as his trowel.. The Christian is assailed on every side by his enemy. How can it be otherwise? When the seeds of war are laid deep in the natures of both, and can never be rooted up till the devil cease to be a devil, sin to be sin, and saint to be a saint?… Sin will lust against grace, and grace draw upon sin whenever they meet.>–William Gurnall “Christian in complete Armour” Read more on The Sword and the Trowel…

The Need of Trials for the Christian
The Lord Jesus had no need to bear the cross, endure trials, except to attest and prove his obedience towards God his Father. But necessary for us it is, for several reasons, to be unceasingly afflicted in this life. First, as we are by nature inclined to exalt ourselves and claim all things for ourselves, if our frailty is not set before our very eyes, we immediately value our own virtue beyond measure, unhesitatingly deeming itself unconquerable against all troubles that could beset it. From this it comes to pass that we are puffed up in empty foolish confidence in the flesh, which later rouses us to haughtiness against God as if our own strength suffice without his g