Quotable Quote - J C Ryle

Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy — but not just; a God who is all love — but not holy; a God who has a Heaven for everybody — but a Hell for none; a God who can allow good and evil to be side by side in time — but will make no distinction between good and evil in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own imagination! It is as true an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple — as true an idol as was ever molded out of brass or clay! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible — and beside the God of the Bible — there is no God at all.

J C Ryle

J. C. Ryle on Marriage

In no relation is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. In none is so much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly and without thought.

J C Ryle's comments on the "Throne of his father David"

In J C Ryle's commentary on Luke's Gospel chapter 1 verses 32 and 33, which reads: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end; he makes the following comments:

Quotable Quote

Rev Richard Monteith [FPC Rhiwderin, Wales] drew my attention to these comments by J C Ryle:

Let us learn what miserable creatures great men are, when they have no high principles within them, and no faith in the reality of a God above them. The lowest labourer who has grace and fears God, is a nobler being in the eyes of his Creator than the King, ruler, or statesman, whose first aim it is to please the people. 

To have one conscience in private and another in public - one rule of duty for our own souls, and another for our public actions - to see clearly what is right before God, and yet for the sake of popularity to do wrong - this may seem to some both right, and politic, and statesmanlike, and wise. But it is a character which no Christian man can ever regard with respect.

Let us pray that our own country may never be without men in high places who have grace to think right, and courage to act up to their knowledge, without truckling to the opinion of men. Those who fear God more than man, and care for pleasing God more than man, are the best rulers of a nation, and in the long run of years are always most respected. 

Men like Pontius Pilate, who are always trimming and compromising, led by popular opinion instead of leading popular opinion, afraid of doing right if it gives offence, ready to do wrong if it makes them personally popular, such men are the worst governors that a country can have. 

They are often God's heavy judgment on a nation because of a nation's sins.

J C Ryle's comments on John 19:1-16.

How very appropriate for the times in which we live!

Rowan Williams v J C Ryle

It is worth noting the contrast between the comments of Rowan Williams and the preaching of J C Ryle, the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

The full sermons of both individuals can be read:

Rowan Williams teaching the heresy of universalism.

J C Ryle teaching Biblical truth from Acts 4:12.

An extract from J C Ryle's sermon:
Let us make sure that we correctly understand what the Apostle Peter means. He says of Christ, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name in heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Now what is this? This is a very critical statement that we need to clearly understand. He means that no one can be saved from sin - from its guilt, power, and consequences - except by Jesus Christ.
He means that no one can have peace with God the Father - obtain forgiveness of sin in this world, and escape the wrath of God that is coming after death - except through the atoning death and mediation of Jesus Christ.
Only in Christ will we find God’s rich provision of salvation for sinners. Only in Christ will we find God’s abundant mercies coming down from Heaven to earth.
Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us; only the righteousness of Christ’s can clothe us; only the sacrifice of Christ can give us a title to heaven. Jews and Gentiles, educated and uneducated, rich and poor - everyone, no matter what their position or standing in life must either be saved by Jesus Christ or lost forever.
And the Apostle emphatically adds, There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. There is no other person commissioned, sealed, and appointed by God the Father to be the Saviour of sinners, except Christ. The keys of life and death are only found in His hand, and all who want to be saved must go to Him.
There was only one place of safety in the day when the flood came upon the earth, and that was Noah’s ark. All other places and things - mountains, towers, trees, rafts, boats—all were completely useless. Likewise, there is only one hiding place for sinners who want to escape the storm of God’s anger - they must hide their souls in Christ.
There was only one man to whom the Egyptians could go to in the time of famine, when they wanted food - they could only go to Joseph: it was a waste of time to go to anyone else. Likewise, there is only One to whom hungering souls must go, if they don’t want to perish forever - they must go to Christ.

… This doctrine is in perfect harmony with our Lord's own words in the Book of John: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

…I could cut short this part of the subject with one simple argument: “God says so.