“Certain critics have a faith which is very good for discerning, but never for enjoying. They have a fine nose for heresy; the moment it comes anywhere near them they discover it; and if there be half a word in a sermon they do not like how sure they will be to take it home.

One bad fish in our basket, and it will be cried all round the town before tomorrow; but let us offer never so much that is good we can scarce win a notice.

Dear friends, I would have God’s people discern, but the discerning propensity ought not to destroy the enjoying faculty. I bless God I love the doctrines of grace, but I never considered the doctrines of grace to be like drawn swords with which to fight every man living.

I know it is a good thing to be like the armed men about the bed of Solomon, each with his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night; but for my part, to recline upon that royal bed, and sleep with Jesu’s bosom for a pillow, is better still. I pray you, dear friends, delight yourselves in Christ! Let your faith so taste Jesus as to make you glad. Let your joy be as the joy of harvest, and sing ye with Zechariah, “How great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.”

Better is Christ to you than all earth’s harvests. He is the cluster of Eshcol, so heavy that one man can never carry all of Christ! He is not one grape; but a cluster of sweetness is our beloved unto us! Feed to the full; eat, yea drink abundantly, O beloved! Be ye satiated with delight, and let your soul rejoice as with marrow and fatness; so shall ye understand in the fullest degree what this taste is which so delighteth the soul of man.”

Credit to Pyromaniacs for the original post.

Thanks Greg for another fine Spurgeon sermon.

This statement:

“Dear friends, I would have God’s people discern, but the discerning propensity ought not to destroy the enjoying faculty. I bless God I love the doctrines of grace, but I never considered the doctrines of grace to be like drawn swords with which to fight every man living.”
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The doctrines of sovereign grace as espoused by Calvin and so many others are very precious truths. But I won’t divide over Calvinism with other Arminian brothers and sisters in Christ.

Stan

As such a strong proponent of Calvinism, Spurgeon was highly charitable to those who held Arminian beliefs.  Here is something he said about John Wesley, whose teachings were the basis for Methodism:

“There is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer–I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it. But far be it from me even to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views. Most atrocious things have been spoken about the character and spiritual condition of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say concerning him that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man himself I have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitefield and John Wesley. The character of John Wesley stands beyond all imputation for self-sacrifice, zeal, holiness, and communion with God; he lived far above the ordinary level of common Christians, and was one “of whom the world was not worthy.” I believe there are multitudes of men who cannot see these truths, or, at least, cannot see them in the way in which we put them, who nevertheless have received Christ as their Saviour, and are as dear to the heart of the God of grace as the soundest Calvinist in or out of Heaven.” (see original sermon here.)

Many modern Christians–Adventist and former Adventists included–can learn from the charity displayed by Charles Spurgeon.  It is possible to detest a Christian brother’s doctrine while having utmost respect for him if he confesses faith in the same Jesus who died on Calvary.

Greg

Speaking of Spurgeon, my friend Dennis Fischer sent me this email tonight with a great compilation of Spurgeon quotes, and I thought I would share them here:

“Oh happy day, happy day, when His choice was known to me, and He fixed my choice on Him!”

“I cannot understand the reason why I am saved, except upon the ground that God would have it so.”

“Grace taught my soul to pray: Tis grace has kept me to this day, and will not let me go.”

“If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, I should reply, “He is the who says, ‘Salvation is of the Lord.’”

“Speaking of Calvinism:  “I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this. It is the essence of the Bible.”
Rejoice! for Heaven awaits us, and all the Lord’s family!  The mansion is ready; the crown is made; the harp is strung.”

“Did not God Himself appoint our parents?”

“I do not know how some people, who believe that a Christian can fall from grace, manage to be happy.  It must be a very commendable thing in them to be able to get through a day without despair.”

“I believe that the happiest of Christians and the truest of Christians are those who never doubt God, but take His Word simply as it stands, and believe it, and ask no questions, just feeling assured that if God has said it, it will be so.”

“If Jesus is the Substitute for everyone in the whole wide world, having been Himself punished for everyone’s sins, then any punishment afterwards by a sinner conflicts with divine justice.  God doesn’t require double payment, double jeopardy, or double punishment for our sins.”
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Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words.

Stan