Quotes from Horatius Bonar

The believed gospel saves; but it is the believed promise that assures us of this salvation.

Love of novelties has been the shipwreck of many a soul.

The voice from the tree did not summon them to do, but to be satisfied with what was done.

Go, labour on while it is day, The world's dark night is hastening on. Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away-- It is not thus that souls are won.

How many souls have been lost for lack of earnestness, solemnity, and love in the preacher, even when the words uttered were precious and true!

A man may be free from all scandal in either creed or conduct but may be a most grievous obstruction in the way of all spiritual good to his people. He may be a dry and empty cistern in spite of his orthodoxy. He may be freezing or blasting life at the very time he is speaking of the way of life. He may be repelling men from the cross even when he is proclaiming it in words. He may be standing between his flock and the blessing even when he is outwardly lifting up his hand to bless them.

How much more would a few good and fervent men effect in the ministry than a multitude of lukewarm ones!" said Oecolampadius, the German Reformer.

How could you speak of life and death with such a heart? How could you preach of heaven and hell in such a careless, sleepy manner? Do you believe what you say? Are you in earnest or in jest? How can you tell people that sin is such a thing, and that so much misery is upon them and before them and not be more affected with it? Shouldn't you weep over such a people, and shouldn't your tears interrupt your words?

Devotion," said Bishop Hall, "is the life of religion, the very soul of piety, the highest employment of grace." It is much to be feared that "we are weak in the pulpit because we are weak in the closet.

A Christian is one who has been "crucified with Christ," who has died with Him, been buried with Him, risen with Him, ascended with Him, and is seated "in heavenly places" with Him (Rom 6:3-8; Gal 2:20; Eph 2:5-6; Col 3:1-3).

A false idea or a diverging step at the outset may lead to a false religion throughout life, to an imperfect and superficial goodness, as one incorrect figure or sign in an equation falsifies both process and result.

Let us see God before man every day.