Suppose that by revenge you might destroy one enemy; yet, by exercising the Christian's temper you might conquer threeโโโyour own lust, Satan's temptation, and your enemy's heart.
John FlavelGod's unspotted faithfulness never failed any soul that durst trust himself in its arms.
John FlavelTell me, you vain professor, when did you shed a tear for the deadness, hardness, unbelief, or earthliness of your heart? Do you think that such an easy religion can save you? If so, we may invert Christ's words and say, 'Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to life, and may there be that go in there.'
John FlavelLet us see that our knowledge of Christ be not a powerless, barren, unpractical knowledge: O that, in its passage from our understanding to our lips, it might powerfully melt, sweeten, and ravish our hearts! Remember, brethren, a holy calling never saved any man, without a holy heart; if our tongues only be sanctified, our whole man must be damned. We must be judged by the same gospel, and stand at the same bar, and be sentenced to the same terms, and dealt with as severely as any other men.
John Flavel