GEMS FROM GURNALL (1680)

Hath not thy heart said, “I will go and hear such a man, and get comfort?” And dost thou wonder thou art weak and barren? Are ordinances God, that they should make you comfortable? They are but Christ’s servants; therefore, press through all the crowd of ordinances, and ask to speak with Jesus, and virtue will come forth.”

O Christians! give not place to Satan; no, not an inch, in his first motions. He that is a beggar, and a modest one without doors, will command the house if he be let in.”

If ever the Spirit of God hath begun a sanctifying work in thee, He will never be the messenger to bring contrary news to thy soul; His language is not yea and nay, but yea and Amen forever. Christ and Satan divide the world. Christ will bear no equal, and Satan no superior, and therefore thou canst not hold in with both.”

Thy birthday was when thou wert born again; thou didst exist before, but only began to live when Christ began to live in thee.”

As when the Spirit teacheth, He comes not with any new or strange truth, but takes of Christ’s own, His Word; so when He comforts, He takes of Christ’s own, His righteousness — not ours. All cordials are but Christ distilled. The Spirit does not say, “Soul, rejoice! for thou art holy”; but, “soul, triumph! Christ is righteous.””

The water of the saint’s failings cast on the fire of God’s love cannot quench it. “Whom He loves, He loves unto the end.””

Truth is not always to be had at the same price; buy it we must at any, but sell it upon no terms.”

Many are now in heaven, and are safely landed there, who were sadly tossed with fears all along their voyage; for, though true faith puts a soul into the Ark of Christ, yet it does not hinder but such an one may be sea-sick in the ship.”

Hast thou heaven in hope? It is more than if thou hadst the whole world in hand. The greatest monarch on earth would be glad, at a dying hour, to change his crown for thy helmet, which is, “the hope of salvation.” His crown will not procure him thy helmet, but, thy helmet will procure thee “A crown of glory, that fadeth not away.””

Cannot God deny health and give patience? and patience with sickness is better than health without patience. Cannot He take away thy estate and give thee contentment? and “Godliness with contentment is great gain.””

It was a sweet speech of a dying saint that, “he was going to change his place but not his company”; for he had always been living in communion with God.”

When God afflicts His saints, it is to try their “precious faith.” Afflictions are His spade and mattock, by which He digs into His people’s hearts to find out the gold of faith.”

Christian minister, let thy reproof be as sharp as thou wilt, thy spirit must be meek; thou must not denounce wrath in wrath, lest sinners think thou wishest their misery; but rather with tenderness, that they may see it is no pleasing work.”

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