FORGIVENESS-J.C RYLE (1816-1900)

We are all great sinners before God; sinners by nature and sinners by practice, and therefore, we are in desperate need of a radical change and divine forgiveness]. We ought all to cease from proud thoughts about ourselves. We ought to lay our hands upon our mouths, and say with Abraham, I am "dust and ashes"; and with Job, "I am vile"; and with [the apostle] John, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Where is the man or woman in the whole catalogue of the Book of Life that will ever be able to say more than this, "I obtained mercy"? What is the glorious company of the apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of the martyrs: what are they all but pardoned sinners? Surely there is but one conclusion to be arrived at: we are all great sinners, and we all need a great forgiveness.

Sin is a burden, and must be taken off. Sin is a defilement, and must be cleansed away. Sin is a mighty debt, and must be paid. Sin is a mountain standing between us and heaven, and must be removed. The first step towards heaven is to see clearly that we deserve hell. There are but two alternatives before us: we must either be forgiven, or be miserable forever. ~ JC. Ryle

Read the entire booklet at the following link: http://www.chapellibrary.org/files/archive/pdf-english/forg.pdf

MERCY SWEETENS GOD'S ATTRIBUTES- THOMAS WATSON

                                                                                         (1620-1686)

Mercy sweetens all God’s other attributes. God’s holiness without mercy and his justice without mercy were terrible. When the water was bitter, and Israel could not drink, Moses cast a tree into the waters, and then they were made sweet. How bitter and dreadful were the other attributes of God, did not mercy sweeten them! Mercy sets God’s power on work to help us; it makes his justice become our friend; it shall avenge our quarrels. God’s mercy is one of the most orient pearls of his crown; it makes his Godhead appear amiable and lovely. When Moses said to God, ‘I beseech thee shew me thy glory;’ the Lord answered him, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will shew thee mercy.’ Exodus 33: I9. God’s mercy is his glory. His holiness makes him illustrious; his mercy makes him propitious. ~ “A Body of Divinity”