(Heb.

11:4)

Archibal Alexander
Died
22nd October 1851

 Gratitude is the soul of heart-religion. 

 In reviewing the most mysterious doctrines of revelation, the

ultimate appeal is to reason, not to determine whether she could
have discovered these truths; not to declare whether, considered
in themselves, they appear probable; but to decide whether it is
not more reasonable to believe what God speaks than to confide
in our own crude and feeble conceptions. No doctrine can be a
proper object of our faith, which is not more reasonable to believe
than to reject.

 All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass -"Jesus Christ

came into the world to save sinners."

 Let the worldlings have the world, and make the most of it! I will
never envy their prosperity, for it is but for a moment, and then,
like a passing scene in a drama, disappears forever! 
 Do not for a moment suppose that you must make yourself
better, or prepare your heart for a worthy reception of Christ, but
come at once - come as you are.

 True faith cannot exist without love -- it works by love.

 The truly regenerated man hates, opposes, and endeavors to

extirpate ALL sin.

 The proof of the wickedness of man is found in every part of the

Bible; and it is a truth confirmed by all history and experience.
That a reformation would be desirable, and that all men need to
be made better than they are, will not be denied. But there is a
deep-rooted opinion in the minds of men, that this reformation
and return to the service of God, will be easy whenever they shall
determine upon it. The need for supernatural power to regenerate
the soul is not commonly felt.

 Let pious parents learn never to give over praying for their
unconverted children, however hopeless the case may seem to
be, for God will in faithfulness hear their supplications, and
answer them sooner or later in one way or another.

 Spiritual life is progressive in its nature. Habitual growth in grace

is the best evidence of its reality .

 Prayer is everywhere in the Bible recognized as proper, and

inculcated as a duty. But it is also a most precious privilege, one
of the richest blessings conferred on man. It opens a method of
fellowship and communion with our Father in heaven; it
furnishes a refuge for the soul oppressed with sin and sorrow; it
affords an opportunity to the heart overwhelmed with an
intolerable weight of misery to unburden itself, to pour its griefs
into the ear of one who can pity and help.
 It is as natural and reasonable for a dependent creature to apply
to its Creator for what it needs, as for a child thus to solicit the
aid of a parent who is believed to have the disposition and ability
to bestow what it needs.

 It may, however, be laid down as a sound maxim, that in

proportion as the truth of God is clearly brought to view, and
faithfully applied to the heart and conscience, the good effects
will be manifest.

 The ALMOST Christian may have a speculative knowledge of all

the leading truths of Christianity, and may be able to defend
them. He entertains a great respect for religion and its professors
and institutions. The ALMOST Christian feels a strong desire to
enjoy the benefits of the gospel, and may often have his affections
much moved, and may form many good resolutions; he may
indeed possess a counterfeit of experimental religion, so like that
it may deceive not only the man himself, but the most judicious
ministers. The Almost Christian may be exceedingly
conscientious and exact in attending on all the external duties of
religion; as touching these, he may be "blameless;" and in regard
to zeal, he may be ardent, so as to put to the blush the real
believer. He may also be liberal, and contribute liberally for the
support of the gospel, and to feed the poor. He may become a
popular preacher of the gospel, and be the means of the
conversion of others. He may even go to foreign lands, to bear the
glad tidings of salvation to the heathen. He may, in short, do
everything which the real Christian does, and feel everything
which the real Christian feels—but one. He fails in one single
point, but that is an essential point. He never has given his heart
to God. He loves the world better than he loves Christ .
 No one was ever saved because his sins were small; no one was
ever rejected on account of the greatness of his sins. Where sin
abounded, grace shall much more abound.

 The worship due to the great Creator requires time for the
contemplation of his attributes, as revealed in his glorious works.

 Where sin is truly repented of, there is always a willingness, and

even a desire to confess it.

 The Christian life is sustained by prayer. By it every grace is

exercised, every blessing is obtained.

 Love to the brethren is a vital branch springing out of the root of

love to God himself.

 Virtue consists in doing our duty in the several relations we

sustain, in respect to ourselves, to our fellowmen, and to God, as
known from reason, conscience, and revelation.

 You are placed in solemn circumstances. Eternity rolls its

boundless waves just before you! Every year, every month, every
week, every day, every hour lessens the distance between you
and the unchangeable state to which you are hastening. The
precise moment of your entrance into this untried, unknown
world is hidden from you. Death often comes and knocks at the
door at a time when least expected. Are you prepared for death?

 Christ is the center of attraction in heaven.

‘Friend, remember that it is better to read 1 quote 10 times

(meditatively) than to read 10 quotes 1 time (superficially).’

Gathered by Totaf.