Wow. Dean over at "Life & Letters" blog certainly is one who has come to appreciate the value of reading the letters from the likes of a Samuel Rutherford, John Calvin, etc. You'll find excerpts from a number of them at his blog. The most recent one follows - indeed a challenge from Calvin that ought not be restricted to the "student of law at the University of Padua" to whom it was written. Thanks, Dean.Steve
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As I understand from your letter, that it is not very long since the Lord shed the light of His gospel on you, I could not give a fitter expression of my love towards you, than by exhorting and encouraging you to daily exercises. For we see sparks of piety immediately disappear which had shone forth on many occasions; because, instead of increasing the flame, they rather extinguish what little light the Spirit of God had enkindled in them, by the empty allurements of the world, or the irregular desires of the flesh. That nothing of this kind may happen to you, you must first of all give devoted submission to the will of the Lord, and in the next place, you must fortify yourself by His sacred doctrines.
Letters from John Calvin: Selected from the Bonnet Edition, the Banner of Truth, 1980, p. 118.
1 comment:
I've recently developed a greater appreciation for letters through reading Banner's new edition of the Letters of John Newton. It seemed a little strange at first, reading someone's letters to someone else. But I soon got the feeling that he was speaking to me. Wonderful scriptural counsel! Makes me want to read the letters of Calvin, Rutherford and others.
I think Newton is one of the most scripturally balanced preachers I've ever read, not only because of the content of his letters, but also because of the tone he takes in them. His likeness to Christ especially shines through in his letters to those who disagreed with him, like the Rev. Thomas Scott.
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