Christian Writers and Preachers

There is so much narrow-mindedness, so much pettiness among us, and the worst thing is that this is regarded as piety.

—Herman Bavinck

Not law but gospel, not demand but promise is the center of revelation, even in the days of the old covenant, to which man’s part is to respond in faith and in the walk of faith (Gen. 17:1), just as Paul in Romans 4 and Galatians 3 understood the revelation of God to Abraham.

—Herman Bavinck

Everything depends on the physical resurrection of Christ.

—Herman Bavinck

To acquire knowledge, Scripture refers man not to his own reason but to God’s revelation in all his works. Lift up your eyes, and see the one who has created all things; [lift them up] to the teaching and the testimony; otherwise, they shall perish.

—Herman Bavinck

Christianity, according to its own confession, does not exist through the strength and fidelity of its confessors, but the life and will of its Mediator.

—Herman Bavinck

God pervades time and every moment of time with his eternity; he maintains a definite relation to time, entering into it with his eternity. Between eternity and time there is a distinction not only in quantity and degree but also in quality and essence.

—Herman Bavinck

Just as faith is the fruit of regeneration on the side of the mind, so repentance is the expression of new life on the side of the will.

—Herman Bavinck

The gospel is simply a joyful message; not an obligation but a promise; not a duty but a gift.

—Herman Bavinck

From eternity to eternity he is who he is. There is in him no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17). God is not a process of becoming but an eternal being. He is without beginning and end, but also knows no earlier and later.

—Herman Bavinck

Grace is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the entire work of salvation; it is totally devoid of human merit.

—Herman Bavinck

Where God’s Word is, there is God Himself, there God’s Spirit is at work, there God establishes His covenant, there He plants His church.

—Herman Bavinck

Knowing God in Christ brings with it eternal life, imperturbable joy, and heavenly blessedness. These are not merely effects, but the knowing of God is itself immediately a new, eternal, and blessed life.

—Herman Bavinck

“Emptiness is written upon everyone till the heart comes to its Savior and Lord.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Sanctification in myself, and the ingathering of God’s elect, was all my desire; and the hope of its accomplishment, all my joy.

—David Brainerd

I rejoiced that he was God, and longed that all should know it, and feel it, and rejoice in it.

—David Brainerd

Was very fearful lest I should admit some vain thought, and so lose the sense I then had of divine things. O for an abiding heavenly temper!

—David Brainerd

Blessed be thy name for ever, that thou art God, and that thou wilt glorify thyself. O that the whole world might glorify thee! O let these poor people be brought to know thee, and love thee, for the glory of thy dear ever-blessed name!

—David Brainerd

Oh (methought) if God’s people knew me, as God knows, they would not think so highly of my zeal and resolution for God, as perhaps now they do!

—David Brainerd

Oh, how I longed to be with Christ, to be employed in the glorious work of angels, and with an angel’s freedom, vigour, and delight! And yet how willing was I to stay awhile on earth, that I might do something, if the Lord pleased, for his interest in the world!

—David Brainerd

God has made me willing to do any thing that I can do, consistent with truth, for the sake of peace, and that I might not be a stumbling-block to others.

—David Brainerd

O that I could begin this year with God, and spend the whole of it to his glory, either in life or death!

—David Brainerd

In the evening I was grieved that I had done so little for God. Oh that I could be a flame of fire in the service of my God!

—David Brainerd

I poured out my soul for all the world, friends, and enemies.

—David Brainerd

I find that both mind and body are quickly tired with intenseness and fervour in the things of God. O that I could be as incessant as angels in devotion and spiritual fervour!

—David Brainerd

Through the infinite goodness of God, I felt what I spoke; he enabled me to treat on divine truth with uncommon clearness: and yet I was so sensible of my defects in preaching, that I could not be proud of my performance, as at some times; and blessed be the Lord for this mercy.

—David Brainerd

Enjoyed some sweetness in things divine, in the midst of my pain and weakness. O that I could praise the Lord!

—David Brainerd

O that I may never distrust infinite goodness!

—David Brainerd

I never feel comfortably, but when I find my soul going forth after God: if I cannot be holy, I must necessarily be miserable forever.

—David Brainerd

My soul seemed so to reach and stretch towards the mark of perfect sanctity, that it was ready to break with longings.

—David Brainerd

Oh, how I delighted to pray and cry to God! I saw God was both able and willing to do all that I desired, for myself and friends, and his church in general.

—David Brainerd