Solitude (8)
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The evil spirit is for solitariness; he walketh in solitary places, seeking rest, Matt. xii. But God is for society; he dwelleth among his children, and bestoweth his choicest com-forts upon the congregations of his poor. The Father provideth the greatest cheer, and maketh the best feast, when many of his children come together to wait upon him, though each coming singly is welcome to his table.
Luther relates a story of two cardinals riding to the council at Constance, how by the way they heard a shepherd weeping and crying out sadly, upon which they turned aside to know what was the matter, and found the shepherd looking upon an ugly toad. They asked him the ground of his lamentation. He answered, I cannot but weep to consider the goodness of God, that he did not make much such a loathsome creature, and my own unthankfulness, that I should be no more sensible of it. At which one of the cardinals was so affected, that he fell from his horse in a swoon, and coming again afterwards to himself, told his brother : Well said St Augustine, Indocti rapiunt coelum, & c. The unlearned take heaven by violence, whilst we, with all our parts and learning, wallow in the mire of the earth and flesh.
If thou wouldst exercise thyself to godliness in solitude, labour to spirtualise earthly things. I must say this is one of the most excellent and enriching arts in Christianity... He hath better than Midas's wish; he turns all he toucheth into better than gold.
A true lover delights most to visit his friend alone, when he can enjoy privacy with him.
Naturalists tell us of the Gnomon, commonly called the mariner's needle, that it always will turn to the north star; though it be closed and shut up in a coffer of wood or gold, yet it loseth not its nature. So the true Christian is always looking to the star of Jacob; whether he be shut up in a prison, or shut himself up in his closet, he is ever longing after Jesus Christ.
He grieves truly, that weeps without a witness; so it may be said of godliness, He is sincere in his godliness, who is godly in secret.
if thou dost not exercise thyself to godliness in solitude, thou wilt be in great danger of running into sin, and contracting guilt on thy soul.
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2. J.C. Ryle (111)
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8. Louis Berkhof (62)
9. A.W. Pink (60)
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11. Francis Schaeffer (48)
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14. John Owen (44)
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