Spurgeon quotes

The first part of Charles Spurgeon's autobiography is pretty hard work to get through but there are some great quotes. Here are a few of my favourites...

I have found, in my own spiritual life, that the more rules I lay down for myself, the more sins I commit.

I thought everyone a fool for doing anything except preparing to die.

I confess that I frequently sit hour after hour praying and waiting for a subject, and this is the main part of my study… after meditating on [the chosen Bible passage] for my soul’s own comfort – not the professional style of a regular sermon-maker, but feasting upon it for myself. Such simple food has done the people far more good than if I had been a week in manufacturing a sermon, for it has come warm from the heart just after it has been received in my own soul; and therefore it has been well spoken, because well known, well tasted, and well felt.

The saved man is not a perfect man, but his heart’s desire is to become perfect.

Let every man, called of God to preach the Word, be as his Maker has fashioned him.

When I came to New Park Street Chapel, it was but a mere handful of people to whom I first preached, yet I can never forget how earnestly they prayed. Sometimes they seemed to plead as though they could really see the Angel of the covenant present with them, and as if they must have a blessing from Him. More than once, we were all so awe-struck with the solemnity of the meeting that we sat silent for some moments while the Lord’s power appeared to overshadow us; and all I could do on such occasions was to pronounce the Benediction, and say, “Dear friends, we have had the Spirit of God here very manifestly tonight; let us go home, and take care not to lose His gracious influences.” Then came the blessing; the house with filled with hearers, and many souls were saved.

There is a confidence in one’s own powers which must ever be of service to those who are called to eminent positions, provided the confidence is well-grounded, seasoned with humility, and attended with that holy gratitude which refers all honour and glory to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. But, at the same time, there is nothing more true than the fact that the self-confident are near a fall, that those who lean on themselves must be overthrown, and that carnal security has but a baseless fabric in which to dwell.