Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 31

Faith (continued)

Weak faith is true faith - as precious, though not so great as strong faith: the same Holy Spirit the author, the same Gospel the instrument. For it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the truth of our faith - not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the want - of faith. (John Rogers)

False Doctrine

Heresy is the leprosy of the head. (John Trapp)

We should as carefully avoid errors as vices; a blind eye is even worse than a lame foot; yea a blind eye may cause a lame foot. (Thomas Manton)

Error damns as well as vice; the one pistols, the other poisons. (Thomas Watson)

By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware. (John Flavel)

There is a difference between error, schism, and heresy. Error is when one holds a strong opinion alone; schism, when many consent in their opinion; heresy runs further, and contends to root out the truth. Error offends, but separates not; schism offends and separates; heresy offends, separates, and rageth. Error is weak, schism strong, heresy obstinate. Error goes out, and often comes in again; schism comes not in, but makes a new church; heresy makes not a new church, but no church. Error is reproved and pitied, schism is reproved and punished, heresy is reproved and excommunicated. Schism is in the same faith, heresy makes another faith. Though they be thus distinguished, yet without God's preventing grace, one will run into another. (Thomas Adams)

I believe that upon search it will appear that error hath not been advanced by anything in the world so much as by usurping a power for its suppression. (John Owen)

Falsehood

It is easy to tell one lie, hard to tell but one lie. (Thomas Fuller)

Those who lie in jest will (without repentance) go to hell in earnest. (John Trapp)

There are three kinds of lies: a lie told, a lie taught, a lie acted out. (Joseph Caryl)

Fear

We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn you thoughts to the wrath of God. (William Gurnall)

By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil; by fear of man, they run themselves into evil. (John Flavel)

Our help is in the name of the Lord, but our fears are in the name of man. (William Greenhill)

The wicked is a very coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because He is his enemy; of satan, because he is his tormentor; of God's creatures, because them, joining with their Maker, fight against him; of himself, because he bears about with him his own accuser and executioner. The godly man contrarily is afraid of nothing; but of God, because he knows Him his best friend, and will not hurt  him; not of satan, because he cannot hurt him; not of afflictions, because he knows they come from a loving God, and end in his good; not of the creatures, since "the very stones in the field are in league with Him;" not of himself, since his conscience is at peace. (Joseph Hall)