A Letter of Wholesome Counsel
Contents:
Reading Should be Fun and Informative
Now, if the law, which by reason of our weakness can work nothing but wrath and anger, was so effectual, that remembered and rehearsed of purpose to do it, it brought to the people a corporal benediction, what shall we say that the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus doth work, so that it be with reverence entreated? Paul calleth it the sweet odour of life unto those that should receive life; borrowing his similitude from odoriferous herbs or precious unguents, whose nature is, the more they be touched or moved, to send forth their odour more pleasing and delectable.
Even such, dear brethren, is the blessed evangel of our Lord Jesus; for the more that it be entreated, the more comfortable and more pleasant is it, to such as do hear, read, and exercise the same. I am not ignorant, that as the Israelites loathed manna, because that every day they saw and ate but one thing, so some there be now-a-days, who will not be holden of the worst sort, that after once reading some parcels of the Scriptures, do convert themselves altogether to profane authors and human learning, because that the variety of matters therein contained doth bring with it a daily delectation; where contrariwise, within the simple Scriptures of God, the perpetual repetition of a thing is harassing and wearisome.
This temptation, I confess, may enter into God's very elect, for a time: And so, I say, that impossible it is that God's chosen children can despise or reject the word of their salvation, by any long continuance, neither yet loathe it to the end. Often it is, that God's elect are holden in such bondage and thralldom, that they cannot have the bread of life broken unto them, neither yet liberty to exercise themselves in God's holy word; but then do not God's dear children loathe, but most greedily do they covet the food of their souls. Then do they accuse their former negligence, then lament and bewail they the miserable affliction of their brethren; and then cry and call they in their hearts, and openly where they dare, for free passage to the gospel.
This hunger and thirst doth argue and prove the life of their souls. But if such men as having liberty to read and exercise themselves on God's holy Scripture, and yet do begin to weary, because from time to time they read but one thing; I ask, why weary they not also every day to drink wine, to eat bread every day, to behold the brightness of the sun, and so to use the rest of God's creatures which every day do keep their own substance, course, and nature?
- Marche et Réminiscences pour mon dernier voyage.
- A letter of Wholesome Counsel - by Dr. John Knox.
- The Third Corridor.
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- In clandestinità (I narratori) (Italian Edition).
- Walking in the Steps of Abraham.
They shall answer, I trust, Because such creatures have a strength, as oft as they are used, to expel hunger, to quench thirst, to restore strength, and to preserve the life. To reason with their abominable unthankfulness at this present, is not my purpose. But to you, dear brethren, I write my knowledge, and do speak my conscience, that so necessary as meat and drink are to the preservation of life corporal, and so necessary as the heat and brightness of the sun are to the quickening of the herbs and to expel darkness, so necessary is also to life everlasting, and to the illumination and light of the soul, the perpetual meditation, exercise, and use of God's holy word.
And therefore, dear brethren, if that ye look for a life to come, of necessity it is that ye exercise yourselves in the book of the Lord your God. Let no day slip over without some comfort received from the mouth of God. Open your ears, and He will speak, even pleasing things to your heart. Close not your eyes, but diligently let them behold what portion of substance is left to you within your Father's testament. Let your tongue learn to praise the gracious goodness of Him who of his mere mercy hath called you from darkness to light, and from death to life. Neither yet may you do this so quietly, that ye will admit no witnesses.
And therefore I say, ye must make them partakers in reading, exhortation, and in making common prayers; which I would, in every house were used once a day at least. Even such, dear Brethren, is the blessed Evangelist of our Lord Jesus, for the more that it be entreated, the more comfortable and pleasant it is to such as hear, read, or exercise themselves in these things. I am not ignorant that as the Israelites loathed the manna, because that every day they saw and ate but one thing, so some there be even today who will not be even of the worst sort that after once reading some parcels of the Scriptures, do commit themselves altogether to profane authors and human lectures because that the variety of matters therein contained doth bring with it daily delegation, where otherwise within the simple Scriptures of God, the perpetual repetition of one thing is tedious and wearisome.
They obtain this but by the mans of faith, and faith looketh ever to the will of God revealed by the Word, so that faith has borne her beginning and continuance by the Word of God. Rather, they most gladly covet the food of their souls. Then they accuse their former negligence, lament the miserable affliction of their brethren, and cry and call in their hearts and openly where they dare for free passage of the Gospel.
This hunger and thirst does prove the life of souls.
A Letter of Wholesome Counsel, Addressed to His Brethren in Scotland. A most wholesome counsel how to behave ourselves in the midst of this wicked. A letter of Wholesome Counsel Addressed to His Brethren in Scotland by Dr. John Knox July 7, In the spring of , while Knox was still in Scotland.
Every day to drink wine? Every day to behold the brightness of the sun? They shall answer, I trust, because such creatures have strength, as oft as they are used, to expel hunger, to quench thirst, to restore strength, and to preserve the life. Who dares attribute more power and strength to the corruptible creatures in nourishing and preserving the mortal body than to the eternal Word of God in the nourishment of the soul which is immortal!
To reason with their damnable unthankfulness at this present it is not my purpose. And therefore, dear Brethren, if that you look for a life to come, of necessity it is that you should exercise yourselves in the book of the Lord your God. Let no day slip or be empty of some comfort received from the mouth of God.
Letter from the First Presidency
Open your ears, and He will speak even pleasant things to your heart. Let your tongues learn to praise the gracious goodness of Him whose mere mercy hath called you from darkness to light and from death to life. And it should always be that others know you are about this work, especially among the household.
Paul calls it the sweet odor of life to those that shall receive life, borrowing his analogy of sweet smelling herbs or precious ointments, whose nature is, the more that they be touched or moved, to send forth their odor more pleasant and delectable. An Overview - by Dr. Not for praise, but for accountability. We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. Like as your assembly ought to begin with confession and invocation of God's Holy Spirit, so would I that they were never finished without thanksgiving, and common prayers for princes, rulers, and magistrates; for the liberty and free passage of Christ's evangel; for the comfort and deliverance of our afflicted brethren in all places, now persecuted, but most cruelly now, within the realms of France and England; and for such other things, as the Spirit of the Lord Jesus shall teach unto you to be profitable either to yourselves, or yet to your brethren, wheresoever they be. If any thing occur within the text, or yet arise in reasoning, which your judgments cannot resolve, or capacities apprehend, let the same be noted and put in writing, before ye depart the congregation, that when God shall offer unto you any interpreter, your doubts being noted and known, may have the more expeded resolution; or else, that when ye shall have occasion to write to such as with whom ye would communicate your judgments, your letters may signify and declare your unfeigned desire that ye have of God and of his true knowledge, and they, I doubt not, according to their talents, will endeavour, and bestow their faithful labours, to satisfy your godly petitions.
Not for praise, but for accountability. Brethren, you are ordained of God to rule your own houses in His true fear, and according to His Word. Within your own houses, I say, in some cases, you are like pastors or even kings; your wife, children, servants, and family are your church and charge. Therefore I say to you that you must make them partakers in reading, exhorting and making prayers before Christ, which I wish would happen in every house at least once a day.
But above all things, dear Brethren, study to practice in life that which the Word of God commands, and then be assured that you shall never hear nor read the Word of God without seeing fruit. Keep these consideration in your mind for the exercises of religion within your own house. We should also consider St.
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- Letter of Wholesome Counsel | work by Knox | www.farmersmarketmusic.com;
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- Letter from the First Presidency - liahona;
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I think its necessary that brothers come together to think about the Scriptures in solemn assemblies. The order of these assemblies is expressed by Saint Paul, and therefore I do not need to use many words about all this. However, you should be willing, when you do come together, to convene once a week at least.
www.farmersmarketmusic.com: A Most Wholesome Counsel
In the beginning of the your gathering, you should confess your offenses before Christ, and invoke by petition the Spirit of the Lord Jesus to assist you in all your godly enterprises through the entire meeting. And then let some Scripture be plainly and distinctly read, so much as shall be thought sufficient for one day or time. After this, if any brother has an exhortation, question, or doubt, let him not fear to speak or move the same, so that he does it with moderation, either to edify or to be edified. And here I do not doubt that great profit shall shortly come quickly before you.
For, first, by hearing, reading, and conferring the Scriptures in the assembly, the whole body of the Scriptures of God shall become familiar, the judgments and spirits of men shall be tried, their patients and modesty shall be known, and finally, their gifts and utterance shall appear. Multiplication of words, convoluted interpretations and willfulness in reasoning, is to be avoided at all times, and in all places, but chiefly in the congregation, where nothing ought to be respected except the glory of God, and comfort or edification of brethren.
If anything occurs within the text, or else arises in reasoning, while your judgments cannot resolve or capacities apprehend, let the same be noted and put in writing before you dismiss the congregation, that when God shall offer to you any pastor, your doubts being noted and known, may have a more expedite resolution. Or, that when you shall have occasion to write to such as with whom you would communicate your judgments or ideas, your letters may signify and declare your unceasing desire that you have of God and His true religion. Those who receive the letter will endeavor and bestow their faithful labors to satisfy your godly petitions according to their talents — this I am sure of godly men in this way.
Speaking for myself, as I am able in communicating my judgments to you, in explaining as God pleases to open to me any place of Scripture that I think you may profit, I will certainly do.