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It was for this reason, too, that the Lord descended into the regions beneath the earth, preaching his advent there also and the remission of sins received by those who believe in him. (Against Heresies IV:27:2)

Our narrative of the government of God will record in ineffaceable letters the most peaceful wars waged in behalf of the peace of the soul, and will tell of men doing brave deeds for truth rather than country, and for piety rather than dearest friends. It will hand down to imperishable remembrance the discipline and the much-tried fortitude of the athletes of religion, the trophies won from demons, the victories over invisible enemies, and the crowns placed upon all their heads. (Church History. Book V. Introduction. Par. 4.)

Some readily and very zealously engage in a good work, such as praying, reading, fasting, giving, serving, disciplining the body. But after two or three attempts they become indolent and fail to accomplish the undertaking. Their ardor subsides with the gratification of their curiosity. … The fervor that does not persevere in spiritual matters is carnal. Spiritual fervor increases with undertaking and effort. It is the nature of spirit not to know weariness. (Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, vol. IV, p. 39; "Second Sunday After Epiphany" (emphasis mine), c. 1525)

A man with God is always in the majority. (unknown)

The more we pay for any truth, the better is our bargain. (Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, ch. 4)

If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point. (The Chronicles of the Schoenberg Cotta Family; Thomas Nelson Publishers)

From very childhood her mind had been filled with traditional utterances concerning the divine character and the divine plans—the merest inventions of men far more desirous of understanding what they were required to understand than of doing what they were required to do. (The Shepherd's Castle; Bethany House Publishers:1983; p.53)

The heart can only hear what it is capable of; but alas for him who will not hear what he is capable of hearing! (ibid., p. 113)

So much as one person with a contrary spirit to God is enough to affect all meetings - that the revival fire did not flow until that person broke and confessed, or the Lord removed him. (unknown)

God is not looking for brilliant men, is not depending upon eloquent men, is not shut up to the use of talented men in sending His Gospel out in the world. God is looking for the broken men who have judged themselves in the light of the Cross of Christ. When He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to the end of themselves, whose confidence is not in themselves, but in God. (unknown)

The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still. (city by Revival List)

One of these days some simple soul will pick up the book of God, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed. (unknown)

It seems that God often gives a dream, kills it, then gives it real life. (Slowly by Slowly)

I've seen more Christians destroyed by ambition than any other sin - discontent in the heart, always pushing and jockeying - moving for some new thing, some new position . . . It's not what we do, it's that we do what we're called to do and that in it we glorify God. (unknown)

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