Words Fitly Spoken: An Anthology of Puritan Quotes A-Z, Poems, Prayers, and Divine Names

By Philip Reid Blevins

The title, Words Fitly Spoken, is derived from Proverbs 25:11 and the richness of its quotations is the fruit of Puritan devotion and spiritual wisdom. These quotations are listed under 140 primary topics and are gleaned from more than 160 Puritan authors. Its purpose is to assist God's people to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). The book closes with a lengthy bibliography to assist readers in their pursuit of Puritan studies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685265939

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Puritan Wisdom Quotes A–Z

Poems by Puritans

Christ, A Hiding Place

Christian's Joyful Song

Happiness For All

The Birth Of The Messiah

Prayers by Puritans

A Prayer For The Nation

A Prayer Of Confession

A Puritan Prayer

Names for God

Names of God

Puritan Authors Quoted

Puritan Authors Quoted

Topical Index

Topical Index

Bibliography

About the Author

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Words Fitly Spoken

An Anthology of Puritan Quotes A-Z, Poems, Prayers, and Divine Names

Philip Reid Blevins

ISBN 978-1-68526-592-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68526-593-9 (Digital)

Copyright © 2022 Philip Reid Blevins

All rights reserved

First Edition

The book cover photo was purchased through: iStock.com/Nadger

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

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To my beloved wife, Carlen: Her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Without her loving support and unfailing assistance, Words Fitly Spoken would have remained but a dream. And to our sons: Nathan, Clint, Seth, and Knox, their wives, and my eleven grandchildren. May these covenant arrows from the Lord arise to speak with the enemies in the gate (Psalm 127:4–5).

Acknowledgments

I deeply appreciate the encouragement and technical skills of our dear friend Mrs. Suzanne Rhodes. Her hard work and literary counsel throughout this project were invaluable. With her assistance, the depth and richness of these Puritan quotations have, at last, found a voice, and by it they being dead, yet speak (Hebrews 11:4).

I am grateful to the Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church and Dr. Rick Light for their continued prayer support. Thanks is also in order for Ruling Elder Steve Harr whose kind exhortation was, to put it in my words, Get it done!

I also wish to thank the board and faculty of Graham Bible College in Bristol, Tennessee, for their generosity in allowing me to research this book while being a fellow laborer with them in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11).

My acknowledgements would be woefully incomplete without thanking Dr. Douglas F. Kelly. It was in his Puritan Theology class at Reformed Theological Seminary that I was introduced to men who feared nothing but sin and studied nothing so much as how to please God (John Flavel). Thank you, my esteemed brother in Christ.

Introduction

The Puritans were first and foremost men of the Book, and few generations ever witnessed such men as these. Their profound knowledge of Scripture, their scholarship, and their deep and abiding love for Christ fostered what might be called a back-to-the-Bible movement. This movement continues to powerfully influence every area of life for the glory of God and the good of Zion, his church (Genesis 1:26–28; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

These stalwart men could be described as doctors of the soul who, with loving devotion and pastoral care, ministered to the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2) and remained faithful watchmen in their calling (Ezekiel 33:1–8). They counseled their parishioners with the wisdom which is from above (James 3:17), prayed for the needy, cared for the dying, and mightily preached the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Their steadfastness, however, was not without personal cost and sacrifice. Many endured persecution, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26). And like Moses of old, they endured as seeing him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27).

Our own generation suffers from a woeful lack of Puritan wisdom and godliness. This condition has produced a moral and spiritual anemia, which permeates both the church and society at large. There is an urgent need to read and imbibe the wellspring of biblical truth which flowed from the Puritan heart. The evidence of this need is witnessed by the spiritual darkness which grips both our country and most of Europe as well. It is time to return to the old paths wherein is the good way and walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16). The Puritans understood this truth in their day and we, for the good of our souls and our national survival, must understand and embrace it today.

The title of this book, Words Fitly Spoken, is derived from Proverbs 25:11. The book is an anthology of Puritan quotes containing 140 topics gleaned from more than 160 Puritan authors. These quotes contain hundreds of scriptural references for continued study and personal enrichment. The book closes with several Puritan poems and prayers accompanied by a lengthy bibliography for those desiring further studies of individual Puritan authors.

It is my prayer that Words Fitly Spoken will foster a deeper appreciation of our Puritan forefathers and ignite a flame of devotion for the Christ whom they loved with all their heart, mind, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37). If it pleases God, even in part, to answer this prayer, the intended purpose of my feeble efforts will be well rewarded.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Philip R. Blevins

Part 1

Puritan Wisdom Quotes A–Z

Accountability

Personal Accountability. The Root, the Lord Jesus, will call you to an account one day of what you have received, and how you have employed it. Therefore, remember that you have all from the Root, and nothing of your own. (William Greenhill)

Every one of us shall give account of himself to God [Romans 14:12]. We must not give account for others, nor they for us; but every one for himself. We must give account how we have spent our time, how we have improved our opportunities, what we have done and how we have done it. (Matthew Henry)

Shepherds and Sheep. Pastors shall give account of their negligence and want of care, whereby they suffered their sheep of the flock to miscarry; but every particular sheep also shall give account of his own personal wanderings. (Matthew Poole)

Adoption

Eternal Decree. God decreed from eternity that in time He would adopt them from the human race to be his children and heirs of eternal life [Ephesians 1:5]. (Wilhelmus à Brakel)

Sons by Grace. Believers, being united to Christ, become children of God, and members of the family of heaven. By their union with him, who is the Son of God by nature, they become the sons of God by grace [John 1:12]. (Thomas Boston)

God Our Father. God as Judge, by the spirit of bondage, sends us to Christ as Mediator, and Christ as Mediator, by the Spirit of adoption, sends us back again to God as a Father. (Thomas Manton)

Regenerate Sons. The regenerate, as such, are sons both by receiving a new nature in their regeneration, and a new title in their adoption… Because they are sons, therefore, God sends the Spirit of his Son into their hearts [Galatians 4:6], and he is styled the Spirit of adoption [Romans 8:14-15]. (John Howe)

An Expensive Price. Our adoption was purchased at a dear rate; for when God was about to make us sons and heirs, he could not seal the deed but by the blood of his own Son. Here is the wonder of God's love in adopting us, that he should be at all this expense to accomplish it. (Thomas Watson)

Spirit of Adoption. But the Spirit of adoption discloses God to the believing soul, as a kind and indulgent Father; and by giving him assurance of the love of God, and sweetly cherishing the hope of the future inheritance, makes him, with promptness and generous emotions a filial reverence, willing to obey God, as an affectionate parent. (Wilhelmus à Brakel)

The Spirit of adoption doth not only excite us to call upon God as our Father, but it doth ascertain and assure us that we are his children. And this it doth not by an outward voice, as God the Father to Jesus Christ; nor by an angel, as to Daniel, and the virgin Mary; but by an inward and secret suggestion whereby he raiseth our hearts to this persuasion that God is our Father, and we are his children [Romans 8:14–16]. (Matthew Poole)

Men may give a charter of adoption; but it is God's prerogative, when he adopts, to give a spirit of adoption—the nature of children. The Spirit of adoption works in the children of God a filial love to God as Father, and delight in him, and a dependence upon him, as a Father. (Matthew Henry)

Children by Marriage. We become the children of God by marriage with the Lord Jesus; for when we become his spouse, then we pass with him into his Father's family, and the Father calls saying the endearing name of daughter [Psalm 45:10], and the Lord Jesus calls her also his sister, whom he names his spouse [Cantic. 5:1]. (Wilhelmus à Brakel)

Redemption and Sonship. The objects of redemption are the sons of God. Redemption and adoption belong to the same persons…And those who are predestinated to adoption by Christ are said to have redemption in him, through his blood (Ephesians 1:5, 7]. And they were to have the blessing of adoption, in the full enjoyment of it, in the resurrection…when redemption, as to the application of it, will be complete also [Romans 8:23]. (John Gill)

Angels

God's Workmanship. Much of God's curious workmanship shines in the angels; they are beautiful, glorious creatures…the society with angels will make the delight of heaven the greater; and we shall not only see them with the glorified eyes of our understanding, but converse with them. (Thomas Watson)

Praise in Creation. The angels, having been created upon the first day and being a witness to the creation of the following five days, glorified God concerning this in singing: When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy [Job 38:7]. (Wilhelmus à Brakel)

Sons of God. Every creature which the Lord made, he saw it to be good; much more the angels, whom God created for his own train and company; they are called the sons of God [Job 38:7] because they bore his image, and that in a more eminent degree than man, as being wholly spiritual substances, just, holy, pure, in all qualities representing God their father. (Thomas Watson)

Holy Angels. Their very title as holy angels shows that they have an antipathy against sin and are at enmity with it… They are all holiness to the Lord and cannot endure iniquity. (Ralph Venning)

Two Basic Functions. Luther tells us that they have two offices, to sing above and watch beneath. These do us many invisible offices of love. They have dear and tender regard and love for the saints. (John Flavel)

God's Attendants. The holy angels are the glorious guard of God. They continually stand around the throne of his glory and attend his holy will, both in heaven and on earth. (William Perkins)

Fallen Angels. How come the first angel then to fall? I answer—It is hard to conceive how sin came into the angels first; all that we can say is this, that the angels were created good, yet mutable and free, and they voluntarily chose not to abide in their estate. (Thomas Manton)

In the case of fallen angels, God simply left them with their created wills, their created power. They used this creature power to will to do evil, that is, they decided to do things differently. (Richard Baxter)

Angelic Servants. The good angels by the measure of their knowledge are more able to save and defend us than the devil is by the measure of his knowledge to harm us. (Arthur Dent)

His angels are those blessed and powerful and watchful spirits whom God hath appointed to mind the affairs of this lower world, and to take care of the heirs of salvation [Hebrews 1:14]. (Matthew Poole)

It appears that the angels are sent out to help and serve the elect, especially God's ministers… Even today, their protection and strengthening ministry is no less a reality to the godly ministers of the New Testament, even if it comes to us without the same signs or visible manner as in the Old. (William Perkins)

Angel of the Lord. Christ was the perpetual head of the church, who in his own person did lead the people, and was present in the midst of them under the concept of the Angel of the covenant [Exodus 13:21, 23:20–23, 33:14]. (Thomas Watson)

Restrained at the Cross. Christ after his monomachy or single combat with the devil in the desert, had angels to attend him. In his agony in the garden, an angel was sent to comfort him. But when he came to the main act of our redemption, not an angel must be seen. None of these glorious spirits may look through the windows of heaven, to give him any ease. And if they would have relieved him, they could not. (Thomas Adams)

Joining Us in Worship. There is a oneness in design and a communion in service between angels and us; as we rejoice in their happiness, so they seek ours continually; their ascriptions of praise and glory to God are mingled with the praises of the church, so as to compose an entire worship [Hebrews 12:22]. (John Owen)

Heralds of God's Law. In being God's heralds, they proclaim the law which is against sin. It is the aggravation of the sin of the Jews that they did not receive the law which was given by the disposition of angels [Acts 7:53]… So angels, in proclaiming the law, have openly declared against sin as being exceedingly sinful. (Ralph Venning)

Executing God's Judgment. When God judges men, the angels will execute the judgment spoken by him… At the end of the world the angels will be the reapers and will gather out all that doth offend (Matthew 13:39–41]. (Ralph Venning)

Singing to Christ. And if the holy angels did so carol at his birth, in the very entrance into that state of humiliation and infirmity, with what triumph did they receive him now returning from the perfect achievement of man's redemption [Psalm 24:7–10]. (Joseph Hall)

Rejoicing over Salvation. If the angels of God have joy at your conversion, what joy will there be in heaven at your entrance into that salvation. (Richard Baxter)

Holy Witnesses. They were witnesses of what we do, and shall be witnesses of what God will do; for he who confesses Christ shall be owned by him, and he who denies Christ shall be denied by him and that before the angels [Luke 12:8–9]. (Ralph Venning)

Our Knowledge of Angels. I know that angels now love us, minister unto us, rejoice in our good, and are themselves far more holy and excellent creatures than we are; it is therefore my comfort to think that I shall better know them, and live in near and perpetual acquaintance and communion with them, and bear my part in the same choir in which they preside. (Richard Baxter)

Anger

Gospel of Peace. A wrathful spirit is unsuitable to the gospel; it is a gospel of peace, and its author is the Prince of Peace, and it is sealed by the Spirit, who came in the form of a dove, a meek, peaceable creature. (Thomas Watson)

Lingering Anger. If the case be which that you must be angry, yet see it be without sin. If your anger is excessive, yet let it not be lasting; be reconciled ere the sun go down [Ephesians 4:26]. (Matthew Poole)

God's Anger. Nothing will disquiet the heart of a good man so much as the sense of God's anger, which shows what a fearful thing it is to fall into his hands. The way to keep the heart quiet is to keep ourselves in the love of God and to do nothing to offend him. (Matthew Henry)

Assurance

Christ's Royal Seal. I know Christ hath made a new marriage contract of love, and sealed it with his blood, and the trembling believer shall not be confounded. (Thomas Brooks)

Secure in Our Second Adam. For the comparison between Christ and Adam, the sum of it is, that Christ is more able to save than Adam to destroy, and therefore justified persons need to fear nothing [Romans 5:6]. (Thomas Manton)

Christ's Body. Christ and his members make one body. Now, is it possible that any part of Christ should perish? How can Christ lose any member of his mystic body, and be perfect? If one believer may be broken off from Christ, then, by the same rule, why not another? Why not all? And so Christ would be a head without a body. (Thomas Watson)

Satan's Futile Attempts. Satan, with all his wits and wiles, shall never vanquish a soul armed with true grace. (William Gurnall)

God in Our Hearts. If the world be in the middle of the heart, it will be often shaken, for there is continual motion and change, but God in it keeps it stable. Labor, therefore, to get God into your hearts, residing in the midst of them, in the midst of all conditions, they shall not be moved. (Robert Leighton)

Christ Our Surety. He is the guarantor [or surety] of the Father's faithfulness to us and the surety for us of our faithfulness to him. (John Owen)

Assurance and Holiness. The doctrine of assurance, if not abused, and of God speaking peace to men, is no dangerous doctrine to make men secure and presumptuous in sinning. When peace is preached in any man's heart, this use naturally flows from that doctrine, Return no more to folly. (Thomas Goodwin)

Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. (Thomas Watson)

Provoking Service. Faith will make us walk, but assurance will make us run: we shall never think we can do enough for God. Assurance will be as wings to the bird, as weight to the clock, to set all the wheels of obedience running. (Thomas Watson)

Well-Grounded Hope. I observe one of the great reasons why Christians so easily let go the profession they have made, is, because they were never built upon it, nor established in it… How many among us profess with the highest, but have little ground for their faith. (Lazarus Seaman)

Assurance and Evangelism. Assurance will strongly put men upon the winning of others… A soul under assurance is unwilling to go to heaven without company. (Thomas Brooks)

Rooted in Christ. Be well rooted upon Christ, or else you will never be established in any truth of Christ. If you miss the Lord Jesus by the grace of faith, you will never hold fast the doctrine of faith… He that does not know Jesus Christ himself, will certainly lose his faith. (Lazarus Seaman)

Firm Assurance. I am wholly his; I am particularly his; I am universally his; I am eternally His. (Thomas Brooks)

Faith and Assurance. Assurance is the fruit that grows out of the root of faith. (Stephen Charnock)

His Sealing Spirit. Ah, doubting souls! If ever you would have assurance, you must observe the motions of the Spirit, and give up yourselves to his guidance; you must live by his laws, and tread in his steps; you must live in the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit; you must let him be chief in your souls. This is the way to have him to be a sealing Spirit, a witnessing Spirit to your hearts. (Thomas Brooks)

False Assurance. Let none take courage to live loose lives under a supposition that once in Christ ever in Christ, and that the covenant cannot be broken nor the relation of father and child dissolved; for it is evident that those who do so have not known what it is to receive the Spirit of adoption. (John Bunyan)

Assurance and Grace. Assurance flows in upon the acting of grace. Assurance is bred and fed; it is raised and maintained in the soul by the acting of grace. Grace is more discernible when it is most in action, and grace is made more and more perfect by acting. (Thomas Brooks)

God's Covenant Oath. He hath sworn the greatest oath that can come out of His blessed lips, even by himself, that such as thus fly for refuge to hope in him shall have strong consolation [Hebrews 6:17]. (William Gurnall)

God's Holy Name. I have marveled at God's dealings with his people. They depart, and stay long, and care not for returning again; in that time a mighty power teaches, humbles, brings back, when they never thought of it. O, the reason is, God will have his name. (Thomas Shepherd)

Trinity Our Foundation. Our spiritual estate standeth upon a sure bottom, the beginning is from God the Father, the dispensation from the Son, and the application from the Holy Ghost… It is free in the Father, sure in the Son, ours in the Spirit… This is the chain of salvation and never a link of this chain must be broken. (Thomas Watson)

Satanic Attacks. The usual weapons by which Satan fights against the assurance of God's children, are the guilt of sins committed and the neglect of duty; and the disturbed soul affords enough of both these to make a charge against itself. (Richard Gilpin)

Attendance to Duty. He that wants assurance of the truth of his grace, and the comfort of assurance, must not stand still and say, I am so doubtful and uncomfortable that I have no mind to duty, but ply his duty, and exercise his grace, till he find his doubts and discomforts to vanish. (Richard Baxter)

Knowledge of Assurance. We have peace with God as soon as we believe, but not always within ourselves. The pardon may be past the prince's hand and seal, and not put into the prisoner's hand. (William Gurnall)

Doubting Assurance. A child of God may have the Kingdom of grace in his heart, yet not know it. The cup was in Benjamin's sack, though he did not know it was there. (Thomas Watson)

None have assurance at all times. As in a walk that is shaded with trees and checkered with light and shadow, some tracks and paths in it are dark and others are sunshine. Such is usually the life of the most assured Christian. (Ezekiel Hopkins)

Backsliding

Turn to God. Hence we see what is the duty of backsliding believers, and backsliding churches and professors that have turned away their eyes from looking to God's holy temple. Their duty is to return to the Lord, from whom they have fallen by their iniquities. (Ralph Erskine)

Departing from God. Backsliding begins in the heart; it is the evil heart of unbelief that departs from God; and of all sinners backsliders will have most terror when they reflect on their own ways [Proverbs 14:14; Luke 11:26]. (Matthew Henry)

Backsliding Hearts. Man is so diseased that those lusts in him, which he should labor to subdue and mortify by the power of the Spirit, do so overstay him that all his life is nothing else but a disease and backsliding into sin. (Richard Sibbes)

Healing Backsliders. These voluntary, continued, and obstinate aversions, or backslidings, are instances of greatest sins and sinners; yet God promiseth to heal these old putrefying sores, that we might be assured that He will heal all other lesser wounds: He will fully heal by pardoning and purifying [Hosea 14:4]. (Matthew Poole)

Bible

God's Word. This word is the true manna; it is the bread which came