471 Quotes by J. C. Ryle

What will it cost [a person] to be a true Christian? It will cost him his self-righteousn ess. He must cast away all pride and high thoughts, and conceit of his own goodness. He must be content to go to heaven as a poor sinner, saved only by free grace, and owing all to the merit and righteousness of another.

Unity without the gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell.

Examine your own hearts. Do you see there any habit or custom which you know is wrong in the sight of God? If you do, don't delay for a moment in attacking it. Resolve at once to lay it aside. Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much, and deadens the conscience so surely, as an allowed sin. It may be a little one, but it is not any less dangerous.

The highest form of selfishness is that of the man who is content to go to heaven alone.

Of all the doctrines of the Bible none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God's sovereignty.

The true cure for self-righteousness is self-knowledge.

Backsliding, generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.

If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to heaven. We must count it no strange thing, if we have to endure sicknesses, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other people. Free pardon and full forgiveness, grace by the way and glory to the end – all this our Savior has promised to give. But He has never promised that we shall have no afflictions. He loves us too well to promise that.

People are backsliders on their knees long before they backslide openly in the eyes of the world.