471 Quotes by J. C. Ryle

No doubt a man may be saved, like the penitent thief, without having received the Lord's Supper. It is not a matter of absolute and indispensable necessity, like repentance, faith, and conversion. But it is impossible to say that any professing Christian is in a safe, healthy, or satisfactory condition of soul, who habitually refuses to obey Christ and attend the Lord's Table.

For my own part, I believe that in dealing with skeptics, and unbelievers, and enemies of the Bible, Christians are too apt to stand only on the defensive. They are too often content with answering this or that little objection, or discussing this or that little difficulty, which is picked out of Scripture and thrown in their teeth. I believe we ought to act on the aggressive far more than we do, and to press home on the adversaries of [Biblical] inspiration the enormous difficulties of their own position.

Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book.

Election is always to sanctification. Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification, we may be sure there is no election.

The person that goes regularly and intelligently to the Lord's Table finds it increasingly hard to yield to sin and conform to the world.

Look not to yourselves! You are by nature wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Look simply unto Jesus.

If we would have good ministers, we must remember our Lord’s example, and pray for them. Their work is heavy. Their responsibility is enormous. Their strength is small. Let us see that we support them, and hold up their hands by our prayers.

Sin rarely seems sin at first beginnings.

Pride is the oldest and most common of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.