The Ryle Anthology

213 Pages·2013·1.53 MB·English

by  John Charles Ryle

The
R A
YLE NTHOLOGY
by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
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Contents
EvangelisticTracts
AreYouBornAgain?.......................................................................................................................3
RememberLot’sWife......................................................................................................................6
UselessKindsofReligion..............................................................................................................9
Salvation
AliveorDead?..................................................................................................................................11
DoYouThinkYouAreConverted?........................................................................................25
Doctrine
TheRuleroftheWaves...............................................................................................................36
FleefromIdolatry..........................................................................................................................52
Sanctification
Forgiveness.......................................................................................................................................70
Sanctification...................................................................................................................................84
Holiness: 1.Sin...............................................................................................................................90
Holiness: 2.Sanctification......................................................................................................103
Holiness: 3.Holiness................................................................................................................119
ACalltoPrayer............................................................................................................................134
Family
TheDutiesofParents................................................................................................................154
ThoughtsforYoungMen.........................................................................................................175
Appendices
J.C.RyleShortBiography.........................................................................................................211
ChapelLibraryResources.......................................................................................................211
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Evangelistic Tracts
Are You Born Again?
This is one of life’s most important questions. Jesus Christ said, “Except a man be
born again, hecannotsee the kingdom ofGod” (Joh 3:3).
It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church; I suppose I’m a Christian.” Thou-
sands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scrip-
tures have given us—many listed inthe FirstEpistle of John.
1. No Habitual Sinning
First of all, John wrote: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin” (1Jo 3:9).
“Whosoever is born of God sinneth not” (5:18). A person who has been born again, or
regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will
and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether
his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There
was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin,
flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its
presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered
from it. Sin no longer pleases him; it has become a horrible thing which he hates. How-
ever, he cannot eliminateits presence within him.
If he said that he hadno sin,he would belying (1Jo 1:8).But he can say that he hates
sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent
bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from ap-
pearing in both his words and his actions. He knows that “in many things we offend all”
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(Jam 3:2). But he cantruly say, in the sight of God, thatthese things cause him grief and
sorrow, and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What wouldthe apostle say
about you?Are you born again?
2. Believing in Christ
Second, John wrote: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”
(1Jo 5:1).
A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Sav-
iour who can pardon his soul, that He is the divine Person appointed by God the Father
for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees noth-
ing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he be-
lieves that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that, for the sake of Christ’s finished work
and death on the Cross, he is reckoned righteous in God’s sight, and he may look for-
ward to death andjudgment without alarm(Rom4:20-5:1;8:1).
He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had
no faith at all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see
what he will say. Ask him if he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own goodness, his
own works, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply. What would
the apostle say about you? Are you bornagain?
3. Practicing Righteousness
Third, Johnwrote: “Every one that doethrighteousness is born of him” (1Jo 2:29).
The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live ac-
cording to God’s will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God
hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour, and
to prove himself to be Christ’s friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is
not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle
within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away
from God.Buthe does not consenttoit,thoughhe cannot preventits presence.
Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a
Christian at all, he will be able to say with John Newton, “I am not what I ought to be; I
am not what I want to be; I am not what I hope to be in another world—but still I am
not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” What would the
apostle say about you? Are you bornagain?
4. Loving Other Christians
Fourth, John wrote: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we
love the brethren” (1Jo 3:14).
A man who is born againhas a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Likehis Fa-
ther in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for
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those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sin-
ners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers.
He is never so much athomeas when heis intheir company.
He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers,
fighting against the same enemy. They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the
same road. He understands them, and they understand him. They may be very different
from himself in many ways—in rank, in station and in wealth. But that does not matter.
They are his Father’s sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would
the apostle say about you? Are you bornagain?
5. Overcoming the World
Fifth,John wrote:“Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world” (1Jo 5:4).
A man who is born again does not use the world’s opinion as his standard of right
and wrong. He does not mind going against the world’s ways, ideas, and customs. What
men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds
no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem
foolish and unworthyof animmortal being.
He loves God’s praise more than man’s praise. He fears offending God more than of-
fending man. It is unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is
to please God. Whatwould the apostle say aboutyou? Are you born again?
6. Keeping Oneself Pure
Sixth, John wrote: “He thatis begotten ofGod keepeth himself’ (1Jo 5:18).
A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but
also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps.
He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart, and that evil is more catching
than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of
his time;his chiefdesire is to spend it profitable.
He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually
and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be a watchful, humble, prayerful
man. What would the apostle sayaboutyou?Areyoubornagain?
The Test
These are the six great marks of a bornagain Christian.
There is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different
people. In some they are faint and hardly noticeable. In others they are bold, plain, and
unmistakable, so anyone may read them. Some of these marks are more visible than
others in each individual.Seldom are allequally evident inany one person.
But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of
God.
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How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclu-
sion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do
not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the
apostle intended usto come. Doyouhavethesecharacteristics?Areyoubornagain?
AvailableinprintasatractfromChapelLibrary.
Remember Lot’s Wife
There are few warnings in Scripture more solemn than this. The Lord Jesus Christ
says to us, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luk17:32).
Lot’s wife was a professor of religion: her husband was a “righteous man” (2Pe 2:8).
She left Sodom with him on the day when Sodom was destroyed; she looked back towards
the cityfrom behind her husband, against God’s express command; she was struck dead at
once,andturnedintoapillarofsalt.AndtheLordJesusChristholdsherupasabeaconto
Hischurch:Hesays, “RememberLot’swife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the person Jesus names. He does not bid us
remember Abraham, or Isaac, or Jacob, or Sarah,or Hannah, or Ruth.No: He singles out
one whose soul was lost forever. He cries to us, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we consider the subject Jesus is upon. He is speaking of
His own second coming to judge the world: He is describing the awful state of unreadi-
ness in which many will be found. The last days are on His mind, when He says, “Re-
member Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the Person who gives it. The Lord Jesus is
full of love, mercy, and compassion: He is One Who will not break the bruised reed nor
quench the smoking flax. He could weep over unbelieving Jerusalem, and pray for the
men that crucified Him; yet even He thinks it good to give this solemn warning and re-
mind us of lostsouls. EvenHe says, “RememberLot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the persons to whom it was first given. The
Lord Jesus was speaking to His disciples: He was not addressing the Scribes and Phari-
sees who hated him, but Peter, James, and John, and many others who loved Him: yet
even to them He thinks good to address a caution. Even to them He says, “Remember
Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we consider the manner in which it was given. He does
not merely say, “Beware of following, take heed of imitating, do not be like Lot’s wife.”
He uses a different word: He says, “Remember.” He speaks as if we were all in danger of
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forgetting the subject; He stirs up our lazy memories; He bids us keep the case before
our minds. Hecries, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
I will speak of the religious privileges which Lot’s wife enjoyed. In the days of Abra-
ham and Lot, true saving religion was scarce upon earth; there were no Bibles, no minis-
ters, no churches, no tracts, no missionaries. The knowledge of God was confined to a
few favoured families; the greater part of the inhabitants of the world were living in
darkness, ignorance, superstition, and sin. Not one in a hundred perhaps had such good
example, such spiritual society, such clear knowledge, such plain warnings as Lot’s wife.
Compared with millions of her fellow-creatures in her time, Lot’s wife was a favoured
woman.
She had a godly manfor her husband: she hadAbraham, the father of the faithful, for
her uncle by marriage. The faith, the knowledge, and the prayers of these two righteous
men could have been no secret to her. It is impossible that she could have dwelt in tents
with them for any length of time, without knowing whose they were and whom they
served. Religion with them was no formal business; it was the ruling principle of their
lives and the mainspring of their actions. All this Lot’s wife must have seen and known.
This was no small privilege.
WhenAbrahamfirstreceivedthepromises,itisprobableLot’swifewasthere.Whenhe
built his tent between Hai and Bethel, it is probable she was there. When the angels came
to Sodom and warned her husband to flee, she saw them; when they took them by the
hand andledthem outofthe city, she was one ofthose whomthey helpedto escape. Once
more,Isay,thesewerenosmallprivileges.
Yet what good effect had all these privileges on the heart of Lot’s wife? None at all.
Notwithstanding all her opportunities and means of grace—notwithstanding all her spe-
cial warnings and messages from heaven—she lived and died graceless, godless, impeni-
tent, and unbelieving. The eyes of her understanding were never opened; her conscience
was never really aroused and quickened; her will was never really brought into a state of
obedience to God; her affections were never really set on things above. The form of reli-
gion which she had was kept up for fashion’s sake and not from feeling: it was a cloak
worn for the sake of pleasing her company, but not from any sense of its value. She did
as others around her in Lot’s house; she conformed to her husband’s ways; she made no
opposition to his religion; she allowed herself to be passively towed along in his wake—
but all this time her heart was wrong in the sight of God. The world was in her heart,
and her heart was in the world.Inthis state shelived, and inthis state she died.
In all this there is much to be learned: I see a lesson here which is of the greatest
importance in the present day. You live in times when there are many persons just like
Lot’s wife: Come andhear the lesson whichher case is meant toteach.
Learn, then,thatthe mere possession of religious privileges will save no one’s soul.
You may have spiritual advantages of every description; you may live in the full sunshine
of the richest opportunities and means of grace; you may enjoy the best of preaching and
the choicest instruction; you may dwell in the midst of light, knowledge, holiness, and
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good company. All this may be, and yet you yourself may remain unconverted, and at
last be lost for ever.
I dare say this doctrine sounds hard to some readers. I know that many fancy they
want nothing but religious privileges in order to become decided Christians. They are
not what they oughtto be at present, they allow;but their positionis so hard, they plead,
and their difficulties are so many. Give them a godly husband, or a godly wife—give
them godly companions, or a godly master—give them the preaching of the gospel—
give them privileges, andthentheywould walk with God.
It is all a mistake. It is an entire delusion. It requires something more than privileges
to save souls. Joab was David’s captain; Gehazi was Elisha’s servant; Demas was Paul’s
companion; Judas Iscariot was Christ’s disciple; and Lot had a worldly, unbelieving wife.
These all died in their sins. They went down to the pit in spite of knowledge, warnings,
and opportunities; and they all teach us that it is not privileges alone that men need.
They need the grace ofthe HolyGhost.
Let us value our religious privileges, but let us not rest entirely upon them. Let us
desire to have the benefit of them in all our movements in life, but let us not put them
in the place ofChrist. Let us use themthankfully,if God gives them tous, but letus take
care they produce some fruit in our heart and life. If they do not do good, they often do
positive harm; they sear the conscience, they increase responsibility, they aggravate
condemnation. The same fire which melts the wax hardens the clay; the same sun which
makes the living tree grow, dries up the dead tree, and prepares it for burning. Nothing
so hardens the heart of man as a barren familiarity with sacred things. Once more I say,
it is not privileges alone which make people Christians, but the grace of the Holy Ghost.
Without that nomanwill ever be saved.
I ask those who attend a sound ministry in the present day to mark well what I am
saying. You go to Mr. A’s, or Mr. B’s church: you think him an excellent preacher; you
delight in his sermons; you cannot hear anyone else with the same comfort; you have
learned many things since you attended his ministry; you consider it a privilege to be
one of his hearers! All this is very good. It is a privilege. I should be thankful if ministers
like yours were multiplied a thousandfold. But, after all, what have you got in your
heart? Have you yet received the Holy Ghost? Ifnot, you are nobetter than Lot’s wife.
I ask the children of religious parents to mark well what I amsaying. Itis the highest
privilege to be the child of a godly father and mother, and to be brought up in the midst
of many prayers. It is a blessed thing indeed to be taught the gospel from our earliest
infancy, and to hear of sin, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and holiness, and heaven,
from the first moment we can remember anything. But, O, take heed that you do not
remain barren and unfruitful in the sunshine of all these privileges: beware lest your
hearts remain hard, impenitent, and worldly, notwithstanding the many advantages you
enjoy. You cannot enter the kingdom of God on the credit of your parents’ religion. You
must eat the bread of life for yourself, and have the witness of the Spirit in your own
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heart. You must have repentance of your own, faith of your own, and sanctification of
your own. Ifnot, you are nobetter thanLot’s wife.
I pray God that all professing Christians in these days may lay these things to heart.
May we never forget that privileges alone cannot save us. Light and knowledge, and
faithful preaching, and abundant means of grace, and the company of holy people are all
great blessings and advantages. Happy are they that have them! But after all, there is one
thing without which privileges are useless: that one thingis the grace of the HolyGhost.
Lot’s wife had manyprivileges; butLot’s wife hadnot grace. 
AvailableinprintfromChapelLibraryasatract.
Useless Kinds of Religion
There are two ways by which a manmay lose hisown soul.What are they?
1. He may lose his soul by living and dying without any religion at all. He may live
and die like a beast, prayerless, godless, graceless, faithless. This is a sure way to hell.
Mind that youdo not walk in it.
2. He may lose his soul by taking up some kind of religion. He may live and die con-
tenting himself with a false Christianity and resting on a baseless hope. This is the
commonest way tohellthere is.
What do I mean by useless kinds of religion? I will tell you. The first thing I wish to
say is this. A religion is entirely useless in which Jesus Christ is not the principal object
and does notfillthe principal place.
There are only too many baptized men and women who practically know nothing
about Christ. Their religion consists in a few vague notions and empty expressions.
“They trust they are no worse than others; they keep to their Church; they try to dotheir
duty; they do nobody any harm; they hope God will be merciful to them! They trust the
Almighty will pardon their sins and take them to heaven when they die.” This is about
the whole oftheir religion.
But what do these people know practically about Christ? Nothing: nothing at all!
What experiential acquaintance have they with His offices and work, His blood, His
righteousness, His mediation, His priesthood, His intercession? None: none at all! Ask
them about a saving faith—ask them about being born again of the Spirit—ask them
about being sanctified in Christ Jesus. What answer will you get? You are a barbarian to
them. You have asked them simple Bible questions; but they know no more about them
experientially than aBuddhistor a Muslim.
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