CATEGORIES:

DEATH, RESURRECTION & LIFE

DEPRESSION & SELF-CONDEMNATION

MARRIAGE

MORALITY

OBEDIENCE

PASTORS, PREACHERS, & THOSE IN MINISTRY

READING AND STUDYING HOLY SCRIPTURE (BIBLE):

SALVATION BY GRACE

TRADITION

UNCONVERTED (to the)

YOUNG ADULTS (to)

Read Christian, Puritan, Reformed and Protestant exhortational works, Catholic and Protestant polemical & apologetical works, histories, and martyrologies, online:   Hail & Fire Library

St. John Chrysostom: ON SCRIPTURE "But some one will say, 'it is to the priests that these charges are given' ... But that the apostle gives the same charge to the laity, hear what he says in another epistle to other than the priesthood: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.'" CLICK TO READ >>

"Our system was never intended to promote the glory of priests and pastors, but it is calculated to educate manly Christians, who will not take their faith at second-hand."

Charles H. Spurgeon

WILLIAM TYNDALE: AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE "God careth for his elect; and therefore hath provided them of scripture, to try all things, and to defend them from all false prophets." CLICK TO READ >>

WILLIAM TYNDALE: ON GODLY LOVE "For we love not God first, to compel him to love again; but he loved us first, and gave his Son for us, that we might see love and love again, saith St John in his first epistle" CLICK TO READ >>

"To pretend to preach the truth without offending carnal men, is to pretend to be able to do what Jesus Christ could not do."

Thomas Wilson

"If you be not acquainted with [Scripture], you must follow the opinions or examples of other men, and what if they lead you unto destruction?"

Hugh Binning

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EXHORTATIONS

The Hail & Fire Books Library is a free online resource for Biblical Christian books, excerpts, and quotations; Protestant, Puritan, Reformed, and Reformation era sermons and theological works; Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian polemical and apologetical works; bible translations

and historical commentaries; histories; martyrologies; and works on eschatology (end times theology); in real text, audio, pdf, and scanned image formats. By using the Hail & Fire Library you agree to the following copyright notice.

DEATH, RESURRECTION & LIFE:

  What Does the Bible Say on Death, Resurrection &

Life?

"If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved." (2 Corinthians 5)

QUOTES: "From beginning to end, God's Word teaches that we, though born flesh, are spiritual beings, and that we, though born flesh, were intended for a new birth, without which, we remain "but flesh" (John 3:6), neither can we inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50). This second birth whereby we are 'born again' is a spiritual birth and it is according to the will of God (John 1:13), and it is by the very Spirit of God (John 3:6), and it is unto eternal life (Romans 8)."

"If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness"
(Romans 8:10)

DEPRESSION & SELF-CONDEMNATION:

  Flavel, John (Puritan Preacher)

Times of Doubting, Spiritual Darkness and Self-Condemnation (excerpt from "Keeping the Heart")

QUOTES: "Every appearance of hypocrisy, does not prove the person who manifests it to be a hypocrite. You should carefully distinguish between the appearance and the predominance of hypocricy. There are remains of deceitfulness in the best hearts; this was examplified in David and Peter; but the prevailing frame of their hearts being upright, they were not denominated hypocrites for their conduct."

MARRIAGE:

  Elizabeth I (1533-1603, Queen of England)

An Homily on the State of Matrimony (excerpt from "Certain Sermons or Homilies Appointed to be Read in Churches in the Time of Queen Elizabeth I of Famous Memory," by various Puritan divines and Reformers, 1864 Edition)

QUOTES: "We see how wonderfully the devil deludeth and scorneth this state, how few matrimonies there be without chidings, brawlings, tauntings, repentings, bitter cursings, and fightings. ... yet they are of necessity compelled to live together, which yet cannot be in quiet together. ... Learn thou therefore ... if thou desirest to live peaceably and comfortably in wedlock, how to make thy earnest prayer to God, that he would govern both your hearts by his Holy Spirit, to restrain the devil's power, whereby your concord may remain perpetually."

  W. N.

On Marriage, addressed to Young Christians (excerpt, c. 19th century)

QUOTES: "The intermarriages of the godly with the ungodly have been the fruitful source of innumerable evils. I believe it has been one of the most successful devices that Satan ever employed to mingle the church and the world together, to impede the progress of true religion, and promote the interests of his own kingdom. No pen can describe the private sorrows, or the public scandals, which have had their origin from this transgression."

MORALITY:

  Wilberforce, William

On Morality and Society (excerpt from "Real Christianity")

QUOTES: "Let them boldly assert the cause of Christ in an age when so many, who bear the name of Christians, are ashamed of Him: and let them consider as devolved on them the important duty of suspending for a while the fall of their country and, perhaps, of performing a still more extensive service to society at large ... by that sure and radical benefit of restoring the influence of Religion, and of raising the standard of morality.

OBEDIENCE:

  Clement (30-100ad)

How We Ought to Obey God and Not Men (excerpt from "The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians")

QUOTES: "Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it."

PASTORS, PREACHERS, & THOSE IN MINISTRY:

  Baxter, Richard (1615-1691ad, English Puritan Preacher and Minister)

You Are All Brethren, An Exhortation to Pastoral Humility (excerpt from "The Reformed Pastor" by Richard Baxter, section on "The Use of Humiliation," Originally Published in 1656, 1860 Edition)

QUOTES: "Is not pride the sin of devils, the firstborn of hell? .. and is it tolerable evil in a man that is so engaged against him and his kingdom as we are? The very design of the gospel doth tend to self-abasing; and the work of grace is begun and carried on in humiliation. Humility is not a mere ornament of a Christian, but an essential part of the new creature: it is a contradiction to be a sanctified man, or a true Christian, and not humble."

  Newton, John (1725-1807ad, English Preacher, formerly a slave trader)

To a Student in Divinity (excerpt from "The Works of the Rev. John Newton")

QUOTES: "You will likewise find advantage by attending, as much as you can, on those preachers whom God has blessed with much power, life, and success in their ministry. And in this you will do well not to confine yourself to any denomination or party, for the Spirit of the Lord is not confined. Different men have different gifts and talents. I would not wish you to be a slavish admirer of any man. Christ alone is our master and teacher. But study the excellencies of each"

READING & STUDYING HOLY SCRIPTURE (BIBLE READING):

  Elizabeth I (1533-1603, Queen of England)

A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading of Holy Scripture (excerpt from "Certain Sermons or Homilies Appointed to be Read in Churches in the Time of Queen Elizabeth of Famous Memory," by various Puritan divines and Reformers, 1864 Edition)

QUOTES: "As many as be desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God must apply their minds to know holy Scripture; without the which they can neither sufficiently know God and his will, neither their office and duty. And, as drink is pleasant to them that be dry, and meat to them that be hungry, so is the reading, hearing, searching, and studying of holy Scripture to them that be desirous to know God or themselves, and to do his will."

SALVATION BY GRACE:

  Hail & Fire

Exhortation on Grace

QUOTES: "'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.' Eph 2:8-9 KJV ... in one word is overturned all the learning of the learned. ... in one word is overturned all the glory of man."

  Newton, John (1725-1807ad, English Preacher)

No Access to God but by the Gospel of Christ (excerpt from "The Works of the Rev. John Newton")

QUOTES: "Too many show, in this respect, that they are dead while they live; dead to God, insensible and regardless of their many obligations to him, in whom they live, and move, and have their being. They live without prayer; they offer no praises to the God of their lives, but rise up and lie down, go out and come in, without one reflection on his power, goodness, and providence; even like the beasts that perish. But the awakened soul cannot do so. He trembles to think that he once could neglect that God whom all the hosts of heaven worship; and is convinced, that however fair his character might have been amongst men, he justly deserved to have been struck to hell"

TRADITION:

  Wycliffe, John (1324 - 1384, English Reformer and Bible Translator)

On Vain Traditions (excerpt from "Tracts and Treatise of John Wycliffe")

QUOTES: "other true preachers ... will not flatter mighty men, and comfort them in their sins, but will sharply tell them the truth; and thus mighty men hire by great costs a false traitor, to lead them to hell"

UNCONVERTED (to the):

  Baxter, Richard (Puritan Preacher)

On Lamentations of the Lost (excerpt from "The Saint's Everlasting Rest")

QUOTES: "The want of this self-application is the main cause why they are so little troubled now. They are hardly brought to believe that there is such a state of misery; but more hardly to believe that it is like to be their own. This makes so many sermons lost to them, and all threatenings and warnings in vain."

YOUNG ADULTS (to):

  Welldon, J. E. C. (D.D., Dean of Manchester, Bishop of Calcutta, Head-Master of Harrow School)

Judas Iscariot (Matthew 10:4): Thoughts About the Character of Persons (excerpt from "Be Strong: Lessons for Young Lives")

QUOTES: "It is sometimes assumed that virtue is always attractive everywhere. But is it so? Are there not minds so dark, so foul, that when they see goodness, they try to defile it, and, if they cannot succeed in defiling it, hate and persecute it? Does he love virtue - the boy ... who would deliberately ... corrupt boys younger and more innocent than himself? Does he love virtue - the man who makes his boast of betraying and ruining and consigning to destruction the pure souls and bodies of the maidens who trusted him? Nay, to him virtue is not lovely, it is a reproach and an offence to him, he delights in violating its sanctity. Now look with me for a moment at the case of Judas Iscariot. I believe that from the time when he entered the society of the Lord's disciples he began to hate Him for His holiness. The divine words which awoke the consciences of others stirred in him only bitter malignant feelings. He could not bear to look upon His deeds of mercy. He could not sit by and see Him honoured by the loving gratitude of the souls which He had saved. He felt for the Saviour that very loathing which none can feel but such as have seen the vision of purity, and have turned their backs upon it and have committed that 'sin against the Holy Ghost' which, if it be anything, can be nothing else than the hatred of goodness just because it is so good."

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Purchase from the BOOKSTORE The Martyrdom of a People or The Vaudois of Piedmont and their History by Henry Fliedner “The Light Shines in Darkness." A Christian History and Martyrology: Henry Fliedner's work offers a concise history of those known as the Vaudois or Waldensians—Christians of the pre-Reformation era. Fliedner traces their Bible only (Sola Scriptura) faith, and the horrific persecutions they endured, from ancient times to the early 1900's. "They often travelled on horseback in different countries as hawkers, and, thanks to their bales of goods, obtained access to the rich and poor. ... While the merchant was doing business, he would observe the character of his customers, and when, at the end, they asked if he had anything else to sell, he would reply, 'Certainly, I have treasures much more precious than those which you have seen. ... a jewel which shines with such brightness, that it enables one to see, and to come to the knowledge of God.' ... The merchant then drew out of his pocket, or from a secret drawer of his travelling chest, a Gospel, and commenced to read." ... In this way the Vaudois found a means of spreading the Word of God more and more. ... What wonderful results might this seed-time have produced, if the storm of persecution had not broken out, reducing almost to naught the people of God. - Henry Fliedner Buy Now >>

Purchase from the BOOKSTORE The Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod by Thomas Brooks first published in 1659 Thomas Brooks first published this work in 1659 as the expression of his own experience under trials and afflictions and as an encouragement and an admonition to others. Here afflictions, trials, temptations, and human weakness are set in the balance against Scriptural knowledge in an exhortation to faith and the humble acceptance and profiting of the children of God under the disciplining hand of a God who would be known as our Father: “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:9-11. And as recorded in the Psalms, “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:28-34. Buy Now >>

Purchase from the BOOKSTORE The Marriage Ring or How to Make Home Happy by John Angell James with a sermon on marriage by John Owen "As the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." - Ephesians 5:24-25 An exhortation on Christian Marriage and its Duties. The secret of happiness lies folded up in the leaves of the Bible and is carried in the heart of true religion. A good Christian cannot be a bad husband or father and, as this is equally true in everything, he who has the most piety will shine the most in all the relationships of life. A Bible placed between man and wife as the basis of their union, the rule of their conduct, and the model of their spirit will make up for many differences between them, comfort them under many crosses, guide them through many straits, support them in their last sad parting from one another and reunite them in that happy world where they shall remain forever. Let the two parties in wedded life be believers in Christ Jesus and partake themselves of the peace that surpasses understanding. And if happiness is to be found on earth, it will be enjoyed within the hallowed circle of a family thus united by love and sanctified by grace. BONUS SERMON - included at back of book: Right to Divorce & Remarriage in the Case of Adultery by John Owen Buy Now >>

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listen online to mp3 audiobooks of:

Hugh Binning: The Works of Hugh Binning
John Bunyan: The Works of John Bunyan
Jonathan Edwards: Religious Affections
Isaac Watts: Hyms & Songs
William Wilberforce: Real Christianity
John Jewel: Apology of the Church of England

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