Tillotson: errors in belief

Friday, October 26, 2018
    Feast of Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899
    Commemoration of Cedd, Founding Abbot of Lastingham, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664
Meditation:
    The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
    He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
    —Matthew 16:1-4 (NIV)
Quotation:
    All the revelations of God, as well as the laws of men, go upon this presumption, that men are not stark fools; but that they will consider their interest, and have some regard to the great concernment of their eternal salvation. And this is as much to secure men from mistake in matters of belief, as God hath afforded to keep men from sin in matters of practice. He hath made no effectual and infallible provision that men shall not sin; and yet it would puzzle any man to give a good reason, why God should take more care to secure men against errors in belief, than against sin and wickedness in their lives.
    ... John Tillotson (1630-1694), Works of Dr. John Tillotson, v. II, London: J. F. Dove, for R. Priestley, 1820, Sermon XXI, p. 276-277 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 16:1-4; Pr. 16:10-21; Matt. 7:13; 5:25-26; Luke 14:28-32; 1 John 4:1
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, only You can correct my belief. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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