I am quite sick of modern religion-
it is such a mixture, such a medley,
such a compromise. I find much,
indeed, of this religion in my own
heart, for it sits my flesh well--
but I would not have it so, and am
grieved that it should be so.

The religion I want is that of the
Holy Spirit in truth.

I know nothing but what HE teaches me.

I feel nothing but what HE works in me.

I believe nothing but what HE shows me.

I only mourn when HE smites my rocky heart.

I only rejoice when HE reveals the Savior.

This is the religion I am seeking after,
though miles from it--but no other will
satisfy or content me.

J. C. PHILPOT

_________________
Martin G. Smith

The same man who said this, "The religion I want is that of the Holy Spirit in truth."

Also said this,

"All God's people, sooner or later, are brought to this point to see that God has a 'people,' 'a peculiar people,' a people separate from the world, a people whom He has 'formed for Himself, that they should show forth His praise. Election sooner or later, is riveted in the hearts of God's people. And a man, that lives and dies against this blessed doctrine, lives and dies in his sins; and if he dies in that enmity, he will be damned in that enmity." (J.C. Philpot).

And again,

"All those, then, that fight against divine sovereignty, that shoot arrows of contempt and hatred against the election of the saints before all time, and predestination of all human events, the particular and personal redemption of the church of God by the blood-shedding of Jesus, and the sure and certain perseverance of the elect to eternal glory—all that fight against these doctrines, and shoot arrows of malicious enmity against them, bear this stamp, that they have not the mind of Christ, that they are not under spiritual teaching, that they are not brought into an acquaintance with "the truth as it is in Jesus," that they are not led into that path in which the Son of God walked, that they are not treading in the footsteps of Jesus while He tabernacled here upon earth." (J.C. Philpot)

Philpot continues,

"There is nothing which blinds men more effectually to the power of eternal things, than this introducing fleshly wisdom into divine truth; for a man most effectually deceives himself, when he is persuaded in his judgment of the doctrines of grace, and yet lacks that spiritual teaching, whereby those doctrines are brought home with divine unction and savour to his soul. He seems armed with an armour of proof against all the arrows of conviction; for he says, "I am no deceived Arminian; I profess no erroneous sentiments; my judgment is clear; I stand on the basis of truth; I understand perfectly what I hear from the pulpit; I believe most implicitly, that God has a peculiar people; I am fully persuaded that Christ died only for the elect;" and therefore being compassed in this armour with which he has surrounded himself, not received from God's armoury, but provided from some human manufactory, he stands like the Leviathan in the book of Job; "He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear" (Job 41:27,29); and the arrows of conviction caught by this defensive armour, glance off from him, and never touch or wound his conscience."

Still interested in Philpot?

If so, here is a link to 200 sermons of his:

http://ssmodules.com/swordsearcher-modules/sermon-collections/sermons-by-j-c-philpot.html

I just stumbled upon J.C. Philpot;
but his views on religion echo my own.
Too much of religion is accommodating,
tolerant, man-pleasing, self-serving,
and not all all the gospel Christ
taught us to live and practice!!

_________________
Martin G. Smith

All God's saints have pondered the truth of their own religion. For religion depicts man's understanding of pleasing their version of God. And by this definition we see that since God is so very much more than man can understand, we are forced to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling". In our struggle against sin we keep our dim eyes focused on Jesus, not our own understanding. Yet, in our personal experience we must admit we fall short by virtue of our sinful nature.

The Spirit calls to us all that we might strive forward toward the perfection of Christ. Obedience is the target. Faith is the vehicle. The Love of God in Christ is the fuel. And war is the road we travel. May God be true and every man a liar. Call on, O' Lord of Glory, that we might by all means seek the will of He who calls from Heaven.

_________________
Paul Horton