Reade's Spiritual Exercises

toddpedlar · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 11:17 PM

Just a pointer...

You might know of this book from Gracegems.org, but as I've noted before, a book in hand is worth buying even if you can get the text online.

Reade's Spiritual Exercises is WELL worth the cost - tip of the hat again to Joel Beeke, for continuing to get good stuff out there. Reade has a way with words that will convict your heart, comfort your mind and bless your soul. 78 brief selections on varied topics, but all 'experimental', as they say, and every one of them well worth a second and third read(e).

sotzo · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 12:43 AM

Hi Todd:

I have a limited book budget (if I didn't I wouldn't eat) and I'm wondering if you could supply a few quotes out of Reade's book...perhaps regarding prayer and doubt? These are 2 issues I struggle with and would like to read some experimental works on them.

Can you provide just a couple of your favorite passages from the work?

Thanks for the heads up on this reference.

toddpedlar · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sotzo

Hi Todd:

I have a limited book budget (if I didn't I wouldn't eat)

Erasmus said something like that

Quote:

and I'm wondering if you could supply a few quotes out of Reade's book...perhaps regarding prayer and doubt? These are 2 issues I struggle with and would like to read some experimental works on them.

Can you provide just a couple of your favorite passages from the work?

Thanks for the heads up on this reference.

You can get all of Reade's work (Spiritual Exercises, plus a couple of other collections
of devotional material) at Grace Gems!

Here's a quick snip:

Quote:

As peace with God is not the result of our obedience, but of Christ's atonement, and, as such, cannot be broken; so the enjoyment of that peace of God which passes all understanding, and which is the work of the Spirit in our hearts, can only be maintained by constant prayer; by delighting in the study of God's word; by watching against the workings of indwelling sin; by walking closely with God in all holy obedience; and by a daily application, through faith, to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness.

Every approach to lukewarmness is destructive to our peace. To keep the heart under a lively sense of the love of God, we must never put our sins between our souls and the Savior. This will only obscure his grace and bring distress upon our minds. We must look at them as laid upon Christ when he hung upon the cross. Oh! that nothing, no, not a finger, may be placed between Jesus and my soul, lest it obstruct my view of his full and free redemption!
Many look at their sins, instead of their Savior; or at their sins as lying between them and their Savior; and so are discouraged, by false fear, from coming to him. But this is a device of Satan. We must remember that Christ was made a curse for us when he hung upon the cross; that he there made a full atonement for all the sins of all his believing people; for thus says the apostle, "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity;" "having forgiven you all trespasses." Oh blessed revelation of grace and mercy! This apprehension of Christ and his all-sufficient merits will banish every doubt and fear; prevent that hateful lukewarmness which is the very bane of godliness; and cause our hearts to burn with holy love; and to overflow in grateful praise. (Reade, Meditation #46, "On Lukewarmness", in Spiritual Exercises of the Heart)

sotzo · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 12:26 PM

Brother - that quote alone has brought relief to my soul! Thank you for sharing this resource which I will be getting and diving into. I did not know of Reade until you shared it on PB.

Blessings and thanks again!