In self-examination, take no account of yourself by your thoughts and resolutions in the days of religion and solemnity; examine how it is with you in the days of ordinary conversation and in the circumstances of secular employment.
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric and author
(Attributed)
(Source)
Quoted in The Friends' Intelligencer (24 Jun 1882).
Quotations by:
Taylor, Jeremy
He that is proud of riches is a fool. For if he be exalted above his Neighbors because he hath more gold, how much inferior is he to a gold Mine! how much is he to give place to a chain of Pearl, or a knot of Diamonds? for certainly that hath the greatest excellence from whence he derives all his gallantry and preeminence over his Neighbours.
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric and author
The Rule and Exercise of Holy Living, ch. 2 “Of Christian Charity,” sec. 4 “Of Humility” (1650)
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I have lived to see Religion painted upon Banners, and thrust out of Churches, and the Temple turned into a Tabernacle made ambulatory, and covered with skins of Beasts and torn curtains, and God to be worshipped not as he is the Father of our Lord Jesus (an afflicted Prince, the King of sufferings) nor as the God of peace (which two appellatives God new took upon him in the New Testament, and glories in for ever:) but he is owned now rather as the Lord of Hosts,, which title he was pleased to lay aside when the Kingdom of the Gospel was preached by the Prince of peace. But when Religion puts on Armour, and God is not acknowledged by his New-Testament titles, Religion may have in it the power of the Sword, but not the power of Godliness.
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric and author
The Rule and Exercise of Holy Living, Epistle Dedicatory (1650)
(Source)
Referring to the role of religious strife, and aggrandizement of religious causes, during the English Civil War.
Every man hath in his own life sins enough, in his own mind trouble enough, in his own fortune evils enough, and in performance of his offices failings more than enough, to entertain his own inquiry; so that curiosity after the affairs of others cannot be without envy, and an evil mind. What is it to me, if my neighbour’s grandfather were a Syrian, or his grandmother illegitimate; or that another is indebted five thousand pounds, or whether his wife be expensive?
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric and author
The Rules and Exercises of Holy Living (1650)
God is pleased with no music from below so much as in the thanksgiving songs of relieved widows, of supported orphans, of rejoicing, and comforted, and thankful persons.
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric and author
Sermon 25, “The Duties of the Tongue,” Part 4 [Eph. 4:29]
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