The best of men are only men at their very best

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856)

While He was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped
them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is My Son,
whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"
    Matthew 17:5

Let us see in these words a striking lesson to
the whole Church of Christ. There is a constant
tendency in human nature to "hear man" . . .
  bishops,
  priests,
  deacons,
  popes,
  cardinals,
  councils,
  preachers,
  and ministers,
are continually exalted to a place which God never
intended them to fill, and made practically to usurp
the honor of Christ.

Against this tendency let us all watch, and be on
our guard. Let these solemn words of the vision
ever ring in our ears, "Listen to Christ!"

The best of men are only men at their very best . . .
  patriarchs,
  prophets,
  apostles,
  martyrs,
  church fathers,
  reformers,
  puritans;
all, all are sinners, who need a Savior. 

They may be holy, useful, honorable in their place;
but they are sinners after all. They must never be
allowed to stand between us and Christ.

He alone is the Son, in whom the Father is well pleased.

He alone is sealed and appointed to give the bread of life.

He alone "hold the keys of death and the grave" in His hands.

Let us take heed that we hear His voice, and follow Him.

Let us value all religious teaching just in proportion as
it leads us to Jesus. The sum and substance of saving
religion is to "listen to Christ!"


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