Scripture — varans System – Charles Spurgeon

The late William Jay, in his “Practical Illustrations of Character,” says, “What a difference must a Christian and a minister feel, between the trammels of some systems of divinity and the advantage of Scripture freedom, the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The one is the horse standing in the street in harness, feeding indeed, but on the contents of a bag tossed up and down; the other, the same animal in a large, fine meadow, where he lies down in green pastures, and feds beside the still waters. SFXF -Watchfulness over. AN old writer, speaking of men as stewards of God, urges upon them as wise traders and servants to look to themselves carefully, and take care of four houses which are under their charge.
I.— Their lower toiise, or heart and memory, wherein they should store up precious things, holy affections, grateful remembrances, celestial preparations, etc. Without a good stock in the warehouse there can be no good trade.
2. — Their workhouse, or their actions, wherein they retail to others for God’s glory the grace entrusted to them ; teaching the ignorant, comforting the poor, visiting the sick, etc. We must be active, or we cannot be acceptable servants.
3.— Their clock-house, meaning their speech, which must always, like a well-timed bell, speak the truth accurately ; and meaning also their observance of time, redeeming it by promptly doing the duties of every hour. We must use time well, or our spiritual gains will be small.
4.— Their counting house, or their conscience, which is to be scrupulously watched, and no false reckonings allowed, lest we deceive our own souls. The Master will call for our accounts, let us keep them honestly.