“A living dog is better than a dead lion.” — Ecclesiastes 9:4
Life is a precious thing, and in its humblest form it is superior to death. This truth is eminently certain in spiritual things. It is better to be the least in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest out of it. The lowest degree of grace is superior to the noblest development of unregenerate nature. Where the Holy Ghost implants divine life in the soul, there is a precious deposit which none of the refinements of education can equal. The thief on the cross excels Caesar on his throne; Lazarus among the dogs is better than Cicero among the senators; and the most unlettered Christian is in the sight of God superior to Plato. Life is the…
badge of nobility in the realm ofspiritual things, and men without it are only coarser or finer specimens ofthe same lifeless material, needing to be quickened, for they are dead intrespasses and sins.
A living, loving, gospel sermon, however unlearned in matter and uncouthin style, is better than the finest discourse devoid of unction and power. Aliving dog keeps better watch than a dead lion, and is of more service to hismaster; and so the poorest spiritual preacher is infinitely to be preferred tothe exquisite orator who has no wisdom but that of words, no energy butthat of sound. The like holds good of our prayers and other religiousexercises; if we are quickened in them by the Holy Spirit, they areacceptable to God through Jesus Christ, though we may think them to beworthless things; while our grand performances in which our hearts wereabsent, like dead lions, are mere carrion in the sight of the living God. O forliving groans, living sighs, living despondencies, rather than lifeless songsand dead calms. Better anything than death. The snarlings of the dog of hellwill at least keep us awake, but dead faith and dead profession, whatgreater curses can a man have? Quicken us, quicken us, O Lord!
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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen