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J.C. Ryle

J.C. Ryle

J.C. Ryle (1816 - 1900)

J.C. Ryle was a prolific writer, vigorous preacher, faithful pastor, husband of three wives, [widowed three times: Matilda died in 1847, Jessie died in 1860, Henrietta died in 1889] and the father to five children [1 with Matilta and 4 with Jessie]. He was thoroughly evangelical in his doctrine and uncompromising in his Biblical principles. In 1880, after 38 years in Pastoral ministry in rural England, at age 64, he became the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. He retired in 1900 at age 83 and died later the same year at the age of 84.

“He [J.C. Ryle] was great through the abounding grace of God. He was great in stature; great in mental power; great in spirituality; great as a preacher and expositor of God’s most holy Word; great in hospitality; great as a writer of Gospel tracts; great as a Bishop of the Reformed Evangelical Protestant Church in England, of which he was a noble defender; great as first Bishop of Liverpool. I am bold to say, that perhaps few men in the nineteenth century did as much for God, for truth, and for righteousness, among the English speaking race, and in the world, as our late Bishop.” - Rev. Richard Hobson, three days after Ryle’s burial in 1900.


John Charles Ryle was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century (1869), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (7 vols, 1856-69), Principles for Churchmen (1884).

Thoroughly evangelical in his doctrine and uncompromising in his principles, J.C. Ryle was a prolific writer, vigorous preacher, and faithful pastor.

In his diocese, he exercised a vigorous and straightforward preaching ministry, and was a faithful pastor to his clergy, exercising particular care over ordination retreats. He formed a clergy pension fund for his diocese and built over forty churches. Despite criticism, he put raising clergy salaries ahead of building a cathedral for his new diocese.

Ryle combined his commanding presence and vigorous advocacy of his principles with graciousness and warmth in his personal relations. Vast numbers of working men and women attended his special preaching meetings, and many became Christians.

      John Charles Ryle was born at Macclesfield and was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford. He was a fine athlete who rowed and played Cricket for Oxford, where he took a first class degree in Greats and was offered a college fellowship (teaching position) which he declined. The son of a wealthy banker, he was destined for a career in politics before answering a call to ordained ministry.

      He was spiritually awakened in 1838 while hearing Ephesians 2 read in church. He was ordained by Bishop Sumner at Winchester in 1842. After holding a curacy at Exbury in Hampshire, he became rector of St Thomas's, Winchester (1843), rector of Helmingham, Suffolk (1844), vicar of Stradbroke (1861), honorary canon of Norwich (1872), and dean of Salisbury (1880). In 1880, at age 64, he became the first bishop of Liverpool, at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. He retired in 1900 at age 83 and died later the same year.

      Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century (1869), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (7 vols, 1856-69) and Principles for Churchmen (1884).

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Our hearts are weak. Our sins are many. We need a Redeemer who is able to save to the uttermost and deliver from the wrath to come. We have such a Redeemer in Jesus Christ. He is the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6).
J.C. Ryle  
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The Bible alone gives a true and faithful account of man. It does not flatter him as novels and romances do; it does not conceal his faults and exaggerate his goodness, it paints him just as he is.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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what clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist’s preaching. He exalted Christ – “After me One is coming who is mightier than I.” He spoke plainly of the Holy Spirit – “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
J.C. Ryle  
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It describes him as a fallen creature, of his own nature inclined to evil, a creature needing not only a pardon, but a new heart, to make him fit for heaven. It shows him to be a corrupt being under every circumstance, when left to himself, corrupt after the loss of paradise, corrupt after the flood, corrupt when fenced in by divine laws and commandments, corrupt when the Son of God came down and visited him in the flesh, corrupt in the face of warnings, promises. miracles, judgments, mercies.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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What do we think of Christ? Have we felt our need of Him and fled to Him for peace? Is He king over our hearts and all things to our souls? What do we think of the Holy Spirit? Has He wrought a saving work in our hearts? Has He renewed and changed them? Has He made us partakers of the divine nature? Life or death depend on our answers to these questions. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9).
J.C. Ryle  
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We may reach heaven without learning, or riches, or health, or worldly greatness. But we shall never reach heaven if we die impenitent and unbelieving. A new heart and a lively faith in a Redeemer are absolutely needful to salvation.
J.C. Ryle  
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Christ has suffered for sin, the just for the unjust. God can now be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. It tells us that there is now a complete remedy for the guilt of sin, even the precious blood of Christ; and peace, and rest of conscience for all who believe on Christ, “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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Holy, holy, holy”, seems written on every page. To talk of comparing the Bible with other “sacred books” so-called, such as the Koran, the Shasters, or the book of Mormon, is positively absurd. You might as well compare the sun with a rushlight, or Skiddaw with a mole hill, or St. Paul’s with an Irish hovel, or the Portland vase with a garden pot, or the Koh-i-noor diamond with a bit of glass.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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Last, but not least, it is a great fact that the Bible has had a most extraordinary effect on the condition of those nations in which it has been known, taught, and read. I invite any honest-minded reader to look at a map of the world, and see what a story that map tells. Which are the countries on the face of the globe at this moment where there is the greatest amount of idolatry, or cruelty, or tyranny, or impurity, or misgovernment, or disregard of life and liberty and truth? Precisely those countries where the Bible is not known. Which are the Christian countries, so-called, where the greatest quantity of ignorance, superstition, and corruption, is to be found at this very moment? The countries in which the Bible is a forbidden or neglected book, such countries as Spain and the South American States. Which are the countries where liberty, and public and private morality have attained the highest pitch? The countries where the Bible is free to all, like England, Scotland, Germany, and the United States. Yes! When you know how a nation deals with the Bible, you may generally know what a nation is.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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The name which I have selected will prepare the reader to expect no new doctrines in this volume. It is simple, unadulterated, old-fashioned Evangelical theology. It contains nothing but the “Old Paths” in which the Apostolic Christians, the Reformers, the best English Churchmen for the last three hundred years, and the best Evangelical Christians of the present day, have persistently walked.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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Cristo es la fuente principal, tanto del cristianismo doctrinal como del práctico.
J.C. Ryle  
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Spirit
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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Estas cuatro palabras son la esencia y la sustancia del cristianismo. Si nuestro corazón realmente puede estar de acuerdo con ellas, le hará bien a nuestra alma. Si no, seguramente, todavía tenemos mucho que aprender. Voy
J.C. Ryle  
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muerte de Jesús o Jesús reinando, es el pensamiento trascendente que siempre encontraremos en sus mentes.
J.C. Ryle  
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Let this also be written in your memory, and never forgotten. No Holy Spirit,--no true Christianity! You must have the Spirit in you, as well as Christ for you, if you are ever to be saved. God must be your loving Father, Jesus must be your known Redeemer, the Holy Ghost must be your felt Sanctifier, or else it will be better for you never to have been born.
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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Esté preparado para la enemistad de las puertas del infierno. Póngase toda la armadura de Dios (Ef. 6). De la torre de David colgaban mil escudos (Cnt. 4:4), listos para el uso del pueblo de Dios. Las armas de nuestra guerra son espirituales y han sido usadas por millones de pobres pecadores como nosotros, y nunca han fallado.
J.C. Ryle  
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Todo el sistema sacrificial del Antiguo Testamento estableció a Cristo crucificado. Cada animal ofrecido en un altar era una confesión práctica de que era necesario un Salvador que muriera por los pecadores, un Salvador que quitara el pecado del hombre, por su sufrimiento, como su Sustituto, es decir, que padeciera en su lugar (1 P. 3:18). ¡Es absurdo suponer que el sacrificio de animales inocentes, sin más objetivo que la sola muerte, podría agradar al Dios eterno!
J.C. Ryle  
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Think for a moment how much is involved in those few words, “none of His.” You are not washed in Christ’s blood! You are not clothed in His righteousness! You are not justified! You are not interceded for! Your sins are yet upon you! The devil claims you for his own! The pit opens her mouth for you! The torments of hell wait for you!
J.C. Ryle , 

from Old Paths

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La fe es el engranaje con la cual gira la victoria. El éxito depende enteramente de la fe.
J.C. Ryle  
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Un alma salvada tiene muchas aflicciones. Tiene un cuerpo como el de los demás seres humanos, débiles y frágiles. Tiene un corazón como los demás hombres y, muchas veces, su corazón es más sensible. Tiene sufrimientos y pérdidas como los demás y, con frecuencia, experimenta más pruebas que ellos. Tiene su cuota de duelos, muertes, decepciones y cruces. El alma salvada también tiene la oposición del mundo, un lugar en la vida que debe llenar en integridad, tiene familiares no convertidos con los que tiene que tratar con paciencia, persecuciones que soportar y una muerte que enfrentar. ¿Y quién es suficiente para estas cosas? ¿Qué es lo que capacita al creyente para encarar todo esto? Nada más que “la consolación que hay en Cristo” (Fil. 2: 1). En
J.C. Ryle  
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