Chris’s Reviews > The Puritans: A Sourcebook of Their Writings > Status Update

Be always prepared for disappointments

"May men of great understanding are too wise, and of too great spirits to labour after wealth; or if they do, their designs are unsuccessful"

But as for men, they are ignorant of future things. No man knows so much as who shall be his heir, or enjoy the estate which he has laboured for.

"We live by faith in our vocations, in that faith, in serving God, serves men, and in serving men, serves God"

All men must live among men, and as men, whether their souls are filled with the Holy Ghost or not, they must suffer the diseases and decays to which men are subject.

## **Selective Liberty**

The Puritans loudly defended freedom and liberty for all men—until slavery entered the room. John Wise, a Puritan minister, writes: *“Man must be conceived to be perfectly in his own power… and every man acknowledged equal to every man.”* Fine words, selectively applied. Hypocrisy, plain and unvarnished.

In peace, most people destroy themselves through slothfulness and a sense of security. In war, they would be destroyed by others, were it not for the wisdom and courage of the valiant.

... there is never peace where full liberty is not given, nor never stable peace where more than full liberty is granted.

Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall use, for use it they will