Simply put, this is one of the best books I've ever read on the basic tenets of living the Christian life. If it were not a little lengthy (462 pages), I would give it to every new convert as a simple, clear, profound, theologically sound and practical examination of such topics as Bible reading, love, happiness, sickness, wealth, zeal and the afterlife. The chapter on prayer is the best thing I've ever read on the subject, and it is certain to increase the desire of any true believer who wants to draw closer to Christ in the private place.
Ryle was simply the master of the elegant and memorable gospel observation, such as:
"Although men may get on comfortably without the Bible while they live, it is sure that without the Bible they cannot comfortably die."
"Tell me what a man's prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of his soul."
"Why should men ever doubt, when they look at you, whether it is a pleasant thing to be one of God's children?"
"(The Christian) ought not to set his watch by the clock of his neighbor but by the sundial of the Word."
"Presume not on a death-bed repentance. One dying thief was saved that men might not despair but only one that none might presume."
"Money – there is trouble in getting it, anxiety in keeping it, temptation in using it, guilt in abusing it, sorrow in losing it."
Some have "too much religion to be happy in the world, and too much of the world to be happy in their religion."
"Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer."
"To not go into extremes, to be good and yet not peculiar, to have a moderate kind of Christianity – this is the world’s favorite idea."
"Many believers seem so dreadfully afraid of doing harm that they hardly ever dare to do good."
It's not like there is anything new in this book – after all, it was written in the late 1800s. But Ryle has this uncanny ability to examine simple gospel truths with such penetrating insight that you end up relishing them like it was the first time you heard them.
So thankful that the Banner of Truth seeks out these forgotten treasures and delivers them into the hands of God's people. This book is a very good way to fall in love with the gospel all over again.