Quote of the Day

As to your thoughts of chastisement for past sin, I do not think we may look for it with emotions of fear.  I think the chastisements of God upon his people are prospective; retrospective never.  Do you see what I mean, dear; if I had yesterday a cankered wound in my hand, the careful surgeon may come today and cut it off.  Not because it was diseased yesterday, but that it may not be so tomorrow...Exactly in this point of view, I look upon the chastisements the believer has to anticipate.  No punishment but that which is remedial; if the sin which last year broke out into action of offence before God, be this year existing unabated in my bosom, ready to break out again, then chastisement must come;; the bitter remedy must be applied; the painful cure performed, because by any means, or all means, I must be made holy....there is no wrath in His bosom for the past: and if my view be right, I see in it no ground of depression, but rather of rejoicing, of encouragement. If we hate the sin more than its consequences, which I believe we do, we shall rather hope than fear, to see those consequences doing execution upon the sin.

Caroline [Fry] Wilson writing to a friend in 1829