It is not my purpose to exasperate your troubles, but to heal them. For that purpose, I have written these chapters and I hope they will be of use to you, since they are the product of my own troubles. These are not things that I have recommended to you from another hand, but things that I have, in some measure, proved and tasted in my own trials. To be above feelings and emotions is a condition equal to the angels and to be in a state of sorrow without the sense of sorrow is a disposition beneath the beasts. But to correctly regulate our sorrows and bind our passions under suffering is the wisdom, duty, and excellency of a Christian. Even though you and your afflictions had a sad meeting, I desire that you and they may have a comfortable parting. If your afflictions do the work in your hearts that God sent them for, I have no doubt you will give them a fair testimony when they leave. What you endured with fear, you will dismiss with praise. How sweet it is, when God is loosing his hands, to hear the afflicted soul say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted!”– John Flavel About the AuthorJohn Flavel’s life began sometime between 1627 and 1630 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. He was the older son of Richard Flavel, a Nonconformist minister. He was educated at home, in local grammar schools, and at University College in Oxford. He was married four times, with all four wives preceding him in death. John preached in churches in Diptford and Dartmouth, and in later years during “The Great Persecution,” he preached under the cover of darkness in the woods and in people’s homes. He died suddenly of a stroke on June 26, 1691 and was returned to Dartmouth to be buried in the churchyard. Read more

THE BOOK OF ROMANS (written by the Apostle Paul) has often been called, “The Gospel according to Grace.” Paul teaches us that the grace of God is a free gift, bringing salvation to the lost. In Romans 3:23-24, Paul writes, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through redemption that is in Jesus Christ.” God’s grace is fully demonstrated in the work of Jesus Christ; His suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Only this grace can save a man from the wrath of God. The Gospel According To Grace clearly proclaims the truths of God found in the book of Romans. To know His grace is to know the abounding love that He has for mankind, and to know and receive the love of God is to be truly born again. About the Author:Chuck Smith was the founder of the Calvary Chapel Movement, and taught the Bible for more than sixty years. He authored over fifty books and today his Bible studies can be heard on the worldwide radio program, The Word For Today. Read more