Error sprouts rankly in human bosoms without any help of ours; but truth needs some kind hand to plant and water it, and keep it in the sunshine.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson,149.

The popular mind, so acute in the business of everyday life, is but a dull learner in the things of God, and at every step needs help and guidance, in order that it may reach right views on spiritual matters.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 143.

But if, on the other hand, our distinctive principles are very important as well as true, then duty to God and the church demands that we avow, illustrate, and defend them, and press them on the notice of the world.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 140.

All Presbyterian churches rank among their most cherished, as well as distinctive principles, that Christ alone is King and Head of His church.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 135.

. . . we feel bound to declare our conviction that the government of the Church of England is repugnant to the Word of God.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 128.

Nor was supreme spiritual power lodged in the hands of any office-bearer of the church, however distinguished by his gifts, his sufferings, or his abundant labors . . . Even the apostles did not claim to have dominion over people’s faith, but only to be helpers of their joy (2 Cor. 1:24).

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 122.

Ordination is the solemn designation of a person to ecclesiastical office with the laying on of hands . . . In its outward form it consisted of three things — fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands. The imposition of hands was used when spiritual gifts were conferred (Acts 8:17; 19:6).

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 114.

Human wisdom may be baffled in attempting to specify the design of every truth that forms a component part of divine revelation, but eternity will show us that no portion of it is useless. All Scripture is profitable.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 87.

The conflict between David and Goliath is a microcosm of the conflict between the two seeds, the seed of the woman, Christ, and the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). Since David was in the line of Christ, his death at this time would have put the messianic promise in jeopardy. But against all odds, for Goliath had every natural advantage, God gave David the victory and advanced the promise leading to the fullness of time when Christ came. The hostility continues, and it often seems as though the advantage belongs to the serpent. But God’s redemptive purpose in Christ is certain, and Christ’s church and kingdom will advance regardless of the opposition. The King greater than David will keep on slaying the enemies greater than Goliath until every enemy is placed under His feet (Ps. 110:1–2). How do you need to look to Christ for victory over sin and Satan today?

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship on 1 Samuel 17 in RHB KJV Study Bible

The design of contending earnestly for the faith delivered unto the saints is not only to edify Christians, but also to convince and gain other persons, persuading them also to embrace the faith. The testimony of the saints should, therefore, be calculated to preserve the distinction between the world and the Church, and to enlighten those who have already embraced the faith.

Reformation Principles Exhibited by the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (New York: Hopkins and Seymour, 1807), vi.