God Speak Quote by Thomas Goodwin
““Therefore, seeing the Lord, when he doth speak, doth speak by others, and there is a great deal of reason for it, because it is your own request, let not God fare the worse in delivering his word; do not condemn it because men are fain to deliver it to you, for it is your own request. If he should speak himself, he would strike you dead at every word; therefore do not take advantage because God doth not back it with thunder, but receive the word as the word of God; for God himself would speak to you, if you were able to bear him; but because you are not, therefore he speaks by others.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Gospel of John Commentary, 17th century
God speaks through others because humans cannot bear His direct voice; we must accept divine messages delivered by intermediaries.
In simple terms: God uses others to convey His word because we cannot handle Him directly.
Key Takeaway
Accept guidance from others as divine truth.
Themes
faith
divine communication
humility
Mood
reflective
reverent
Type
spiritual
theological
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual seeking
- religious study
- comfort in loss
Key Concepts
theology
prophecy
intermediaries
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust messages delivered by others?
- How does this view affect personal accountability?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on others may dilute personal responsibility for interpreting truth.
![“Thomas Goodwin Jr. wrote of his godly father: In all the violence of [his fever], he discoursed with that strength of faith and assurance of Christ’s love, with that holy admiration of free grace, with that joy in believing, and such thanksgivings and praises, as he extremely moved and affected…” quote by Thomas Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a3/thomas-goodwin-15928_communion-with-god_thomas-goodwin-jr-wrote-of-his-godly-fat_122316.jpg)
