Richard Cecil (1748 – 1810) was an English Evangelical Anglican priest. He loved the arts from a very early age and many of his poems were printed in periodical publications. Painting was his greatest love though, and he pursued a career in it for a time. In 1773 he entered The Queen’s College, Oxford. He was ordained deacon in 1776 and admitted to priest’s orders in 1777. He was a remarkable and popular preacher who at times delivered up to four sermons a day.
Quotes by Richard Cecil…
I feel that all I know and all I teach, will do nothing for my own soul, if I spend my time, as most people do, in business or company, even the best company. My soul starves to death in the best company; and God is often lost in prayers and ordinances. “Enter into thy chamber,” said He, “and shut thy door about thee!” Some words in Scripture are very emphatical. “Shut thy door” means much: it means — shut out, not only nonsense, but business — not only the company abroad, but the company at home: It means — let thy poor soul have a little rest and refreshment; and God have opportunity to speak to thee in a small still voice, or He will speak in thunder.
Power rests in tranquillity.
Self-will is so ardent and active that it will break a world to pieces to make a stool to sit on.
We are too fond of our own will. We want to be doing what we fancy mighty things, but the great point is to do small things, when called to do them, in a right spirit.