A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow. He that can believe without doubting, suspect his faith; and he that can repent without sorrowing, suspect his repentance.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance, 1668
A sight of God’s glory humbles. The stars vanish when the sun appears.
– Thomas Watson –
1620-1686
A great faith is a wonder-working faith. It can do those things which exceed the power of nature. A great faith can open heaven, it can overcome the world (1 John 5:4); it can master a tendency to sin (2 Sam. 22:24); it can prefer the glory of God before secular interest (Rom.9:1); it can rejoice in affliction (1 Thess. 1:6).
– Thomas Watson –
from The Lords Supper, 1665
Are there not millions of us who would rather go sleeping to hell; than sweating to heaven?
– Thomas Watson –
We are to find as much bitterness in weeping for sin as ever we found sweetness in committing it. Surely David found more bitterness in repenting then he ever found comfort in Bathsheba.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance, 1668
Pray to God for patience. Patience is a flower of God’s planting. Pray that it may grow in your heart, and send forth its sweet perfume.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666
The Godly have a portion promised them upon their marriage to Christ, but the portion is not paid till the day of their death. The saints are promoted at death to communion with God; they have what they so long hoped for, and prayed for.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666
Idleness tempts the devil to tempt.
– Thomas Watson –
1620-1686
The fear of God is wisdom in that it makes us consider: “I considered my ways” (Psalm 119:59). A great part of wisdom lies in consideration. He who fears God considers how vain the world is, and therefore dares not love it; how short time is, and therefore dares not lose it; how precious salvation is, and therefore dares not neglect it.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Great Gain of Godliness, 1682