Thomas Watson

A Heart Fit for Holy Duty – Thomas Watson

Sorrow and melting of heart fits us for every holy duty. A piece of lead, while it is in the lump, can be put to no use, but melt it, and you may then cast it into any mould, and it is made useful. So a heart that is hardened into a lump of sin is good for nothing, but when it is dissolved by repentance, it is useful.

– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance, 1668

His Fullness We Have Received – Thomas Watson

“Of his fullness have all we received” (John 1:16). Put a glass under a [faucet] and it receives water out of the [faucet], drop by drop. So those who are united to Christ have the dews and drops of His grace distilling on them.

– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666

God Will Not Let Us Lose Our Longing – Thomas Watson

“They shall be filled.” God never bids us seek Him in vain. “He hath filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:53). “He satisfieth the longing soul” (Psalm 107:9). God will not let us lose our longing.

– Thomas Watson –
 1620-1686

Never Come Away From Thee Without Thee – Thomas Watson

I will conclude with that excellent saying of Bernard: “Lord, I will never come away from Thee without Thee.” Let this be a Christian’s resolution, not to leave off his meditations of God till he find something of God in him.

– Thomas Watson – 

The Difference Between Sin in the Wicked and in the Godly – Thomas Watson

There is as much difference between sin in the wicked and sin in the godly—as between poison being in a serpent and poison being in a man. Poison in a serpent is in its natural place and is delightful—but poison in a man’s body is harmful and he uses antidotes to expel it. So sin in a wicked man is delightful, being in its natural place—but sin in a child of God is burdensome and he uses all means to expel it.

– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance

A Godly Man’s Heart – Thomas Watson

A godly man’s heart is the library to hold the Word of God; it dwells richly in him (Col 3:16).

– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666

Godly Sorrow for the Offense Rather Punishment – Thomas Watson

Godly sorrow is ingenious. It is sorrow for the offense rather than for the punishment. God’s law has been infringed, his love abused. This melts the soul in tears. A man may be sorry, yet not repent, as a thief is sorry when he is taken, not because he stole, but because he has to pay the penalty. … “My sin is ever before me” (Ps. 51:3); David does not say, “The sword threatened is ever before me,” but “my sin.” O that I should offend so good a God, that I should grieve my Comforter! This breaks my heart!

– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance, 1668