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
Thomas Watson
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
The Heavier Your Cross to Bear – Thomas Watson
Afflictions add to the saints’ glory. The more the diamond is cut, the more it sparkles; the heavier the saints’ cross is, the heavier shall be their crown.
– Thomas Watson –
Wonderful Love of Christ – Thomas Watson
It was wonderful love that Christ should die for such as we are. What are we? Not only vanity, but enmity. When we were fighting, he was dying; when we had the weapons in our hands, then he had the spear in his side (Romans 5:8).
– Thomas Watson –
from The Lords Supper, 1665
Don’t Be Linked to the World – Thomas Watson
Let us beware of having our hearts too much linked to the world. The world damps zeal as earth chokes the fire.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Great Gain of Godliness, 1682
Use Duty But Trust Christ – Thomas Watson
Use duty, but trust to Christ and free grace for acceptance. Be like Noah’s dove: she made use of her wings to fly, but trusted to the ark for safety.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Lords Supper, 1665
Don’t Be Laughed Out of Your Religion – Thomas Watson
Better have men reproach you for being good, than have God damn you for being wicked. Be not laughed out of your religion. If a lame man laugh at you for walking upright, will you therefore limp?
– Thomas Watson –
from The Great Gain of Godliness, 1682
Don’t Run Into Sin – Thomas Watson
Many, to rid themselves out of trouble, run themselves into sin. When God has bound them with the cords of affliction, they go to the devil to loosen their bands. Better it is to stay in affliction than to sin ourselves out of it.
– Thomas Watson –
Falling Into Water – Thomas Watson
It is not falling into water that drowns, but lying in it. It is not falling into sin that damns, but lying in it without repentance.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance, 1668