Thomas Watson

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

A Humble Perspective – Thomas Watson

When the heart lies low, it can stoop to a low condition. A Christian looking at his sins wonders that it is no worse with him; he does not say his mercies are small, but his sins are great. He knows that the worst piece God carves him is better than he deserves; therefore he takes it thankfully upon his knees.

– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture

God Uses All Seasons of Life – Thomas Watson

As the Lord makes use of all the seasons of the year, frost and heat, to produce the harvest, so all prosperous and adverse providences are for the promoting of the work of holiness in the soul.

– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture

The Memory of Christ’s Suffering – Thomas Watson

If the manna was to be kept in the ark, that the memory of it should be preserved, how should the death and suffering of Christ be kept in our minds as a memorial?

– Thomas Watson –
from The Lords Supper, 1665