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
Thomas Watson
Self-Love is Self-Hatred – Thomas Watson
Exercise great self-denial: “Let him deny himself” (Matthew 16:24). Self-ease, self-ends, whatever comes in competition with (or stand in opposition to) Christ’s glory and interest must be denied. Self is the great snare; self-love undermines the power of godliness. The young man in the Gospel might have followed Christ, but something of self-hindered (Matthew 19:20-22). Self-love is self-hatred. The man who cannot get beyond himself will never get to heaven.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666
Sorrow is Good for Nothing – Thomas Watson
Sorrow is good for nothing but sin. If you shed tears for outward losses, it will not advantage you. Water for the garden, if poured in the sink, does no good. Powder for the eye, if applied to the arm, is of no benefit. Sorrow is medicinal for the soul, but if you apply it to worldly things it does no good. Oh that our tears may run in the right channel and our hearts burst with sorrow for sin!
– Thomas Watson –
from The Doctrine of Repentance
What Makes Heaven, Heaven? – Thomas Watson
This is that which makes heaven to be heaven, “We shall be ever with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
– Thomas Watson –
Till Sin Be Bitter, Christ Will Not Be Sweet – Thomas Watson
There is no rowing to paradise except upon the stream of repenting tears. Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.
– Thomas Watson –
Eternity – Thomas Watson
Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.
– Thomas Watson –
Christ Heals – Thomas Watson
Christ heals with more ease than any other. Christ makes the devil go out with a word (Mark 9:25). Nay, he can cure with a look: Christ’s look melted Peter into repentance; it was a healing look. If Christ doth but cast a look upon the soul he can recover it. Therefore David prays to have a look from God, “Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me” (Psalm 119:132).
– Thomas Watson –
God Takes Away the World – Thomas Watson
God takes away the world, that the heart may cleave more to Him in sincerity.
– Thomas Watson –
The Need to Seek God – Thomas Watson
How hard is it sometimes to get leave of hearts to seek God! Jesus Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.
– Thomas Watson –