Quotes by Thomas Watson

Knowledge is the eye that must direct the foot of obedience.

Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.

God can turn stones into bread, and a sinner can turn bread into stones; the bread of life into the stone of stumbling.

Such as make the sacrament only a representation of Christ do aim short of the mystery, and come short of the comfort.

We should pray that God would enrich his ordinance with his presence; that he would make the sacrament effectual to all those holy ends and purposes for which he hath appointed it; that it may be the feast of our graces, and the funeral of our corruptions; that it may not only be a sign to represent, but an instrument to convey, Christ to us, and a seal to assure us of our heavenly jointure [union].

The pardoned soul is out of the gunshot of hell (Rom. 8:33).

Has Christ provided such a blessed banquet for us? He does not nurse us abroad—but feeds us with His own breast—nay, with His own blood! Let us, then, study to respond to this great love of Christ. It is true, we can never parallel His love. Yet let us show ourselves thankful. We can do nothing satisfactory—but we may do something out of gratitude. Christ gave Himself as a sin-offering for us. Let us give ourselves as a thank-offering for Him. If a man redeems another out of debt—will he not be grateful? How deeply do we stand obliged to Christ—who has redeemed us from hell!

If God spares us as a father does his son, let us imitate God. It is natural for children to imitate their parents. Let us imitate God in this one thing: As God spares us, and passes by many failures, so let us be sparing in our censures of others; let us look upon the weaknesses and indiscretions of our brethren with...a more tender, compassionate eye. How much God bears with us!

The pleasure of sin is soon gone, but the sting remains.

Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.

If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.

It is our work to cast care, and it is Gods work to take care.

Great was the work of creation, but greater was the work of redemption. Great wisdom was seen in making us—but more miraculous wisdom in saving us. Great power was seen in bringing us out of nothing—but greater power in helping us when we were worse than nothing. (...) In the creation, God gave us ourselves; in the redemption, He gave us Himself.

Christ was born of a virgin, that we might be born of God. He took our flesh, that He might give us His Spirit. He lay in the manger that we might lie in paradise. He came down from heaven, that He might bring us to heaven. And what was all this but love? If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. Behold, love that surpasses knowledge!

The bare knowledge of Gods will is inefficacious, it doth not better the heart. Knowledge alone is like a winter sun, which hath no heat or influence; it doth not warm the affections, or purify the conscience. Judas was a great luminary, he knew Gods will, but he was a traitor.

If you want to be a big company tomorrow you have to start acting like one today.

A wicked man in prayer may lift up his hands but he cannot lift up his face.

The prayer that is faithless is fruitless.

Prayer is the souls breathing itself into the bosom of its heavenly Father.