Gleanings from the Works of Thomas Watson (c.1620-1686)

Is not many a man contented to suffer reproach for maintaining his lust? and shall not we for maintaining the truth? Some glory in that which is their shame, Ph. 3. 19 and shall we be ashamed of that which is our glory? Be not troubled at these petty things. He whose heart is once divinely touched with the loadstone of God's Spirit, doth account it his honour to be dishonoured for Christ, Ac. 15. 4 and doth as much despise the world's censure, as he doth their praise.

—Thomas Watson

God often by a divine antiperistasis turns the sins of others to our good, and makes our maladies our medicines.

—Thomas Watson

Look not so much upon a temporal loss, as a spiritual gain; the comforts of the world run dregs; those which come out of the granary of the promise, are pure and sweet.

—Thomas Watson

When men are filled with pride, this swelling distemper hinders holy longings. As when the stomach is bloated with air, it spoils the appetite. None so empty of grace as he who thinks he is full. He has most need of righteousness, who least feels the need of it.

—Thomas Watson

Fond sentimentality is no better than cruelty. 'Rebuke them sharply', cuttingly (Titus 1:13). The surgeon cuts and lances the flesh—but it is in order to a cure. They are healing wounds. So by cutting reproof when we lance men's consciences and let out the blood of sin, we exercise spiritual surgery. This is showing mercy."

—Thomas Watson

God clothed our first parents with skins of dead beasts, and feeds us with dead flesh—that as often as we see the death of other creatures we might not forget our own.

—Thomas Watson

To bring his name in at every turn, when we are not thinking of him, [...] is to take God's name in vain. How many are guilty here! Though they have God in their mouths, they have the devil in their hearts.

—Thomas Watson