Quotes from Thomas Watson

A believer triumphs more in the righteousness of Christ imputed, than if he had Adam's righteousness in innocency, nay, than if he had the angels' righteousness, for now he hath the righteousness of God. "That we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

A carnal person can no more value spiritual blessings than a baby can value a diamond necklace.

To serve God, to love God, to enjoy God, is the sweetest freedom in the world.

Get books into your houses, when you have not the spring near you, then get water into your cisterns; so when you have not that wholesome preaching that you desire, good books are cisterns that hold the water of life in them to refresh you. … So when you find a chillness upon your souls, and that your former heat begins to abate, ply yourselves with warm clothes, get those good books that may acquaint you with such truths as may warm and affect your hearts.

The outward call may bring men to a profession of Christ, the inward call brings them to a possession of Christ. The outward call curbs a sinner, the inward call changes him.

Self-love raises a sickbed vow, and love of sin will prevail against it. Trust not to a passionate resolution; it is raised in a storm and will die in a calm.

God's glory is more worth than heaven, and more worth than the salvation of all men's souls. It would be better that kingdoms be thrown down, better men and angels be annihilated, than God should lose one jewel of his crown, one beam of his glory!

All the legal washings and purifications were but types and emblems representing Christ's blood. This blood whitens the black soul.

Christians must not be slothful. Idleness is the devil's bath; a slothful person becomes a prey to every temptation. Grace, while it cures the heart, does not make the hand lame. He who is called of God, as he works for heaven, so he works in his trade.

Love not the world" (1 John 2:15). Many would like to be godly, but the honors and profits of the world divert them. Where the world fills both head and heart—there is no room for Christ.

Conscience is God's diocese, where none has right to visit, but He who is the Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25

A godly man spiritualizes duty; he is not only for the doing of holy things but for the holy doing of things.

The reason why God has given us a thinking faculty, is that we may think on his Name. When our thoughts run out in vain things, we should think with ourselves thus: Did God give us this talent to misemploy? Did he give us thoughts that we should think of everything but him?

Worldly business often crowds into our duties, and while our mouths are speaking to God, our hearts are thinking of the world:

Why does he send war and epidemics? What does the heat of this great anger mean? Surely dying times are to make men die to the world.

Make spending your time a matter of conscience. "Redeeming the time" (Eph. 5:16). Many people fool away their time, some in idle visits, others in recreations and pleasures which secretly bewitch the heart and take it away from better things. What are our golden hours for—but to attend to our souls? Time misspent is not time lived but time lost! Time is a precious commodity.

The serious thoughts of our short stay here would be a great means of promoting godliness. What if death should come before we are ready? What if our life should breathe out before God's Spirit has breathed in? Whoever considers how flitting and winged his life is, will hasten his repentance!

God made the world only as a dressing room to dress our souls in. He sent us here on the grand errand of godliness.

Be often among the godly. They are the salt of the earth—and will help to season you. Their counsel may direct you; their prayers may enliven you. Such holy sparks may be thrown into your breasts as may kindle devotion in you. It is good to be among the saints, to learn the trade of godliness: "He who walks with wise men shall be wise" (Proverbs 13:20).

Let us then ascribe the whole work of grace to the pleasure of God's Will. God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy.

We spend our years with sighing; it is a valleyof tears; but death is the funeral of all our sorrows.

The fastest way to succeed is to double your rate of failure.

A weak faith can lay hold on a strong Christ.

Though we as Christians are like Christ, having the first fruits of the spirit, yet we are unlike him, having the remainders of the flesh.