Wise And Holy Sayings Of Thomas Watson

It has been thought this miniature Cabinet of jewels would be an appropriate companion for the journey — the voyage — in the walk — in leisure moments, or on the couch of weakness, when some sentence might be found adapted to the peculiar circumstances of the reader, and be conducive to instruction and edification.

"The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails — given by one Shepherd." Ecclesiastes 12:11

When God puts his children to the school of the cross, he deals with them tenderly, because he does not leave them without a promise, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able." He will not lay a giant's burden upon a child's back — nor will he stretch the strings of the instrument too much, lest they should break. If God sees it good to strike with one hand, he will support with the other; either he will make the faith stronger, or render the yoke lighter.

God has never promised a charter of exemption from trouble — but he has promised to "be with us in trouble." Better be in a prison with God's presence and God's promises — than be on a throne without them.

A true Christian finds comfort in God's afflicting rod, "as sorrowful — yet always rejoicing." A Christian is like a bird that can sing in the dark days of winter, as well as in the lightsome months of summer.

God made for some of the martyrs, a prison as sweet as a garden of flowers — what then will Heaven be! If afflicting mercy is so great — what will be crowning mercy!

Christians mistake in supposing that, when God afflicts, he ceases to love. Affliction is his pruning-knife. He would rather have the branches of his vine bleed, than be unfruitful. He prunes us, that we may bring forth "the peaceable fruits of righteousness."

No vessel can be made of gold without fire. Just so, it is impossible that we can be made "vessels of honor," unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction.

God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us. It is good there should be a symmetry between the Head and the members. To be part of Christ's mystical body, we must be like him, "He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Hence it is good to be like Christ, though it be by sufferings.

The loadstone of mercy does not draw us so near to God as do the cords of affliction .

Affliction is a bitter root — but it bears sweet fruit, "It yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

Affliction is God's flail to thresh off the husks, not to consume the precious grain.

There is more evil in a drop of sin, than in a sea of affliction!

The more the diamond is cut — the more it sparkles. The heavier the cross is — the heavier is the saint's crown.

The vessels of mercy are seasoned with affliction, and then the wine of glory is poured in.

In all our crosses, God has a kindness for his people. As there was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire to give light — so there is no condition so cloudy but there is the light of consolation. David sang "of goodness and mercy."

Affliction is a badge of adoption; it is God's seal by which he marks his own people. A holy man, suffering severely from some wounds, pointing to them, said, "These are the jewels with which God decks his children."

As the painter mixes with his dark shadows bright colors, so does God mingle the dark and bright colors — his crosses and his blessings — and so causes "all things to work together for good to those who love him."

God usually lets it be darkest before the morning star of light and cheerfulness appears.

God has a hand in affliction — but no hand in sin. Afflictions are sharp arrows — but shot from the bow of a loving Father.

God had one Son without sin — but no son without stripes. God puts his children to school at the cross, and there they learn best. God's children sing most sweetly when God hedges up their way with thorns, Hosea 2:15.

There are encouragements to suffer afflictions — but none to commit sin.

Fiery trials make golden Christians, Proverbs 17:3.

Although affliction has a sting to wound — it has wings to fly, Isaiah 35:10.

When the wind of affliction blows upon the believer, God is in the wind. When the fire of affliction kindles upon him, God is in the fire to sanctify, to support, to refine.

A true Christian carries Christ in his heart, and the cross on his shoulders.

The Apostle Paul had his prison songs. When the saints taste most of the wrath of man, they feel most of the love of God.

We think God cannot favor us except he has us in his lap. Yet he loves his people when he is giving them the bitter drink of affliction. God's rod and God's love, they both stand together. It is no love in God to let men go on in sin, and never smite. God's greatest curse, is when he afflicts not for sin. Let us feel God's hand , so that we may have his heart .

Christ and his cross are never parted, for it is too much for the Christian to have two heavens — one here, and one hereafter.

In every cloud a child of God may see a rainbow of mercy shining; thus God chequers his providences, and mingles goodness with severity.

The goldsmith loves his gold when it is in the furnace, and so does God love his children when he places them in the crucible of affliction. It is only to separate the dross, not to consume the gold. "Whom he loves, he loves to the end."

The deluge brought the dove to the ark — the floods of sorrow make us hasten to Christ.

God only threshes the precious wheat — but he burns the useless chaff. He chastens the righteous — but he condemns the wicked.

The nature of affliction is quite changed, when experienced by a godly man. It is to him, by Divine chemistry, turned into a blessing; it becomes a love-token, a badge of adoption, a preparatory to Heaven.

The cross, although it be of God's laying, is of our making. "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him."

Assurance is a consequent of sanctification; sanctification is the seed — assurance is the flower. But, as a letter may be written, and yet not sealed — so grace may be written in the heart, yet the Spirit may not have applied the seal of assurance.

True assurance is built on a Scriptural basis, Isaiah 32:17. The seed of righteousness is sown in the soul, and this seed brings forth the harvest of assurance. But presumption is like a will without seal or witnesses; presumption lacks both the witness of the Word and the seal of the Spirit.

As the sun, reflecting its beams on a burning-glass, causes the glass to burn whatever is near it — so assurance, which is God shining on the soul, makes it burn in love to God.

Assurance drops sweetness into every earthly comfort; for while sin embitters, and is like drinking a cup filled with wormwood — assurance sweetens every morsel, and a dinner of herbs with the assurance of God's love is princely fare.

Assurance works out contentment, it rocks the heart quiet. It is the saint's portion , and Heaven is his haven .

When grace is engraved on the heart, wait awhile, and there will be the sunshine of assurance. Whom God kisses — he crowns! Assurance is the first fruits of Paradise — but it is often kept to sweeten the bitter cup of death.

Faith may be strongest, when assurance is weakest. The woman of Canaan had no assurance — but she had glorious faith.

Assurance should be an antidote to trouble. What though there is but little oil in the cruse — you are rich in assurance. How sweetly does the bird sing that knows not where to pick up the next crumb! And shall they be discontented who have God's Word to assure them of daily bread, and his love to assure them of Heaven?

Keep faith upon the wing; it is the grace in active exercise, which ascends to assurance.

Keep assurance by humility; pride estranges God from the soul. The jewel of assurance, is best kept in the cabinet of an humble heart.

Assurance and fear are different but not contrary; a child may have assurance of his father's love — yet be afraid of offending him. Who more fearful of sin, than the apostle Paul — yet who had stronger assurance? "Who loved me , and gave himself for me." Faith procures assurance, fear preserves it.

The godly fear — and sin not. The wicked sin — and fear not!

Assurance establishes the Christian in troublous times; he is the likeliest to bear witness to the truth — who has the Spirit of God bearing witness to his heart. Let there be much diligence, much prayer, much holy confidence — and these, like oil, will make the lamp of assurance shine steadily and brightly.

Much of God's curious workmanship shines in the angels. They are both beautiful and glorious, and as the strings in a lute make the harmony sweeter, and the several stars make the firmament brighter — so the society with angels will make the delight of Heaven the greater, and we shall not only see the angels with the eyes of our understanding — but converse with them forever.

The highest angels take care of the lowest saints. "Are they not all ministering spirits?"

We are bid to "commit our way unto the Lord." It is our work to cast care — and it is God's work to take care. Immoderate care is a spiritual canker which wastes and dispirits. We may sooner, by our worry, add a furlong to our grief, than a cubit to our comfort.

Worry, when it is either distrustful or distracting, is very dishonorable to God. It denies his providence, as if he sat in Heaven — and did not mind what became of things below.

Cheerfulness is like music to the soul: it excites to duty, it oils the wheels of affection; makes duties light, and religion rides swiftly on the wings of delight.

In Christ, there is not only a sufficiency, but a redundancy, it overflows the banks.

Christ is never sweet — until sin is felt to be bitter; nor is he rest — until man feels sin to be a burden.

Temptation to Christ, was like throwing a bur on a mirror, which will not stick. His life was purer than the sunbeams.

If we are in Christ while we live, we shall go to Christ when we die. Union is the ground of privilege; hence we must be in Christ, before we can be with Christ.

The fullness which is in Christ, is as light in the sun; it dwells there — it is never-failing. The riches of Deity are in him, and the communication of this blessed fullness, is that which satisfies the soul.

Jesus Christ is an incomprehensible blessing . Whatever God can require for satisfaction, or we can need for salvation — is to be found in Christ. His name is the sweetest music to a Christian's ear — and his blood the most precious balm to a Christian's heart.

Christ died for our benefit. He suffered — that we might reign. He hung on the cross — that we might sit on the throne. His crucifixion — is our coronation.

At Christ's death, "the rocks split." Not to be affected with Christ's dying love, is to have hearts harder than rocks!

"When the arrow of a saint's prayer is put into the bow of Christ's intercession — it pierces the very heavens. It was love in God the Father to send Christ; and love in Christ, that he came to be incarnate. Christ's assuming our human nature, as it was a master-piece of wisdom , so it was a monument of free grace .

Christ is such a golden mine of wisdom, grace, and glory — which neither saints nor angels can ever fathom. There is both fullness and sweetness . Nor does a Christian only want necessities — in Christ he has unsearchable riches.

The full Godhead would be terrible to behold — we could not see it and live; but Jesus, clothing himself with humanity, makes the Divine nature beautiful and lovely to behold.

Christ sweetens all our comforts, and sanctifies all our crosses.

A beggar may behold the glory of a king, and not be happy; but Christ's glory shall be ours, "We shall be like Him."

Christ, who was veiled in the types, is clearly revealed in the looking-glass of the Scriptures.

Bread is satisfying; so Jesus Christ, the Bread of life, satisfies the soul. He satisfies the mind with confidence, the heart with affection, the conscience with peace.

Christ's Godhead gave both majesty and efficacy to his sufferings. Christ was the sacrifice, the priest, and the altar.

He was the sacrifice , as man. He was the priest , being God-man. He was the altar , being God.

We must look on sin with a penitent eye — and on Christ with a believing eye. We must weep for sin that slew Christ — but hope in the "Lamb slain" which takes away sin.

Christ mingles his sweet odors with the prayers of the saints; although they ascend from the believer weak and worthless — they proceed from Christ mighty and powerful.

I have read of a holy man, who being tempted by some former companions to sin, he made this answer: I am so busy in reading a little book, which contains such deep mysteries, that I have resolved to read it all the days of my life. It has but three pages. In the first leaf, which is red — I am taught to meditate on the precious blood of Christ, which was shed for my sins. In the second leaf, which is white — I meditate on the pure and glorious joys of Heaven. In the third leaf, which is black — I contemplate the hideous and dreadful torments of Hell, prepared for the wicked for all eternity."

The saints are like letters engraved on Christ's heart, which cannot be erased out.

A child of God fears, because the "gate is narrow ;" but hopes, because the gate is open .

Christians should be both diamonds and loadstones. Diamonds, for the luster of their graces. Loadstones, by attracting others to Christ.

A true Christian is a dwarf in humility — but a giant in strength to fulfill duty, to bear trial, and to endure temptation.

A Christian is as much afraid of a painted holiness — as he is of going to a painted Heaven .

The song of the Psalmist, when he longed for deliverance from the sorrows of life, was, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would flee away." The bird longs to be out of the cage, although it is adorned with pearl and ornamented with gold.

The world, to a godly man, is but a beautiful prison. Nor can he love his fetters, which detain him there, although they are made of gold. He sends his heart to Heaven, before his body is set free, "Setting your affections on things above."

The trees of righteousness, when they grow together, nourish each other in godliness; the communion of saints promotes fruitfulness. By Christian fellowship, knowledge is increased, faith is strengthened, and evidences are cleared. But when the trees which are planted in the garden of the Lord stand at a distance from each other, there is neither communion nor fruitfulness.

The godly in this life are like scattered pearls — they lie distant from each other, and are dispersed into several regions. But there is a day coming, when God will gather his saints "unto him" as one places his pearls on a string. "In the day that he makes up his jewels!"

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

God's Church is the apple of his eye. The eyelid of his providence daily covers and defends it.

Christ preserves his church as a spark in the ocean, as a sheep among wolves.

If the enemies destroy the church, it must be at a time when there is neither day nor night, for Christ keeps it day and night. Isaiah 37:3

If Christ is in the ship of his church, although the waves may threaten to overwhelm, there cannot be shipwreck. "I the Lord do keep it!"

Conscience is God's deputy in the soul, his viceroy. The wicked do all they can to dethrone conscience and put it aside. Conscience is God's echo , and the sinner strives to silence its voice. Conscience is like a looking-glass: if it is soiled with thick dust, you cannot discover anything in it clearly; wipe away that dust, and how clearly seen is the least imperfection in the countenance! The time is coming, when God will wipe away the dust from a man's conscience, and he will see every one of his sins clearly represented!

Conscience is like a bee: use it well — and it will give honey; use it sinfully — and it will put forth a sting!

A troubled conscience is the first-fruit of Hell.

Conscience is God's preacher — a preacher who never flatters. Those who will not hear the voice of conscience, will be made to feel the worm of conscience.

A contented heart is a temple where the praises of God sound forth — not a sepulcher wherein they are buried. The Spirit of grace works in such a heart like new wine, which, under the pressure of sorrow, will have a vent open for thankfulness.

The discontented spirit is ever murmuring; the contented mind is ever praising.

He who is contented with his condition, be it ever so humble, never diminishes his spiritual treasures — he carries a pardon sealed in his heart.

A contented Christian does not choose his own cross — but is willing to take that which God chooses, and is content with the kind and the duration of the cross. He will wait for God's providence to remove it — but never force the door to escape from it.

A proud man is never contented; he thinks so highly of himself, that small blessings are disdained by him, and under small crosses he is impatient. The humble spirit is the contented spirit; if his cross is light, he reckons it in the inventory of his mercies; if it is heavy, he takes it on his knees, knowing "All things work together for his good." Where humility is the foundation — contentment will be the superstructure.

Contentment is a slip taken from the tree of life, and planted by the Spirit of God in the soul.

It pleased God to bring the Apostle Paul into most painful and trying conditions: hear him, "We are troubled on every side!" there was the sadness of his condition; "but not distressed," there was his contentment. "We are perplexed," there was his sadness; "but not in despair," there was his contentment. He could say, "In prisons more frequent, in deaths often." Yet he could add, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content."

Paul, in regard to his faith , was like a cedar — he could not be moved; but in his circumstances, he was like a reed, bending contentedly to every wind of Providence. When a gale of prosperity blew upon him, he could bend to that. When the tempest of trial raged, he could bend to that. "I know both how to be full, and how to be abased." A Christian, having cast anchor in Heaven, his heart never sinks; a gracious spirit is a contented spirit.

A contented Christian carries Heaven with him; for what is Heaven — but that sweet repose, and full confidence, that the soul shall have in God? In contentment there is the first-fruits of Heaven.

A contented Christian is like Noah in the ark: although tossed upon the waters, he reposed confidently in his God. The soul that is safe in the ark of contentment — sits quiet and sails above all the waves of trouble, and can even sing amid the deluge. The wheels of a chariot are an emblem of contentment: the wheels move, the axle stirs not. When change and motion are around us, a contented spirit remains firm in its center.

Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things. The Christian is often contented with the lack of all things.

Impatience is the daughter of infidelity . Contentment is an honeycomb which drops sweetness into every condition. Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort. It embitters every mercy — it doubles every cross.

This holy contentment keeps the heart from fainting in the autumn — when the fruit and leaves are gone, there is still sap in the root. So when there comes an autumn in the history of the Christian, and the leaves of his earthly prosperity fall off — there is the sap of contentment in his heart. The contented heart is never out of heart.

Spiritual things satisfy: the more of Heaven there is in the soul, the less will earth content. The joys of God's Spirit are heart-filling and heart-cheering.

Never look for perfection of contentment — until there be perfection of grace.

We make our election sure, by making our calling sure: "God has chosen you to salvation through sanctification." By the streams, we come at last to the fountain. If we find the stream of sanctification running in our souls — we may by this come to the spring-head of election. I do not look up into the secret of God's purpose; yet I may know I am elected by the shining of sanctifying grace in my soul. Whoever he is that can find the Word of God transcribed and copied out into his heart, may undeniably conclude he is elected of God.

Eternity is a sea without bottom or banks — for what line or plummet can fathom its depths?

O eternity! If all the body of the earth and sea were turned to sand, and all the air, up to the starry Heaven, were grains of sand, and a little bird should once in every thousand years take away but the tenth part of a grain of that vast heap, the period consumed in taking it all away would not comprise eternity.

What angel can span eternity?

Eternity makes Heaven to be Heaven. Eternity is the diamond in the ring of glory! The sunlight of glory shall rise on the soul, and never set. There is peace without trouble, ease without pain, glory without end.

The wicked have a never-dying worm — but the godly a never-fading crown. Then how willing should we be to work for God and live to God!

Eternity is a circle that has neither beginning nor end. It is the highest link of the saint's happiness — a lamp ever burning, never wasting.

Use your talents for Christ's glory; spend and be spent for him. Let your heart study for Christ, your hands work for Christ, and your tongue speak for him. If Christ is our advocate in Heaven, we must be advocates for him on earth. Every one in his sphere must act vigorously for Christ.

Many would have Christ as their Savior — but not as their Prince. But all who will not have Jesus as their King — will not have his blood to save them. In all which Christ commands, be as the needle which points wherever the loadstone draws.

"Let a man examine himself." Hidden sins, if not searched out, defile the soul and mar our duties.

There may be the seed of grace — where there is not the flower of joy. The earth may not yield a harvest of corn — yet may contain a mine of gold. A Christian may be, like vessels at sea, richly laden with jewels and spices — yet sail in the dark, and be tossed with storms.

When pearls became plentiful at home, they were little valued, and even slighted. The aboundings of God's mercies often cause them to be little prized; but he lessens them and withdraws them — to teach us their value. How valuable are the sunbeams of summer, after a long winter of gloom!

The favor of God is the best jewel ; it can adorn a prison and unsting death.

"Light is sown for the righteous." The saints' comforts may be like seed long hidden under ground; but it is germinating, increasing, and will before long bring forth an abundant crop.

Holy thoughts are the dove we send out of the Ark of our souls — and they bring back the olive-branch of peace. Would believers have their spirits cheerful — let their thoughts be celestial. The higher the lark flies — the sweeter it sings. Just so, the higher a soul ascends in the contemplation of God — the sweeter joy it has.

He who enjoys much of God in this life, carries Heaven about him.

God brings us into the depths of desertion , that we may not be brought into the depths of destruction . God thus fits his people for that time when there shall be neither clouds nor sun setting, and when the Church shall never say more, "My beloved has withdrawn himself."

We shall never enjoy God fully, until we enjoy him eternally.

The Christian finds that to serve God, is to enjoy God. His precepts are not burdens — but privileges — not fetters — but ornaments; and thus "His yoke is easy and his burden is light."

When a man sees how he lives on the alms of free grace, he is made humble. Humility is the sweet spice that is produced from poverty of spirit.

The weak Christian has omnipotency to underprop him. "Underneath are the everlasting arms."

When a man has been sinning, his joy is gone, and the sting remains. But when he repents, the labor is gone — but the sweetness remains.

Faith is a precious grace, because it lays hold on Christ, the one blessed object, and fetches in his fullness. The worth lies not in faith — but in Christ, on which it centers and terminates.

Faith is the vital artery of the soul. When we begin to believe, we begin to love. Faith grafts the soul into Christ, as the scion into the stock, and fetches all its nutriment from the blessed Vine.

Faith is a heart-purifying grace; it is a virgin grace, of a pure and heavenly nature. Faith in the soul, is as lightning in the air-it purifies; as fire under the metals — it refines. Faith does not only justify — but it sanctifies. Faith and the love of sin can no more stand together than light and darkness.

Faith is a heart-strengthening grace. A believer is as Joseph, who, though the archers shot at him, "his bow abode in strength." Faith lays in suffering-strength, furnishes the soul with suffering-promises, gathers together suffering-graces, and propounds suffering-rewards.

Faith often lies hidden in the heart, and we see it not for lack of search; as fire lies hid in the embers, but, blow aside the ashes, and it is discernible.

That is precious faith which, like the star, shines brightest in the darkest night. Tis good that our graces should be brought to a trial; thus we have the comfort, and the Gospel the honor.

Faith shows the believer better things than the world can show: it gives a sight of Christ and glory; it gives a prospect of Heaven. As the mariner, in a dark night, climbs to the top of the mast, and cries out, "I see a star!" so faith climbs up above sense and reason into Heaven, and sees Christ, that bright Morning Star.

As the bee gathers the sweetest honey from the most bitter herbs, so faith gathers the sweetest consolations from the garden of Gethsemane and the hill of Calvary; for they show God reconciled, and sin pardoned.

Faith knows there are no impossibilities with God, and will trust his heart, when it cannot trace his hand.

Faith fetches all from Christ — and gives all the glory to Christ; hence, God has singled out this grace to be the condition of the covenant, "He who believes shall be saved."

Faith consecrates and purifies; it makes the heart a temple, over the portal of which is the inscription, "Holiness to the Lord." The jewel of faith is always placed in the cabinet of a pure conscience .

Faith is seated in the understanding, as well as in the will; it has an eye to see Christ, as well as a wing to fly to Christ.

Faith begins in weakness — it smokes with desires — but does not flame with comfort; it is at first small as a grain of seed — but when real, it grows to a tree  — lofty as the palm — wide-spreading as the cedar.

Faith makes Christ's sacrifice, ours. It is not gold in the mine that enriches — but gold in the hand . Faith is the hand that receives Christ's golden merits. Without faith, Christ himself will not avail us.

Love takes possession of Heaven — but faith gives a title to it. Love is the crowning grace in Heaven — but faith is the conquering grace on earth.

A weak faith may lay hold on a strong Christ. The promise does not say, he who has a great faith which can move mountains — stop the mouth of lions, shall be saved; "but whoever believes" (be his faith ever so small) "shall be saved."

A reed is but a reed, especially when bruised. Yet the promise is made to it, "A bruised reed will he not break." A weak faith may be fruitful; weak Christians may have strong affections, and the weakest believer is a member of Christ, as well as the strongest. Christ will cast off fruitless members — but not weak members.

Faith is not a plant of nature's garden — it is a "fruit of the Spirit."

Faith is the Queen of the Graces.

It is the condition of the gospel, "Your faith has saved you," — not your tears. "The soul shall live by faith." Unbelievers, though they breathe — yet lack life.

Faith is a mother-grace ; it excites and invigorates all the graces: not a grace stirs, until faith sets it to work. Faith induces repentance . Faith sets hope to work; first we believe the promise, then we hope for it. Faith sets love to work, "Faith which works by love." Who can believe in the infinite merits of Christ — and his heart not ascend in the fiery chariot of love? Faith is a sheet-anchor we cast into the sea of God's mercy, and by it we are kept from sinking in despair!

Faith in the Mediator, brings more glory to God than martyrdom.

Faith and Hope are two sisters: they bear a resemblance to each other — yet differ thus: Faith looks at the certainty of the promise, Hope at the excellency of the promise.

Faith puts upon the soul the embroidered robe of Christ's righteousness, in which it shines brighter than the angels.

Faith is the key that unlocks the cabinet of God's promises, and empties out their treasures into the soul.

Faith overcomes all the allurements of the world, all the riches of the world, and all the delights of the world; and it does this by showing the soul "the land that is afar off;" it carries the believer to the Mount of Transfiguration, and confidently assures of "a better country" — "a land that flows with milk and honey."

Faith is a living principle, and the life of a saint is nothing else but a life of faith. His prayer is the breathing of faith, his obedience is the result of faith, his life is a life of faith; he dies in faith , "I know whom I have believed."

The torchlight of faith shall be kept burning, notwithstanding the winds of temptation shall continue blowing.

The fear of God is a leading grace — it is the first seed God sows in the heart. When a Christian can say little of faith, and perhaps nothing of assurance — yet he dares not deny — but he fears God. God is so great — that he is afraid of displeasing him; and so good — that he is afraid of losing him.

The fear of the Christian is not servile — but filial. There is a great difference between fearing God, and being afraid of God. The godly fear God, as a dutiful and loving son fears his father — but the wicked are afraid of him, as a criminal is of his judge .

Fear and love are best in conjunction. Love is the sails to speed the soul's motion; and fear is the ballast to keep it steady in religion.

The fear of God is mingled with faith, "By faith Noah moved with fear." Faith keeps the heart cheerful — fear keeps the heart serene. Faith keeps the heart from despair — fear keeps it from presumption.

The fear of God is mingled with prudence. He who fears God has the serpent's eye in the dove's head — he foresees and avoids the rocks which others are lost upon. Although Divine fear does not make a Christian cowardly, it makes him cautious . "A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself."

The fear of God is a Christian's safety; nothing can in reality hurt him. Plunder him of his money — he carries about him a treasure of which he cannot be despoiled. "The fear of the Lord is his treasure." Cast him into bonds — yet he is free. Kill his body — he shall rise again. He who has on the breastplate of God's fear, may be shot at — but cannot be shot through.

The fear of God is mingled with hope . "The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope in his mercy." Fear is to hope, as oil is to the lamp — it keeps it burning. The more we fear God's justice — the more we may hope in his mercy.

Faith stands sentinel in the soul, and is ever on the watch-tower; fear causes circumspection. He who walks in fear, treads warily. Faith induces prayer, and prayer engages the help of Heaven.

The fear of God is a great purifier, "The fear of the Lord is pure." In its own nature it is pure; in its operation it is effective. The heart is the "temple of God;" and holy fear sweeps and purifies this temple, that it be not denied.

The fear of God promotes spiritual joy; it is the morning star which ushers in the sunlight of comfort. Walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, God mingles joy with fear, that fear may not be slavish.

The fear of God is an antidote against apostasy , "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." I will so love them, that I will not depart from them — and they shall so fear me, that they will not depart from me.

The fear of God induces obedience . Luther said, "I would rather obey God, than work miracles." A heathen, exercising much cruelty to a Christian, asked him, in scorn, what great miracle his Master, Jesus Christ, ever did. The Christian replied, "This miracle — that, although you use me thus, I can forgive you."

The fear of God makes a little to be sweet, "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord." It is because that little is sweetened with God's love, that little is a pledge of more. That little oil in the cruse, is but pledge of that joy and bliss which the soul shall have in Heaven. The crumbs which fell to the lot of Lazarus, were sweeter than the banquet was to the rich man. The handful of meal, with God's blessing, is better than all unsanctified riches .

Sincere love and holy fear go hand in hand; fear springs from love lest God's favor should be lost by sin.

Grace is the work of the Spirit; comfort is the seal of the Spirit. The work of the Spirit, goes before the seal .

The graces of the Spirit are compared to water , "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your seed, and my blessing on your offspring."

The comforts of the Spirit are compared to oil , "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to give the oil of joy for mourning."

First God pours in the water of the Spirit, and then comes the oil of gladness; hereby we shall know whether our comforts are true and genuine. Some talk of the comforting Spirit, who never had the sanctifying Spirit; they boast of assurance — but never had grace . God's Spirit will never set seal to a blank. The heart must first be an epistle written with the finger of the Holy Spirit — and then it is sealed with the Spirit of promise.

Saving grace is the infusion of new and holy principles into the heart, whereby it is changed from what it was, and is made after God's heart. Grace infuses . . . light into the understanding, tenderness into the conscience, consent into the will, harmony into the affections!

Yes, grace is like leaven, pervading the whole man, until all is leavened.

Grace satisfies; other riches cannot, "He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver — this is also vanity." Riches can no more fill the heart, than a triangle can fill a circle; but grace fills up every crevice.

Grace is a string of pearls, with which the Church (Christ's Bride) is adorned.

The heart inlaid and enameled with grace, is like the "king's daughter, all glorious within." A gracious soul is the image of God, curiously drawn with the pencil of the Holy Spirit. A heart beautified with grace is God's lesser Heaven. "I dwell in the high and lofty place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit."

Grace is the flower of the soul, which Christ delights to savor. Grace is to the soul, what . . . the eye is to the body, the sun to the world, the diamond to the ring.

A soul decked with grace is as the dove, covered with silver wings and golden feathers.

Grace makes the heart a spiritual temple, which has this inscription on it, "Holiness unto the Lord!"

Grace gives us conformity to Christ — and communion with Christ, "Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." A man full of grace, has Christ in his heart and the world under his feet. Grace humbles — yet elevates .

Grace is aromatic; it embalms the names of the pious. A Christian, when he dies, carries a good conscience with him, and leaves a good name behind him.

All the graces display themselves in their beauty. Hope is the "helmet," meekness is the "the ornament," love is the "bond of perfectness."

The believers' graces are . . . weapons to defend them, wings to elevate them, jewels to enrich them, spices to perfume them, stars to adorn them, cordials to revive them, and evidences for Heaven when death is near.

Grace is Christ's portrait drawn on the soul.

A soul beautified with grace is like the firmament, bespangled with brilliant stars.

Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Spirit; it is the sacred unction; it is a distinguishing blessing. Christ gave Judas his purse, not his Spirit — grace being a seal of love and an earnest of glory.

Grace does not lie in the heart like a stone in the earth — but as seed which will spring up, "first the blade, then the ear, then the full-grown corn in the car."

The more we grow in grace, the more we shall flourish in glory. Though every vessel of glory shall be full — yet some vessels hold more than others. He whose pound gained ten, was made ruler over ten cities. If any shall follow the Lamb in whiter and larger robes of glory than others, they shall be such as have shone most in grace here.

When grace flourishes — sin cannot thrive.

Grace is the beauty of holiness, Psalm 110:3.

Grace changes the language of the Christian, and makes it spiritual. The body is the temple of God; the tongue is the organ of this temple. "The tongue of the just is as choice silver." He drops silver sentences, enriching others with knowledge. "A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things." "Their mouth is a well-spring of wisdom." Is a man known to what country he belongs, by his language, so he who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the language of Canaan.

God's children have various degrees of grace. Some are little children, who only feed upon the milk of the gospel. Others are young men grown to maturity. Others are fathers who are ready to take their degree in glory. Each have the vitality of godliness.

The Scriptures speak both of the cedar and of the bruised reed: each is a plant of God's creation —  each of his care; so the weakest plant in God's garden of the Church is equally regarded by him with the strongest. God can read the work of his Spirit on the soul which has received the dimmest impression.

Reason makes us men; grace makes us saints.

The river of grace can never be dried up, for the Spirit of God is the spring which feeds it.

God makes grace nourish most in the fall of the leaf. Psalm 92:14.

Those excellencies which lie scattered in the creature — are all united and centered in God, as the beams are in the sun, and the drops are in the ocean.

When God says to the soul, "I am yours," it is enough — he cannot say more! He will be his people's God as long as he is God.

The creature is but a broken reed; God is the Rock of Ages.

Glory is essential to the Godhead, as light is to the sun. Glory is the sparkling of the Deity.

The glory of God must be a silver thread, to run through all our actions.

God cannot be God without his glory; this glory can receive no addition, for it is infinite.

There is in God all that may draw forth both wonder and delight. There is in him, a constellation of all beauties. He is the original and spring-head of being, who sheds a glory on the creature. We admire God in his attributes , which are the glittering beams by which the divine nature shines forth. We admire him in the promises , which are the charter of free grace, and the spiritual cabinet where the pearl of great price is hid. We admire God in the noble instances of his power and wisdom, such as none but a God could effect.

Oh! how does man shrink into nothing — when Infinite Majesty shines forth in his glory!

God being an infinite fullness — there is no fear of lack for any of the heirs of Heaven.

Here we see some beams of God's glory. We see him in the looking-glass of creation, and his image shines in the saints. But who can search out his essential glory? Let us adore Him — where we cannot fathom Him!

In Heaven we shall see God clearly, but not fully. He will communicate himself to us according to our measure — but not acc