The Great Gain of Godliness
Thomas Watson's warm, practical exposition of Malachi 3:16-18, unpacking what marks out a truly godly person: reverent fear of God, meditation on His name, and holy conversation with fellow believers. Watson answers the cynic who imagines there is no profit in religion, showing instead that the godly are God's own treasured jewels, remembered and rewarded by Him.
Based on Religion Our True Interest, on Malachi 3:16-18 (1682), by Thomas Watson
Puritan quotes
Quotes by Thomas Watson
“It is not enough to have a few transient thoughts of God by the by, but there must be a fixing of our minds on God, till our hearts are warmed in love to him, and we can say, like those in Like 24:32, 'Did not our heart burn within us?”
“A secure sinner provides for his body, but neglects his soul; like one that waters his flowers, but never minds his jewels.”
“A Christian by divine discourse may enlighten another when he is ignorant, warm him when he is frozen, comfort him when he is sad, confirm him when he is wavering.”
“An upright man is always worth beholding, but then he is most to be admired when like a bright star, he shines in the dark, and having lost all, he holds fast his integrity.”
“Grace is of the nature of fire, which will not be pent up.”
“Words are the looking-glass of the mind.”
“Mercy is not like the sun to the fire, to dull it, but like the oil to the wheel, to make it run faster.”
“A hard heart is the anvil on which the hammer of God’s justice will be striking to all eternity.”
“A gracious heart is like a piece of good ground that, having received the seed of mercy, produces a crop of obedience.”
“An idle person is the devil’s tennis ball, which he bandies up and down with temptation till at last the ball goes out of play.”
