Every mercy is an alms of free grace; and this enlarges the soul in gratitude. A good Christian is not a grave to bury God’s mercies, but a temple to sing His praises. If every bird in its kind, as Ambrose says, chirps forth thankfulness to its Maker, much more will an ingenuous Christian, whose life is enriched and perfumed with mercy.
~Thomas Watson~
All Things for Good (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1986) p. 19.
The mercies of God humble us. ‘Then went King David, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my father’s house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?’ (2 Sam. 7:18). Lord, why is such honour conferred upon me, that I should be king? That I who followed the sheep, should go in and out before Thy people? So says a gracious heart, ‘Lord, what am I, that it should be better with me than others? That I should drink of the fruit of the vine, when others drink, not only a cup of wormwood, but a cup of blood (or suffering to death). What am I, that I should have those mercies which others want, who are better than I? Lord, why is it, that notwithstanding all my unworthiness, a fresh tide of mercy comes in every day?’ The mercies of God make a sinner proud, but a saint humble.
~Thomas Watson~
All Things for Good (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1986) p. 17-18.
The Word preached works for good. It is a savour of life, it is a soul-transforming Word, it assimilates the heart into Christ’s likeness; it produces assurance. ‘Our gospel came to you not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance’ (1 Thess. 1:5). It is the chariot of salvation.
~Thomas Watson~
All Things for Good (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1986) p. 19.
The sins of others work for good, as they are glasses in which we may see our own hearts. Do we see a flagitious, impious sinner? Behold a picture of our hearts. Such should we be, if God did leave us. What is in other men’s practice is in our nature. Sin in the wicked is like fire on a beacon, that flames and blazes forth; sin in the godly is like fire in the embers. Christian, though you do not break forth into a flame of scandal, yet you have no cause to boast, for there is much sin raked up in the embers of your nature. You have the root of bitterness in you, and would bear as hellish fruit as any, if God did not either curb you by His power, or change you by His grace.
~Thomas Watson~
All Things for Good (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1986) p. 47.
The Old Guys 