Matthew Henry

A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and particularly under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.

There is a burden of care in getting riches; fear in keeping them; temptation in using them; guilt in abusing them; sorrow in losing them; and a burden of account at last to be given concerning them.

To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.

Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.

What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he may have all the praise.

No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.

Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

When God intends great mercy for his people, the first thing he doth is to set them a praying.

Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.

I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.

Men cannot expect to do ill and fare well, but to find that done to them which they did to others.

None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to him full of themselves.

What we count the ills of life are often blessings in disguise, resulting in good to us in the end. Though for the present not joyous but grievous, yet, if received in a right spirit, they work out fruits of righteousness for us at last.

Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer.

The more reverence we have for the Word of God, the more joy we shall find in it.

Prayer is the breath of the new man, drawing in the air of mercy in petitions, and returning it in praises; it proves and maintains the spiritual life.

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.

What peace can they have who are not at peace with God?

God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.

Why wilt thou be so sottish, such an enemy to thyself, as to prefer puddle-water, and that poisoned too and stolen, before pure living waters out of thy own well?

Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions, and even of many evil practices, which have a great show and appearance of humility.