Matthew Henry Quotes

The grace that saves them is the free undeserved goodness and favor of God.

It is more to the honor of a Christian by faith to overcome the world, than by monastical vows to retreat from it; more for the honor of Christ to serve him in the city, than to serve him in the cell.

In all God's providences, it is good to compare His word and His works together; for we shall find a beautiful harmony between them, and that they mutually illustrate each other.

Though we cannot by our prayers give God any information, yet we must by our prayers give him honor.

Poor people are as much in danger from an inordinate desire towards the wealth of the world as rich from an inordinate delight in it.

We have a cunning adversary, who watches to do mischief, and will promote errors, even by the words of scripture.

Saying and doing are two things.

Though we must never think to learn above our Bible, as long as we are here in this world, yet we must still be getting forward in it.

Those that are above business.

It is not talking but walking that will bring us to heaven.

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

Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.

The best evidence of our having the truth is our walking in the truth.

Nothing can make a man truly great but being truly good, and partaking of God's holiness.

To a good man, God gives not only wisdom and knowledge, but joy.

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

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.

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

Hope for the best, get ready for the worst, and then take what God chooses to send.

They have most satisfaction in themselves, and consequently the sweetest relish of their creature comforts.

If therefore our houses be houses of the Lord, we shall for that reason love home, reckoning our daily devotion the sweetest of our daily delights, and our family worship the most valuable of our family comforts. This will sanctify to us all the conveniences of our houses, and reconcile us to the inconveniences of it.

You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men — this is mine: That a life spent in the service of God, and communion with him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that one can live in the present world.

The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial.

Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ's wounds are thy healings, His agonies thy repose, His conflicts thy conquests, His groans thy songs, His pains thine ease, His shame thy glory, His death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation.

Tears are a tribute to our deceased friends. When the body is sown, it must be watered. But we must not sorrow as those that have no hope; for we have a good hope through grace both concerning them and concerning ourselves.

The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity.

Man takes a great deal of pains to heap up riches, and they are but like heaps of manure in the furrows of the field, good for nothing unless they be spread.

Hearkners, we say, seldom hear good of themselves.

Those who complain most are most to be complained of.

Those that forget to attend God with their praises may perhaps be compelled to attend him with their prayers.

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

I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me, or I shall have it in due time.

It is common for those that are farthest from God, to boast themselves most of their being near to the Church.

Those that go gold into the furnace will come out no worse.

The prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were, joined with strong cries and tears, herein setting us example not only to pray, but to be fervent and importunate in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wet ones, do we offer up to God!

See what a hidden life the life of a good Christian is, and how much it is concealed from the eye and observation of the world. The most important part of the business lies between God and our own souls, in the frame of our spirits and the working of our hearts, in our actions that no eye sees except the all-seeing God. Justly are the saints called God's hidden ones, and His secret is said to be with them. They have meat to eat and work to do that the world does not know of, as well as joys, griefs, and cares that a stranger does not share.

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.

Pure Christianity and serious godliness fear not the scrutiny of a free thought, but despise the impotent malice of a prejudiced one.

That which is won ill, will never wear well, for there is a curse attends it, which will waste it; and the same corrupt dispositions which incline men to the sinful ways of getting, will incline them to the like sinful ways of spending.

The better day, the worse deed.

As if men did not die fast enough, they are ingenious at finding out ways to destroy one another.

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.

Blushing is the colour of virtue.

Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors.

It is a sin against God not to pray for the Israel of God, especially for those of them that are under our charge. Good men are afraid of the guilt of omissions ( I Samuel 12).

The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His Word and to His rod, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle toward all men.

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

We cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God.