Thomas Watson, The Ten Commandments

The queen of graces

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Matthew 22:37-38

Love to God is a holy expansion or enlargement of 

soul, by which it is carried with delight after God, as 

the chief good--"a delight in God, as our treasure."

Love is the soul of religion; it is a momentous grace. 

If love is lacking, there can be no true religion in the 

heart. All else is but pageantry--merely a devout 

compliment to God.

Love ameliorates and sweetens all the duties of 

religion; it makes them savory food, which God 

delights in.

As to the excellence of this grace--love is the first and 

great commandment. Love is the queen of graces; it 

outshines all others, as the sun outshines the planets.

Love is the most durable grace. Faith and hope will shortly 

cease--but love will remain. Thus love carries away the 

garland from all other graces, as it is the most long-lived 

grace. Love is a bud of eternity!

Love to God must be *pure* and *genuine*. *He must be loved 

chiefly for Himself*. We must love God, not only for His benefits

but for those intrinsic excellencies with which He is crowned. 

We must love God--not only for the good which flows from Him

—but for the good which is in Him. True love is not mercenary; 

he who is deeply in love with God, needs not be hired with 

rewards, he cannot but love God for the beauty of His holiness.

Though it is not unlawful to look for benefits, we must not love 

God for His benefits alone--for then it is not love of God, but 

self-love.

Love to God must be *with all the heart*. We must 

not love God a little--give Him a drop or two of our 

love; but the main stream must flow to Him.

The mind must think of God, 

the will must choose Him, 

the affections must pant after Him.

God will not have the heart divided. We must *love Him 

with our whole heart*. Though we may love the creature

yet it must be a subordinate love. Love to God must 

be highest, as oil swims above the water.

Love to God must be *flaming*. To love coldly, is the 

same as not to love. The spouse is said to be, "love-sick." 

Songs 2:5. The seraphim are so called, because of their 

burning love. Love turns saints into seraphim; it makes 

them burn in holy love to God. Many waters cannot 

quench this love.

Thomas Watson, The queen of graces from Ten Commandments

Thomas Watson - The Trials and Sufferings of the Godly

The trials and sufferings of the godly

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity")

God's own people often suffer great afflictions. 

"This is what the wicked are like—always carefree,
 they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept
 my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in 
 innocence. For I am afflicted all day long!" 
    Psalm 73:12-14 

How can this be consistent with God's justice?

'God's ways of judgment are sometimes secret, but 
never unjust!' The Lord never afflicts His people 
without a cause; He cannot be unjust towards them. 

There is some good in the godly—therefore the wicked 
afflict them; there is some evil in them—therefore God 
afflicts them!

God's own children have their blemishes. "But aren't 
you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God?" 
2 Chr. 28:10. These spiritual diamonds—have they no
flaws? Do we not read of the spots of God's children? 
Are not they guilty of much pride, passion, worldliness? 
Though, by their profession, they should resemble the 
birds of paradise, to fly above, and feed upon the dew 
of heaven; yet, as the serpent, they often lick the dust!

The sins of God's people, do more provoke God than 
the sins of others. "The Lord saw this and was filled 
with loathing. He was provoked to anger by His own 
sons and daughters." Deut 32:19. The sins of others 
pierce Christ's side; the sins of His people wound His 
heart! Therefore is not God just in all the afflictions 
which befall them? "You only have I chosen of all the 
families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for 
all your sins." Amos 3:2. I will punish you sooner, 
surer, sorer—than others.

The trials and sufferings of the godly, are to 
refine and purify them. God's furnace is in Zion. Is 
it any injustice in God to put His gold into the furnace 
to purify it? Is it any injustice in God, by afflicting His 
people, to make them partakers of His holiness? What 
more proclaims God's faithfulness—than to take such 
a course with them as may make them more holy? 

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and
in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75 

   

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