Christian Writers and Preachers

“Emptiness is written upon everyone till the heart comes to its Savior and Lord.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Sanctification in myself, and the ingathering of God’s elect, was all my desire; and the hope of its accomplishment, all my joy.

—David Brainerd

I rejoiced that he was God, and longed that all should know it, and feel it, and rejoice in it.

—David Brainerd

Was very fearful lest I should admit some vain thought, and so lose the sense I then had of divine things. O for an abiding heavenly temper!

—David Brainerd

Blessed be thy name for ever, that thou art God, and that thou wilt glorify thyself. O that the whole world might glorify thee! O let these poor people be brought to know thee, and love thee, for the glory of thy dear ever-blessed name!

—David Brainerd

Oh (methought) if God’s people knew me, as God knows, they would not think so highly of my zeal and resolution for God, as perhaps now they do!

—David Brainerd

Oh, how I longed to be with Christ, to be employed in the glorious work of angels, and with an angel’s freedom, vigour, and delight! And yet how willing was I to stay awhile on earth, that I might do something, if the Lord pleased, for his interest in the world!

—David Brainerd

God has made me willing to do any thing that I can do, consistent with truth, for the sake of peace, and that I might not be a stumbling-block to others.

—David Brainerd

O that I could begin this year with God, and spend the whole of it to his glory, either in life or death!

—David Brainerd

In the evening I was grieved that I had done so little for God. Oh that I could be a flame of fire in the service of my God!

—David Brainerd

I poured out my soul for all the world, friends, and enemies.

—David Brainerd

I find that both mind and body are quickly tired with intenseness and fervour in the things of God. O that I could be as incessant as angels in devotion and spiritual fervour!

—David Brainerd

Through the infinite goodness of God, I felt what I spoke; he enabled me to treat on divine truth with uncommon clearness: and yet I was so sensible of my defects in preaching, that I could not be proud of my performance, as at some times; and blessed be the Lord for this mercy.

—David Brainerd

Enjoyed some sweetness in things divine, in the midst of my pain and weakness. O that I could praise the Lord!

—David Brainerd

O that I may never distrust infinite goodness!

—David Brainerd

I never feel comfortably, but when I find my soul going forth after God: if I cannot be holy, I must necessarily be miserable forever.

—David Brainerd

My soul seemed so to reach and stretch towards the mark of perfect sanctity, that it was ready to break with longings.

—David Brainerd

Oh, how I delighted to pray and cry to God! I saw God was both able and willing to do all that I desired, for myself and friends, and his church in general.

—David Brainerd

I trust I shall ere long arrive safe at my journey’s end, where my toils shall cease.

—David Brainerd

O it is sweet lying in the dust!

—David Brainerd

I see I am nothing, and can do nothing without help from above. Oh, for divine grace!

—David Brainerd

I was resigned to God’s will, to tarry his time, to do his work, and suffer his pleasure.

—David Brainerd

My soul breathed after God,—‘When shall I come to God, even to God, my exceeding joy?’ Oh for his blessed likeness!

—David Brainerd

Surely God is worthy of my highest affection, and most devout adoration; he is infinitely worthy, that I should make him my last end, and live for ever to him. Oh that I might never more, in any one instance, live to myself!

—David Brainerd

I think I do not desire to live one minute for any thing that earth can afford. Oh, that I could live for none but God, till my dying moment!

—David Brainerd

O the wonderful goodness of God to so vile a sinner!

—David Brainerd

May the God of all grace succeed my poor labours in this place!

—David Brainerd

My soul felt a pleasing, yet painful concern, lest I should spend some moments without God. O may I always live to God!

—David Brainerd

Felt an abasing sense of my own impurity and unholiness; and felt my soul melt and mourn, that I had abused and grieved a very gracious God, who was still kind to me, notwithstanding all my unworthiness.

—David Brainerd

I longed to make some returns to God; but found I had nothing to return: I could only rejoice, that God had done the work himself; and that none in heaven or earth might pretend to share the honour of it with him.

—David Brainerd