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
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
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
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
My soul was this day, at turns, sweetly set on God: I longed to be with him, that I might behold his glory.
—David Brainerd
God is the same God, always and everywhere. He is omnipresent not virtually only, but also substantially, for virtue cannot subsist without substance.
—Isaac Newton
My soul grieved with reflection on past levity, and want of resolution for God.
—David Brainerd
But, oh, to love and praise God more, to please him for ever! this my soul panted after, and even now pants for while I write.
—David Brainerd
As long as I see any thing to be done for God, life is worth having; but O how vain and unworthy it is to live for any lower end!
—David Brainerd
As a blind man has no idea of colors, so have we no idea of the manner by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things.
—Isaac Newton
Lord, if it be most for thy glory, let me proceed in it; but if thou seest that it will in any wise hinder my usefulness in thy cause, oh prevent my proceeding…all I want, respecting this world, is such circumstances as may best capacitate me to do service for God in the world.
—David Brainerd
Oh, it refreshed my soul, to think of former things, of desires to glorify God, of the pleasures of living to him!
—David Brainerd
Oh, how heavy is my work, when faith cannot take hold of an almighty arm, for the performance of it! Many times have I been ready to sink in this case. Blessed be God, that I may repair to a full fountain.
—David Brainerd
My soul blessed God for what he is in himself, and adored him, that he ever would display himself to creatures.
—David Brainerd
My soul longed to wing away for the paradise of God; I longed to be conformed to God in all things.
—David Brainerd
Oh that we could depend more upon the living God, and less upon our own wisdom and strength!
—David Brainerd
O that God would make me more lively and vigorous in grace, for his own glory!
—David Brainerd
Was grieved that I could do so little for God before my bodily strength failed.
—David Brainerd
I enjoyed much more intenseness, fervency, and spirituality, than I expected; God was better to me than my fears.
—David Brainerd
Oh, methinks, if he would punish me for my sins, it would not wound my heart so deep to offend him: but though I sin continually, yet he continually repeats his kindness to me! Oh, methinks I could bear any sufferings; but how can I bear to grieve and dishonour this blessed God!
—David Brainerd
…what a death it is, to strive, and strive; to be always in a hurry, and yet do nothing, or at least nothing for God!
—David Brainerd
In the evening, the hand of faith seemed to be strengthened in God; my soul seemed to rest and acquiesce in him; was supported under my burdens, reading the 125th Psalm; and found that it was sweet and comfortable to lean on God.
—David Brainerd