Isaac Watts

"Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with my span, I must be measured by my soul; The mind's the standard of the man."

"There's not a place where we can flee, But God is present there."

"Whene'er I take my walks abroad, How many poor I see! What shall I render to my God For all his gifts to me?"

"I would not change my native land For rich Peru with all her gold. A nobler prize lies in my hand Than East or Western Indies hold."

"Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace, And not to chance as others do, That I was born of Christian race, And not a Heathen, or a Jew."

"Just as a tree cut down, that fell To north, or southward, there it lies: So man departs to heaven or hell, Fix'd in the state wherein he dies."

"A flower, when offered in the bud, Is no vain sacrifice."

"A flower may fade before 'tis noon, And I this day may lose my breath."

"One stroke of his almighty rod Shall send young sinners quick to hell."

"And he that does one fault at first And lies to hide it, makes it two."

"...but every lyar Must have his portion in the lake That burns with brimstone and with fire."

"Let dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so; Let bears and lions growl and fight, For 't is their nature too."

"But, children, you should never let Such angry passions rise; Your little hands were never made To tear each other's eyes."

"Birds in their little nests agree; And 'tis a shameful sight, When children of one family Fall out, and chide, and fight."

"The wise will make their anger cool At least before 'tis night."

"How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flower!"

"In works of labour or of skill I would be busy too: For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do."

"In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be past, That I may give for every day Some good account at last."

"Why should our garments, made to hide Our parents' shame, provoke our pride? The art of dress did ne'er begin, Till Eve our mother learn'd to sin.When first she put the covering on, Her robe of innocence was gone; And yet her children vainly boast In the sad marks of glory lost."

"Let me be dressed fine as I will, Flies, worms, and flowers, exceed me still."

"Then will I set my heart to find Inward adornings of the mind; Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace, These are the robes of richest dress."

"I have been there, and still would go; 'T is like a little heaven below."

"Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed! Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head."

"Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home."

"A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun."

"Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day."

"From all who dwell below the skies Let the Creator's praise arise; Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue."

"Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King. Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, And heav'n and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing."

"Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy."

"No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found."

"He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love."

"Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your own profession. Do not indulge yourselves to judge of things by the first glimpse, or a short and superficial view of them; for this will fill the mind with errors and prejudices, and give it a wrong turn and ill habit of thinking, and make much work for retraction."

"Once a day, especially in the early years of life and study, call yourselves to an account what new ideas, what new proposition or truth you have gained, what further confirmation of known truths, and what advances you have made in any part of knowledge; and let no day, if possible, pass away without some intellectual gain."

"Maintain a constant watch at all times against a dogmatical spirit: fix not your assent to any proposition in a firm and unalterable manner, till you have some firm and unalterable ground for it, and till you have arrived at some clear and sure evidence."

"Fly, like a youthful hart or roe, Over the hills where spices grow."

"And while the lamp holds out to burn, The vilest sinner may return."

"Strange that a harp of thousand strings Should keep in tune so long!"

"Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound."

"The tall, the wise, the reverend head Must lie as low as ours."

"When I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, I'll bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes."

"There is a land of pure delight, Where saints immortal reign; Infinite day excludes the night, And pleasures banish pain."

"So, when a raging fever burns, We shift from side to side by turns; And 't is a poor relief we gain To change the place, but keep the pain."

"I write not for your farthing, but to try / How I your farthing writers, may outvie."

"My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of Thine, While like a penitent I stand, And there confess my sin."

"The compassion of Christ inclines Him to save sinners, — the power of Christ enables Him to save sinners, — and the promise of Christ binds Him to save sinners. A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On Thy kind arms I fall; Be Thou my Strength and Righteousness, My Saviour and my All."

"I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them."

"How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God shall meet together and stand around Him, with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise! How astonishing will be the glory and the joy of that day when all the saints shall join together in one common song of gratitude and love, and of everlasting thankfulness to this Redeemer! With what unknown delight, and inexpressible satisfaction, shall all that are saved from the ruins of sin and hell address the Lamb that was slain, and rejoice in His presence!"