Matthew Henry Quotes on Prayer, Family Worship and Meekness
Matthew Henry is one of the most quoted Puritans in the English language. His sentences are short and balanced, often with a turn at the end that makes them easy to remember. Most of the Matthew Henry quotes online come from his Bible commentary, and many are passed around without a source.
The quotations on this page come from his shorter books in TheWay Library, and every one is copied exactly from the text, with the book and chapter, so you can read it in its setting. For his life story, see who was Matthew Henry. For a guide to the books, see Matthew Henry books.
On beginning and spending the day with God
These come from Directions for Daily Communion with God, sermons he preached in 1712 on beginning, spending and closing each day with God.
It is our wisdom and duty to begin every day with God.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
You had better take time from sleep than want time for prayer.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
Speak often to him; he is always within hearing.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
You cannot pray so well as others, pray as well as you can, and God will accept of you.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
The closer we keep to prayer, and to God in prayer, the more will all our affairs prosper.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
To wait on God, is to live a life of desire toward him, delight in him, dependence on him, and devotedness to him.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
We must taste covenant love in common mercies, and enjoy the Creator while we are using the creature.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
When we are alone we must not be alone, but the Father must be with us, and we with him.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
It is good to be speedy in renewing our repentance, before the heart be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
That a holy, heavenly life, spent in the service of God, and in communion with him, is the most pleasant, comfortable life any body can live
Daily Communion with God and Other Discourses, Daily Communion with God
On the church in the house
Henry grew up in a home where the Bible was read and explained every morning and evening. His sermon A Church in the House urges every Christian family to do the same.
Wherever we have a house, God should have a Church in it.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
It is better to be without bread in your houses than without Bibles, for the words of God's mouth are and should be to you more than your necessary food.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
As mothers are children's best nurses, so parents are or should be their best teachers.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
If this good work be not kept going forward, it will of itself go backward.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
This will make your family- comforts double comforts, and your family-crosses but half crosses; it will turn a tent into a temple, a cottage into a palace.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
Praying families are kept from more mischiefs than they themselves are aware of.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
The law looks upon a man's house as his castle: religion makes it truly so.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
Every one must sweep before his own door, and then the street will be clean.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
I beseech you make a business of your family religion, and not a by-business.
A Church in the House; or, Family Religion
On meekness and anger
Henry's Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit may be the most quotable of his small books. He knew how quickly a hot temper can spoil a home, a church or a prayer.
Meekness accommodates the soul to every occurrence, and so makes a man easy to himself, and to all about him.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter I
The anger of a meek man is like fire struck out of steel, hard to be got out, and when it is, soon gone.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter I
A needful truth spoken in anger may do more hurt than good, and offend rather than satisfy.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter I
When God's anger is kindled, ours must be stifled; such is the law of meekness, that whatsoever pleases God must not displease us.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter I
The conquest of an unruly passion is more honorable than that of an unruly people, for it requires more true courage.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter II
That which would break an angry man's heart, will not break a meek man's sleep.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter II
Prayers made in wrath are written in gall, and can never be pleasing to, or prevailing with the God of love and peace.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter II
It is the continual happiness of a quiet temper to make the best of that which is.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter II
Heaven is a quiet place, and none are fit for it but quiet people.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter II
As he was famous for faith, so was he for meekness; for the more we have of faith toward God, the more we shall have of meekness toward all men.
A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Chapter V
On the Lord's Supper
Last, a few lines from The Communicant's Companion, his guide for coming to the Lord's table.
If we receive not Christ Jesus the Lord here, we have the supper, but not the Lord's Supper.
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter I
We see nothing here, if we see not the beauty of Christ; we taste nothing here, if we taste not the love of Christ.
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter I
Surely we must forget ourselves if ever we forget him, since our happiness is entirely owing to his kindness.
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter II
You think you have no grace, because you are not yet perfect; but why should you look for that on earth which is to be had in heaven only?
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter III
Complaints of spiritual burdens are the language of the new nature, as well as praises for spiritual blessings.
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter III
It is better to be lamenting and longing in the want of ordinances, than loathing in the fulness of them.
The Communicant's Companion, Chapter III
Where to read more Henry
If you want one of these books to start with, read Daily Communion with God and try its plan for a week: begin the day with God, wait on him through the day, and close the day with him. Then read A Church in the House and start family worship at your own table. All four of his books are on the Matthew Henry author page.