Quotes from George Whitefield

Simple Bible statements, apt illustrations, and pertinent anecdotes, were the more common weapons that he used. The consequence was that his hearers always understood him. He never shot above their heads. Here again is one grand element of a preacher's success. He must labour by all means to be understood. It was a wise saying of Archbishop Usher, "To make easy things seem hard is every man's work; but to make hard things easy is the work of a great preacher.

Language like this, no doubt, seems foolishness and affectation to the world; but the well-instructed Bible reader will see in it the heartfelt experience of all the brightest saints. It is the language of men like Baxter, and Brainerd, and M'Cheyne. It is the same mind that was in the inspired Apostle Paul. Those that have most light and grace are always the humblest men.

Once become satisfied that a man loves you, and you will listen gladly to anything he has to say.

Live above the world, and underneath you shall be God's Everlasting Arms.

It is better to wear out than to rust out.

Other men may preach the gospel better than I, but no man can preach a better gospel.

To preach more than half an hour, a man should be an angel himself or have angels for hearers.

I got more true knowledge from reading the Book of God in one month, than I could ever have acquired from all the writings of men.

The fall of man is written in too legible characters not to be understood: Those that deny it, by their denying, prove it.

Left to himself, man is half beast and half devil.

Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure.

Thus was the King and the Lord of glory judged by man's judgment, when manifest in flesh: far be it from any of his ministers to expect better treatment.