Quotes from David Brainerd

Could not but think, as I have often remarked to others, that much more of true religion consists in deep humility, brokenness of heart, and an abasing sense of barrenness and want of grace and holiness than most who are called Christians imagine.

I love to live on the brink of eternity.

Oh that I could spend every moment of my life to God's glory.

Saw so much of the wickedness of my heart that I longed to get away from myself…I felt almost pressed to death with my own vileness. Oh what a body of death is there in me…Oh the closest walk with God is the sweetest heaven that can be enjoyed on earth!

I have received my all from God. Oh that I could return my all to God

It is sweet to be nothing and less than nothing that Christ may be all in all.

There is a God in heaven who overrules all things for the best; and this is the comfort of my soul... How blessed it is to grow more and more like God!

Oh for holiness! Oh for more of God in my soul! Oh this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God.

The whole world appears to me like a huge vacuum, a vast empty space, whence nothing desirable, or at least satisfactory, can possibly be derived; and I long daily to die more and more to it; even though I obtain not that comfort from spiritual things which I earnestly desire.

Oh, if ever I get to heaven, it will be because God will, and nothing else; for I never did any thing of myself, but get away from God!

I had been heaping up my devotions before God, fasting, praying, &c. pretending, and indeed really thinking sometimes, that I was aiming at the glory of God; whereas I never once truly intended it, but only my own happiness.

Oh, how sweet it is to be spent and worn out for God!