Online and in books, Spurgeon is well-known for having said many pithy and helpful things. But when you try to find where he said it, it can be frustrating. Partly because so many things are quoted today without citation or source and partly due to the fact that Spurgeon wrote more words in English than anyone else in history, finding the original source of quotes can be quite difficult! One website even has a list of things you will commonly hear quoted, but which he didn't really say. It's likely that other people who read Spurgeon summarized an idea of something he said. Over time it simply becomes what Spurgeon himself "said."
One particular quote that shows up in a few different forms is this one about God's sovereignty:
The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace.
True! But as far as I can tell, Spurgeon never said these words. After hours of searching, though, I think I found the source of this simplified version of his thought. And, for my money, the original--though longer--is far more helpful to my soul. Especially going through a season of discouragements, I find Spurgeon's words exactly what I need to hear. I hope you will be encouraged by them too.
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Cheer up, then, heir of grace!
What is thy trial? Has providence brought it upon thee? If so, unerring wisdom will deliver thee from it.
What is it thou art now exercised upon? As truly as thou art alive, God will remove it.
Dost thou think God's cloudy pillar would ever lead thee to a place where God's right arm would fail thee?
Dost thou imagine that he would ever guide thee into such a defile that he could not conduct thee out again?
The providence which apparently misleads, will in verity befriend thee. That which leads thee into difficulties guards thee against thy foes; it casts darkness on thy sins, whilst it giveth light to thee. How sweet is providence to a child of God, when he can reflect upon it! He can look out into this world, and say,
"However great my troubles, they are not so great as my Father's power; however difficult may be my circumstances, yet all things around me are working together for good.
He who holds up yon unpillared arch of the starry heavens can also support my soul without a single apparent prop;
he who guides the stars in the well-ordered courses, even when they seem to move in hazy dances, surely he can overrule my trials in such a way that out of confusion he will bring order; and from seeming evil produce lasting good.
He who bridles the storm, and puts the bit in the mouth of the tempest, surely he can restrain my trial, and keep my sorrows in subjection.
I need not fear
while the lightnings are in his hands and the thunders sleep within his lips;
while the oceans gurgle from his fist, and the clouds are in the hollow of his hands;
while the rivers are turned by his foot, and while he diggeth the channels of the sea.
Surely he whose might wings an angel, can furnish a worm with strength; he who guides a cherub will not be overcome by the trials of an emmet like myself. He who makes the most ponderous orb roll in dignity, and keeps its predestined orbit, can make a little atom like myself move in my proper course, and conduct me as he pleaseth."
Christian! there is no sweeter pillow than providence; and when providence seemeth adverse, believe it still, lay it under thy head, for depend upon it there is comfort in its bosom. There is hope for thee thou child of God!
The great trouble which is to come in thy way in the early part of thy pilgrimage, is planned by love, the same love which shall interpose as thy protector.
—C.H. Spurgeon, "Israel at the Red Sea"
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