Written in 1661, this book contains all the hallmarks of what made the puritans great. It represents a clarion call to the church to recognize her failings and repent, turning to the Almighty God and casting herself on His mercy. Here we gain some insight to the virtue of a puritan preacher of the gospel, speaking plainly to the ills of society and in particular to the church, that according to the scripture is "a city set on a hill."
It revealed Thomas Watson's deep concern for the state of the Church and the prosperity of godliness and vital Christianity in a period of testing and decline. Watson did not merely write a religious polemic, but offered the fruits of many years of a successful preaching ministry, expounding issues such as when the Christian may rejoice, how to act in a godly manner when tested to the limit, and showing how glorious is Christ's Church when proven in the fires of affliction. It is a work that is aimed at helping the believer in a practical manner to live a life that glorifies God and places Christ at the centre of the Church both doctrinally and in practical everyday living. He challenges the reader at every turn to seek to prove these things according to the authority of the Scriptures, and to act upon it.
The text is simplified for the modern reader, with a biographical introduction added to the original work. It will, through time, come to be regarded as Watson at his most readable and best.
He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted for remarkably intense study. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. He showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, with, however, an attachment to the king, and in 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love's plot to recall Charles II of England.
He was released on 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding the rigor of the acts against dissenters, Watson continued to exercise his ministry privately as he found opportunity. Upon the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he obtained a license to preach at the great hall in Crosby House. After preaching there for several years, his health gave way, and he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret. He was buried on 28 July 1686.
Thomas Watson was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author.
He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted for remarkably intense study. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. He showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, with, however, an attachment to the king, and in 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love's plot to recall Charles II of England.
He was released on 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding the rigor of the acts against dissenters, Watson continued to exercise his ministry privately as he found opportunity. Upon the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he obtained a license to preach at the great hall in Crosby House. After preaching there for several years, his health gave way, and he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret. He was buried on 28 July 1686.
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