The Works of Thomas Watson Volume 2 contains a collection of sermons on a variety of topics, including Christ, sin, heaven, meditation, the Lord's Supper, perseverance, the soul, righteousness, and purity, among many others. Included also is his Farewell Sermon, where he poignantly addresses his parish with perhaps the most emotional and heart-wrenching sermon of his career, the night before his ejection from the Church of England. With characteristic Puritan courage and wit, he says, "Now welcome the cross of Christ, — welcome reproach, — welcome poverty, scorn and contempt, or whatever else may befall me on this account! This morning I had a flock, and you had a pastor; but now, behold a pastor without a flock, — a flock without a shepherd! This morning I had a house, but now I have none! This morning I had a living, but now I have none! “The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”"
Charles Spurgeon said of Thomas Watson, "Watson was one of the most concise, racy, illustrative, and suggestive of those eminent divines who made the Puritan age the Augustan period of evangelical literature. There is a happy union of sound doctrine, heart-searching experience and practical wisdom throughout all his works." By Ted Cortez Publishing
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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