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Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson

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.

      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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Thomas Watson

A Christian on Earth, Still in Heaven

A Christian on Earth, Still in Heaven by Thomas Watson The Scripture is a spiritual paradise, and the book of Psalms is placed as the tree of life, in the midst of this paradise. The Psalms are not only for delight—but usefulness. They are like the pomegranate tree which is not only good for fragran... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Consolation in Affliction

A Consolation in Affliction by Thomas Watson "You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according unto your word." Psalm 119:65 The Psalms are the marrow of the Bible. They are both for delight and use, like rich cordials which not only gratify the palate—but strengthen the spirits. This Psalm ... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Divine Cordial

A Divine Cordial by Thomas Watson CHOICE EXCERPTS If God left us! The sins of the ungodly are looking-glasses in which we may see our own hearts. Do we see a heinous, impious wretch? Behold a picture of our own hearts! Such would we be—if God left us! What is in wicked men's practice —is in our natu... Read More
Thomas Watson

A godly man does not indulge in any sin

A godly man does not indulge in any sin (from Thomas Watson's "The Godly Man's Picture") Though sin lives in him—yet he does not live in sin. A godly man may step into sin through infirmity—but he does not keep on that road. He prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thought... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Godly Man is a Lover of the Word

A Godly Man is a Lover of the Word by Thomas Watson "O how love I your law!" Psalm 119:97 A godly man loves the Word Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden set with ornaments and flowers. A godly man delights to walk in this garden and sweetly solace himself. He loves every branch and part of... Read More
Thomas Watson

A New Creature

A New Creature by Thomas Watson "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 In this Scripture consists the essence and soul of religion. I note here two things: First, that the true definition of a Chris... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Plea for Alms

A Plea for Alms by Thomas Watson (Delivered in a sermon before the London city assembly, on April 13, 1658) "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" 1 John 3:17 To the assembly of the famous city of London, My own la... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Plea for the Godly

A Plea for the Godly by Thomas Watson "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor." Proverbs 12:26 Solomon was a man of renown. He was the world's wonder; he discoursed on trees from the cedar-tree in Lebanon, to the hyssop which springs out of the wall. The Proverbs are profound and holy aph... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Test of Assurance

A Test of Assurance Thomas Watson How we know whether we love God? He who loves God—desires his presence. Lovers cannot be long apart, they soon have their fainting fits, for lack of a sight of the object of their love. A soul deeply in love with God, desires the enjoyment of Him in His ordinances, ... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Treatise Concerning Meditation

A Christian on the Mount A Treatise Concerning Meditation By Thomas Watson "His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2 Having led you through the Chamber of Delight in my previous discourse, I will now bring you into the Withdrawing Room of Meditatio... Read More
Thomas Watson

Body of Practical Divinity

Body of Practical Divinity By Thomas Watson CHOICE EXCERPTS Mirror and fountain The Scripture is a mirror to show us our sins; Christ's blood is a fountain to wash them away. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A lamp for my feet "Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth!" Psalm 86:11 Let us lead... Read More
Thomas Watson

Christ All in All

Christ All in All by Thomas Watson "Christ is all in all." Colossians 3:11 The philosopher says every science takes its dignity from the object; the more noble the object—the more rare the knowledge. Hence it is that Jesus Christ, being the most sublime and glorious object, that knowledge which lead... Read More
Thomas Watson

Christian Joy

CHRISTIAN JOY by Thomas Watson "The fruit of the Spirit is joy." Gal. 5:22. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification—is joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle—it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delig... Read More
Thomas Watson

Comfort & Joy: The Mourner's Privilege

Mourning is one way to solid joy. "The sweet wine is that which comes out of the wine-press of the eyes," says Chrysostom. The soul is never more enlarged than when it can weep. Closet tears are better then court music. The soul of a Christian is most eased when it can vent itself by holy mourning. ... Read More
Thomas Watson

Comfort for the Church

Comfort for the Church by Thomas Watson "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved." Psalm 46:5 Solomon said, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver," Proverbs 25:11. In which regard I have made choice of this Scripture, which may be a word in season to revive the... Read More
Thomas Watson

Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved Thomas Watson's Afternoon Farewell Sermon, Preached August 17, 1662. "Since we have these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1 It is the title that I inten... Read More
Thomas Watson

Farewell Prayer

Farewell Prayer by Thomas Watson (This prayer given by Watson, on the eve of his ejection from his church, because of his non-conformity to the state church.) O Lord God, all our springs are in You. It is good for us to draw near to You through Jesus Christ. You are all fullness, the quintessence of... Read More
Thomas Watson

God is His People's Great Reward

God is His Peoples Great Reward by Thomas Watson "I am your exceeding great reward." Genesis 15:1 God Himself is His people's reward! Abraham is called "the friend of God," James 2:23. The Lord spoke with him familiarly, Genesis 17:22; he was made of God's privy council, Genesis 18:17. And in the te... Read More
Thomas Watson

God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart

God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart by Thomas Watson "All things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13 We have met this day to humble our souls, and to bring our censer, as once Aaron did, and step in—that the wrath of the great God may be appeased. And was there ... Read More
Thomas Watson

Heart Purity

Heart Purity By Thomas Watson "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8 The holy God, who is 'of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatific vision of himself: 'they shall ... Read More

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