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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

The Mystery Of The Lord's Supper 4. Six Differences Between A Sincere Faith And A Hypocritical Faith

Therefore, to prevent mistakes, and that we may not be deceived and think we believe when we only presume, I shall give you six differences between a sincere faith, which is the flower of the spirit, and a hypocritical faith, which is the fruit of fancy. 1. A hypocritical faith is easy to come by. I... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Ten Commandments 17. The Law and Sin: The Wrath of God

What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curs... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Art of Divine Contentment: Chapter 11

Divine Motives to Contentment. SECT. 1. The first argument to contentation. 1. Consider the excellency of it. Contentment is a flower that doth not grow in every garden; it teacheth a man how in the midst of want to abound. You would think it were excellent if I could prescribe a receipt or antidote... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Beatitudes 18. Concerning Peaceableness

Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and ... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Body of Divinity 35. The Application of Redemption: Sanctification

'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Art of Divine Contentment: Chapter 12

Three things inserted by way of Caution. In the next place, I come to lay down some necessary cautions. Though I say a man should be content in every estate, yet there are three estates in which he must not be contented. 1st. He must not be contented in a natural estate: here we must learn not to be... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Ten Commandments 18. The Way of Salvation: Faith

What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for our sin? Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. I begin with the first, faith in Jesus Christ. Whom G... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Divine Cordial 10. Concerning God's Purpose

1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, Acc... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Mystery Of The Lord's Supper 5. Six Signs Of A Great Faith

1. A great faith can trust God without a pledge. It can rely upon providence in the deficiency of outward supplies. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, yet will I rejoice in the Lord," Habakkuk 3:17-18. An unbeliever must ... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Beatitudes 19. They Shall Be Called The Children Of God

They shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 In these words the glorious privilege of the saints is set down. Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among brethren, this is the great honour conferred upon them, They shall be called the children of God'. They shall... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Art of Divine Contentment: Chapter 13

Use IV. Showing how a Christian may know whether he hath learned this Divine Art. Thus having laid down these three cautions, I proceed, in the next place, to an use of trial. How may a Christian know that he hath learned this lesson of contentment? I shall lay down some characters by which you shal... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Beatitudes 20. Exhortations To Christians As They Are Children Of God

1. There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? ... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Ten Commandments 19. The Way of Salvation: Repentance

Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to pre... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Body of Divinity 36. The Application of Redemption: Assurance

Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your callin... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Sermon Against the Roman Catholic Church

(A Sermon against Popery) "Wherefore, my dearly Beloved, flee from Idolatry." -- [1 Cor 10:14] WHEN I consider that saying of the blessed Apostle Paul, I am pure from the Blood of all men, Acts 20.26; And that which made him say so, was, because he had not shun'd to declare (unto his hearers then co... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Saint's Spiritual Delight

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD." [Psalm 1:2] CHAPTER I. Shewing that Negative Goodness is but a broken Title to Heaven. AS the book of the Canticles is called the Song of Songs by an Hebraism, it being the most excellent; so this psalm may not unfitly be entitled, the Psalm of Psalms, fo... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Ten Commandments 20. The Way of Salvation: The Word

The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2... Read More
Thomas Watson

A Body of Divinity 37. The Application of Redemption: Peace

Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Art of Divine Contentment: Chapter 14

Use V. Containing a Christian Directory, or Rules about Contentment. I proceed now to an use of direction, to show Christians how they may attain to this divine art of contentation. Certainly it is feasible, others of God's saints have reached to it. St Paul here had it; and what do we think of thos... Read More
Thomas Watson

The Beatitudes 21. Concerning Persecution

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 We are now come to the last beatitude: Blessed are they which are persecuted . . '. Our Lord Christ would have us reckon the cost. Which of you intending to build a tower sitteth not down ... Read More

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