Thomas Watson (Puritan)

Thomas Watson (c. 1620—1686) 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. [http://www.fivesolas.com/watson/wattarget.htm]

Writing

Watson still has numerous titles in print that are available from various publishing houses that specialize in Puritan works, including the Banner of Truth Trust and Soli Deo Gloria Books. Some of these titles include:

*"All Things for Good" (originally published as "A Divine Cordial") ISBN 0-85151-478-2
*"The Godly Man's Picture" ISBN 0-85151-595-9
*"The Ten Commandments" ISBN 0-85151-146-5
*"The Doctrine of Repentance" ISBN 0-85151-521-5
*"Sermons of Thomas Watson" (a compilation) ISBN 1-877611-23-9
*"A Plea for the Godly: And Other Sermons" ISBN 1-877611-74-3
*"The Duty of Self-Denial: (And 10 Other Sermons)" ISBN 1-57358-015-5
*"The Fight of Faith Crowned: The Remaining Sermons of Thomas Watson, Rector of St. Stephen's Walbrook, London" ISBN 1-57358-047-3
*"The Beatitudes" ISBN 0-85151-035-3
*"The Lord's Prayer" ISBN 0-85151-145-7
*"The Lord's Supper" ISBN 0-85151-854-0
*"The Art of Divine Contentment" ISBN 1-57358-113-5
*"The Christian's Great Interest" ISBN 0-85151-354-9
*"Jerusalem's Glory: A Puritan's View of the Church" ISBN 1-85792-569-6
*"Heaven Taken by Storm: Showing the Holy Violence a Christian Is to Put Forth in the Pursuit After Glory" ISBN 1-877611-50-6
*"The Mischief of Sin" ISBN 1-877611-85-9
*"A Body of Divinity: Contained in Sermons upon the Westminster Assembly's Catechism" ISBN 0-85151-383-2 and ISBN 1-58960-314-1
*"Gleanings from Thomas Watson" (a compilation) ISBN 1-57358-009-0
*"Between Shadows And Light" ISBN 1-4208-3791-5

External links

* [http://www.ccel.org/w/watson/ Writings by Watson] at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
* [http://www.fivesolas.com/watson/ The Thomas Watson Reading Room]
* [http://www.reformedsermonarchives.com/watsontitle.htm Sermons by Watson]

References

*Schaff-Herzog