Thomas Watson
Without a doubt Thomas Watson is a favorite for many who love the Puritans! His pithy, heart-warming style and use of word pictures, illustrations and examples makes him one of the easiest Puritans to read. And now we’ve created a new Facebook page, Thomas Watson | Puritan Preacher & Author to share quotes, books and other resources by and about this tremendous servant of Christ. And I’m working on the new ThomasWatsonQuotes.com website that will be live in the next few weeks!
Popular Books by Thomas Watson
- The Beatitudes
- The Art of Divine Contentment
- The Great Gain of Godliness: Practical Notes on Malachi 3:16-18
- The Lords Prayer
- The Ten Commandments
- All Things for Good
- The Doctrine of Repentance
- A Body of Divinity
- The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil
- The Lord’s Supper
Biographical Sketch of Thomas Watson
Watson 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 June 30, 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen’s Walbrook.
Watson obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Notwithstanding 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.
