Puritan Gems

Wise and Holy Sayings of Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson

• Publisher: GLH Publishing
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781648630583
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theologie & Religion
• Subtopic: Christliche Konfessionen

These are a collection of the eminent Puritan pastor, Thomas Watson. Reading a few of these quotes is a great way to start a devotional time, the morning, or end an evening to help one's heart be centered on Christ and his work and ways.

Puritan Gems

Wise and Holy Sayings

of Thomas Watson

Edited and Arranged by

John Adey

Vintage Puritan

GLH Publishing

Louisville, KY

Edited and arranged by John Adey, 1850.

Public Domain.

ISBN:

Paperback 978-1-64863-057-6

Epub 978-1-64863-058-3

For information on new releases, weekly deals, and free ebooks visit
www.GLHpublishing.com

Contents

Preface

Afflictions

Assurance

Angels

Care

Cheerfulness

Christ

Christians

Church

Conscience

Contentment

Election

Eternity

Exhortation

Experience

Exposition of Texts

Faith

Fear of God

Grace and Graces of the Spirit

God

Heaven

Hell

Holiness

The Holy Spirit

Hope

Humility

Life

The Lord’s Supper

Love

Mercy

Meditation

Ministers

Pardon

Prayer

Praise

Promises

Providence

Redemption

Riches

Salvation

Scriptures

Sin and Sinners

Soul

Temptation

Truth

World

Preface

The Author from whose works the contents of this little volume have been selected and arranged, was the Rev. Thomas Watson, M.A., minister of St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, London. He was one of the excellent men ejected from the Church of England by the passing of the Act of Uniformity, in 1662, when upwards of two thousand clergymen lost their livings, and the greater part of them suffered poverty and reproach, and passed through severe trials, for conscience’ sake.

Mr. Watson received his education for the ministry at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He possessed considerable attainments, was very popular as a preacher, and particularly gifted in prayer. He was the author of several works, some of which have been frequently reprinted, especially in Scotland. His printed sermons were numerous, one of which he preached before the House of Commons.

It will be seen from the following extracts that their author was peculiar in his style, very sententious, and abounding in figures; but his writings are particularly distinguished for their practical tendency, and the frequency with which we meet with earnest appeals to the ungodly. The unreserved freeness with which he presented the invitations of the Gospel, with the pungency of his reproofs, must have made him very successful in ‘winning souls.’

As a minister and pastor, Mr. Watson was highly esteemed by his flock; and the closing paragraph of his farewell sermon to them before his ejectment, will serve to illustrate their mutual regard, and the times when the rights of conscience were so grossly violated and the principles of religious liberty so little understood:

“The hour is come wherein the sun is setting upon not a few of the prophets: our work seems to be at an end; our pulpits and places must know us no more. You are not ignorant what things there are imposed on us as the condition of our continuing our ministration. I must profess before God, angels, and men, that my nonsubmission is not from any disloyalty to authority or any factious disposition, but because I dare not do anything concerning which my heart tells me the Lord says, Do it not. I feel I must part with my conscience or with my ministry. I choose, therefore, that my ministry be sealed up by my sufferings, rather than lengthened out by a lie; but I shall, through the grace of God, endeavour patiently and peaceably to suffer as a Christian. And now, welcome the cross of Christ; welcome reproach; welcome poverty, scorn, and contempt, or whatever may befall me! This morning, I had a flock and you had a pastor, but now behold a pastor without a flock, and a flock without a shepherd! This morning, I had a house, now I have none. This morning, I had a living, now I have none: ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’ And thus, brethren, I bid you all farewell. ‘Finally, brethren, farewell!’”

After his ejectment, this Puritan Divine resided some years in London, preaching whenever he had an opportunity; and when age and infirmities advanced upon him, he retired into Essex, and soon after died suddenly, in his study, while engaged in secret prayer.

The Editor, in publishing these extracts, hopes he shall be doing some small service to the cause of truth and godliness. He has long wished that the many which are scattered through the Author’s writings might be better known, especially as the volumes in which they lie are now, comparatively, but little known or read.

It has been thought this miniature Cabinet would be an appropriate companion for the journey—the voyage—in the walk—in leisure moments, or on the couch of weakness, when some sentence might be found adapted to the peculiar circumstances of the reader, and be conducive to instruction and edification.

“The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies:” and “that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”

John Adey
Surrey Square, London, 1850.

Afflictions

When God puts his children to the school of the cross, he deals with them tenderly, because he does not leave them without a promise,—“God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” He will not lay a giant’s burden upon a child’s back, nor will he stretch the strings of the instrument too much, lest they should break. If God sees it good to strike with one hand, he will support with the other; either he will make the faith stronger, or render the yoke lighter.

God has never promised a charter of exemption from trouble, but he hath promised to “be with us in trouble.” Better be in a prison with God’s presence and God’s promises, than be on a throne without them.

The Apostle Paul had his prison songs. When the saints taste most of the wrath of man, they feel most of the love of God.

We think God cannot favour us except he hath us in his lap; yet he loves his people when he is giving them the bitter diet-drink of affliction. God’s rod and God’s love, they both stand together. It is no love in God to let men go on in sin, and never smite. God’s greatest curse is when he afflicts not for sin. Let us feel God’s hand, so that we may have his heart.

A true Christian finds comfort in the rod, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” A Christian is like a bird that can sing in the dark days of winter, as well as in the lightsome months of summer.

God made for some of the martyrs a prison sweet as a garden of flowers: what then will be heaven!—if afflicting mercy be so great, what will be crowning mercy!

Christians mistake in supposing that, when God afflicts, he ceases to love;— affliction is his pruning-knife: he would rather have the branches of his vine bleed than be unfruitful. He prunes us, that we may bring forth “the peaceable fruits of righteousness.”

No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we can be made “vessels of honour,” unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction.

God’s rod is a pencil to draw Christ’s image more distinctly upon us. It is good there s...

Table of contents

• Preface