bwaughI recently received the informative promotional packet pictured above from Reformation Heritage Books announcing publication of The Works of Thomas Watson for shipping this fall. The works of Thomas Watson have enduring usefulness for Christians seeking to mature in the faith because they are simple yet profound and clearly written. Watson was a product of his time both spiritually and politically as well as a diligent student educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was appointed in 1646 to preach at St. Stephen’s Walbrook, London, and was a member of the Puritans that held to presbyterian polity but sided with King Charles I. Watson also joined those who protested execution of Charles to Oliver Cromwell in 1649. The popularity of his works grew during the Interregnum as many gathered to hear him preach, the literate read them while the illiterate listened to his teaching from readers. But when Charles II returned from exile on the Continent to the throne, Watson was ejected from St. Stephen’s for nonconformity in 1662. Watson continued to minister in secret as he had opportunity. When the Declaration of Indulgence issued by Charles II in 1672 suspended prosecution of those who were nonconformists, Watson obtained license to preach in the great hall in Crosby House, which was owned by Presbyterian nonconformist, Sir John Langham. After ministering at Crosby House for some years the weakness of age necessitated retirement to Barnston in Essex, where he died then was buried on July 28, 1686. (DNB, 1908, vol. 20)
Watson’s works have been reprinted in selected forms over the years including single subjects, topical collections, and partial sets of works, but now Reformation Heritage Books is providing them complete in seven premium Smyth-sewn clothbound volumes protected by unadorned but appealing dust jackets (true to Puritan modesty). Gathered in the collection are Watson’s more familiar titles expositing the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism, but other less familiar works with thought provoking titles such as, The Upright Man’s Character and Crown and The Christian’s Charter (vol. 1), Christ’s Loveliness (3), A Divine Cordial and The Art of Divine Contentment (6), and The Godly Man’s Picture as well as Heaven Taken by Storm (7). With this set Reformation Heritage Books continues its program of providing treasured theological literature from the past as it has done with the works of William Perkins, Petrus Van Mastricht, and Thomas Manton (wonderful commentary on James), and has published the first volume of a projected twenty-one constituting the works of Samuel Rutherford.
Included in the packet I received was a copy of Watson’s last sermon delivered to St. Stephen’s Walbrook, August 17, 1662, as he was forced to step down from the pulpit as a nonconformist. The text for exposition was 2 Corinthians 7:1,
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves.
Following the Puritan pattern for preaching exemplified by Perkins’s The Art of Prophesying, Watson exposited some points of doctrine then made application. He was anticipating future challenges to freedom for nonconformists to worship and hear the Word as he gave the following direction:
Get good books into your house. When you have not the spring near you, you will get water into your cisterns. When you have not that wholesome preaching you were wont to have, good books are the cisterns to hold the water of life to refresh you. When David’s natural heat was taken away, they applied warm cloths to him (1 Kings 1). When you find a chill upon your soul, and that your former heat begins to abate, ply yourselves with warm cloths, get these good books that may furnish you with such truth as may warm and affect your hearts.
Watson mentions “the water of life” alluding to John 4:14 and the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman drawing from the well. Thanks to Reformation Heritage Books, “these good books that may furnish you with such truth as may warm and affect your hearts,” include the seven volumes of The Works of Thomas Watson.
The publisher provides Watson’s writings through scholarly work and issues them in attractive and durable volumes. For additional information about the set, the secure order form, and an excerpt of the text from volume two, go to Reformation Heritage Books.
Barry Waugh
