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Thomas Watson

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 June 30, 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. 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.[1]

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

• Writings by Watson at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
• The Thomas Watson Reading Room
• Soli Deo Gloria Books
• Banner of Truth Trust
• Forgotten Heroes: Thomas Watson

• This article includes content derived from the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1914, which is in the public domain.