God is His Peoples Great Reward by Thomas Watson 1620-1686
Thomas Watson is no doubt one of the most well-beloved of all of the Puritan authors. Few better guides have existed in this or any other area of spiritual experience than Thomas Watson. He was a master of both Scripture and the human heart, and wrote with a simplicity and directness that keeps his work fresh and powerful for the twenty-first century. 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.
Thomas Watson is no doubt one of the most well-beloved of all of the Puritan authors. Few better guides have existed in this or any other area of spiritual experience than Thomas Watson. He was a master of both Scripture and the human heart, and wrote with a simplicity and directness that keeps his work fresh and powerful for the twenty-first century. 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.
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our <strong>God</strong> forever and ever!" Oh, you saints of <strong>God</strong>, your praying<br />
and repenting are but for a while—but your reward <strong>is</strong> forever!<br />
As long as <strong>God</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>God</strong>, He will be rewarding you! Hosea 2:19, "I<br />
will betroth you unto me forever." <strong>God</strong> marries Himself to H<strong>is</strong><br />
people, and th<strong>is</strong> admits of no divorce. <strong>God</strong>'s love for H<strong>is</strong> elect <strong>is</strong><br />
as unchangeable as H<strong>is</strong> love for Chr<strong>is</strong>t. Psalm 73:26, "My<br />
portion forever." Th<strong>is</strong> portion cannot be spent—because it <strong>is</strong><br />
infinite; nor can it be lost—because it <strong>is</strong> eternal.<br />
We read of a river of pleasures at <strong>God</strong>'s right hand, Psalm 36:8.<br />
But, you may ask, may not th<strong>is</strong> river be dried up?<br />
No! For there <strong>is</strong> a fountain at the bottom. Psalm 36:9, "With You<br />
<strong>is</strong> the fountain of life."<br />
Question. But if th<strong>is</strong> reward <strong>is</strong> so exceedingly great, will it not<br />
overwhelm us?<br />
Answer. In the eternal world, our faculties shall be extended,<br />
and through the Mediator, Chr<strong>is</strong>t—we shall be made capable of<br />
receiving th<strong>is</strong> reward. Put a plate of steel behind a glass and<br />
you may see your face in it. So, Chr<strong>is</strong>t's human nature being put<br />
as steel to the divine, <strong>God</strong>'s glory will be seen and enjoyed <strong>by</strong><br />
us. As there <strong>is</strong> no seeing the sun in the circle but in the beams,<br />
so, whatever of <strong>God</strong> <strong>is</strong> made v<strong>is</strong>ible to us will be through the<br />
golden beams of the Sun of Righteousness.<br />
Question. Where does the certainty of th<strong>is</strong> reward appear?<br />
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