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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without being weary. Who that <strong>is</strong> subject to fainting fits, will<br />
not carry the remedy with him?<br />
BRANCH 2. If <strong>God</strong> <strong>is</strong> such an exceedingly great reward, then it<br />
<strong>is</strong> not in vain, to engage in H<strong>is</strong> service. It was a slanderous<br />
speech, "It <strong>is</strong> vain to serve <strong>God</strong>!" Malachi 3:14. The infinite<br />
Jehovah gives a reward that <strong>is</strong> as far beyond our thoughts—as<br />
it <strong>is</strong> above our deserts. How apt are people, through ignorance<br />
or m<strong>is</strong>take, to m<strong>is</strong>judge the ways of <strong>God</strong>! They think it will not<br />
be worth the cost to be pious. They speak evil of true religion<br />
before they have tried it; as if one should condemn a food<br />
before he has tasted it. Beside the gratuities which <strong>God</strong> gives in<br />
th<strong>is</strong> life—prov<strong>is</strong>ion, protection, and peace—there <strong>is</strong> a glorious<br />
reward shortly coming, Psalm 19:11. <strong>God</strong> Himself <strong>is</strong> the saints'<br />
dowry! <strong>God</strong> has a true monopoly—He has those riches which<br />
are nowhere else to be had—the riches of salvation. He <strong>is</strong> such<br />
a gold-mine as no angel can find the bottom—the unsearchable<br />
riches of Chr<strong>is</strong>t! Ephesians 3:8. Is it vain, then, to serve <strong>God</strong>? A<br />
Chr<strong>is</strong>tian's work <strong>is</strong> soon over—but not h<strong>is</strong> reward. He has such a<br />
harvest coming, as cannot be fully taken in. It will always be<br />
reaping time in heaven. How great <strong>is</strong> that reward—<br />
which thoughts cannot measure, nor time fin<strong>is</strong>h!<br />
BRANCH 3. See the detestable folly of such as refuse <strong>God</strong>.<br />
Psalm 81:11, "Israel would have none of Me." Is it usual to refuse<br />
rewards? If a man should have a vast sum of money offered to<br />
him and he should refuse it, h<strong>is</strong> sanity would be called into<br />
question. <strong>God</strong> offers an incomprehensible reward to men—yet<br />
they refuse! They are like a magnet which refuses gold and<br />
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