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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fearful of death! The pangs of death to believers are but the<br />
pangs of travail <strong>by</strong> which they are born into glory.<br />
Use 2. Of EXHORTATION.<br />
BRANCH 1. Believe th<strong>is</strong> reward. Sensual<strong>is</strong>ts question th<strong>is</strong><br />
reward, because they do not see it. They may as well question<br />
the verity of their souls because, being spirits, they cannot be<br />
seen. Where should our faith rest but upon a divine testimony?<br />
We believe there are such places such as Africa and China<br />
(though we have never seen them) because travelers who have<br />
been there affirm it. And shall we not believe the eternal<br />
recompenses, when <strong>God</strong> Himself affirms them? The whole earth<br />
hangs upon the Word of <strong>God</strong>'s power, and shall not our faith<br />
hang upon the Word of H<strong>is</strong> truth? Let us not be skeptics, in<br />
matters of such importance.<br />
The d<strong>is</strong>belief of th<strong>is</strong> grand truth <strong>is</strong> the cause of the<br />
flagitiousness of the age. Immorality begins at infidelity,<br />
Hebrews 3:12. To m<strong>is</strong>trust a future reward <strong>is</strong> to question the<br />
Bible and to destroy a main article of our Creed, "Life<br />
everlasting." Such athe<strong>is</strong>ts as look upon <strong>God</strong>'s prom<strong>is</strong>e but as a<br />
forged deed, put <strong>God</strong> to swear against them, that they shall<br />
never enter into H<strong>is</strong> rest, verse 18.<br />
BRANCH 2. If <strong>God</strong> <strong>is</strong> such an exceeding great reward, let us<br />
endeavor that He may be our reward. In other things we love<br />
an ownership, "Th<strong>is</strong> house <strong>is</strong> mine; these lands are mine." And<br />
why not, "Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>God</strong> <strong>is</strong> mine"? Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron,<br />
"Go and sacrifice to your <strong>God</strong>." It was not "to my <strong>God</strong>." Leaving<br />
Page<br />
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