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Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5: 1-12 (Book/ Paperback)

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The opening verses of the best-known of all Christ's sermons were handled by many Puritans for the Beatitudes gave full scope to the combination of sound doctrine, practical wisdom and heart-searching application which characterized their preaching. To these general Puritan characteristics Thomas Watson added certain of his own: a master of a terse, vigorous style and of a beauty of expression, he could speak not only to win men's understanding but also to secure a place for the truth in their memories. More than most of his generation he sounght to follow the example of Christ's teaching by employing all manner of illustrative material from common life, and with simplicity and charm he spoke words not easy to forget.

Two hundred years after Thomas Watson's death William Jay of Bath said that he could go to any one of his books and 'find it ever fresh, pointed and instructive'. The Beatitudes, first published in 1660, has been one of the rarest of Watson's works. In this edition the layout has been entirely revised and editorial notes supplied. Thomas Watson, minister of St. Stephen's Walbrook, in the city of London, was one fo the leading spiritual guides of his day.

About the Author(s)

Thomas Watson (1620-1686) Thomas Watson was probably born in Yorkshire. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1639 and a Master of Arts degree in 1642. During his time at Cambridge, Watson was a dedicated scholar. After completing his studies, Watson lived for a time with the Puritan family of Lady Mary Vere, the widow of Sir Horace Vere, baron of Tilbury. In 1646, Watson went to St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, London, where he served as lecturer for about ten years, and as rector for another six years, filling the place of Ralph Robinson. In about 1647, Watson married Abigail Beadle, daughter of John Beadle, an Essex minister of Puritan convictions. They had at least seven children in the next thirteen years; four of them died young. Excerpt from Meet the Puritans by Dr. Joel Beeke and Randall J. Pederson