PREVIEW

The Godly Man's Picture (Puritan Paperbacks) (Book/ Paperback)

Product Overview

Few preachers in the Puritan era (or any other period of church history) match Thomas Watson for his ability to combine rich spiritiuality, nourishing doctrine and sane wisdom with fascinating illustrations and a pleasant style. Watson is remembered cheifly for his posthumously published Body of Practical Divinity (reprinted by Banner of Truth in three volumes). But his extant sermons also include this marvellous series on the character of the Christian. It is, as C.H. Spurgeon said of his other work, a happy union of sound doctrine, heart-searching experience and practical wisdom.

Watson is always the essence of sanity and reliability. But in addition, this work shows how attractive the grace of God is. Christians of all stages, reading it for the first time, will feel as if they have entered the gallery of a great portrait painter. As his sub-title suggests, Watson works with a Scripture pencil in this priceless sketch of the true believer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee" (Psa. 32:6)

2. Expounding the Nature of Godliness

3. A Reproof to Such as are Only Pretenders to Godliness

4. Showing the Characteristics of a Godly Man
(i) A Man of Knowledge
(ii) A Man Moved by Faith
(iii) A Man Fired With Love
(iv) A Man Like God
(v) A Man Careful About the Worship of God
(vi) A Man Who Serves God not Men
(vii) A Man Who Prized Christ
(viii) A Man Who Weeps
(ix) A Man Who Loves the Word
(x) A Man Who Has the Spirit of God Residing in Him
(xi) A Man of Humility
(xii) A Man of Prayer
(xiii) A Man of Sincerity
(xiv) A Heavenly Man
(xv) A Zealous Man
(xvi) A Patient Man
(xvii) A Thankful Man
(xviii) A Man Who Loves the Saints
(xix) A Man Who Does Not Indulge Himself in Any Sin
(xx) A Man Who is Good in His Relationships
(xxi) A Man Who Does Spiritual Things in a Spiritual Manner
(xxii) A Man Thoroughly Trained in Religion
(xxiii) A Man Who Walks With God
(xxiv) A Man Who Strives to Be an Instrument for Making Others Godly

5. Two Conclusions About the Characteristics of a Godly Man

6. An Exhortation to Godliness
(i) Let Men Seriously Weigh Their Misery While They Remain in a State of Ungodliness
(ii) What Rare Persons the Godly Are
(iii) To Strive for Godliness is Most Rational
(iv) The Excellence of Godliness
(v) There Are Only a Few Godly
(vi) Consider How Vain and Contemptible Other Things Are, About Which Persons Void of Godliness Busy Themselves

7. Prescribing Some Helps to Godliness

8. An Exhortation to Persevere in Godliness

9. Motives to Persevere in Godliness

10. Counsel for the Godly

11. Comfort to the Godly

12. Showing the Mystic Union between Christ and the Saints

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