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A Body of Practical Divinity: Containing A Body of Divinity, The Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer
Thomas Watson originally intended A Body of Practical Divinity to consist of three works: "Body of Divinity", his commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism; "The Ten Commandments", an exposition on the summary of the mosaic law, and its applicability as a guide to the moral life of the Christian; and "The Lord’s Prayer", his exposition on the Lord’s Prayer as related by Matthew.
If there is any work among the myriad volumes of Puritan works that can properly be considered a Systematic Theology, Thomas Watson's A Body of Divinity
Written as a commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, "A Body of Divinity" exposits the Cathechism, beginning with the question "What is the Chief End of Man?" Watson continues on to matters of Theology Proper (the Attributes of God), Anthropology (the Nature of Man), Christology, the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace (Soteriology), and Eschatology (Last Things). For a study of Puritan thought and theology, "A Body of Divinity" remains a fantastic starting point.
Watson passionately defends the Ten Commandments as a foundation for Christian practice. “Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion,” he says. “The rule of obedience is the written word. To seem to be zealous, if it be not according to the word, is not obedience, but will-worship.” Convicting without condemnation, Watson’s words inspire as he points the reader to God in Christ, and always with a view to dependence on the Spirit.
“The Ten Commandments are the rule of our life, the creed is the sum of our faith, and the Lord’s Prayer is the pattern of our prayer.” Watson concludes his magnificent work with a rich commentary on our Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Matthew. Avoiding the common prayer acronyms that saturate modern Christianity, he deftly builds a foundation for communion with God that requires our complete devotion.
Every attempt has been made to eliminate erroneous verse references present in earlier editions.
If there is any work among the myriad volumes of Puritan works that can properly be considered a Systematic Theology, Thomas Watson's A Body of Divinity
Written as a commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, "A Body of Divinity" exposits the Cathechism, beginning with the question "What is the Chief End of Man?" Watson continues on to matters of Theology Proper (the Attributes of God), Anthropology (the Nature of Man), Christology, the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace (Soteriology), and Eschatology (Last Things). For a study of Puritan thought and theology, "A Body of Divinity" remains a fantastic starting point.
Watson passionately defends the Ten Commandments as a foundation for Christian practice. “Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion,” he says. “The rule of obedience is the written word. To seem to be zealous, if it be not according to the word, is not obedience, but will-worship.” Convicting without condemnation, Watson’s words inspire as he points the reader to God in Christ, and always with a view to dependence on the Spirit.
“The Ten Commandments are the rule of our life, the creed is the sum of our faith, and the Lord’s Prayer is the pattern of our prayer.” Watson concludes his magnificent work with a rich commentary on our Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Matthew. Avoiding the common prayer acronyms that saturate modern Christianity, he deftly builds a foundation for communion with God that requires our complete devotion.
Every attempt has been made to eliminate erroneous verse references present in earlier editions.
- GenresTheology
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1734
About the author
Thomas Watson
446 books201 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author. He 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 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding 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.
(Information from wikipedia.org)
Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author. He 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 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding 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.
(Information from wikipedia.org)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 26, 2019
It's Watson, what more can I say? An extraordinary exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Although written in the 17th Century, Watson is one of the more readable Puritans. After first reading this twenty-plus years ago, I was recently prompted by a Bible Study to take it up again.
December 4, 2020
I read an old copy from Sovereign Grace publishing—as edited by Spurgeon. Very, very good. The author is a Puritan through and through, with all the few flaws and many virtues implied in that name. He is also the most quotable Puritan that I have read. Far too many memorable and pithy moments to count. TW would have ruled Twitter.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews