Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5: 1-12

by Thomas Watson

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.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Nonfiction, Religion

307 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2014

About the author

Librarian 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)

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book by Thomas Watson on the Beatitudes. I have had my copy for almost twenty years, but have only gotten around to reading it now. I honestly do not know what has taken me so long.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow do the Puritan’s like their lists! This was my first full length Puritan book and I enjoyed it.

First read was good, second was AMAZING! This time I am preaching it in a month and it was an amazing devotional read! Highly recommended

[Alexis Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely thorough (if long-winded) exposition of the Beatitudes. I still think I like Willard's interpretation better in The Divine Conspiracy. Watson (like Spurgeon and so many others) sees the Beatitudes as a list of godly attributes--aspirational qualities. Specifically, that the process of salvation and sanctification begins with being poor in spirit and progresses through the other Beatitudes. Willard, on the other hand, treats the Beatitudes as an "in spite of" list. To him, Jesus is saying that the poor in spirit--the "spiritually bankrupt"--are now blessed in the gospel, because access to and friendship with God is no longer limited to the religious elite. I've always felt that the "poor in spirit means knowing you are poor in spirit, i.e., being humble" was a strained interpretation. And Willard interpretation fits better with the anti-legalistic gospel message--the kingdom of God is now available to all people. Even the wretched "poor in spirit."

Still, Watson has some good things to say (and his conclusions are biblically sound, even if I'm not sure these particular verses support those conclusions). It's not up to Watson's usual writing, at least based on the few I've read (The Godly Man's Picture and All Things for Good). Watson is usually one of the more readable of the Puritan writers, but this book took some slogging. Also, it is an absolutely terrible edition--the whole thing is chocked full of typos (for example, "of" spelled "ov"--ugh) and egregious spacing errors (three small words spaced out over a whole line for no apparent reason--I know full justification is partly to blame, but that's just ridiculous). It's a shame the publishers didn't put a little more effort into making this edition more presentable.

Still, Watson (as always) has some very challenging things to say, and I will continue to read his work.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, convicting, and relatively accessible study of the beatitudes. Watson, as always, has a great way of communicating in a fresh and straightforward manner. I would definitely consider this as a prime example of some of the best of 17th century Puritan writing. I recommend breaking it up and digesting smaller parts of it at a time.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Do not study or preach the Beatitudes without Watson close by your side.

[Charles Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the bruising, stay for the blessing. A++.

[Matt Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most Puritans, Watson left no stones unturned in his exposition of Matthew 5. His application is excellent, and he is easy to read. Studying this book is time well spent.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful exposition on the Beatitudes with plenty of practical applications, historical examples, and theological depth. Even though Watson says making peace with Arminians is a Devils peace (as we are, in his eyes, unscriptural) I may disagree with his conclusion but the principle of not compromising truth for the sake of peace is a vital principle even in our day. But we must put the right theological issues in the right tiers. As Gavin Ortlund's wonderful work demonstrates the importance of Theological Triage. Chapter 15 I think is my favorite chapter and I will share a wonderful section from it.

(Pg 179) "I do not have anything to give toward the needs of others. Do you have anything to give toward your lusts? Do you have money to feed your pride and your worldly pleasures, and can you find nothing to relieve the poor members of Christ? Even if this excuse is real, that you do not have such wealth, you may still do something by which you may express your kindness to the poor. You may sympathize with them, pray for them, and speak a word of comfort to them. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:2). If you cannot give them gold, you may speak a word in season that may be as apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11). Even more, you may be helpful to the poor by stirring up others who have the ability to help them. As it is with the wind, if a person is hungry, the wind will not fill him, but it can blow the sails of the mill and make it grind corn for the use of man. In the same way, even though you do not have much wealth yourself to help those who are in need, you may stir up others to help them. You may blow the sails of their affections, causing them to show mercy, and so you may still help your brother."

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Watson is extremely thorough and pastoral. He’s the most accessible of the Puritans, and is full of simple metaphors that are often very profound. One that stands out to me is when Watson is expositing the passage, “the commands of the Lord are not burdensome.” He identifies three ways in which they are not burdensome, 1. in comparison to trials and afflictions, 2. In comparison to the burden of sin, and 3. In comparison to the “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). And the whole book is like that, taking every verse of the Beatitudes and breaking them into their constituent parts and fully exploring each one. It took me a long time to get through this book but it was very much worth it.

[Ben Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it as a part of a project I was working on with two of my friends when we were digging into the Sermon on the Mount for our church. This was an invaluable resource and provided a helpful foil for modern perspectives on the Sermon on the Mount in the sections it addresses. As one might expect it was challenging to read at times if one isn't accustomed to reading puritan authors, but once you get past the language Watson is insightful and encouraging to one's Christian faith.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encouraging and convicting book. Watson's exposition of the beatitudes is for those who genuinely want to know and grow in God's grace, knowing that growth in grace sometimes means conviction of sin. This book will challenge our western view of Christianity that places high value on protection of our comfort instead of living for the glory of God and enjoyment of Him.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction, particularly the exhortation to ministers and to the flock of God is worth the book! During this season when many ministers are dropping out of the ministry may we be reminded of the encouragement from Watson "You are engaged in a glorious service. God has put great renown upon you. He has entrusted you with two most precious jewels, his truths and the souls of his people. Never was this honour conferred upon any angel to convert souls! What princely dignity can parallel this? The pulpit is higher than the throne, for a truly constituted minister represents no less than God himself. 'As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God' (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The section on meekness is also very helpful, for he says "Christ does not bid us (says Augustine) learn of him to work miracles, to open the eyes of the blind, to raise the dead, but he would have us to learn of him to be meek."
Take time to read this and you will have a solid assistant to your meditation upon the Scriptures. In addition you will hear not only wonderful quotable lines from Watson but also the church fathers throughout the ages like Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Calvin to name a few.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best meal I’ve had in a long time.
I’ve consumed every single bit of it with much delight!

This is exactly what I’m looking for when I say "I wanna know more about the beatitudes"

This elevated my hunger and definitely made me wanna dive deeper into this topic.

Much loved!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing author I enjoy all of his books so far

[Dane Jöhannsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work by a chief Puritan pastor. As I preached through the Beatitudes, Watson was my constant guide. Experiential, rich, racy, practical, pithy and quotable.

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardest of Watson’s books to read (so far) and not his best. But that means its still quite good.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book wants to show us that Christ's commandments are not grievous.

[Jan Beekman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very practical and easy to read.

[Jason Sixsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eloquent work on humility, suffering for Christ. and challenging one’s sanctification.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One reason the Bible is the Word of God is because great expositions of Scripture are relevant for every period of time. This book was written in 1660 by a great Puritan preacher and is as true in 1660 as they are today. The same sins which weigh down man in his time are still the same ones we struggle with today. The Beatitudes are not meant for everyone but only for believers for they are the only ones who desire to do the commands of Christ offered here. Believers are the only ones who have the ability to be pour in spirit & are able mourn for their sin. They are the ones who are meek or humble and because of this have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. They and they alone are the ones who are truly merciful and are pure in heart and are the peacemakers who desire to bring men and women to Christ so that God might not be at war with them. As those in Christ live this kind of a holy life they will be persecuted for righteousness sake. Yet the rewards are great. They and they alone will enter the kingdom of heaven. This book is a little difficult to read because of the difference in how the English language is now written. But I recommend this book to all as it is a blessing and a call for all who claim the name of Christ to "examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith."

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very thought provoking as well as convicting. Well worth reading for all Christians to gain a deeper understanding of the beatitudes. Watson spends over 300 pages dissecting each one and not once did I feel it was repetitive or boring but was grateful that he would go into such depth to help us see the beatitudes beyond the surface. I will definitely read this one again and again since there is so much there it is impossible to absorb it all.

[Dave Shulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watson shows us in this sermon by Christ what it is to be a Christian. I learned how to cry. These tears and sorrow are not for the loss of earthly things which I have often held on to so dearly, but because of my sins and the sinfulness of the world.

[Jonathan]

None

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watson is first-rate. His substance is meaty, and he is among the most colorful of the Puritans, a colorful bunch.

[Tom Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watson's treatise on the Beatitudes was invaluable in preparing to teach 'blessedness-by-blessedness' in Bible Study.

[Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely helpful book.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly didn't enjoy it that much. Got about half way through. There's better books to read than this one.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great devotional. It was perfect to go slowly though it, as I memorized The Beatitudes.