Thomas Watson was a 17th-century minister at the church of St. Stephen Walbrook in London. As a pastor, he set himself two goals. First, he wanted unbelievers to grieve over their fate and realize the necessity of God's grace. On the other hand, he wanted believers to rejoice in the assurance that they had received God's grace. His books are simple but exciting commentaries with many practical examples and applications. He explains the paradox that both good and bad events contribute to the benefit of believers. He spends a great deal of time explaining what it means to love God and be called by His will. In this book, Watson manages to answer one of the most plaguing theological questions of all Why do bad things happen to good people?This eBook includes the following 14 volumes by Thomas of Practical DivinityThe Ten CommandmentsThe Lord's PrayerThe BeatitudesThe Godly Man's PictureThe Art of Divine ContentmentA Treatise Concerning MeditationThe Great Gain of GodlinessThe Doctrine of RepentanceThe Mischief of SinA Divine CordialThe Christian SoldierThe Christian's CharterThe Duty of Self-Denial
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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.