What do you think?
Rate this book
All Things for Good
Thomas Watson's book 'All Things For Good' provides the biblical answer to the contemporary question; Why do bad things happen to good people?
Thomas Watson, the 17th century minister of St. Stephen's Walbrook, believed he faced two great difficulties in his pastoral ministry. The first was making the unbeliever sad, in the recognition of his need of God's grace. The second was making the believer joyful in response to God s grace. He believed the answer to the second difficulty could be found in Paul's teaching in Romans 8.28: God works all things together for good for his people.
First published in 1663 (under the title 'A Divine Cordial'), the year after Watson and some two thousand other ministers were ejected from the Church of England and exposed to hardship and suffering, 'All Things For Good' contains the rich exposition of a man who lived when only faith in God's Word could lead him to such confidence.
Thomas Watson's exposition is always simple, illuminating and rich in practical application. He explains that both the best and the worst experiences work for the good of God's people. He carefully analyses what it means to be someone who 'loves God' and is 'called according to his purpose'.
Thomas Watson, the 17th century minister of St. Stephen's Walbrook, believed he faced two great difficulties in his pastoral ministry. The first was making the unbeliever sad, in the recognition of his need of God's grace. The second was making the believer joyful in response to God s grace. He believed the answer to the second difficulty could be found in Paul's teaching in Romans 8.28: God works all things together for good for his people.
First published in 1663 (under the title 'A Divine Cordial'), the year after Watson and some two thousand other ministers were ejected from the Church of England and exposed to hardship and suffering, 'All Things For Good' contains the rich exposition of a man who lived when only faith in God's Word could lead him to such confidence.
Thomas Watson's exposition is always simple, illuminating and rich in practical application. He explains that both the best and the worst experiences work for the good of God's people. He carefully analyses what it means to be someone who 'loves God' and is 'called according to his purpose'.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 1660
352 people are currently reading
2092 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Watson
664 books242 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)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
June 30, 2017
Originally titled, in 1663: "A Divine Cordial", and it's a book to strenghten and cheer the believers. After reading it, I believe it's a neat little book that does what it says it aims to be, to motivation us to keep going on the narrow road with joy. It talks about how the best things and the worst things both all happen for us good.
The best things are given to us by all three parts of the Holy Trinity, the angels, and fellow believers (the text goes on to details within each). The worst things (affliction, temptation, desertion (also known as the Dryness, periods of spiritual drought - only the believers get them, so having dryness *is* a sign of being a believer!) and sin) also benefit us, if we know how; it's good to know in detail why - I think Watson does all the examples and details so well - and I think this part is especially important for the newer believers, and should be more talked about.
Then the book goes on to talk about what our love of God is like, if and when we have it. There is the exhortation to become more loving towards God, to preserve in it, and to increase it. On how God calls us, and exhortation to make our calling certain, and what to do then. And finally on God's purpose: salvation to those He has called.
I made a lot of notes. The language shows it's age only a little, so this story flows very clearly and working on cheering us. Love is the oil of religion; just doing the moves outwardly and inwardly won't do if the love of God is missing. Human love and Divine love work so well together, and the reward, which we already know is great, will feel mindblowing when we see it completely. The book shows us the many reasons to be cheerful, motivated believer.
The best things are given to us by all three parts of the Holy Trinity, the angels, and fellow believers (the text goes on to details within each). The worst things (affliction, temptation, desertion (also known as the Dryness, periods of spiritual drought - only the believers get them, so having dryness *is* a sign of being a believer!) and sin) also benefit us, if we know how; it's good to know in detail why - I think Watson does all the examples and details so well - and I think this part is especially important for the newer believers, and should be more talked about.
Then the book goes on to talk about what our love of God is like, if and when we have it. There is the exhortation to become more loving towards God, to preserve in it, and to increase it. On how God calls us, and exhortation to make our calling certain, and what to do then. And finally on God's purpose: salvation to those He has called.
I made a lot of notes. The language shows it's age only a little, so this story flows very clearly and working on cheering us. Love is the oil of religion; just doing the moves outwardly and inwardly won't do if the love of God is missing. Human love and Divine love work so well together, and the reward, which we already know is great, will feel mindblowing when we see it completely. The book shows us the many reasons to be cheerful, motivated believer.
July 15, 2023
I’ve yet to read a Puritan Paperback or anything by Thomas Watson that isn’t 5 stars. Every Christian should read this little gem to gain a deeper love for Romans 8:28. You will also laugh a little as you go along seeing Watson’s great use of points, sub-points, and sub-sub-points along with anywhere from 14 to 20 reasons for a number of the words that can be found in verse 28 😂
December 24, 2022
Have I given in to star inflation with two 5 star reviews in a row? I think not. Have James KA Smith prime you to the preciousness of the moment God has given you, and then consider that the Spirit has been doing similar work for 400 documented years between these two texts, and you would be handing out stars too.
Plus, this isn’t the enthusiasm of novelty. I’m still at a book a day pace for 2022. God be praised that He can kindle maintain, stoke HOTTER passion for anything to that degree. If Goodreads thinks me a book monk, I’m a HAPPY book monk. This text encapsulates with pith and power why
Plus, this isn’t the enthusiasm of novelty. I’m still at a book a day pace for 2022. God be praised that He can kindle maintain, stoke HOTTER passion for anything to that degree. If Goodreads thinks me a book monk, I’m a HAPPY book monk. This text encapsulates with pith and power why
December 23, 2025
One of Watson's best. Highly recommended. Read as much of the Puritan Thomas Watson as you can!
August 31, 2023
Every single Christian ought to read this beautiful, comforting, and convicting book. I wish I could give this more than five stars to express how incredible it was. This is the best book I have read this year. Thomas Watson speaks to the soul of the Christian, the one that suffers, the one that doubts, and the one that is fighting temptation.
March 29, 2023
This is no soft soap intended merely to mollycoddle with emotional fluff—the stuff that may assuage for a moment but lacks the enduring quality of something with true substance. No, no. It is hearty, weighty, wise, profound; and it will put serious fiber in your spine.
June 1, 2021
Um dos livros mais especiais que li na vida. É impressionante como de um só versículo tanto pode ser extraído e compartilhado para a edificação dos cristãos. Todos deveriam ler este livro. Thomas Watson, apesar de ter vivido há quase 400 anos, ainda fala alto hoje em dia.
November 15, 2024
Good foundational reminders. Worth re-reading many times.
2018, 2021, 2024 with the Puritan Book Club
2018, 2021, 2024 with the Puritan Book Club
May 22, 2025
The Puritan's always start great but then drag. They grade against our modern sensibilities. I loved this book and wish my mind and heart was more captured by the Word of God like Watson's was.
May 17, 2021
Splendid. I love Watson for his theological warmth. And no, that’s not an oxymoron.
July 24, 2024
It is funny how God uses some books to teach and convict you of things that you weren’t asking for
from reading the title. I opened this book to read more in depth how I could better understand how God uses all things for good. But I was not ready to be confronted with so much talk of what it means to love God. So much so I was scratching my head, “do I actually love Him.” I know Watson wrote this book to encourage Christians in their faith, but he surprised me in helping me see how inadequate my love for the Lord is. He says “you can never love God enough.” I appreciated the practical help in this book, but especially the wisdom he imparts in a chapter on love to God.
He says, “What shall we do to love God?… (1) Study God…take a view of his superlative excellences, His holiness, His incomprehensible goodness…(2) labour for interest in God. ‘O God, thou art my God’ (Ps 63:1)…a man loves that which is his own. The more we believe, the more we love: faith is the root, and love is the flower that grows upon it. (3) Make an earnest request to God, that He will give you a heart to love him…surely this prayer pleases the Lord, and He will pour of His spirit upon you, whose golden oil shall make the lamp of your love burn bright.”
from reading the title. I opened this book to read more in depth how I could better understand how God uses all things for good. But I was not ready to be confronted with so much talk of what it means to love God. So much so I was scratching my head, “do I actually love Him.” I know Watson wrote this book to encourage Christians in their faith, but he surprised me in helping me see how inadequate my love for the Lord is. He says “you can never love God enough.” I appreciated the practical help in this book, but especially the wisdom he imparts in a chapter on love to God.
He says, “What shall we do to love God?… (1) Study God…take a view of his superlative excellences, His holiness, His incomprehensible goodness…(2) labour for interest in God. ‘O God, thou art my God’ (Ps 63:1)…a man loves that which is his own. The more we believe, the more we love: faith is the root, and love is the flower that grows upon it. (3) Make an earnest request to God, that He will give you a heart to love him…surely this prayer pleases the Lord, and He will pour of His spirit upon you, whose golden oil shall make the lamp of your love burn bright.”
December 27, 2024
Very good and encouraging old book. Watson is always a joy to read.
The book’s main strengths are its details of what God may be up to in seasons of suffering or trials of various kinds. God’s heart for his children is for their good. This book’s focus is on how evil in life might be designed by God for good for his saints. This was a balm for the soul. A very life giving book.
The latter half of the book speaks on assurance for Christians. It gives a very detailed analysis of how a Christian is to go about examining themselves to see whether they are in the faith.
The book is absolutely excellent on both fronts!
The book’s main strengths are its details of what God may be up to in seasons of suffering or trials of various kinds. God’s heart for his children is for their good. This book’s focus is on how evil in life might be designed by God for good for his saints. This was a balm for the soul. A very life giving book.
The latter half of the book speaks on assurance for Christians. It gives a very detailed analysis of how a Christian is to go about examining themselves to see whether they are in the faith.
The book is absolutely excellent on both fronts!
March 18, 2019
Very convicting and encouraging, both at the same time.
2nd time read April 2015
3rd time read April 2016
4rd time read March 2019
2nd time read April 2015
3rd time read April 2016
4rd time read March 2019
January 26, 2022
Nothing better than to take the medicine straight. Good slap in the face for me.
April 2, 2018
In the realm of a classic. I was pleasantly surprised with how good and easily applicable the content was. Highly recommend. I felt happy in Christ every time i read it.
December 18, 2018
All protein. No fat.
May 13, 2023
In All Things For Good, Watson exposits Romans 8:28 to demonstrate how it is that all things can work for good and who all things work for good for. Watson is pastoral in his approach seeking to comfort those who are in Christ and strengthen them in their faith, no matter the circumstances they find themselves in.
Notable Quotes:
“God doesn’t bring his people into troubles & leave them there. He will stand by them; He will hold their hands & hearts when they are fainting.… God will be the strength of our hearts…. Either He will make His hand lighter or our faith stronger.”
“The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul; they dissolve it in love to God. God’s judgments make us fear Him, His mercies make us love Him.”
“Let us endeavor to make the name of God glorious and renowned. If God seek our good, let us seek His glory. If He make all things tend to our edification, let us make all things tend to His exaltation.”
Notable Quotes:
“God doesn’t bring his people into troubles & leave them there. He will stand by them; He will hold their hands & hearts when they are fainting.… God will be the strength of our hearts…. Either He will make His hand lighter or our faith stronger.”
“The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul; they dissolve it in love to God. God’s judgments make us fear Him, His mercies make us love Him.”
“Let us endeavor to make the name of God glorious and renowned. If God seek our good, let us seek His glory. If He make all things tend to our edification, let us make all things tend to His exaltation.”
March 8, 2024
This book was very well written! I've never read any Puritans, but I think Thomas Watson is the easiest to read because he talks 'normal' haha. I loved the issues he addressed and also included questions and answers. With every point there was a sub-point and sub-sub-points. Also twenty points in one chapter! but I loved it!
December 26, 2024
"Our graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation standeth sure. They who are built upon this rock of God's eternal purpose need not fear falling away; neither the power of man, nor the violence of temptation, shall ever be able to overturn them."
Fantastic book, wonderful truth on which to meditate at the close of the year.
Fantastic book, wonderful truth on which to meditate at the close of the year.
February 16, 2022
I've decided that Thomas Watson is not for me. I liked this book better the last one I read by him, but I still had trouble following at times. Also, I just don't love his style.
Not a horrible writer, just not for me.
Not a horrible writer, just not for me.
August 29, 2023
“A sickbed often teaches more than a sermon. “
February 15, 2022
Excelente! Recomendado para todo mundo que ama a Deus.
September 28, 2024
“Our graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation standeth sure. They who are built upon this rock of God's eternal purpose, need not fear falling away; neither the power of man, nor the violence of temptation, shall ever be able to overturn them.”
April 28, 2024
I received this into my soul like a small field mouse welcomes a soft Brie.
July 29, 2025
So good!!
September 2, 2023
“If it is good for us, we shall have it; if it is not good for us, then the withholding of it is good.”
Excellent.
Excellent.
December 20, 2022
“This is all the hurt the devil does: when he foils a saint by temptation, he cures him of his careless neglect. He makes him watch and pray more.” — Thomas Watson, All Things for Good (Ch. 3)
What a great read! Listened to it twice in a row.
What a great read! Listened to it twice in a row.
May 20, 2025
What a mighty little book! Based on such a familiar verse, yet the depth of treasured truth seems to me, will never be truly fathomed til Heaven. Assuring and convicting, and I truly recommend reading the original instead of the revised…this Puritan treasure is easier to understand for me than many others. Hopefully it will be for you too
June 4, 2020
Readable, relevant and highly recommended!
I initially rated this 4.5, but after reading it the second time, I’m upgrading it to 5 stars. This was a timely read, right when the corona quarantine happened, and now the violent riots plaguing America.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
God is more willing to pardon than to punish. Mercy does more multiply in Him than sin in us.
Christ’s prayer takes away the sins of our prayers.
A sick-bed often teaches more than a sermon.
Sin is worse than hell, but yet God, by His mighty overruling power, makes sin in the issue turn to the good of His people.…The feeling of sinfulness in the saints works for good several ways.
It is good to know our sins, that we may not flatter ourselves, or take our condition to be better than it is. It is good to find out our sins, lest they find us out.
Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.
Things do not work of themselves, but God sets them working for good. God is the great Disposer of all events and issues.…Things in the world are not governed by second causes, by the counsels of men, by the stars and planets, but by divine providence.
Discontent is an ungrateful sin, because we have more mercies than afflictions; and it is an irrational sin, because afflictions work for good. Discontent is a sin which puts us upon sin.
How good is God, that will not let me alone in my sins, but smites my body to save my soul!
Love to God is the best self-love. It is self-love to get the soul saved; by loving God, we forward our own salvation.
Our love is nothing but the reflection of God's love.
God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy.
God is the most adequate and complete object of our love. All the excellencies which lie scattered in the creatures, are united in Him! He is wisdom, beauty, love, yes, the very essence of goodness. There is nothing in God which can cause a loathing.
The creature sooner surfeits than satisfies—but there are fresh beauties continually sparkling forth in God. The more we love Him—the more we enjoy Him and are ravished with delight!
The time of our loathing, was the time of God's loving. We had something in us to provoke God's fury—but nothing to excite His love. What love, passing understanding, was it, to give Christ to us! That Christ should die for sinners!
I initially rated this 4.5, but after reading it the second time, I’m upgrading it to 5 stars. This was a timely read, right when the corona quarantine happened, and now the violent riots plaguing America.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
God is more willing to pardon than to punish. Mercy does more multiply in Him than sin in us.
Christ’s prayer takes away the sins of our prayers.
A sick-bed often teaches more than a sermon.
Sin is worse than hell, but yet God, by His mighty overruling power, makes sin in the issue turn to the good of His people.…The feeling of sinfulness in the saints works for good several ways.
It is good to know our sins, that we may not flatter ourselves, or take our condition to be better than it is. It is good to find out our sins, lest they find us out.
Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.
Things do not work of themselves, but God sets them working for good. God is the great Disposer of all events and issues.…Things in the world are not governed by second causes, by the counsels of men, by the stars and planets, but by divine providence.
Discontent is an ungrateful sin, because we have more mercies than afflictions; and it is an irrational sin, because afflictions work for good. Discontent is a sin which puts us upon sin.
How good is God, that will not let me alone in my sins, but smites my body to save my soul!
Love to God is the best self-love. It is self-love to get the soul saved; by loving God, we forward our own salvation.
Our love is nothing but the reflection of God's love.
God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy.
God is the most adequate and complete object of our love. All the excellencies which lie scattered in the creatures, are united in Him! He is wisdom, beauty, love, yes, the very essence of goodness. There is nothing in God which can cause a loathing.
The creature sooner surfeits than satisfies—but there are fresh beauties continually sparkling forth in God. The more we love Him—the more we enjoy Him and are ravished with delight!
The time of our loathing, was the time of God's loving. We had something in us to provoke God's fury—but nothing to excite His love. What love, passing understanding, was it, to give Christ to us! That Christ should die for sinners!
February 24, 2025
This is apparently the fifth edition of this book I've read, and I think it's got the best narrator so far. It came out last October. Still...I wish audiobook publishers would produce titles that we don't already have multiple available versions of. There are so many Puritan titles yet to be done! Bubb does a decent job — give him a pile more to read.
I started this a few months back with a book group, and kind of forgot about the last couple of chapters, so it was time to jump back in and polish those off. I think I still prefer the Burroughs book on contentment, but I'll keep rereading them both!
I started this a few months back with a book group, and kind of forgot about the last couple of chapters, so it was time to jump back in and polish those off. I think I still prefer the Burroughs book on contentment, but I'll keep rereading them both!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews