The Bible And The Closet Or How We May Read The Scriptures With The Most Spiritual Profit: And Secret Prayer Successfully Managed

by Thomas Watson, Samuel Lee, John Overton Choules (Editor)

With A Recommendatory Letter From E. N. Kirk.

Genres: Prayer, Christian Living

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

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

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[Vincent Lemieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, what an interesting book this is. It’s actually three books divided in two sections. I’ll explain it below, but my overall appreciation is a 4.5 ⭐️.

The first division of the book contain two books by puritans ministers ejected in 1662.

1. How we may read the Scripture with the most spiritual profit, by Thomas Watson.

This is more like a really short essay, containing quite a lot of recommendations for a healthy reading of Scripture. Each of the following points have more or less than a page commenting it :

1. Remove those things that will hinder your profiting.
2. Prepare your heart.
3. Read with reverence.
4. Read the books of Scripture in order.
5. Get a right understood Scripture.
6. Read with seriousness.
7. Labor to remember what you read.
8. Meditate upon what you read.
9. Come with humble heart.
10. Give credence to the word written.
11. Highly prize the Scripture.
12. Get an ardent love to the Word.
13. Come with honest hearts.
14. Learn to apply Scripture.
15. Observe the perceptive part of Scripture, as well as the promissory.
16. Let your thoughts dwell upon the most material passages of Scripture.
17. Compare yourself with the Word.
18. Take special notice of those Scriptures which speak to your particular case.
19. Take special notice of the exemples in Scripture ; make the exemples of others living sermons to you.
20. Leave not off reading in the Bible, till you find your hearts warmed.
21. Set upon the prestige of what you read.
22. Make use of Christ’s prophetical office.
23. Tread often upon the threshold of the sanctuary.
24. Pray that God will make you profit.

Theses are pretty impressive and I wrote them down because this list is a great reminder. 4 ⭐️ for this one, because there isn’t much development, but most of the points are self explanatory.

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2. The second book of the first section is Secret prayer successfully managed, by Samuel Lee.

It was the first time I read Samuel Lee and this little book on prayer is quite amazing. Personally, when a book on prayer bring me on my knees with new warmth, it mean it’s good. Five ⭐️ for this one.

—

Now, when you finish Samuel’s book, surprise ! Another book is there, and the pages count restart at zero. I don’t know why the editors didn’t mention it on the book’s cover nor in the first pages, especially when this one have the same length of the two others combined. Anyway, this last book is also a good one, and it’s on family worship.

The full title is Family Altar or the duty, benefits, and mode of conducting family worship. With remarks on the various parts of prayer.

And the book is just as the title.

If I understand it well, this book was compile by Sprinkle publications. In the preface, the compiler wrote that the present volume is « selected principally from the writings of Doddridge, Bickersteth, Watts, Hamilton, and Barnes. »
A great introduction on family worship. 4 ⭐️ for this one.

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My guess of the why for theses compiled books is that Sprinkle wanted every father/family to have good introductions to the importance of reading Scriptures, personal prayers and also family worship. Three crucial components of a healthy Christian family life.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant, biblical, and practical Puritan spirituality. Watson was better than Lee in this volume. Anything by Watson is worth your time. He is the most readable and experimental of all of the Puritans I have read.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short booklet with advice on how to get the most out of your Bible reading, especially with regard to the required attitudes.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I absolutely love how Thomas Watson uses language. This book has urged me to be more deliberate in both prayer and scripture reading.

[Marylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but difficult

There is some excellent advice here but the language particularly in the section on prayer is archaic and requires work to understand it.

[Nick Prodromou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Thomas Watsons part, very good, would make a great poster , Will revisit.

[Debster Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5/5)
I don't think I have the full book but maybe an abridged version.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early work is inspiring and informative. The language is beautiful, with many Biblical examples set forth for our edification. This is a book I may want to read over and over in years to come. It's available for free online on google books, so I'd recommend checking it out! I don't know that the author himself was a great man, but he knew how to write, and at least in this book his thoughts are sound. He addresses questions on prayer near the end, and thoughts on ejaculatory prayer.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful resources on the importance of Scripture and the prayer closet for the believer's life. Also helpful guide for family worship.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index.
But, good read from history greats.