Light from Old Paths Vol. 2: Excerpts from Thomas Watson


Book Description

This book is a masterful selection of the best quotations drawn from Thomas Watson’s works. These quotes have been chosen with great care, and arranged under topical headings from "affliction" to "world". This work forms an ideal introduction to the writings of Thomas Watson, and will prove to be rich devotional reading of the highest caliber. For those being introduced to the writings of the Puritans, or those who are already familiar with them, this devotional work will be a treasure to read again and again. The reading of Puritan works has brought great benefit to the people of God across barriers of culture and time. Christians owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful theologians, pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly rest in Christ. In these pages, the reader will find that Mr. Watson knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, and for the glorification of Jesus Christ, while maintaining a solid biblical orthodoxy needed in our day and age. The purpose of this book is to open a door to the vast stores of biblical treasure and wisdom to be found in his writings and that it will stimulate further reading from his available works. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.




Following Christ Whithersoever He Goes


Book Description

The book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature; God’s revealed truth in fantastical images; a way of teaching Old Testament ideas to the New Testament church. In John’s day he desired the churches under his apostolic authority to walk in a specific manner. From Revelation 14, McMahon explains the practical nature of the militant Christian expounding these words of the Apostle, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Throughout Revelation John shapes the cross of Christ into the imagery of the Lamb who stands in the midst of the church in heaven and rules them by his covenant. To follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes, is when the Christian makes God’s will the rule of their own will. These Christians in heaven rejoice in Christ being both holy and happy, and the church on earth ought to mimic them, they too desiring to be both holy and happy, to have their sins mortified as well as pardoned, to be sanctified as well as saved, to live to God here as well as to live with God after in heaven, so they will follow Christ whithersoever he goes. How is it that the slain Lamb leads you? How do you willingly follow him? To follow Christ implies walking with him; it is to follow; it is to move. This study focuses on that little phrase, in Rev. 14:4, “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth;” that Christians follow Christ. They follow him: for who he is, for who they are in contrast to the world, in opposition to compromise and false religion, and into all kinds of providences. They follow him in times of ease, or frowning providences, and they do all this for his glory.




Being with Jesus


Book Description

What does it truly mean to be "with" someone? Simple in concept, but when it comes to our spiritual connection "with Jesus," the idea expands into new and meaningful dimensions. This work, "Being with Jesus," investigates this intricate aspect of faith, exploring Scriptures across both the Old and New Testaments to shed light on what being in genuine fellowship with Christ entails. There is no halfway commitment here; being "with Jesus" is an all-in-or-nothing experience. In an unpredictable world, distancing oneself from Him, even slightly, can be dangerous—a lapse in faith that could have eternal consequences. But fear not. Within these pages, you will find both reassurance and inspiration. Learn how to truly rest in Jesus' love, to follow Him unreservedly, and to find joy and purpose along the way. Guided by the example of the apostles and the descriptions of them in Acts 4 where the Pharisees and Scribes are described, "they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus," this book will deepen your understanding of what it means to be "with Jesus." Join us as we clarify the sometimes blurry line between merely claiming to be with Christ and actually living that commitment fully. In an uncertain world, one thing is clear: being with Him is the Christian's true desire. So, come, dear reader. Open these pages to enrich your understanding, fortify your commitment, and feel the soul-satisfying impact of truly "Being with Jesus."




The Believer's Privileges in the Covenant of Grace


Book Description

In this work, Watson explains what the biblical privileges of the Covenant of Grace are for a believer. He demonstrates that such privileges are in fact benefits lavished on the Christian by the work and ministry of Jesus Christ, through his life, death, resurrection and present intercession. It is impossible to divorce the privileges of a believer as a redeemed individual with the connection he has with Christ in the Covenant of Grace. Christ’s covenant, ministered to the believer through faith, is the mode in which the believer will obtain all the benefits offered. There are, according to Watson, twelve royal benefits of being in the covenant with Christ’s blood covering the believer. Such royal privileges surround death, the ministry of angels, the presence of Christ in glory, a blessed inheritance, clear knowledge, perfect love, the resurrection and glorification of our bodies, a holy disposition in heaven, a vindication of our reputations at the judgment, a complete sentence of absolution from sin, and a public and honorable mention of all the good which believers have done in this life. After explaining his main text, “All things are yours,” (1 Corinthians 3:21), and expounding the twelve privileges, he spends the last third of the work showing important inferences which evolve out of this doctrine. Finally, he completes the work with its longest chapter (chapter 22) showing all the duties that a believer should exercise knowing, now, that he has received such privileges from Christ in the Covenant of Grace. Watson’s style and illustrative manner is second to none in Puritan literature. His illustrations are often short, pithy and to the point. They paint wonderful pictures to drive home the truth of the Scripture-filled work on this most important topic. It is truly a work that ought not to be skimmed, or read in a rush, but rather, soaked in and meditated upon to milk out of it all its benefits, that Christ may be clearly seen. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.




A Devotional on Our Savior's Death and Passion


Book Description

Every true Christian longs to be closer in their relationship to Jesus Christ, and obtain a more intimate communion with God. This is the point of this puritan devotional. Herle has taken the role of a preacher, and presented the preaching of the Gospel, particularly the passion and death of Christ, in a devotional manner. What is a devotional? A devotional is akin to the meditative aspects of a sermon (direct application to the self) and how the text launches the reader into their own meditations (how it applies to “me” personally) as directly applied to the soul. Devotionals, like this one, do this step by step, one day at a time. Each chapter is a respective day’s meditation. In this work, there are 41 devotionals on the passion and death of Christ, with a concluding meditation on the resurrection; that Christ is a dying and rising Savior. In addition, Herle thought it important to add into each devotional a kind of ending prayer. Each day there are two or three prayers linked to the devotionals that allow you to become more thoughtful about these important biblical points as they relate to what happened to Jesus, what he did for his people, and how they can be prayed back to him for the soul’s edification and benefit. The goal in this devotional is to meditate and consider the passion of the Lord Jesus (from the Garden of Gethsemane to his death at Golgotha), and then consider what happened on the cross as he is nailed there dying for sinners. These devotionals work themselves out daily. Readers would draw the most virtue from this work, and from Jesus Christ, if they deal with one chapter each day for 41 days. But they are only as helpful as they are thoughtful and dedicated about considering them. Devotionals are not about simply flexing one’s theological muscles each day. It is primarily to gain the real blessing of the Spirit, further conformity to the image of Jesus Christ, and a deeper fellowship with the Father as you come to understand the passion of Christ, and his death on the cross in redeeming sinners.




Joseph's Resolve and the Unreasonableness of Sinning Against God


Book Description

One of the greatest depictions of God’s providence in Scripture is the historical narrative of Joseph, who was sold into slavery, and worked under Potiphar, the chief steward of Pharaoh. Within the course of this narrative, while Joseph is in his house, Potiphar’s wife comes to him many times to lure him off to sin in one of the most bold and forthright temptations to be recorded anywhere in the Bible. She had longing, wandering eyes and comes to tempt him, assaulting him, “day by day,” constantly, and audaciously. Joseph’s reaction to this wicked assault is an instant refusal to the temptation. “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9). What biblical directives can be found in this amazing statement of holiness and godliness? From this one text McMahon meticulously explains how Joseph’s victory over temptation against Potiphar’s wife can be used by the believer today for their own victory to the glory of Jesus Christ. Christians need to be prepared to deal with temptation in a manner in which they will be victorious in the power of Christ’s Spirit. But they can only do this if they understand what Joseph understood in regards to God, temptation and the heinous nature of sin. He covers such topics as: the great evil of sin, the relationship between sin and God’s holiness, how to live faithfully before God’s omniscience and omnipresence, the nature and character of temptation, what it means to resist temptations, how holy fear aids the Christian in light of temptation, what the Spirit works in a Christian motioning them to holiness, how one can cultivate a sensitivity to the Spirit’s work, the inconsistency in sinning against God, how usefulness in God’s kingdom is linked to holiness, the power of Christ’s Gospel as the full remedy to temptation and sin, as well as a number of other important considerations. (He also includes a study on the “hedge of protection” that is mentioned in Job 1:10 as an appendix to the work.) This book faithfully explains and applies Genesis 39:9 demonstrating Joseph’s godly resolve and the unreasonableness of sinning against God. Here you will find what steps you can take, following devout Joseph, to keep yourself from falling into sin through the craftiness of temptation, that you may bring the most glory to Jesus Christ in your walk before God.




Light from Old Paths Vol. 2


Book Description

Thomas Watson (1620-1686) was one of the most highly esteemed nonconformist Puritans of his day, as well as being an extremely popular preacher for today's Reformed and Christian audience via his works. Most of Thomas Watson's works are in print. They are filled with sound doctrine, practical wisdom, and heart-searching application. He is one of the most well-known and quoted Puritans.This book is a masterful selection of the best quotations drawn from Thomas Watson's works. These quotes have been chosen with great care, and arranged under topical headings from "affliction" to "world". This work forms an ideal introduction to the writings of Thomas Watson, and will prove to be rich devotional reading of the highest caliber. For those being introduced to the writings of the Puritans, or those who are already familiar with them, this devotional work will be a treasure to read again and again.The reading of Puritan works has brought great benefit to the people of God across barriers of culture and time. Christians owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful theologians, pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly rest in Christ. In these pages, the reader will find that Mr. Watson knew how to teach and apply God's Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, and for the glorification of Jesus Christ, while maintaining a solid biblical orthodoxy needed in our day and age. The purpose of this book is to open a door to the vast stores of biblical treasure and wisdom to be found in his writings and that it will stimulate further reading from his available works. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.




The Digital Puritan - Vol.V, No.2


Book Description

The Digital Puritan is a biannual digest of carefully selected Puritan works, providing a steady diet of sound Puritan teaching. The language has been gently modernised to render it more readable, while still retaining much of the flavour and character of the original text. Hundreds of helpful notes and Scripture references (in the English Standard Version®) are included as end-notes; no internet connection is needed. The following articles appear in this autumn/winter 2015 special edition, "The Word of God": 1. The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures – Hugh Binning. The necessity of learning and practising what the Bible teaches is shown from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 2. The Duty of Searching the Scriptures – George Whitefield. In which Whitefield illustrates the two great messages of the Scripture (our fallen nature and the grace of God) and gives directions on how to make time spent in Scripture most profitable. Based on John 5:39. 3. The Great Worth of Scripture Knowledge – Francis Roberts. Roberts gives seven helpful directions on how to better read and understand the Word of God. 4. How the Word is to be Read and Heard – Thomas Boston. From Luke 8:18 ("Take heed therefore how ye hear"), Boston teaches how to prepare our hearts for receiving the Word, and how to apply it to our daily lives. 5. How We May Read the Scriptures with Most Spiritual Profit – Thomas Watson. Watson's own collection of twenty-four directions on how to read the Scripture for greatest benefit. 6. The Puritan Practice of Meditation – Drs. Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones. To read the Scripture is not enough; it must permeate the mind and affect the heart. The authors show how the Puritans used meditation this effect.




Trivia Why's, Volume 2


Book Description

Trivia Why's will make you trivia wise with these great features: 1) Over 2,000 questions with multiple-choice answers are each accompanied by a related factoid. Why is this answer correct (and not that one)? Why else is this person famous (or infamous)? Why was this event historically significant? 2) By cycling through six standard genus categories, this book makes an excellent supplement to your favorite trivia board game while providing a healthy variety of topics for your reading pleasure. Answers are hidden from view while the questions are being read and appear in the same block on the same side of the book two pages later. 3) Every question and answer has been carefully researched for accuracy and recently updated to include the latest available data. Since trivia is a moving target, however, updates and corrections will be posted to the triviawhys.com web site.




A Body of Divinity


Book Description

Thomas Watson's Body of Practical Divinity is one of the most precious of the peerless works of the Puritans; and those best acquainted with it, prize it most. Watson was one of the most concise, racy, illustrative, and suggestive of those eminent divines who made the Puritan age the Augustan period of evangelical literature. There is a happy union of sound doctrine, heart-searching experience and practical wisdom throughout all his works; and his Body of Divinity is, beyond all the rest, useful to the student and the minister. He explains the Doctrines of God, Divine Sovereignty, Salvation, Sin, and the Trinity with remarkable clarity. His thinking is sound and Scriptural. Puritan theology sets the diadem of our salvation on Christ, and Christ alone, and it is solely on the basis of his meritorious work that we are saved.