Thomas Watson – A Divine Cordial: All Things for Good (Intro to 10 chapters)

Thomas Watson – A Divine Cordial playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=…

Thomas Watson playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list…

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Watson’s devotional answers the many who ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The author meditates on this passage from Romans 8: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” As the passage implies, Watson reminds his readers that while the godly may face harm, God uses that harm for their ultimate benefit according to his purposes. Even hardship and suffering become opportunities for Christians to strengthen their relationship with God. Later publications of A Divine Cordial bear the title All Things for Good, better representing the book’s contents to modern readers.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Thomas Watson – (ca. 1620-1686), English non-conformist Puritan preacher and author

Watson 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 June 30, 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen’s Walbrook.

Watson obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Notwithstanding 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.