Body of Divinity (Thomas Watson)

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RamistThomist

Puritanboard Clerk
Watson, Thomas. Body of Divinity. Banner of Truth.

This is a shorter review than I usually do.

Most people say that Chesterton is the wittiest or best aphorist, but truth be told he doesn't hold a candle to Thomas Watson. This book combines deep theology with a delightful style of writing. It is a running commentary on the Shorter Catechism, questions 1-39. Watson demonstrates how the truths logically follow from each other.

For the most part he gives each section a thorough treatment without being wordy or unnecessarily lengthy. The writing is warm and prayerful. The section on heaven has few equals.
 
Most people say that Chesterton is the wittiest or best aphorist, but truth be told he doesn't hold a candle to Thomas Watson.

I consider Watson as the Master of the one-liner. As rhymes to a poet, he speaks one pithy saying after another in quick succession. Here is a link to a bunch of his sayings.

This is perhaps my favorite work of Watson's: (Heaven Taken by Storm is another)
The Great Gain of Godliness
Practical Notes on Malachi 3:16-18

PART ONE
THE CHARACTER OF THE GODLY
1 Holding Fast in Evil Days 3
2 The Godly and the Fear of God 12
3 Reasons to Fear God 17
4 Walking in the Fear of God 19
5 The Excellence of the Fear of God 25
6 Is the Fear of God in Our Hearts? 37
7 The Godly Should Speak of God 62
8 The Godly Should Meditate on God’s Name 76
PART TWO
THE GOOD EFFECTS OF GODLINESS
9 God Regards the Piety of His People 95
10 God Records the Piety of His People 101
11 God Rewards the Piety of His People 111
12 God Rewards His People by Owning Them 119
13 God Rewards His People by Honouring Them 126
14 God Rewards His People by Sparing Them 141
15 The Righteous and the Wicked Discerned 150
16 A Consolation in Affliction 155
 
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