The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686) was an English Nonconformist Puritan pastor and author. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In 1646 Watson was employed at St. Stephen Walbrook Church in London, where he remained for the next sixteen years.

Thomas married Abigail Beadle in about 1647, and they had at least seven children, although four of the children died when young. During the English Civil War (1642-1649), Watson leaned toward Presbyterian views, and he sided with the Presbyterians in opposition to the death of King Charles I. Watson was imprisoned in 1651 for his part in a plot to bring back Charles II.

In 1652 Watson was released from prison and returned to his duties at St. Stephen Walbrook Church. After the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662, Watson, a Nonconformist, could no longer preach there, although he continued preaching in private when he was able. After the Declaration of Indulgence was passed in 1672, Thomas Watson was able to obtain a license to preach at Crosby Hall in London. He continued preaching there until his health began to decline. He then retired to Barnston in Essex, where he died in 1686 while praying.

Thomas Watson’s notable writings include The Godly Man’s Picture, The Ten Commandments, Heaven Taken by Storm, The Doctrine of Repentance, The Beatitudes, The Lord’s Prayer, and The Body of Divinity.

Thomas Watson lived his life for God, and he fit his own definition of a true Christian. Watson wrote that “A true Christian carries Christ in his heart and the cross on his shoulders.” Watson had his share of difficulty and sorrow, yet he remained a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He believed what he preached and wrote, and he lived what he believed.