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A Body of Divinity by Thomas Jr. Watson
homas Watson's A Body of Divinity is a Puritan classic, using the Westminster Shorter Catechism as a starting point for an exploration of the central themes of the Christian faith. Watson's writing style is interesting and well-organized. This book reminds me of J.C. Ryle's Holiness, in that both approach their subjects in such a thorough way. Watson goes through one item of doctrine after another, answering key questions and showing the blessings of an area of doctrine along with some potential pitfalls. For example, Watson deals with a common objection to the sin of Adam and Eve by addressing this question . . . "Was it such a great matter to pluck an apple?" To which he then gives 10 reasons why the sin of Adam and Eve was so serious. This thorough treatment continues throughout the book, making it an indispensable tool for pastors and teachers.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1692
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About the author
Thomas Watson
661 books236 followersLibrarian 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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 22, 2013
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.
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.
December 31, 2013
The incomparable Watson.
September 24, 2025
Watson is probably the Puritan that is dearest to my heart.
February 29, 2024
It took me way too long to get through this book, but that’s mainly because it is very dense. It is as thick as honey and just as sweet. There are beautiful truths on every line. It is a must read for any theologically minded Christian. It is very structured and leaves no stone unturned on every argument it comes to.
Something that Watson does better than any other author I’ve read is how he illustrates the truths that he is trying to convey. He does this by using simple analogies, history, and scripture. He quotes scripture in context as anyone would, but he also uses scripture as if it were a story he heard from a friend. He will take an interaction from an obscure story in the Old Testament and use it to illustrate a complex theological concept. When reading this book it is so obvious how steeped in scripture Watson was because it flows out of his pen.
Something that Watson does better than any other author I’ve read is how he illustrates the truths that he is trying to convey. He does this by using simple analogies, history, and scripture. He quotes scripture in context as anyone would, but he also uses scripture as if it were a story he heard from a friend. He will take an interaction from an obscure story in the Old Testament and use it to illustrate a complex theological concept. When reading this book it is so obvious how steeped in scripture Watson was because it flows out of his pen.
May 12, 2025
Good tonic. Watson’s use of scripture is worthy of its own study. He draws insights from verses that a cursory reader might deem irrelevant.
July 18, 2017
This book is one that every Christian should read! If you have never read anything from the Puritan era, I highly recommend starting with this book, it is so rich.
September 12, 2024
What a sweet book. Watson walks through the Westminster shorter catechism in a series of sermons for his congregation. This makes this book richly pastoral, as opposed to a cold theological treaty written in an ivory tower. Watson engages the whole person, capturing the mind, heart, and will of the reader. His rich theology saturated in the Scriptures renews the mind. He is masterfully illustrative, moving doctrine to the heart, capturing one’s affections for the truth. Each section ends with various “uses”, further moving theology from the heart to the hands in response. Hands lifted up in worship and hands to the plow of service. Theology leads to Doxology. This was so evident as I read. I would have to stop almost every paragraph just to meditate and worship our Triune God. The way he speaks of the electing love of the Father, the sweet blood of Christ at Calvary, and the comfort and application of the Holy Spirit drives one to their knees in awe and reverence, singing “such things are too wonderful for me” (Psalm 139:6). This work helped me to further gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and the excellencies of Christ our prophet, priest, and king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
September 6, 2023
Pastor SJ recommended this book when I told him I’m in my ~ puritan ~ era and per usual, he never misses. This book was exactly what I needed in this season of my life.. The Lord never delays.
This book really shaped my understanding of the gospel and I’m forever grateful to Thomas Watson who so perfectly expands the Westminster Shorter Catechism (though I wished he went through every single QA). The structure (arguments, objections, and uses) condensed seemingly complex concepts and of course, made it easy for my annotations :~) He referred to Bible verses that I had previously overlooked and I found myself opening up the Word to take a look for myself. And to me, that’s precisely the most obvious indication of solid teaching… A redirection to the source, the supreme and infallible Word of God.
Hands down the best book I read this year. Puritan systematic theology at its finest.
This book really shaped my understanding of the gospel and I’m forever grateful to Thomas Watson who so perfectly expands the Westminster Shorter Catechism (though I wished he went through every single QA). The structure (arguments, objections, and uses) condensed seemingly complex concepts and of course, made it easy for my annotations :~) He referred to Bible verses that I had previously overlooked and I found myself opening up the Word to take a look for myself. And to me, that’s precisely the most obvious indication of solid teaching… A redirection to the source, the supreme and infallible Word of God.
Hands down the best book I read this year. Puritan systematic theology at its finest.
November 26, 2024
A dense but accessible read on the Westminster shorter catechism. Watson’s illustrations and imagery are powerfully strewn throughout the work.
December 24, 2021
Teología reformada explicada de una forma realmente sencilla y vivida. Watson guía al lector a traves de los grandes temas de la biblia, pero sobre todo aplica estas verdades al corazón y vida del creyente. El capitulo sobre el fin de la existencia del hombre es oro puro. Todo creyente debería leerlo.
August 12, 2012
This classic by the English Puritan Thomas Watson is perhaps my favorite work from the period. Completed in the 1690's, A Body of Divinity is the text of Watson's sermons on the Westminster Catechism. This is doctrine as doxology and devotion. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2024
"Outside of the Bible, the most influential book in my life [...] would be A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson. [...] a wonderful exposition of the [Westminster] Shorter Catechism.
I will forever be indebted to A Body of Divinity for its God-centered doctrine and application and the manner with which it is written. It was like a lifeline. It was like medicine. It was like a searchlight before me. And I carry that influence with me. On top of that, the foreword was written by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, which is a pretty good person to write a foreword, which was written a couple hundred years later. Watson died in his prayer closet, and Spurgeon said he just went from glory to glory. He said Watson may not have even known he had died, and he just went from the presence of God to the presence of God. I mean, he was just a great Puritan. So I love that book."
- Steven J. Lawson
"I. I begin with the first, the glorifying of God, 1 Pet. 4:11., "That God in all things may be glorified." The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions; 1 Cor. 10:31. [...]
A. Glorifying of God consists in four things: 1st. Appreciation, 2d. Adoration, 3d. Affection, 4th. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven." - Thomas Watson
“O think of eternity! [...] Brethren, we are every day travelling to eternity; and whether we wake or sleep, we are going our journey; some of us are upon the borders of eternity, O study the shortness of life and length of eternity! [...] Think of the soul's eternity. As God is eternal, so He hath made us eternal. We are never-dying creatures; we are shortly entering upon an eternal state, either of happiness or misery. Have serious thoughts of this: say, O my soul, which of these two eternities is like to be thy portion? [...] Thoughts of eternal torments are a good antidote against sin[...] Shall I, for the pleasure of sin for a season, endure eternal pain? [...] The serious thoughts of eternal happiness would very much take us off from these worldly things; we should not esteem much of them. What are these sublunary things to eternity? they are quickly gone, they salute us, and take their farewell. But I am to enter upon an everlasting estate;—I hope to live with Him who is eternal,—what is the world to me?” - Thomas Watson
I will forever be indebted to A Body of Divinity for its God-centered doctrine and application and the manner with which it is written. It was like a lifeline. It was like medicine. It was like a searchlight before me. And I carry that influence with me. On top of that, the foreword was written by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, which is a pretty good person to write a foreword, which was written a couple hundred years later. Watson died in his prayer closet, and Spurgeon said he just went from glory to glory. He said Watson may not have even known he had died, and he just went from the presence of God to the presence of God. I mean, he was just a great Puritan. So I love that book."
- Steven J. Lawson
"I. I begin with the first, the glorifying of God, 1 Pet. 4:11., "That God in all things may be glorified." The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions; 1 Cor. 10:31. [...]
A. Glorifying of God consists in four things: 1st. Appreciation, 2d. Adoration, 3d. Affection, 4th. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven." - Thomas Watson
“O think of eternity! [...] Brethren, we are every day travelling to eternity; and whether we wake or sleep, we are going our journey; some of us are upon the borders of eternity, O study the shortness of life and length of eternity! [...] Think of the soul's eternity. As God is eternal, so He hath made us eternal. We are never-dying creatures; we are shortly entering upon an eternal state, either of happiness or misery. Have serious thoughts of this: say, O my soul, which of these two eternities is like to be thy portion? [...] Thoughts of eternal torments are a good antidote against sin[...] Shall I, for the pleasure of sin for a season, endure eternal pain? [...] The serious thoughts of eternal happiness would very much take us off from these worldly things; we should not esteem much of them. What are these sublunary things to eternity? they are quickly gone, they salute us, and take their farewell. But I am to enter upon an everlasting estate;—I hope to live with Him who is eternal,—what is the world to me?” - Thomas Watson
May 8, 2025
5 stars - which is what almost every puritan paperback I have read has received. VERY rich and thoughtful. I loved Body of Divinity because he outlined the different doctrines of orthodox faith but in classic puritan fashion. I particularly found the sections on God’s attributes helpful and on the offices of Christ. I think this was because he taught them with much passion and non-distracting illustration.
June 20, 2021
I bought this book on 19 June 2001! Twenty years later, it was even better than the first time around. Thomas Watson had a rare combination of doctrinal and literary brilliance.
August 19, 2024
I'd give 500 stars if I could ! This will be a reread on my shelf for a lifetime.
August 12, 2023
This book is a beauty! This is the first of Boston’s works that I’ve read and it deserves a thorough reread…this time with the physical version.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the clunky formatting of the Kindle version I have as well as the frequent failure to sync between devices. The fact that the chapters didn’t sync between the Kindle and Audible versions completed the poor experience. I need to have another go at this.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the clunky formatting of the Kindle version I have as well as the frequent failure to sync between devices. The fact that the chapters didn’t sync between the Kindle and Audible versions completed the poor experience. I need to have another go at this.
Want to read
August 8, 2015True grace is progressive, of a spreading, growing nature. It is with grace as it is with light: First, there is the daybreak; then it shines brighter to the full noon day. The Saints are not only compared to stars for their light, but two trees for their growth (Isaiah 61:3; Hosea 14:5). A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's sun that stood still, but is always advancing in holiness, and increasing with the increase of God.
The glory of God is a silver thread that ought to run through all of our actions. Every natural and man-made substance has some established purpose. So, as rational creatures, men and women must ascribe some purpose to themselves, and that should be to lift up God in the world. It would be better for a man to lose his life than lose the reason for which he lives. Let us assert this great truth: the purpose of every man's life should be to glorify God.
The glory of God is a silver thread that ought to run through all of our actions. Every natural and man-made substance has some established purpose. So, as rational creatures, men and women must ascribe some purpose to themselves, and that should be to lift up God in the world. It would be better for a man to lose his life than lose the reason for which he lives. Let us assert this great truth: the purpose of every man's life should be to glorify God.
December 24, 2013
Using the Westminster Assembly Catechism as a guide, Watson explores the answers to 38 questions from the full scope of Scripture. He does a thorough job on a wide range of subjects, and uses his trademark pointedness to make his emphases with force. Perhaps the most readable of the Puritan authors, Watson does occasionally tend toward repetitiveness and verbosity in places here. Still, this remains a worthwhile read and an encouraging reminder of basic Christian truths.
May 1, 2020
Good exposition of the Westminster Catechism. Full of imageries that bring sound biblical and theological truths closer to the heart of the reader who is also a child of God. I'd say it is a very good resource, and if you're a Presbyterian, a must-read.
August 23, 2012
A very readable Puritan. I have the Banner of Truth edition which I can't locate on goodreads.
June 15, 2015
One of the most accessible of Puritans, and one of my all time faves.
January 28, 2022
Theologically rich yet devotionally deep. So good!
March 9, 2021
Wonderfully insightful expositions of some of the major and essential doctrines set forth in Scripture using the Westminster Catechism as an entry point. Reading older literature is not without its challenges, and this work is no different. Once you cross the "English from another era" bridge and spit out some of the bones that come with the Westminster hermeneutic, an avenue is opened up to find delight in the Triune God and to grow in your faith. Watson remains readable and a great example of illuminating biblical truths by biblical illustrations.
June 10, 2021
Particularmente, uma das obras que mais impacto teve em minha vida. Uma espécie de teologia sistemática recheada de piedade e fervor. O puritano Thomas Watson, como em outros de seus livros (li recentemente "All things for good"), transpira Bíblia em praticamente cada parágrafo. É extremamente excelente na busca da exposição dos temas propostos dentro do Corpo de Teologia (Body of Divinity), enquanto é piedoso e aplicativo ao leitor. Essa obra marcou minha vida positivamente!
August 4, 2024
Honestly among the most enjoyable, deep, practical, and devotional works I have ever read. I think this will be a lifelong reference on any topic in theology that I will consult alongside much more substantial works. I’ve never read theology rendered so clearly and yet so poetically. Recommended 11/10.
July 15, 2025
What a jewel!
I started re-reading this for Banner of Truth's Summer 2025 Reading, and am I ever glad I did. Watson (1620-1686) beautiful captures Christian teaching in a captivating way. Beautiful!
I started re-reading this for Banner of Truth's Summer 2025 Reading, and am I ever glad I did. Watson (1620-1686) beautiful captures Christian teaching in a captivating way. Beautiful!
December 31, 2022
O carte excelenta! O teologie sistematica din perioada puritana cu implicații practice la finalul fiecărei doctrine. Sper într-o buna zi sa fie tradusa și în română.
July 31, 2025
Great study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism!
September 20, 2022
For me, this was a good book to read slowly ... a page or two at a time to let it sink in. The teaching is soundly biblical and his writing style is exceptional.
May 31, 2022
Good book. Answers lots of key doctrinal questions about God and how we can apply it to our lives. Left this book with a bigger and greater view of God.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews