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The Ten Commandments
In this book Thomas Watson continues his exposition of the Shorter Catechism drawn up by the Westminster Assembly. Watson was one of the most popular preachers in London during the Puritan era. His writings are characterized by clarity, raciness and spiritual richness. The series of three volumes, of which this is the second, makes an ideal introduction to Puritan literature.
There are few matters about which the Puritans differ more from present-day Christians than in their assessment of the importance of the ten commandments. The commandments, they held, are the first thing in Christianity which the natural man needs to be taught and they should be the daily concern of the Christian to the last.
In The Ten Commandments Watson examines the moral law as a whole as well as bringing out the meaning and force of each particular commandment. In view of the important function of the law in Christian life and evangelism this is a most valuable volume.
There are few matters about which the Puritans differ more from present-day Christians than in their assessment of the importance of the ten commandments. The commandments, they held, are the first thing in Christianity which the natural man needs to be taught and they should be the daily concern of the Christian to the last.
In The Ten Commandments Watson examines the moral law as a whole as well as bringing out the meaning and force of each particular commandment. In view of the important function of the law in Christian life and evangelism this is a most valuable volume.
245 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1692
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About the author
Thomas Watson
666 books244 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 57 reviews
December 2, 2023
All of Watson’s works are deeply edifying, but this work on the Ten Commandments might be among his greatest accomplishments. Pick up and read.
June 23, 2022
So good.
September 6, 2021
This book came at me like water from a fire hose. Not just in the there-was-a-lot-of-information sense, but in the cops-trying-to-subdue-the-mob-without-quite-killing-anybody sense. I felt bruised and bedraggled, particularly by the lengthy and detailed expositions of each commandment: "Here are five thousand ways you might break this, and you're guilty of four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine of them!" Even though there were spots where I disagreed with Watson (e.g., some of his beliefs about the Sabbath, which sound too much like this), he was convictingly spot-on most of the time.
Also, it boggles my mind that men like Watson could write books like this without any of the reference tools we have today. He didn't even have a Strong's concordance (mine's gathering dust because it's now outdated technology to me). He just knew his Bible, could call to mind cross-references and supporting passages, and could synthesize it all for his readers.
The reader was interesting. I could not place his accent, but I enjoyed listening to it.
Also, it boggles my mind that men like Watson could write books like this without any of the reference tools we have today. He didn't even have a Strong's concordance (mine's gathering dust because it's now outdated technology to me). He just knew his Bible, could call to mind cross-references and supporting passages, and could synthesize it all for his readers.
The reader was interesting. I could not place his accent, but I enjoyed listening to it.
December 1, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this book and for that matter, I like all of Watson's books. I think he expounded the true meaning of the Decalogue from the context of the Christian epoch we now find ourselves in. Namely the age of the Church and the observance of the moral law of God still applies as it always will.
August 18, 2013
This was not my first time reading this book. (Actually, it was my third.) But I really like this book. Watson is not nearly as tedious as some Puritan authors, so if you’ve found reading other Puritans to be a bit, well, discouraging, then I commend this to you. I enjoy his prose, Scriptural awareness, and theological insight. I’ll probably read this as a devotional in another couple years.
May 14, 2020
A superb book on the Ten Commandments, as well as the way of salvation. It covers a large section of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Full of practical, pointed wisdom that is too much frowned upon these days. A little over the top in places, but overall great and worth reading. Watson is a wordsmith too, which makes for a fun read.
April 24, 2025
It would be easy to come to this Puritan work and find it too legalistic. But Watson is writing from a heart that finds holiness a joy and treasure, and he is writing to reveal the beauty of God’s law to the Christian. This book is not meant to be a weight around the Christian’s neck crushing him under the weight of guilt but is a hand reaching down to lift the believers to a greater understanding of holiness. Watson seeks to give very clear and simple guides for holiness that can be found in the Ten Commandments, along with general guides for finding holiness in all of Scripture.
June 25, 2021
Thomas Watson was a rare gem: a great theologian and an outstanding stylist.
February 21, 2024
Los Diez Mandamientos son un collar de perlas para adornarnos; son un tesoro para enriquecernos; son más valiosos que montañas de especias y rocas de diamante: «Mejor me es la ley de tu boca que millares de oro y plata» (Salmo 119:72). La ley de Dios contiene el bien y la verdad (Nehemías 9:13).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2023
A wonderful book full of conviction and encouragement. I love his explanation of the law because it helps us see sin for sin. I don't agree with him on every single jot and tittle. His whole section on baptism is mostly about infant baptism, and he seems to give emotional expression too much weight. But overall, I highly recommend this book. It is very sanctifying.
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October 3, 2024Fantastic writer. Lots of helpful stuff. Some of it is a bit intense.
August 4, 2020
The exegesis of the Ten Commandments by Puritan Thomas Watson is excellent, but this book also contains two other topics: The Law and Sin and The Way of Salvation.
The Way of Salvation includes a section on Baptism. Watson believes in paedobaptism and makes his case that it is the valid mode of baptism. On page 218 he defines baptism as "a sacrament, wherein the washing or sprinkling with water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's." On that same page, he argues that "[t]he party baptized has (1) An entrance into the visible body of the church. (2) He has a right sealed to the ordinances, which is a privilege full of glory. Rom. ix 4. (3) The child baptized is under a more special providential care of Christ, who appoints the tutelage of angels to be the infant's life-guard."
I'm not going to go into a long discourse on credobaptism, but baptism is more than just an "engagement to the be the Lord's". It does not provide "providential care" to babies in the form of an angelic "life-guard". Romans 6:4 states: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Infants and young children do not believe on Jesus Christ and they do not walk in the newness of life after baptism. Therefore, they are not appropriate candidates for Christian baptism.
Because Watson's view of baptism is not scriptural and he has made a strong apology for it in this book, I cannot recommend 'The Ten Commandments' without caveat; therefore, my rating is 1-star.
**"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," (Gal. 5:9)**
The Way of Salvation includes a section on Baptism. Watson believes in paedobaptism and makes his case that it is the valid mode of baptism. On page 218 he defines baptism as "a sacrament, wherein the washing or sprinkling with water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's." On that same page, he argues that "[t]he party baptized has (1) An entrance into the visible body of the church. (2) He has a right sealed to the ordinances, which is a privilege full of glory. Rom. ix 4. (3) The child baptized is under a more special providential care of Christ, who appoints the tutelage of angels to be the infant's life-guard."
I'm not going to go into a long discourse on credobaptism, but baptism is more than just an "engagement to the be the Lord's". It does not provide "providential care" to babies in the form of an angelic "life-guard". Romans 6:4 states: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Infants and young children do not believe on Jesus Christ and they do not walk in the newness of life after baptism. Therefore, they are not appropriate candidates for Christian baptism.
Because Watson's view of baptism is not scriptural and he has made a strong apology for it in this book, I cannot recommend 'The Ten Commandments' without caveat; therefore, my rating is 1-star.
**"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," (Gal. 5:9)**
October 31, 2025
fter 45 years of owning Thomas Watson’s The Ten Commandments, I have finally read it through—and I can only say I regret not doing so sooner. Like his Body of Divinity, this is no dry theological treatise; it is a work of deep devotional power and practical insight. Watson, ever the pastor and physician of the soul, unfolds each commandment with precision, searching application, and gospel clarity.
What sets this work apart is Watson’s unflinching confrontation with sin, combined with warm encouragement toward obedience. Each commandment is not only explained but applied—personally, pastorally, and persuasively. His words expose the heart while lifting the eyes to Christ.
The final two sections, “The Law and Sin” and “The Way of Salvation,” were especially rich for me. They explore the role of the moral law in the Christian life, the nature of true repentance, the exercise of saving faith, and the grace offered in the sacraments. These chapters serve as a fitting conclusion, tying together law and gospel with clarity and conviction.
Watson writes with a gift for memorable phrasing and vivid analogies. His style is aphoristic—each page scattered with sentences that strike deep and linger long, and many of his lines lodge themselves in the soul.
This is a book I will return to, not only as a teacher of truth but as a man in need of grace. I commend it to any Christian who desires to love God’s law more deeply and walk in His ways more faithfully. Better late than never—but better now than later.
What sets this work apart is Watson’s unflinching confrontation with sin, combined with warm encouragement toward obedience. Each commandment is not only explained but applied—personally, pastorally, and persuasively. His words expose the heart while lifting the eyes to Christ.
The final two sections, “The Law and Sin” and “The Way of Salvation,” were especially rich for me. They explore the role of the moral law in the Christian life, the nature of true repentance, the exercise of saving faith, and the grace offered in the sacraments. These chapters serve as a fitting conclusion, tying together law and gospel with clarity and conviction.
Watson writes with a gift for memorable phrasing and vivid analogies. His style is aphoristic—each page scattered with sentences that strike deep and linger long, and many of his lines lodge themselves in the soul.
This is a book I will return to, not only as a teacher of truth but as a man in need of grace. I commend it to any Christian who desires to love God’s law more deeply and walk in His ways more faithfully. Better late than never—but better now than later.
January 24, 2022
Watson is a must-read. He is an outstanding teacher, with faithful attempts at comprehensive explanations of doctrine and practice, elucidating aphorisms, and apt illustrations. If you want to be instructed in religion, I'd highly recommend reading him.
This book is an outstanding achievement in experiential theology. Instruction feeds the soul and prepares for life. Watson's pattern is to provide a deep exposition of his topic followed by practical application, and he never deviates from this model. All of Scripture is brought to bear to justify his points, and like the psalmist, you can feel his delight in the Law of God. I pray that more people will read this book, and the law will do its work as a school teacher to bring them to Christ. Moreover, I hope Christians will read this book and be shaped by the ethics that will conform us to the image of Christ, and that the pattern of godly living described in this book will be pervasive in our churches.
This book is an outstanding achievement in experiential theology. Instruction feeds the soul and prepares for life. Watson's pattern is to provide a deep exposition of his topic followed by practical application, and he never deviates from this model. All of Scripture is brought to bear to justify his points, and like the psalmist, you can feel his delight in the Law of God. I pray that more people will read this book, and the law will do its work as a school teacher to bring them to Christ. Moreover, I hope Christians will read this book and be shaped by the ethics that will conform us to the image of Christ, and that the pattern of godly living described in this book will be pervasive in our churches.
April 26, 2021
I didn't read all of this book, but I referred to some pretty large sections of it while studying the 10 commandments. I found it to be a pretty solid exposition of the 10 commandments, not going too far off the beaten path (in good or bad ways). There were several sections that were personally very applicable.
I glanced through some of his later sections, and found some of his arguments against credobaptism pretty ridiculous. He says that it's wrong to baptize believers because its immodest to baptize them naked, and doing so is dangerous to human life because you might catch cold and die.
I glanced through some of his later sections, and found some of his arguments against credobaptism pretty ridiculous. He says that it's wrong to baptize believers because its immodest to baptize them naked, and doing so is dangerous to human life because you might catch cold and die.
May 21, 2024
Thomas Watson’s “The Ten Commandments” is a short, expositional work, mainly on the Ten Commandments. The book is broken into three sections: the Ten Commandments, the Law and Sin, and the Way of Salvation.
Overall, I thought the book was very good. I was a little concerned about the book being full of Old English (antiquated) language, but it is not, which makes for an easy read.
I recommend Watson’s “The Ten Commandments” to anyone looking to grow in their obedience and holiness with our Lord.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
Overall, I thought the book was very good. I was a little concerned about the book being full of Old English (antiquated) language, but it is not, which makes for an easy read.
I recommend Watson’s “The Ten Commandments” to anyone looking to grow in their obedience and holiness with our Lord.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
December 8, 2024
After looking at this book on the shelf for years, I was somehow expecting it to be dry but wholesome reading. I would read it because it would be good for me.
Well, it was good for me, but certainly not dry - Watson is absolutely smashing, with his short punchy sentences, vivid analogies (some more apt than others - he gets excited) and relentless applications. Many contemporary authors are far more dry. Watson must have been quite the fireball.
"Fervent prayer, like a powder engine set against heaven's gates, makes them fly open....Prayer without fervency is no prayer"
Well, it was good for me, but certainly not dry - Watson is absolutely smashing, with his short punchy sentences, vivid analogies (some more apt than others - he gets excited) and relentless applications. Many contemporary authors are far more dry. Watson must have been quite the fireball.
"Fervent prayer, like a powder engine set against heaven's gates, makes them fly open....Prayer without fervency is no prayer"
August 1, 2022
A terrific exposition from a Puritan master. Watson is always a delight to read, and this volume is no exception. It receives four stars instead of five, however, because the brief section on Baptism near the end amounts to little more than paedobaptistic sloganeering, rather than the careful, steady, faithful exegesis that characterizes every other section. Properly thus forewarned, the reader will profit greatly in every way from this rigorous, warmly devotional volume.
January 8, 2024
Overall Informative and Detailed
The Ten Commandments: Life Application... offers a very good and detailed look at the Ten Commandments not only as they appear in the Bible, but how they apply to us today.
Aside from a few minor doctrinal disagreements that I have with the author, I found the book helpful and informative.
The Ten Commandments: Life Application... offers a very good and detailed look at the Ten Commandments not only as they appear in the Bible, but how they apply to us today.
Aside from a few minor doctrinal disagreements that I have with the author, I found the book helpful and informative.
August 13, 2024
This is Watson's addition to the Westminster standards language regarding the 10 Commandments. It is thorough, lively, and very helpful in understanding how the 3 uses of the moral law guide and inform Christian ethics and piety. If you're preaching on the 10 Commandments - this is an essential text.
May 30, 2025
I love the Puritans. I think it’s impossible to read a Puritan without discovering you are a more miserable sinner than you ever thought possible, while consequently learning to cling all the more tightly to God’s mercy and grace in the Cross. This book is no exception.
I also think Watson managed to cite Scripture at least once every 2-3 sentences, which is just insane.
I also think Watson managed to cite Scripture at least once every 2-3 sentences, which is just insane.
December 9, 2017
A wonderful treatment of the ten commandments. I love how the Puritans have so many applications for each point they make from the text, from being obedient to the text to glorifying God because of what is expressed therein.
July 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
Despite the occasional trappings of Covenant Theology, Watson's classic exposition of the Ten Commandments and the means of grace for Christian living remains rich and practical. For the disciple of Christ this book will provoke sincere obedience to the Lord.
Despite the occasional trappings of Covenant Theology, Watson's classic exposition of the Ten Commandments and the means of grace for Christian living remains rich and practical. For the disciple of Christ this book will provoke sincere obedience to the Lord.
August 14, 2024
Watson is easily my favorite Puritan and one of the most practical and easy to understand. I genuinely loved this book and how simple yet spiritual it is, and I'm looking forward to referencing it in the future.
August 16, 2017
Beautiful, masterful treatment of the moral law and the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Occasional puritan legalism, but incredibly convicting and ever-timely.
September 26, 2017
Good exposition of the 10 commandments. Very dense, took me a while to read. Shows all the explicit and implicit requirements of following the 10 commandments.
October 4, 2018
Well worth chewing through. Every sentence a gem.
November 11, 2019
Wonderful
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews