Thomas Watson preaches about finding consolation in affliction by acknowledging God's kindness and faithfulness towards His people. Despite the challenges and heavy afflictions faced by the righteous, God deals well with them by being their God, making them grow wiser and promoting holiness through affliction, providing promises and preventing sin. Afflictions are seen as acts of love from a caring Father, moderating His correction, preventing sin, and leading His children to heaven where eternal glory awaits.

Thomas Watson expounds on 'The Lord's Prayer,' particularly the petition 'Deliver us from evil,' emphasizing the need for divine protection from the evils of the world, our own hearts, and the devil. He illustrates how the world is defiling, ensnaring, deadening, and vexing, urging believers to seek deliverance from its temptations and troubles. Watson also highlights the importance of recognizing the heart as a source of sin and the necessity of prayer for strength against Satan's schemes. He concludes by reminding the congregation of the eternal consequences of sin and the need for God's grace to overcome it.

Thomas Watson preaches on the significance of godly sorrow and repentance, emphasizing that those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He describes how a godly heart grieves over its shortcomings and sins, weeping out of a sense of God's love and the awareness of falling short of God's standards. Watson highlights the preciousness of repenting tears, comparing them to myrrh that brings comfort and refreshing to the spirit, and encourages believers to be 'weepers' who drown their sins in tears as a form of true repentance.

Thomas Watson emphasizes the necessity of heart purity, explaining that true purity is not merely external but must originate from the heart, which is the seat of true religion. He outlines the nature of purity, distinguishing between divine, created, and evangelical purity, and stresses that only the pure in heart will see God, both in this life and in the life to come. Watson warns against the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, urging believers to seek genuine holiness and to avoid sin, as well as the company of the wicked. He concludes by encouraging Christians to pursue heart purity through prayer, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit, as this purity is essential for a relationship with God and for eternal life.

Thomas Watson preaches about the incomparable reward of having God Himself as the ultimate prize for His people. He emphasizes that nothing on earth or in heaven can compare to God as the saints' reward, and explains how God bestows Himself upon His people through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. The exceeding greatness of this reward lies in God being a satisfying, suitable, pleasant, transcendent, infinite, honorable, and everlasting reward, bringing eternal joy and contentment to those who have Him as their portion.

Thomas Watson preaches about the substantial excellency of spiritual things, emphasizing the importance of seeking after true substance in Christ and grace. He delves into the qualifications of those who love Christ and the privileges of inheriting substance from God. Watson explains the threefold interpretation of substance as Christ, the grace of the Spirit, and salvation. He urges believers to labor diligently for spiritual substance, highlighting the incomparable worth of grace and the need to trade for it in holy ordinances and seek it from Christ. Watson encourages gratitude for the spiritual substance received and a continual pursuit of more grace to experience increased strength, joy, and glory.

Thomas Watson preaches about the attributes of God, focusing on His omnipresence, immutability, eternity, and wisdom. He highlights God's infinite presence in all places at once, His unchanging nature and eternal existence, and His perfect wisdom displayed in creation and redemption. Watson emphasizes the comfort and assurance found in God's unchangeable decrees and the intricate workings of His wisdom in the salvation of sinners.

Thomas Watson preaches about how the worst things, such as afflictions, temptations, desertions, and sins, can be overruled by God for the good of His people. He explains how afflictions work for good by teaching valuable lessons, refining character, and drawing believers closer to God. Similarly, temptations are turned into opportunities for prayer, self-examination, and reliance on Christ's strength. Desertions lead to a deeper appreciation of God's presence and a longing for heaven. Even the sense of sinfulness in the godly serves to humble, purify, and drive believers to seek God more fervently.

Thomas Watson preaches about the characteristics of a righteous man, emphasizing the importance of humility, holiness, justice, love, and perseverance in one's faith. He highlights that a righteous person is humble, devoted to holiness, just in dealings, serves God out of love, and perseveres in piety despite challenges. Watson stresses that righteousness is not just about outward appearance but about the heart's transformation and genuine love for God and others.

Thomas Watson preaches about the mystical temple of God, highlighting the spiritual union between Christ and believers using metaphors like the union between the head and the members, and the marital union. He emphasizes that the heart of every believer is God's temple, drawing analogies between a believer's soul and a temple. Watson urges believers to offer spiritual sacrifices like prayer, a broken heart, and praise, and to study temple purity by maintaining holiness. He comforts believers by assuring them of God's constant presence in their lives and the future glory awaiting them as glorious temples in heaven.

Thomas Watson presents a vivid portrayal of a godly man, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith over mere outward appearances. He warns against hypocrisy, likening it to whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful but are filled with decay inside. Watson stresses that true godliness is rooted in the heart, characterized by a sincere love for Christ and a commitment to holiness, humility, and the rejection of sin. He encourages believers to continually seek God's grace and to be vigilant against the temptations of the world, ultimately highlighting that a godly man is one who strives to reflect God's character in every aspect of life.

Thomas Watson preaches on the comforting aspects of God's rod and staff as highlighted in Psalms 23:4. He explains that God's rod can be seen as a destroying rod upon His enemies, a pastoral rod guiding His sheep, and a disciplining rod for His children. Watson emphasizes that God's rod, even in affliction, provides comfort through instruction, a token of God's love, a means to bring us to glory, and as a way to make us better. He challenges the congregation to not be dejected in affliction but to seek comfort and growth in God's discipline.

Thomas Watson preaches on the duty of self-denial, emphasizing the need for Christians to deny their own righteousness and trust only in Christ's righteousness for salvation. He warns against self-confidence, high thoughts of oneself, sinful fashions, indulging in excessive appetites, seeking ease, and aiming for fame or self-applause. Watson also stresses the importance of taking up one's cross daily, being willing to endure suffering for Christ, and not giving in to worldly pleasures that lead to eternal ruin.

Thomas Watson emphasizes the importance of reading Scripture for spiritual profit by providing practical steps and attitudes to adopt. He highlights the need to remove hindrances, prepare hearts, read with reverence, method, seriousness, and humility, while also meditating, remembering, and applying the Word. Watson encourages believers to have a fervent love for the Scriptures, to compare themselves with the Word, and to seek personal application and obedience. He stresses the significance of Christ as the teacher, attending church services, and praying for God's guidance to profit from reading the Word.

Thomas Watson preaches about the promise of a crown of righteousness for those who honor God, emphasizing the need to find comfort and hope in the midst of loss and sorrow by looking to the heavenly reward. He encourages Mrs. Mary Hodges to make sure of her relationship with Christ, highlighting the importance of faith in securing the crown of righteousness and the union with Christ that death perfects. Watson explains the significance of the crown of righteousness, comparing it to earthly crowns and emphasizing its resplendence, weightiness, and honor. He delves into the conditions for wearing the crown, including the work, way, and armor of righteousness, urging believers to strive for holiness and perseverance in their Christian walk.

Thomas Watson preaches on the importance of kissing the Son, Jesus Christ, as a sign of adoration, subjection, and love. He emphasizes the futility of opposing Christ, highlighting that all power is given by Him and that those who resist Him will face His wrath. Watson explains that kissing the Son involves faith, love, and obedience, warning that those who disobey and dishonor Christ will face His judgment and wrath, while those who believe, love, and obey Him will receive His blessings and eternal life.

Thomas Watson preaches about the importance, nature, counterfeits, necessity, signs, pursuit, inducements, and attainment of sanctification. He emphasizes that sanctification is the will of God, essential for evidencing justification, a requirement for the new covenant, necessary for entering heaven, and the only thing that makes us differ from the wicked. Watson urges Christians to pursue sanctification above all else, as it is the evidence of God's love, fits us for heaven, and is the main thing a Christian should seek after. He provides practical steps to attain sanctification, such as being in the Word, having faith in Christ's blood, seeking the Holy Spirit, associating with sanctified people, and praying for sanctification.

Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of making true religion our business, emphasizing the duty of every Christian to prioritize true religion as the grand business of their lives, following the example of Paul who devoted himself to knowing Christ and propagating His truth. Watson explains that true religion involves being knit to God, worshiping Him rightly, and serving Him with all aspects of our lives. He provides seven key aspects of making true religion our business, including devotion, attention, thoughts, main end, trade with God, redeeming time, and serving with all our might.

Thomas Watson preaches on the importance of not growing weary in well-doing, emphasizing that despite the challenges and sufferings faced in a Christian course, believers should persevere and hold fast to their faith. He highlights the exhortation to continue in piety without shrinking back, reminding that the way of true religion is honorable and that God never grows weary of doing good to His people. Watson urges the congregation to consider the examples of faithful saints who endured hardships and remained steadfast, promising a great reward of glory and immortality for those who do not give up or grow weary.

Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of keeping our hearts diligently, as they are the source of life and the seat of our thoughts, desires, and actions. He emphasizes the duty, manner, and reason for keeping our hearts with all diligence, using various analogies like keeping a temple, treasure, garden, garrison, and prisoner. Watson provides practical advice on how to keep our hearts by setting up fences, using means like the Word of God, watching over our passions, and seeking God's help. He warns about the consequences of not keeping our hearts, as the devil will try to deceive and control them, leading to spiritual devastation and loss of peace.

Thomas Watson preaches about the contrasting destinies of the righteous and the wicked as depicted in Isaiah 3:10-11. He emphasizes that while the righteous will ultimately be rewarded with mercy, comfort, and eternal joy, the wicked will face disaster, curses, and eternal torment in hell. Watson provides detailed explanations and illustrations to drive home the importance of choosing righteousness over sin, highlighting the consequences and eternal implications of one's actions.

Thomas Watson preaches on the necessity of provoking ourselves to worship God, emphasizing the natural inclination towards sin and the need for violent effort to lift our hearts towards heaven. He challenges believers to examine their spiritual diligence, self-denial, love for God, and pursuit of holiness. Watson highlights the example of Christ's violent sacrifice for our salvation, urging believers to follow His example in fervent faith and dedication.

Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of sincerity and uprightness in a Christian's character, highlighting the significance of having a heart for God, working by an upright rule, and acting from a principle of faith and love. He emphasizes the traits of an upright man, including being uniform in piety, zealous for God, and progressive in holiness. Watson contrasts the end of the upright man, which is peace with God, conscience, and the saints, with the end of the wicked, which is to be cut off. He provides comfort to the upright by assuring them of the peaceful and honorable end awaiting them.

Thomas Watson preaches a powerful sermon on the importance of charity and almsgiving, emphasizing the need for compassion and generosity towards those in need. He highlights how true charity is a reflection of God's love and mercy, urging the listeners to imitate Christ's sacrificial giving. Watson addresses the lack of charity in society, calling for a revival of compassion and kindness, and reminds the audience that charity is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith, reflecting the heart of God's mercy and grace.

Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of being wise as serpents and harmless as doves, emphasizing the need for Christians to unite prudence and holiness in their lives. He highlights the Apostles' commission, the foretold dangers they faced, and the instructions given by Christ. Watson explains that Christians must be both wise and innocent, showing examples from biblical figures like Moses, Daniel, and Paul who embodied this balance of wisdom and innocence. He urges believers to be prudent in their actions, yet maintain their integrity, avoiding sin while navigating through challenges and dangers.