Thu 16 Oct, 2008
Reading a book written 340+ years ago by a Puritan can be a daunting task, even for the most accomplished reader. For me its a battle of intellect (mine being miniscule compared to the writer’s), the “Old English” (not just thee’s and thy’s) and my constant battle with ADD. Yet, there are some Puritans that are extremely readable and their style is almost indistinguishable from today’s more readable Reformed authors. While Thomas Goodwin has been labeled “The Readable Puritan”, “The Godly Man’s Picture, Drawn With a Scripture Pencil” by Thomas Watson is another excellent example. While Thomas Watson’s writing very accessible, its readability is not an indication of generality or over simplification. It’s quite the opposite. In it he leaves no stone unturned, nor wastes time in the application of the truths from Scripture he points to.
The premise of “The Godly Man’s Picture” is godliness which Watson defines as…
“the sacred impression and workmanship of God in a man whereby from being carnal, he is made spiritual. When godliness is wrought in a man, he does not receive a new soul but he has a “new spirit…the faculties are not new, but the qualities are; the strings are the same but the tune is corrected.”
Watson specifically challenges men in not only attempting to pursue godliness but in actually achieving it. As he puts it, “Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time.” With pinpoint precision, Watson examines the issue of godliness, taking it off the Christian’s “wanna be” shelf and moving it to their “continue to achieve” shelf. He goes on to caution readers that settling for “sanctification in-part” is not godliness. Godliness, in practice involves “totality”, “sacrifice” and “duration”. Throughout the book, he demonstrates how God’s grace achieves what is impossible for man to accomplish on his own.
I am studying from this book as part of a discipleship course at the church where I attend. After reading just the first introductory paragraph, I was hooked. Unlike other books on Scriptural application that develop their themes first and then put application questions at the end of the chapter or at the end of the book, Watson starts applying principles immediately.
After a short introduction and a short presentation of the Gospel in Chapter 1, Watson starts presenting his argument from Scripture in Proverbs-like bites, that godliness is mandatory . A few examples are, as he says, “godliness…
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has truth for its foundation.” (Psalm 119:30)
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is a ray or beam that shines from God.”
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lies chiefly in the heart…[whereas religion is only in the externals]”
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is the holy sap rooted which is rooted in the soul.” (Psalm 51:6)
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is sacred leaven that spreads itself into the whole soul “(I Thess. 5:23)
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is a permanent thing. A blush of godliness is not enough the distinguish a Christian, but godliness must be the temper and complexion of the soul.
This is all accomplished in the first 20 pages! Watson then spends the next 168 pages applying godliness in understandably practical ways. Any Christian who has a grasp of the basic doctrines of their faith will benefit from it.
Chapter 4 represents the bulk of the book. In it, Watson presents how Scripture provides the framework for godliness and its demonstrates its fruits. His presentation is comprehensive and practical.
One interesting historical note is that Watson speaks to those who would “take Christ as Jesus but refuse him as Lord.” It’s clear the same “Lordship controversy”, boiling in the church today, was also prominent in 1666, when the book was written. It’s a vivid reminder of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 1:9.
Watson effectively slays the notion of the security of the carnal Christian.” Whereby many of today’s author’s who tackle this subject focus on the behavior of the one labeled a “carnal Christian”, Watson attacks the issue on two fronts; outward and inward. His discussion of “crucifying Christ anew” by those who profess to be being Christians continue to willfully sin against the saints (church), is frank and somber. He calls it for what it is; the sin of apostasy. Yet, unlike modern day authors, who focus on the “carnal believer’s” liberty to choose their “lifestyle” , Watson goes right to the heart and warns readers that all Christians are at risk of becoming carnal and ultimately apostatizing through dismissing the slippery slope of sin.
“Let us take heed of those things which will make us, by degrees, fall away from our profession…[they are: covetousness (worldliness), unbelief (not trusting God in his grace and mercy in all things of life) and cowardice (the fear of man and its result, inaction to do what is good)].”
In the final 62 pages, Watson exhorts the true believer remaining faithful in their personal pursuit of godliness. Watson lays out 3 “C’s” as a way for true believers to remain faithful to their grace-filled ambition:
- Caution – against the presumption of God’s grace.
- Counsel – remaining faithful to God’s Word and His work in your life.
- Comfort – realizing there will be up’s and down’s in your faith (with a little help from Richard Sibbes and the “smoking flax” example)
The book ends with the vivid imagery of the Christian’s ultimate glory as Christ, foretells the coming for His humble and chaste bride. As Watson says, “We see the love of Christ and his church running towards one another in full torrent…What is closer than union? What is sweeter?… Though we can bring Christ no dowry, he expects us to keep ourselves pure.”
My first reading of this book has already helped me see hypocrisy in my heart. It’s also reminded me my continued need to pray fervently and frequently. I commented to my wife the other day that it is certainly one of the best book I’ve read regarding the personal application of Scripture. I highly recommend it.
The Godly Man’s Picture is a great complement to J.C. Ryle’s book “Thoughts for Young Men ”. Ryle has been called England’s "last Puritan". This book, written in the late 19th Century, is more relevant today than when it was written over 100 years ago. It’s another example of readable Puritan literature.
