While I love reading any of the Puritan Divines, I would have to say that Thomas Watson tops the list for me. His Body of Divinity is worth every penny (and more), and I am finding the case to be true also for The Godly Man’s Picture. He points out one characteristic of a godly man which is that he prizes Christ.
Watson asks, “How shall we know that we have a high estimation of Christ?” Here is how he answers:
1. If we are prizers of Christ, then we prefer him in our judgments before other things. We value Christ above honour and riches; the Pearl of Price lies nearest our heart. He who prizes Christ esteems the gleanings of Christ better than the world’s vintage. He counts the worst things of Christ better than the best things of the world.
2. If we are prizers of Christ, we cannot live without him; things which we value we know not how to be without. . . . A child of God can lack health and friends, but he cannot lack Christ.
3. If we are prizers of Christ, then we shall not complain at any pains to get him. He who prizes gold will dig for it in the mine: ‘My soul followeth hard after God’ (Psalm 63:8). . . . Test by this! Many say they have Christ in high veneration, but they are not industrious in the use of means to obtain him. If Christ would drop as a ripe fig into their mouth, they could be content to have him, but they will not put themselves to too much trouble to get him. Does he who will not take medicine or exercise prize his health?
4. If we are prizers of Christ, then we take great pleasure in Christ. What joy a man takes in that which he counts his treasure! He who prizes Christ makes him his greatest joy. . . . He who esteems Christ can solace himself in Christ when there is an autumn on all other comforts.
5. If we are prizers of Christ, then we will part with out dearest pleasures for him. . . . He who esteems Christ will pull out that lust which is his right eye. He who sets a high value on Christ will part with his pride, unjust gain, and sinful fashions (Isaiah 30:32). He will set his feet on the neck of his sins.
6. If we are prizers of Christ, we shall think we cannot have him at too dear a rate. We may buy gold too dearly but we cannot purchase Christ too dearly. Though we part with out blood for him, it is no dear bargain.
7. If we are prizers of Christ, we will be willing to help others get a part in him. That which we esteem excellent, we are desirous our friend should have a share in it. If a man has found a spring of water, he will call others that they may drink and satisfy their thirst. Do we commend Christ to others? Do we take them by the hand and lead them to Christ? This shows how few prize Christ, because they do not make more effort that their relations should have a part in him. They get land and riches for their posterity, but have no care to leave them the Pearl of Price as their portion.
8. If we are prizers of Christ, then we prize him in health as in sickness; when we are enlarged, as well as when we are straitened. . . . He who values his Saviour aright has as precious thoughts of him in a day of prosperity as in a day of adversity. The wicked make use of Christ only when they are in straits. . . . Sinners desire Christ only for shelter. The Hebrews never chose their judges except when they were in some imminent danger. Godless persons never look for Christ except at death, when they are in danger of hell.
Watson concludes:
“Oh, then, let us have endearing thoughts of Christ, let him be accounted our chief treasure and delight. This is the reason why millions perish – because they do not prize Christ. Christ is the door by which men are to enter heaven (John 10:9). If they do not know this door or are so proud that they will not stoop to go in at it, how can they be saved?”
– Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture. (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999), 50-54.
Watson is the bomb-diggity. I’ve given several copies of his Godly Man’s Picture away and used in it one on one discipleship.
It’ll preach too.
KBH
Yeah, I can’t wait to read the other Puritan Paperback by Watson, All Things for Good. Watson is so readable, practical, and rich. I’ve really been helped by him, John Flavel, Richard Sibbes, Thomas Brooks, and other more notable Puritans (as Baxter , Bunyan, and Owen).
I don’t know how many Puritan Paperbacks there are, but it would be neat to have a reading schedule where you read one a month. These guys just know God, themselves, and their sheep better than anyone I read these days.
Watson is my favorite Puritan!!! I give copies of his books as well, especially to those who think the Puritans are hard to read. Watson is concise with his words and His high view of God encourages me to look at Him the same way.
The Doctrine of Repentance is a wonderful read 🙂
Wow, this is incredible. My name’s Steve; I actually head up Banner of Truth’s operation on “this side of the big pond” in Carlisle, PA. A couple of month’s ago, as I was headed out the door to catch a plane to the Twin Lakes Fellowship outside Jackson, MS, I grabbed “Godly Man’s Picture.” I started it on the plane and simply had to set it aside after characteristic #10. I just had to give the first 10 time to settle and do their “surgery” on me before I read any more. And the one that hit me so greatly was the one you mentioned here, “A godly man prizes Christ.” In fact, at our next staff meeting, I read from that chapter because that one is obviously not limited to being a godly MAN only.
Kevin – I never heard the phrase “bomb-diggity” before, and I’m not sure what Watson’s response would be to that being your description of him, but I like it!
Timmy – We’ve got 38 books in the Puritan Paperback series right now. Do you already own “All Things For Good”? If not, email me ([email protected]) and I’ll send it to you.
Meeky – First, is that REALLY your name? Anyway, keep giving them away. I can’t tell you how many guys tell me stories of how their faith really started to go deep when someone gave them a copy of “Mortification of Sin” or one of the other Puritan Paperbacks.
Thanks, guys. I’m really glad to have made my way to this site today. Email me anytime, especially if there’s anything that we, at Banner, can do to be of any help or encouragement to you. OK? I’ll definitely reply.
God bless.
Steve B.
http://www.trophiesofhisgrace.blogspot.com