Banner of Truth, Slightly Imperfect copies.  

Few preachers in the Puritan era (or any other period of church history) match Thomas Watson for his ability to combine rich spirituality, nourishing doctrine and sane wisdom with fascinating illustration and a pleasant style. Watson is remembered chiefly for his posthumously published Body of Practical Divinity (reprinted by the Trust in three volumes). But his extant sermons also include this marvellous series on the character of the Christian – The Godly Man’s Picture. It is, as C.H. Spurgeon said of his other work, ‘a happy union of sound doctrine, heart-searching experience and practical wisdom’.

Watson is always the essence of sanity and reliability. But in addition, this work shows how attractive the grace of God is. Christians of all stages, reading it for the first time, will feel as if they have entered the gallery of a great portrait painter. As his sub-title suggests, Watson works with ‘a Scripture pencil’ in this priceless sketch of the true believer.

After giving some words of warning to “pretenders of godliness,” Watson then proceeds with his portrait by listing, describing and explaining “Some Characteristic Marks of a Man who is Going to Heaven,” taking about 170 pages to address 24 traits. Watson identifies from Scripture that a godly person is:
– A man of knowledge
– A man moved by faith
– A man careful about the worship of God
– A man who serves God not men
– A man who loves the Word
– A man of humility
– A man of prayer
– A zealous man
– A thankful man
– A patient man
– A man who strives to be an instrument for making others godly