I recently started reading through a short book by the Puritan author Thomas Watson and was reminded of two very precious truths. The first is that a book doesn’t have to be “easy to read” to be valuable. Watson, who lived in the 1600’s, writes with a much older form of English than we are used to, yet rather than this being a frustration, it can instead be helpful: it can cause us to slow down, forcing us to think over what we are reading. Too often in our media over-saturated world we skim, we don’t read carefully, we don’t think about what we have read. Sometimes, older language can help us overcome that particular danger.
Second, I’m often reminded when I pick up a book from a previous era that the struggles and trials and hardships of life really aren’t any different today than they were a hundred or a thousand years ago. We still sin and are sinned against. We still are hurt and lash out in pain. In fact, as I write these words, a person is walking by outside of the church and screaming obscenities into her cell phone. I can’t keep from overhearing how hurt she has been, how devastated she says her life has become, because of the actions of the person on the other end of the line. We may have a lot more technology than those in the 17th or 1st centuries, but our problems remain the same. This, however, is also good news: it also means that the solution is the same as well. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His mercies are new each day. His grace is greater than our sin.
Taken together, these two thoughts teach us and remind me that reading old books is more than worth the effort. There’s a reason that the best of them are still in print centuries later, having outlasted so many “bestsellers” backed up by massive marketing and publicity efforts. Sometimes, what is older truly can be better, more relevant, more helpful. And when it comes to the Lord’s truths, what he has said is always best.
Enjoy these words from the preface of Thomas Watson’s “All Things for Good”:
There are two things which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is, to make the godly joyful. Dejection in the godly arises from a double spring; either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed. To cure both these troubles, I have put forth this ensuing piece, hoping, by the blessing of God, that it will buoy up their desponding hearts, and make them look with a more pleasant aspect. I would prescribe them to take, now and then, a little of this cordial: All things work together for good to them that love god. To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.
Watson, All Things for Good, p.1 (reprinted 2021, The Banner of Truth Trust)
