Once a day, especially in the early years of life and study, call yourselves to an account what new ideas, what new proposition or truth you have gained, what further confirmation of known truths, and what advances you have made in any part of knowledge.

Thus every contentum of the book comes under one or more of these headings and this methodical arrangement serves to make the exposition clear. From an early age Watts displayed a propensity for rhyme. Watts was the author of a text book on logic which was particularly popular; its full title was Logic or The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life as well as in the Sciences.

A prolific and popular hymnwriter he was recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody" credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today and have been translated into many languages.