Theological Institutes was a critical landmark in the development of Methodist doctrine.Originally published in 1823 in four volumes, Watson's work was the first attempt to systematize John Wesley's theology. Influencing and guiding the later systematic theological work for Methodist theology, Watson's Institutes was the main Methodist textbook for systematic theological studies and remained a primary text for over 50 years after his death.
Richard Watson (1781–1833) was a British Methodist theologian and missionary advocate. Considered one of nineteenth--century Methodism's most important figures, Watson was a prolific writer and preacher. He served as the secretary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society from 1821 to 1825.