A65285:1040
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Appropriation, or the applying Christ to ourselves: A Medicine though it be never so sovereign, yet if it be not applied to the Wound, will do no good; tho' the Plaster be made of Christ's own Blood, yet it will not heal unless it be applied by Faith: the Blood of God without Faith in God will not save; this applying of Christ is called a receiving of him, Joh. 1.12. The hand receiving of Gold enricheth, so the hand of Faith receiving Christ's Golden Merits with Salvation, enricheth us.
3. Appropriation, or the applying Christ to ourselves: A Medicine though it be never so soveraign, yet if it be not applyed to the Wound, will do no good; tho' the Plaister be made of Christ's own Bloud, yet it will not heal unless it be applyed by Faith: the Bloud of God without Faith in God will not save; this applying of Christ is called a receiving of him, Joh. 1.12. The hand receiving of Gold enricheth, so the hand of Faith receiving Christ's Golden Merits with Salvation, enricheth us.
Quest. How is Faith wrought?
Resp. By the Blessed Spirit it is called the Spirit of Grace, Zec. 12.10. because it is the Spring and Efficient of all Grace. Faith is the chief Work which the Spirit of God works in a Man's heart. In making the World God did but speak a Word, but in working Faith he puts forth his Arm, Luke 1.51. The Spirits working Faith is called, The exceeding Greatness of God's Power. What a Power was put forth in raising Christ from the Grave, when such a Tombstone lay upon him, the Sins of all the World; yet he was raised up by the Spirit: The same Power the Spirit of God puts forth in working Faith; the Spirit irradiates the Mind, subdues the Will; the Will naturally is like a Garrison, which holds out against God; the Spirit with a sweet Violence conquers, or rather changeth the Will, making the Sinner willing to have Christ upon any Terms, to be ruled by him as well as saved by him.