A65285:1042
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.
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.
Quest. Wherein lies the Preciousness of Faith?
Quest. Wherein lyes the Preciousness of Faith?
Resp. As Faith is the chief Gospel-grace; the Head of the Graces, as Gold among Metals, so is Faith among the Graces. Clem. Alexandrinus calls the other Graces the Daughters of Faith. Indeed in Heaven Love will be the chief Grace, but while we are here Militant Love must give place to Faith; Love takes Possession of Glory, but Faith gives a Title to it; Love is the Crowning Grace in Heaven, but Faith is the Conquering Grace upon Earth, 1 Joh. 5.4. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.