A65285:1044
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. 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.
Resp. As Faith is the chief Gospel-grace; the Head of the Graces, as Gold among Mettals, 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.
2. As Faith hath influence upon all the Graces, and sets them awork, not a Grace stirs till Faith set it awork. As the Clothier sets the Poor awork, he sets their Wheel a going; Faith sets Hope awork. The Heir must believe his Title to an Estate in Reversion, before he can hope for it: Faith believes its Title to Glory, and then Hope waits for it. Did not Faith feed the Lamp of Hope with Oil, it would soon dye. Faith sets Love awork, Gal. 5.6. Faith which worketh by love; believing the Mercy and Merit of Christ causeth a flame of Love to ascend. Faith sets Patience a work, Heb. 6.12. Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Faith believes the glorious Rewards given to Suffering; this makes the Soul patient in suffering. Thus Faith is the Master-wheel, it sets all the other Graces a running.