A65285:1226
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.
4. The fourth Counterfeit of Sanctification is restraining Grace. When Men forbear Vice, though they do not hate it: This may be the sinners Motto, Fain I would, but I dare not. The Dog hath a mind to the Bone, but is afraid of the Cudgel. Men have a mind to Lust, but Conscience stands as the Angel with a flaming Sword and affrights. They have a mind to Revenge, but the fear of Hell is a Curb-bit to check them. Here is no change of heart; sin is curbed, but not cured; a Lion may be in Chains, but is a Lion still.
5. The fifth Counterfeit of Sanctification is common Grace, which is a slight transient work of the Spirit, but doth not amount to Conversion. There is some light in the Judgment, but it is not humbling; some Checks in the Conscience, but they are not awakening. This looks like Sanctification, but is not. Men have Convictions wrought in them, but they break loose from them again, like the Deer which being shot, shakes out the Arrow: After Conviction Men go into the House of Mirth, take the Harp to drive away the Spirit of Sadness, and so all dies and comes to nothing.
Quest. Wherein appears the necessity of Sanctification?