A65285:1232
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. There is no going to Heaven without Sanctification; Hebr. 12.14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. God is an holy God, and he will suffer no unholy Creature to come near him. A King will not suffer a Man with Plague-sores to approach into his Presence. Heaven is not like Noah's Ark, where the clean Beasts and the unclean entered: no unclean Beast comes into the Heavenly Ark. Though God suffer the Wicked to live a while on the Earth, he will never suffer Heaven to be pestered with such Vermin. Are they fit to see God who wallow in wickedness? will God ever lay such Vipers in his bosom? Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. It must be a clear Eye that sees a bright Object; only an holy Heart can see God in his Glory. Sinners may see God as an Enemy, not as a Friend; may have an affrighting Vision of God, but not a beatifical Vision. They may see the flaming Sword, but not the Mercy Seat. O then what need is there of Sanctification.
4. There is no going to Heaven without Sanctification; Hebr. 12.14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. God is an holy God, and he will suffer no unholy Creature to come near him. A King will not suffer a Man with Plague-sores to approach into his Presence. Heaven is not like Noah's Ark, where the clean Beasts and the unclean entred: no unclean Beast comes into the Heavenly Ark. Though God suffer the Wicked to live a while on the Earth, he will never suffer Heaven to be pestered with such Vermin. Are they fit to see God who wallow in wickedness? will God ever lay such Vipers in his bosom? Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. It must be a clear Eye that sees a bright Object; only an holy Heart can see God in his Glory. Sinners may see God as an Enemy, not as a Friend; may have an affrighting Vision of God, but not a beatifical Vision. They may see the flameing Sword, but not the Mercy Seat. O then what need is there of Sanctification.
5. Without Sanctification all our holy things are defiled,