A65285:1268
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. It is not Vocal, any audible Voice, or brought to us by the help of an Angel, or Revelation; Assurance consists of a Practical Syllogism, where the Word of God makes the major, Conscience the minor, the Spirit of God the Conclusion. The Word saith, He that fears and loves God, is loved of God; there is the major Proposition; then Conscience makes the minor; but I fear and love God; then the Spirit makes the Conclusion, therefore thou art loved of God: And this is that which the Apostle calls, The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits, that we are his Children, Rom. 8.16.
Resp. It is not Vocal, any audible Voice, or brought to us by the help of an Angel, or Revelation; Assurance consists of a Practical Sylogism, where the Word of God makes the major, Conscience the minor, the Spirit of God the Conclusion. The Word saith, He that fears and loves God, is loved of God; there is the major Proposition; then Conscience makes the minor; but I fear and love God; then the Spirit makes the Conclusion, therefore thou art loved of God: And this is that which the Apostle calls, The Witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits, that we are his Children, Rom. 8.16.
Quest. 3. Whether hath a Sanctified Soul such an Assurance as excludes all doubting?
Resp. He hath that which bears up his Heart from sinking; he hath such an Earnest of the Spirit that he would not part with for the Richest Prize; but his Assurance though it be infallible, it is not perfect. There will be sometimes a Trepidation or Trembling; he is safe, yet not without fears and doubts, as a Ship lies safe at Anchor, yet may be a little shaken by the Wind. If a Christian had no Doubtings, there should be no unbelief in him; had he no Doubtings, there would be no difference between Grace Militant and Triumphant. Had not David his Ebbings sometimes as well as his Flowings, like the Mariner, who sometimes cries out Stellam Video, I see a Star, sometimes the Star is out of Sight. Sometimes we hear David say, Thy Loving Kindness is before mine Eyes,