A Body of Practical Divinity

Name: A Body of Practical Divinity
Author: Thomas Watson

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 ...

Thomas Watson d. 1686London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692

[5], iv, 300, 331-544, 801-880, 965-1007, [7] p. · 512k words · Wing W1109 · ESTC R32148

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Of ASSURANCE.Of ASSVRANCE.

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.

Listen to this book 52 h 30 min

[ Earlier:1273–1288 of 4,926

:1273p. 202

Quest. 5. What is it may excite us to look after Assurance?

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Resp. To consider how sweet it is, and the noble and excellent effects it produceth.

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Effect 1. How sweet it is. This is the Manna in the Golden Pot; the white Stone; the Wine of Paradise which cheers the Heart. How comfortable is God's Smile! The Sun is more refreshing when it shineth out, that when it is hid in a Cloud; it is a prelibation and fore-taste of Glory, it puts a Man in Heaven before his time; none can know how delicious and ravishing it is, but such as have felt it, as none can know how sweet Honey is but they who have tasted it.

Effect 1. How sweet it is. This is the Manna in the Golden Pot; the white Stone; the Wine of Paradise which chears the Heart. How comfortable is God's Smile! The Sun is more refreshing when it shineth out, that when it is hid in a Cloud; it is a praelibation and fore-tast of Glory, it puts a Man in Heaven before his time; none can know how delicious and ravishing it is, but such as have felt it, as none can know how sweet Hony is but they who have tasted it.

:1276p. 202¶2

2. The noble and excellent Effects it produceth. 1. Assurance will make us love God and Praise him. (1.) Love him: Love is the Soul of Religion, the Fat of the Sacrifice; and who can love God so as he who hath Assurance? The Sun reflecting its Beams on a burning Glass, makes the Glass burn that that is near to it. So Assurance (which is the reflection of Gods love upon the Soul) makes it burn in love to God. St. Paul was assured of Christ's love to him,

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