A65285:1788
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.
3. For Augmentation: To increase the Graces of the Spirit: Grace thrives most in the Iron Furnace: Sharp Frosts nourish the Corn; so do sharp Afflictions Grace: Grace in the Saints is often as Fire hid in the Embers, Affliction is the Bellows to blow it up into a Flame: The Lord makes the House of Bondage a Friend to our Grace: Now Faith and Patience act their part: The darkness of the Night cannot hinder the Brightness of a Star: So the more the Diamond is cut the more it sparkles: And the more God afflicts us, the more our Graces cast a sparkling Lustre.
4. For Preparation: To fit and prepare the Saints for Glory, 2 Cor. 4.17. Those stones which are cut out for a Building are first hewen and squared: The Godly are called, [Greek or Hebrew], living stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. And God doth first hew and polish them by Affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly Building: The House of Bondage prepares for the House not made with Hands, 2 Cor. 5.1. The Vessels of Mercy are seasoned with Affliction, and then the Wine of Glory is poured in.
4. For Preparation: To fit and prepare the Saints for Glory, 2 Cor. 4.17. Those stones which are cut out for a Building are first hewen and squared: The Godly are called, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, living stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. And God doth first hew and polish them by Affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly Building: The House of Bondage prepares for the House not made with Hands, 2 Cor. 5.1