A65285:1872
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.
Rule 1. The Commands and Prohibitions of the Moral Law reach the Heart.
1. The Commands of the Moral Law reach the Heart: The Commandments require not only outward Actions, but inward Affections: They require not only the outward Act of Obedience, but the inward Affection of Love, Deut. 6.5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy Heart.
2. The Threats and Prohibitions of the Moral Law reach the Heart: The Law of God forbids not only the Act of Sin, but the Desire and Inclination: Not only doth it forbid Adultery, but Lusting, Matt. 5.28. Not only Stealing but Coveting, Rom. 7.7. Lex humana ligat manum, lex Divina comprimit animam. Mans Law binds only the Hands, Gods Law binds the Heart.
Rule 2. In the Commandments there is a Synecdoche, more is intended than is spoken. 1. Where any Duty is commanded, there the contrary Sin is forbidden, &c. When we are commanded to keep the Sabbath day Holy, there we are forbidden to break the Sabbath: When we are commanded to live in a calling, Six days shalt thou labour, there we are forbidden to live idly and out of a Calling. 2. Where any Sin is forbidden, there the contrary Duty is commanded: When we are forbidden to take Gods Name i vain, the contrary Duty is commanded, that we should reverence his Name,