A65285:2029
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. It is the First and Great Commandment, in respect of the Excellency of this Grace. Love is the Queen of the Graces, it out-shines all the other, as the Sun the Lesser Planets. In some respect it is more excellent than Faith, though in one sense Faith be more excellent, Virtute unionis, as it unites us to Christ. Faith puts upon us the Embroidered Robe of Christs Righteousness, which is a brighter Robe than any of the Angels wear. Yet in another sense, Love is more excellent, respectu durationis, in respect of the continuance of it; it is the most durable Grace: Faith and Hope will shortly cease, but Love will remain. When all the other Graces, like Rachel, shall dye in Travel, Love shall revive. The other Graces are in the nature of a Lease, only for term of Life: Love is as a Free-hold, it continues for ever. Thus Love carries away the Garland from all the other Graces, it is the most long lived Grace, it is a Bud of Eternity; this Grace alone shall accompany us in Heaven.
3. It is the First and Great Commandment, in respect of the Excellency of this Grace. Love is the Queen of the Graces, it out-shines all the other, as the Sun the Lesser Planets. In some respect it is more excellent than Faith, though in one sense Faith be more excellent, Virtute unionis, as it unites us to Christ. Faith puts upon us the Embroidered Robe of Christs Righteousness, which is a brighter Robe than any of the Angels wear. Yet in another sense, Love is more excellent, respectu durationis, in respect of the continuance of it; it is the most durable Grace: Faith and Hope will shortly cease, but Love will remain. When all the other Graces, like Rachel, shall dye in Travel, Love shall revive. The other Graces are in the nature of a Lease, only for term of Life: Love is as a Free-hold, it continues for ever. Thus Love carries away the Garland from all the other Graces, it is the most long liv'd Grace, it is a Bud of Eternity; this Grace alone shall accompany us in Heaven.
Quest 1. How must our Love to God be qualified?