A65285:2043
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.
Use. Let us be Lovers of God; we love our Food, and shall not we love him that gives it? All the Joy we hope for in Heaven is in God, and shall not he who shall be our Joy be our Love? It is a Saying of St. Austin, Annon poena satis magna est, non amare te? Is it not Punishment enough, Lord, not to love thee? And again, Animam meam odio haberem. I would hate my own Soul, if I did not find it loving of God.
Quest. What are the Incentives to provoke and inflame our Love to God?
Resp. 1. Gods Benefits bestowed on us. A Prince who bestows continual Favours on a Subject, if that Subject have any Ingenuity, he cannot but love his Prince. God is continually heaping Benefits upon us: He fills our hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14.17. As the Rock followed Israel, whither ever they went streams of Water out of the Rock followed them. So Gods Blessings follow us every day: We swim in a Sea of Mercy. That Heart is hard that is not prevailed with by all Gods Blessings, to love him; Magnes amoris amor. Kindness works on a Brute. The Ox knows his Owner.
Resp. 1. Gods Benefits bestowed on us. A Prince who bestows continual Favours on a Subject, if that Subject have any Ingenuity, he cannot but love his Prince. God is continually heaping Benefits upon us: He fills our hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14.17. As the Rock followed Israel, whither ever they went streams of Water out of the Rock followed them. So Gods Blessings follow us every day: We swim in a Sea of Mercy. That Heart is hard that is not prevailed with by all Gods Blessings, to love him; Magnes amoris amor. Kindness works on a Bruit. The Ox knows his Owner.