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 the Commandments.

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.

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[ Earlier:2065–2080 of 4,926

:2065p. 293¶3

3. Gods Commandments are Advantageous. 1. The Commandments are preventive of Evil; a Curb-bit to check us from Sin. What Mischiefs should not we run into, if we had not Affliction to humble us, and the Commandment to restrain us? Gods Commandments are to keep us within Bounds. The Yoke keeps the Beast from straggling. We are to be thankful to God for Precepts; had not he set his Commandments as an Hedge or Bar in our way, we might have run to Hell and never stopped.

3. Gods Commandments are Advantagious. 1. The Commandments are preventive of Evil; a Curb-bit to check us from Sin. What Mischiefs should not we run into, if we had not Affliction to humble us, and the Commandment to restrain us? Gods Commandments are to keep us within Bounds. The Yoke keeps the Beast from stragling. We are to be thankful to God for Precepts; had not he set his Commandments as an Hedge or Bar in our way, we might have run to Hell and never stop'd.

:2066p. 293¶2

2. There is nothing in the Commandment but what is for our good, Deut. 10.13. To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statues, which I command thee for thy good. 1. God commands us to read his word, and what hurt is in this? God bespangles the Word with Promises: As if a Father should bid his Son read his Last Will and Testament, wherein he makes over a fair Estate to him. God bids us Pray: And he tells us, If we ask, it shall be given, Matt. 7.7. Ask power against Sin, ask Salvation and it shall be given. If you had a Friend should say, Come when you will to me, I will supply you with Money: Would you think it a trouble to visit that Friend often? God commands us to fear him, Lev. 25.43. But fear thy God. And there is Honey in the mouth of this Command, Luke 1.50. His mercy is upon them that fear him. God commands us to believe, and why so? Believe and ye shall be saved,

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Of the Commandments.