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.

Introduction: A Preliminary Discourse TO CATECHISING.

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.

Listen to this book 52 h 30 min

[ Earlier:21–36 of 4,926

:21p. i–ii¶1

1. It is the great End of the Word preached, to bring us to a Settlement in Religion: Eph. 4.11, 13. And he gave some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST, that we henceforth be no more children. ⟨p. ii⟩The Word is called an Hammer, Jer. 23.29. Every blow of the Hammer is to fasten the Nails of the Building; the Preacher's Words are but to fasten you the more to Christ: they weaken themselves to strengthen and settle you. This is the grand Design of Preaching, not only for the Enlightening but for the Establishing of Souls; not only to guide them into the right Way, but to keep them in it; now if you be not settled, you do not answer God's End in giving you the Ministry.

1. It is the great End of the Word preach'd, to bring us to a Settlement in Religion: Eph. 4.11, 13. And he gave some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST, that we henceforth be no more children. ⟨p. ii⟩The Word is called an Hammer, Ier. 23.29. Every blow of the Hammer is to fasten the Nails of the Building; the Preacher's Words are but to fasten you the more to Christ: they weaken themselves to strengthen and settle you. This is the grand Design of Preaching, not only for the Enlightning but for the Establishing of Souls; not only to guide them into the right Way, but to keep them in it; now if you be not setled, you do not answer God's End in giving you the Ministry.

:22p. ii¶2

2. To be settled in Religion is both a Christian's Excellency and Honour; 'tis his Excellency, when the Milk is settled it turns to Cream; now he will be something zealous for Truth, walk in close Communion with God. And his Honour,

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