A65285:2552
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.
2. Get Love to your Neighbour, Lev. 19.18. Then there would not be [Greek or Hebrew]. If we love a Friend, we will not speak or attest any thing to his Prejudice. Mens Minds are cankered with Envy and Hatred: Hence comes slandering and false Witness. Love is a Lovely Grace. Love thinks no Evil, 1 Cor. 13.5. It makes the best Interpretation of another's Words. Love is a Well-wisher, and it is rare to speak ill of him we wish well to. Love is that which cements Christians together; it is the Healer of Division, and the Hinderer of Slander.
2. Get Love to your Neighbour, Lev. 19.18. Then there would not be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. If we love a Friend, we will not speak or attest any thing to his Prejudice. Mens Minds are cankered with Envy and Hatred: Hence comes slandering and false Witness. Love is a Lovely Grace. Love thinks no Evil, 1 Cor. 13.5. It makes the best Interpretation of anothers Words. Love is a Well-wisher, and it is rare to speak ill of him we wish well to. Love is that which cements Christians together; it is the Healer of Division, and the Hinderer of Slander.
2d Br. To such whose Lot it is to meet with Slanderers and false Accusers, (1.) Labour to make a Sanctified use of it. When Shimei railed on David, David made a sanctified use of it, 2 Sam. 16.10. The Lord hath said to him, Curse David. So if you are slandered, or falsely accused, make a good use of it. See if you have no sin unrepented of, for which God may suffer you to be calumniated and reproached. See if you have not at any time wronged others in their Name, and said that of them which you cannot prove, then lay your Hand on your Mouth, and confess the Lord is Righteous to let you fall under the Scourge of the Tongue. (2.) If you are slandered, or falsely accused, but know your own Innocency, be not too much troubled: Let this be your rejoicing, the Witness of your Conscience. Murus aheneus esto nil conscire sibi—A good Conscience is a Wall of Brass, that will be able to stand against all False Witness. As no Flattery can heal a bad Conscience, so no Slander can hurt a good. God will clear up the Names of his People.