A65285:2697
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. Unbelief is an Ungrateful Sin. Ingratus vitandus est ut dirum scelus tellus ipsa foedius nihil creat. Ingratitude is a Prodigy of Wickedness. Unbelief is ungrateful, being against the richest Mercy. Suppose a King should redeem a Captive, and to redeem him should part with his Crown of Gold from his Head; and when he had done this, should say to the Man redeemed, All I desire of thee in lieu of my Kindness, is, to believe that I love thee. Now if he should say, No, I do not believe any such thing. Or, That thou carest not at all for me. I appeal to you, Were not this odious Ingratitude? So is the Case here, God hath sent his Son to shed his Blood; now God requires only to believe in him, that he is able and willing to save us. No, saith Unbelief, his Blood was not shed for me, I cannot persuade my self that Christ hath any purpose of Love to me. Is not this horrid Ingratitude? And this enhanceth a Sin, and makes it of a Crimson Colour.
2. Unbelief is an Vngrateful Sin. Ingratus vitandus est ut dirum scelus tellus ipsa foedius nihil creat. Ingratitude is a Prodigy of Wickedness. Unbelief is ungrateful, being against the richest Mercy. Suppose a King should redeem a Captive, and to redeem him should part with his Crown of Gold from his Head; and when he had done this, should say to the Man redeem'd, All I desire of thee in lieu of my Kindness, is, to believe that I love thee. Now if he should say, No, I do not believe any such thing. Or, That thou carest not at all for me. I appeal to you, Were not this odious Ingratitude? So is the Case here, God hath sent his Son to shed his Blood; now God requires only to believe in him, that he is able and willing to save us. No, saith Unbelief, his Blood was not shed for me, I cannot perswade my self that Christ hath any purpose of Love to me. Is not this horrid Ingratitude? And this inhanceth a Sin, and makes it of a Crimson Colour.
3. Unbelief is a Leading Sin. It is the Breeder of Sin. Qualitas malae vitae initium sumit ab infidelitate. Unbelief is a Root-sin, and the Devil labours to water this Root, that the Branches may be fruitful. (1.) Unbelief breeds Hardness of Heart: Therefore they are put together,