A65285:2720
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. Counterfeit, Legal Affrightments. A Man hath lived in a course of Sin; at last he is made a little sensible, he sees Hell ready to devour him, and he is filled with Anguish and Horror; but within a while the Tempest of Conscience is blown over, and he is quiet: Then he concludes he is a true Penitent, because he hath felt some bitterness in Sin. This is not Repentance. Judas had some trouble of Mind. If Anguish and Trouble were sufficient to Repentance, then the Damned should be most penitent, for they are most in Anguish of Mind. There may be Trouble of Mind where there is no grieving for the Offence against God.
2. Counterfeit, Legal Affrightments. A Man hath lived in a course of Sin; at last he is made a little sensible, he sees Hell ready to devour him, and he is filled with Anguish and Horror; but within a while the Tempest of Conscience is blown over, and he is quiet: Then he concludes he is a true Penitent, because he hath felt some bitterness in Sin. This is not Repentance. Iudas had some trouble of Mind. If Anguish and Trouble were sufficient to Repentance, then the Damned should be most penitent, for they are most in Anguish of Mind. There may be Trouble of Mind where there is no grieving for the Offence against God.
3. Counterfeit, a slight superficial Sorrow. When God's Hand lies heavy upon a Man, (he is sick or lame) he may vent a Sigh or Tear, and say, Lord, have Mercy; yet this is no true Repentance. Ahab did more than all this; 1 Kings 21.27. He rent his Clothes and fasted, and lay in Sackcloth, and went softly. His Clothes were rent, but not his Heart. The Eye may be Watery, and the Heart Flinty. An Apricock may be soft without, but it hath an hard Stone within.
3. Counterfeit, a slight superficial Sorrow. When God's Hand lies heavy upon a Man, (he is sick or lame) he may vent a Sigh or Tear, and say, Lord, have Mercy; yet this is no true Repentance. Ahab did more than all this;