A65285:2753
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.
First, The Word written is Norma Cultus, the Rule and Platform by which we are to square our Lives; it contains in it all things needful to Salvation, Psal. 19.7. What Duties we are to do, what Sins we are to avoid. God gave Moses a Pattern how he would have the Tabernacle made, and he was to go exactly according to the Pattern, Exod. 25.9. The Word is the Pattern God hath given us in Writing, for modelling our Lives; therefore how careful should we be in the pursuing and looking over this Pattern.
Secondly, The Written Word, as it is our Pattern, so it will be our Judge. John 12.48. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last Day. We read of the opening of the Books, Rev. 20.12. This is one Book God will open, the Book of Scripture, and will judge Men out of it. He will say, Have you lived according to the Rule of this Word. The Word hath a double Work, to Teach and to Judge.
Secondly, The Written Word, as it is our Pattern, so it will be our Iudge. Iohn 12.48. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last Day. We read of the opening of the Books, Rev. 20.12. This is one Book God will open, the Book of Scripture, and will judge Men out of it. He will say, Have you lived according to the Rule of this Word. The Word hath a double Work, to Teach and to Iudge.