A65285:2755
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.
3. If we would have the Word written effectual, we must bring Faith to the reading of it. Believe it to be the Word of the Eternal Jehovah. The Word written comes with Authority, it shows its Commission from Heaven, Thus saith the Lord—It is of Divine Inspiration, 2 Tim. 3.16. The Oracles of Scripture must be surer to us than a Voice from Heaven, 1 Pet. 1.18. Unbelief enervates the Virtue of Scripture, and renders it ineffectual. First Men question the Truth of the Scripture, and then fall away from it.
3. If we would have the Word written effectual, we must bring Faith to the reading of it. Believe it to be the Word of the Eternal Iehovah. The Word written comes with Authority, it shews its Commission from Heaven, Thus saith the Lord—It is of Divine Inspiration, 2 Tim. 3.16. The Oracles of Scripture must be surer to us than a Voice from Heaven, 1 Pet. 1.18. Unbelief enervates the Vertue of Scripture, and renders it ineffectual. First Men question the Truth of the Scripture, and then fall away from it.
4. If we would have the Word written effectual to Salvation, we must delight in it as our Spiritual Cordial. Jer. 15.16. Thy Words were found, and I did eat them, and they were the joy and rejoicing of my Heart. All true solid Comfort is fetched out of the Word. The Word (as Chrysostom saith) is a Spiritual Garden, and the Promises are the Fragrant Flowers or Spices in this Garden. How should we delight to walk among these Beds of Spices! Is it not a Comfort in all dubious perplexed Cases to have a Counsellor to advise us?