A65285:2766
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.
6. Be not only attentive in Hearing, but retentive after Hearing. Heb. 2.1. We ought to give the more diligent heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip. [Greek or Hebrew], Lest we let them run out as Water out of a Sieve. If the Ground doth not retain the Seed thrown into it, there can be no good Crop. Some have Memories like leaking Vessels, the Sermons they hear are presently gone, and then there is no good done. If Meat doth not stay and concoct in the Stomach, it will not nourish. Satan labours to steal the Word out of our Mind. Mark 4.15. When they have heard, Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown. Our Memories should be like the Chest of the Ark wherein the Law was put.
6. Be not only attentive in Hearing, but retentive after Hearing. Heb. 2.1. We ought to give the more diligent heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Lest we let them run out as Water out of a Sieve. If the Ground doth not retain the Seed thrown into it, there can be no good Crop. Some have Memories like leaking Vessels, the Sermons they hear are presently gone, and then there is no good done. If Meat doth not stay and concoct in the Stomach, it will not nourish. Satan labours to steal the Word out of our Mind. Mark 4.15. When they have heard, Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown. Our Memories should be like the Chest of the Ark wherein the Law was put.
7. Reduce your Hearing to Practice: Live the Sermons your hear. Psal. 119.166. I have done thy Commandments. Rachel was not content that she was Beautiful, but her Desire was to be Fruitful. What is a knowing Head without a fruitful Heart?