A65285:2879
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.
Resp. The Rule or Measure we must Examine our selves by, is, the Holy Scripture: We must not make Fancy, or the good Opinion which others have of us, the Rule by which we judge of our selves: But as the Goldsmith brings his Gold to the Touch-stone, so must we bring our Hearts to a Scripture Touch-stone: To the Law, to the Testimony, Isa. 8.20. What saith the Word? Are we divorced from Sin? Are we renewed by the Spirit? Let the Word decide whether we are fit Communicants or no. We judge of Colours by the Sun; so must we judge of the state of our Souls by the Sun-light of Scripture.
Quest. 4. What are the cogent Reasons why we must Examine our selves before we approach to the Lord's Table?
Resp. 1. It is a Duty imposed; Let him examine himself. The Passover was not to be eaten Raw, Exod. 12.19. To come to such an Ordinance slightly, without Examination, is to come in an undue manner, and is like Eating the Passover Raw.
2. We must examine our selves before we come, because it is not only a Duty imposed, but opposed. There is nothing the Heart naturally is more averse from, than Self-examination. We may know that Duty is good, which the Heart opposeth. But why doth the Heart so oppose it? Because it doth cross the Tide of Corrupt Nature; 'tis contrary to Flesh and Blood. The Heart is guilty; and doth a guilty Person love to be examined? The Heart opposeth it, therefore the rather set upon it. That Duty is good which the Heart opposeth.