A65285:769
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. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey. Others may instruct, but cannot command obedience. They teach to be humble, but Men remain proud. The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Judah, but they would not hear, Jer. 44.17. We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven. Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male, that the Sword of the Word will not enter; but when Christ comes to teach, he removes this obstinacy, he not only informs the Judgment, but inclines the Will. He doth not only come with the Light of his Word, but the Rod of his Strength, and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him. His Grace is irresistible.
3. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey. Others may instruct, but cannot command obedience. They teach to be humble, but Men remain proud. The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Iudah, but they would not hear, Ier. 44.17. We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven. Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male, that the Sword of the Word will not enter; but when Christ comes to teach, he removes this obstinacy, he not only informs the Judgment, but inclines the Will. He doth not only come with the Light of his Word, but the Rod of his Strength, and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him. His Grace is irresistible.
4. Christ teacheth easily. Others teach with difficulty. Difficulty in finding out a Truth, and in inculcating it, Isa. 28.10. Precept must be upon precept, line upon line; some may Teach all their lives, and the Word take no impression. They complain as Isa. 49.4. I have spent my labour in vain. Plough on Rocks. But Christ the great Prophet teacheth with ease. He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert. He can say, Let there be light; with a word he conveys Grace.