The godly mans picture drawn with a scripture-pencil, or, Some characteristical notes of a man that shall go to heaven by Thomas Watson ...The godly mans picture drawn with a scripture-pensil, or, Some characteristical notes of a man that shall go to heaven by Thomas Watson ...
Thomas Watson d. 1686London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1666
[6], 363, [11] p. · 82k words · Wing W1124 · ESTC R38514
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.
The Soul being so precious, and Salvation so glorious, it is the highest point of Prudence, to make preparations for another world: That there is an Inheritance in Light, […] beyond all dispute, and that there must be an Idoneity and meetness for it, […] in Sacred Writ most strenuously* as••rted. If any shall ask, who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? The answer is, He that hath clean hands, […] a pure *heart. To describe such […] person, is the work of this ensuing treatise: Here you have the godly •ans Effigies, and see him portrayed […] his full Lineaments: What a rare ••ing is godliness! 'tis not airy and ⟨image 3⟩flatulent, but solid, and such as will take up the heart and spirits: Godliness consists in an exact harmony, between holy Principles and Practises: […] that all into whose hands this Book shall providentially come, may be […] enamoured with Piety, as to fall […] the hearty embracing of it: So sublime is Godliness, that it cannot be del•• neated in its perfect radiancy and lustre, though an Angel should take […] Pencil: Godliness is our* wisdom•
. The fear of the Lord, th•• is wisdom. Policy without Piety, profound madness: Godliness is a Sp• ritual Queen, which whosoever Ma• ries, is sure of a large Dowry with […]
Latimers Speech, when sometimes I sit alone, and have a settled assurance of the state of my Soul, and know that God is my God, I can laugh at all troubles, and nothing can daunt me: Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time. Christian, aspire after Piety, it is a lawful Ambition: Look upon the Saints Characters here, and never leave till thou hast gotten them instamped upon thy own Soul. This is the grand business that should swallow up your time and thoughts: Other Speculations, and Quaint Notions, are nothing to the Soul: They are like Wafers which have fine works printed upon them, and are curiously damasked to the eye, but are thin, and yield little nourishment. But I will not stay you longer in the Porch; should I have enlarged upon any one Character of the Godly Man, it would have required a
⟨image 4⟩
Volume, but designing to go over many, I have contracted my Sails, and given you only a brief Summary of things:
THe Soul being so precious, and Salvation so glorious, it is the highest point of Prudence, to make preparations for another world: That there is an Inheritance in Light, 〈…〉 beyond all dispute, and that there must be an Idoneity and meetness for it, 〈…〉 in Sacred Writ most strenuously* as••rted. If any shall ask, who shall •scend into the hill of the Lord? The •nswer is, He that hath clean hands, 〈…〉 a pure *heart. To describe such 〈…〉 person, is the work of this ensuing ••reatise: Here you have the godly •ans Effigies, and see him pourtrayed 〈…〉 his full Lineaments: What a rare ••ing is godliness! 'tis not airy and ⟨image 3⟩flatulent, but solid, and such as will take up the heart and spirits: Godliness consists in an exact harmony, between holy Principles and Practises: 〈…〉 that all into whose hands this Book shall providentially come, may be 〈…〉 enamoured with Piety, as to fall 〈…〉 the hearty imbracing of it: So sublim• is Godliness, that it cannot be del•• neated in its perfect radiancy and lustre, though an Angel should take 〈…〉 Pensil: Godliness is our* wisdom•Job 28. 28. The fear of the Lord, th•• is wisdome. Policy without Piety, profound madness: Godliness is a Sp• ritual Queen, which whosoever Ma• ries, is sure of a large Dowry with 〈…〉1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the pr• mise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. Godliness giv•*assurance, yea holy triumph in Go• and how sweet is† that? It was 〈…〉⟨image 3⟩Latimers Speech, when sometimes I sit alone, and have a setled assurance of the state of my Soul, and know that God is my God, I can laugh at all troubles, and nothing can daunt me: Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time. Christian, aspire after Piety, it is a lawful Ambition: Look upon the Saints Characters here, and never leave till thou hast gotten them instamped upon thy own Soul. This is the grand business that should swallow up your time and thoughts: Other Speculations, and Quaint Notions, are nothing to the Soul: They are like Wafers which have fine works printed upon them, and are curiously damasked to the eye, but are thin, and yield little nourishment. But I will not stay you longer in the Porch; should I have inlarged upon any one Character of the Godly Man, it would have required a ⟨image 4⟩Volume, but designing to go over many, I have contracted my Sails, and given you only a brief Summary of things:
If this Piece (how indigested soever) may conduce to the good of Souls, I have my Option; which that the God of Grace will effectually accomplish, shall be the Prayer of him who is
Holy David in the front of this Psalm, shows us, wherein true happiness consists; not in beauty, honour, riches, (the Worlds Trinity) but in the forgiveness of sin. Vers. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. The Hebrew word to forgive *signifies to carry out of sight; which ⟨p. 2⟩well agrees with that, Jerem. 50. 20. In those days (saith the Lord) the sins of Judah shall be sought for, and they shall not be found. This is an incomprehensible blessing, and such as lays a foundation for all other mercies. I shall but glance at it, and lay down these five Assertions about it.
HOly David in the front of this Psalm, shews us, wherein true happiness consists; not in beauty, honour, riches, (the Worlds Trinity) but in the forgiveness of sin. Vers. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. The Hebrew word to forgive *signifies to carry out of sight; which ⟨p. 2⟩well agrees with that, Ierem. 50. 20. In those dayes (saith the Lord) the sins of Judah shall be sought for, and they shall not be found. This is an incomprehensible blessing, and such as layes a foundation for all other mercies. I shall but glance at it, and lay down these five Assertions about it.
1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of Gods Free Grace. The Greek word to forgive *deciphers the Original of pardon; it ariseth not from any thing inherent in us, but is the pure result of Free Grace. Isa. 43. 25. I, even I am he, that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake. When a Creditor forgives a Debtor, he doth it freely. Pardon of sin is a fine thread spun out of the bowels of Free Grace. Paul cries out, I obtained mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 13. [Greek or Hebrew], I was be-mercied: he who is pardoned, is all bestrewed with mercy. When the Lord pardons a sinner, he doth not pay a Debt, but give a Legacy.
1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of Gods Free Grace. The Greek word to forgive *deciphers the Original of pardon; it ariseth not from any thing inherent in us, but is the pure result of Free Grace. Isa. 43. 25. I, even I am he, that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake. When a Creditor forgives a Debtor, he doth it freely. Pardon of sin is a fine thread spun out of the bowels of Free Grace. Paul cries out, I obtained mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 13. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, I was be-mercied: he who is pardoned, is all bestrewed with mercy. When the Lord pardons a sinner, he doth not pay a Debt, but give a Legacy.
2. God in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty. Guilt cries for justice; no sooner had Adam eaten the Apple, but he saw the flaming sword, and heard the Curse; but in remission God doth indulge the sinner; he seems to say thus to him, Though thou art fallen into the hands of my Justice, ⟨p. 3⟩and deservest to die, yet I will absolve thee, and whatever is charged upon thee, shall be discharged.
3. Forgiveness of sin is through the blood §3of Christ. Free grace is the impulsive cause, Christs* blood is the meritorious. Heb. 9. 22: Without shedding of blood is no remission. Justice would be revenged either on the sinner or the surety. Every pardon is the price of blood.
*Christus se in cruce Deo oblatus est sacrificium [Greek or Hebrew], sic nostra pians peccata. Maresius de ver. rel. lib. 3.Christus se in cruce Deo oblatus est sacrificium 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, sic nostra pians peccata. Maresius de ver. rel. lib. 3.
4. Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of. Therefore repentance and remission are linked together. Luk. 24. 47. That §4repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name*. Not that repentance doth in a Popish sense merit forgiveness; Christs blood must wash our Tears: but repentance is a qualification, though not a cause. He who is humbled for sin will the more value pardoning mercy. When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow, and now God brings a pardon, which is a setting up a Rainbow in the Cloud, to tell the sinner, that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him; O what joy is there at the sight of this Rainbow! The soul that before was steeped in tears, now melts in love to God. Luk. 7. 38. 47.
*Da Domin• poenitentiam, & postea indulgentiam. Fulgentius.
5. God having forgiven sin, he will call it ⟨p. 4⟩§5no more into remembrance, Jer. 31. 34. the Lord will make an* act of Indemnity, he will not upbraid us with former unkindnesses, or sue us with a cancelled Bond. Micah 7. 19. he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea. Sin shall not be cast in as Cork which riseth up again; but as Lead which sinks to the bottom. How should we all labour for this Covenant-blessing!
5. God having forgiven sin, he will call it ⟨p. 4⟩§5no more into remembrance, Ier. 31. 34. the Lord will make an* act of Indempnity, he will not upbraid us with former unkindnesses, or sue us with a cancelled Bond. Micah 7. 19. he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea. Sin shall not be cast in as Cork which riseth up again; but as Lead which sinks to the bottom. How should we all labour for this Covenant-blessing!
1. How sad is it to want it! It must needs be ill with the Malefactor who wants his pardon: all the Curses of God stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner; his very blessings are cursed. Mal. 2. 2. Caesar wondered at one of his Soldiers, that was so merry when he was in debt. Can the sinner be merry who is heir to all Gods Curses, and knows not how soon he may take up his Lodgings among the damned?
1. How sad is it to want it! It must needs be ill with the Malefactor who wants his pardon: all the Curses of God stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner; his very blessings are cursed. Mal. 2. 2. Caesar wondred at one of his Souldiers, that was so merry when he was in debt. Can the sinner be merry who is heir to all Gods Curses, and knows not how soon he may take up his Lodgings among the damned?
