A65309:132
Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…
Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen verses : seasonable for the times / by Thomas Watson ...Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen verses : seasonable for the times / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst, 1682
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. Is not he a Fool, who having but one Jewel will venture the loss of it? The Soul is this Jewel, and the sinner is fearless of it, he will throw it away upon the world; as if one should throw Pearls and Diamonds at Pear-trees. Ephrem Syrus used to say, He who Pampers his body and neglects his Soul, is like him who feasts his Slave and starves his Wife.
4. Is not he a Fool, who refuseth a rich offer? if one should offer to adopt another, and make him Heir of his Estate, and he should refuse it, would not his discretion be called in question? God offers Christ to a sinner, and promiseth to entail all the riches of Heaven upon him, but wanting the Fear of God he refuseth this Great offer. Psalm 81.11. Israel would none of me: Is not this a Prodigy of madness? may not the Devil beg every sinner for a Fool at the last day†?
- †Numquid Deus stultis daturus est regnum coelorum. Aug.
15. The Fear of God is a Sovereign Antidote against Apostasy: the Devil was the first Apostate. How rife is this sin! more shipwrecks are at Land than at Sea; men make shipwreck of a Good Conscience. Apostates are said to put Christ to open shame, Heb. 6.6. The Fear of God is a [Greek or Hebrew], a preservative against Apostasy. Jer. 32.40. I will put my Fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. I will so love them, that I will not depart from them; and they shall so Fear me, that they shall not depart from me.