A96093:125
The beatitudes
The beatitudes: or A discourse upon part of Christs famous Sermon on the Mount. Whereunto is added Christs various fullness. The preciousness of the soul. The souls malady and cure. The beauty of grace. The spiritual watch. The heavenly race. The sacred anchor. The trees of righteousness. The perfume of love. The good practitioner. By Thomas Watson, minister of the word at Stephens Walbrook in the city of London.The beatitudes: or A discourse upon part of Christs famous Sermon on the Mount. Wherunto is added Christs various fulnesse. The preciousnesse of the soul. The souls malady and cure. The beauty of grace. The spiritual watch. The heavenly race. The sacred anchor. The trees of righteousnesse. The perfume of love. The good practitioner. By Thomas Watson, minister of the word at Stephens Walbrook in the city of London.
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1660
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. Observe the nature of true Religion; Poverty leads the Van, and Persecution brings up the Reare. Christianus quasi Crucianus. Every true Saint (saith Luther) is heir to the Cross! Some there are who would be thought religious, displaying Christs Colours by a glorious profession; but to be poor in spirit, and persecuted, durus hic sermo! they cannot take down this bitter pill; they would wear Christs Jewels, but wave his Cross; these are strangers to Religion.
3. Observe the nature of true Religion; Poverty leads the Van, and Persecution brings up the Reare. Christianus quasi Crucianus. Every true Saint (saith Luther) is heire to the Crosse! Some there are who would be thought religious, displaying Christs Colours by a glorious profession; but to be poor in spirit, and persecuted, durus hic sermo! they cannot take down this bitter pill; they would weare Christs Jewels, but wave his Crosse; these are strangers to Religion.
4. Observe the certain connection between grace and its reward; they who are poor in spirit, shall have the kingdom of God; They are as sure to go to heaven, as if they were in heaven already. Our Saviour would encourage men to Religion, by sweetening Commands with Promises; he ties duty and reward together. As in the body, the veins carry the blood, and the arteries the spirits; so one part of these Verses carries Duty, and the other part carries reward. As that Scholar of Apelles painted Helena richly drawn in costly and glorious apparel, hung all over with orient pearl, and precious stones. So our Lord Christ having set down several qualifications of a Christian, poor in spirit, pure in heart, &c. draws these heavenly virtues in their fair colours of blessedness, and sets the magnificent crown of reward upon them, that by this oriency, he might the more set forth their unparalleled beauty, and entice holy love.
4. Observe the certain connexion between grace and its reward; they who are poor in spirit, shall have the kingdom of God; They are as sure to go to heaven, as if they were in heaven already. Our Saviour would encourage men to Religion, by sweetning Commands with Promises; he ties duty and reward together. As in the body, the veines carry the blood, and the arteries the spirits; so one part of these Verses carries Duty, and the other part carries reward. As that Scholar of Apelles painted Helena richly drawn in costly and glorious apparel, hung all over with orient pearl, and precious stones. So our Lord Christ having set down several qualifications of a Christian, poor in spirit, pure in heart, &c. draws these heavenly vertues in their fair colours of blessednesse, and sets the magnificent crown of reward upon them, that by this oriency, he might the more set forth their unparallel'd beauty, and entice holy love.