A96093:1445
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.
2. The ways of Religion are rendered deformed and Prejudice 2 unlovely by the scandals of Professors.
2. The wayes of Religion are rendred deformed and Prejudice 2 unlovely by the scandals of Professors.
Answ. I acknowledge the lustre of Religion hath been much eclipsed and sullied by the scandals of men; this is an age of scandals; many have made the pretence of Religion a Key to open the door to all ungodliness; never was Gods name more taken in vain; this is that our Saviour hath foretold, Matth. 18.7. It must needs be that offences come. But to take off this prejudice: Consider, 1. Scandals are not from Religion, but for want of Religion. 2. Religion is not the worse, though some abuse it. To dislike Religion because some of the Professors of it are scandalous, is as if one should say, Because the servant is dishonest, therefore he will not have a good opinion of his Master. Is Christ the less glorious because some that wear his livery are scandalous? Is Religion the worse because some of her followers are bad? Is wine the worse because some are intemperate? Shall a woman dislike chastity, because some of her neighbours are unchaste? Let us argue soberly; judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment, John 7.24.
Answ. I acknowledge the lustre of Religion hath been much eclipsed and sullied by the scandals of men; this is an age of scandals; many have made the pretence of Religion a Key to open the door to all ungodlinesse; never was Gods name more taken in vain; this is that our Saviour hath foretold, Matth. 18.7. It must needs be that offences come. But to take off this prejudice: Consider, 1. Scandals are not from Religion, but for want of Religion. 2. Religion is not the worse, though some abuse it. To dislike Religion because some of the Professors of it are scandalous, is as if one should say, Because the servant is dishonest, therefore he will not have a good opinion of his Master. Is Christ the lesse glorious because some that wear his livery are scandalous? Is Religion the worse because some of her followers are bad? Is wine the worse because some are intemperate? Shall a woman dislike chastity, because some of her neighbours are unchaste? Let us argue soberly; judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment,