A96093:1615
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.
The Souls Malady and Cure.
THE occasion of the words is set down in the context; Levi was called from the receipt of custom, (he was a Custom-house man) but Christ called him, and there went out power with the word, he left all, rose up, and followed him, ver. 28. Levi did not consult with flesh and blood, he did not say, What shall I do for the hundred Talents*? how shall I live and maintain my charge? I shall lose many a sweet bit at the Custom-house; poverty is like to be my patrimony; nay, in case I follow Christ I must espouse persecution; he doth not reason thus; but having a call, he hastens away after Christ, He rose up and followed him; and that he might give Christ a pledge and specimen of his love, he makes him a feast, ver. 29. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; a better guest he could not invite; Christ always came with his cost; Levi feasted Christ with his cheer, and Christ feasted him with salvation. Well, Christ being at this feast, the Pharisees begin to murmur, ver. 30. Why do ye eat and drink with publicans? The Pharisees, 1. were offended at him that he should go in and eat with ⟨p. 468⟩Publicans. The Publicans were counted the worst of sinners; sinners of the deepest dye; yet the Pharisees were not so much offended at the sins of the Publicans, as they had a mind to pick a quarrel with Christ. He who was the Horne of salvation to some, was a Rock of offence to these Jews; others did feed on him, these did stumble at him. 2. They accuse Christ: for these words carry in them a Charge and Accusation, Why do ye eat with Publicans and sinners? The Pharisees impeached Christ for eating with sinners; malice will never want matter of accusation. Though the Devils proclaimed Christs holiness,