A96093:1668
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.
1. They enjoy glorious privileges; they were born within the sound of Aaron's bells, they were baptized with holy water, they have been fed with Manna from heaven, therefore they hope they are in a good condition, Judg. 17.13. Then said Micah, Now I know the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my Priest. But alas, this is a mistake; outward privileges save not. What is any one the better for Ordinances, unless he be better by Ordinances? A child may die with the breast in its mouth. Many of the Jews perished, though Christ himself were their Preacher.
1. They enjoy glorious priviledges; they were born within the sound of Aarons bells, they were baptiz'd with holy water, they have been fed with Manna from heaven, therefore they hope they are in a good condition, Judg. 17.13. Then said Micah, Now I know the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my Priest. But alas, this is a mistake; outward priviledges save not. What is any one the better for Ordinances, unlesse he be better by Ordinances? A childe may die with the breast in its mouth. Many of the Jews perished, though Christ himself were their Preacher.
2. The other mistake is set down by the Apostle, 2 Cor. 10.12. They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, are not wise. Here is a double Error or mistake.
First, They measure themselves by themselves: That is, they see they are not so bad as they were, therefore they judge their condition is good. A Dwarf may be taller than he was, yet a dwarf still; the Patient may be less sick than he was, yet far from well; a man may be better than he was, yet not good.