A96093:1942
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 way of Gods Commandments is a clean way, 'tis a way paved with holiness, Isa. 35.6. Christians may run in this way, and never wet the sole of their feet; the way of sin is defiling; such as use themselves to this way, the filth of hell sticks upon them; in the ways of sin there are such deep sloughs, that men sink into perdition; but the way of the Christian race is clean; such as run this race, cleanse themselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness, 2 Cor. 7.1.
2. The way of Gods Commandments is a clean way, 'tis a way paved with holiness, Isa. 35.6. Christians may run in this way, and never wet the sole of their feet; the way of sin is defiling; such as use themselves to this way, the filth of hell sticks upon them; in the wayes of sin there are such deep sloughs, that men sink into perdition; but the way of the Christian race is clean; such as run this race, cleanse themselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness, 2 Cor. 7.1.
2. A race is laborious; the running of a race is a violent exercise; men do vires exerere, put forth all the strength of their bodies in running. Thus Christianity is a race for labour, we must put forth all our strength in this race. My soul followeth hard after God, Psal. 63.8. I reach forward, Phil. 2.13, 14. [Greek or Hebrew], the word signifies, I stretch my neck forward; and saith the Apostle, I press [Greek or Hebrew], toward the mark; as runners in a race gather up their feet with all swiftness, and stretch themselves forward to lay hold on the prize; 'tis not an idle wish, a dead prayer will win the garland; but a Christian must put forward with all speed and vigour of affection, that he may obtain what he runs for.