A96093:2086
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
Appendix › The trees of Righteousness blossoming, and bringing forth fruit.
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.
Now if the Israelites had sat heavy and disconsolate at that time when God called them to rejoicing, it had been very unseasonable, like mourning at a wedding; when we are called to thanksgiving, and we mingle our drink with tears; is not this to be highly unthankful for mercy? God would have his people humble, but not ungrateful. 'Tis the Devils policy either to keep us from duty, or else to put us upon it when it is least in season.
Now if the Israelites had sat heavy and disconsolate at that time when God called them to rejoycing, it had been very unseasonable, like mourning at a wedding; when we are called to thanksgiving, and we mingle our drink with tears; is not this to be highly unthankful for mercy? God would have his people humble, but not ungrateful. 'Tis the Divels policy either to keep us from duty, or else to put us upon it when it is least in season.
2. Rejoicing is a duty; Psal. 33.1. But when God by some special providence calls us to weeping, now joy is unseasonable; this is that which God complains of, Isa. 22.12. In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping, and behold joy and gladness, &c. Oecolampadius and others think it was in the time of King Ahaz, when the signs of Gods anger like a blazing star did appear*, now, to be given to mirth, was very unseasonable, ver. 14. Surely ⟨p. 598⟩this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die, saith the Lord of Hosts. In the Hebrew it is [Greek or Hebrew] If this iniquity be purged; it is a concise form of an Oath, as if God had said, I swear it shall not by any prayer or sacrifice be expiated; the fruit of joy must be brought forth in its season.