A96093:2155
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.
Doctr. Christians must love one another cordially, and fervently; Col. 3.14. Above all these things put on charity. 1 Pet. 4.8. Above all things have fervent charity among your selves: as if the Apostle had said, whatever you neglect, do not neglect this grace: Hierom reports that when St. John was old, he was fain to be led up into the Pulpit, and there he repeated these words, Little children, love one another; and then came down from the Pulpit. Oh that this grace of love were engraven as in letters of gold upon our hearts by the finger of the Holy Ghost!
Here the question will be asked what love is?
I answer, Love is a sweet and gracious affection, whereby we wish the good of another, and promote his welfare as our own. Love is a sacred fire kindled in the heart by the Spirit, like that fire which came from heaven, 2 Chron. 7.1. I shall endeavour to preserve this fire in Christians hearts, as the fire the Vestal Virgins kept in Rome that it may not go out.