A96093:452
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.
Motive. 5 5. Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy. When Saul lay at Davids mercy, and he only cut off the skirt of his Robe, how was Sauls heart affected with Davids meekness! 1 Sam. 24.16, 17. Is this thy voice my son David? and Saul lift up his voice, and wept; and he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand, thou killedst me not; wherefore the Lord reward thee good, &c. This heaping of coals melts and thaws the heart of others; it is the greatest victory to overcome an enemy without striking a blow; the fire will go where the wedge cannot; mildness prevails more than fierceness; passion makes an enemy of a friend; meekness makes a friend of an enemy; the meek Christian shall have letters testimonial, even from his Adversary. It is reported of Philip King of Macedon, that when it was told him Nicanor did openly rail against his Majesty, the King instead of putting him to death (as his Council advised) sent Nicanor a rich Present, which did so overcome the mans heart, that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King, and did highly extol the Kings clemency. ⟨p. 147⟩Roughness hardens mens hearts, meekness causeth them to relent: 2 Kings 6.22. When the King of Israel feasted the Captives he had taken in War, they were more conquered by his meekness, than by his sword. 2 Kings 6.23. The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel.
Motive. 5 5. Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy. When Saul lay at Davids mercy, and he only cut off the skirt of his Robe, how was Sauls heart affected with Davids meekness! 1 Sam. 24.16, 17. Is this thy voyce my son David? and Saul lift up his voice, and wept; and he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand, thou killedst me not; wherefore the Lord reward thee good, &c. This heaping of coals melts and thaws the heart of others; it is the greatest victory to overcome an enemy without striking a blow; the fire will go where the wedge cannot; mildness prevails more than fierceness; passion makes an enemy of a friend; meekness makes a friend of an enemy; the meek Christian shall have letters testimonial, even from his Adversary. It is reported of Philip King of Macedon, that when it was told him Nicanor did openly rail against his Majesty, the King instead of putting him to death (as his Council advised) sent Nicanor a rich Present, which did so overcome the mans heart, that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King, and did highly extoll the Kings clemency.