A96093:529
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.
Object. 2. But my hunger after righteousness is so Object. 2 weak, that I fear it is not true?
Object. 2. But my hunger after righteousnesse is so Object. 2 weak, that I fear it is not true?
Answ. 1. Though the pulse beats but weak, it shows Answ. 1 there is life; and that weak desires should not be discouraged, there is a promise made to them, Matth. 12.20. a bruised reed he will not break; a reed is a weak thing, but especially when it is bruised; yet this bruised reed shall not be broken, but like Aaron's dry rod, bud and blossom. In case of weakness, look to Christ thy high-Priest; he is merciful, therefore will bear with thy infirmities; he is mighty, therefore will help them.
Answ. 1. Though the pulse beats but weak, it shows Answ. 1 there is life; and that weak desires should not be discouraged, there is a promise made to them, Matth. 12.20. a bruised reed he will not break; a reed is a weak thing, but especially when it is bruised; yet this bruised reed shall not be broken, but like Aarons dry rod, bud and blossome. In case of weakness, look to Christ thy high-Priest; he is merciful, therefore will bear with thy infirmities; he is mighty, therefore will help them.
Answ. 2. If thy desires after righteousness seem to Answ. 2 ⟨p. 168⟩be weak and languid, yet a Christian may sometimes take a measure of his spiritual estate as well by the judgement, as by the affections. What is that thou esteemest most in thy judgment? Is it Christ and Grace? This is a good evidence for heaven; it was a sign Saint Paul did bear entire love to Christ, because he esteemed this Pearl above all; he counted other things [Greek or Hebrew], but dung, that he might win Christ,