A96103:18
The holy longing
The holy longing: or, The saints desire to be with Christ: delivered in a sermon at Al-hallows Lombard-street, Aug. 24. 1658. At the funeral of Mr. Jacob Stock. / By Thomas Watson minister of Stephens Walbrook in the city of London.The holy longing: or, The saints desire to be with Christ: delivered in a sermon at Al-hallows Lumbard-street, Aug. 24. 1658. At the funeral of Mr. Jacob Stock. / By Thomas Watson minister of Stephens Walbrook in the city of London.
London: printed by E.M. for Ralph Smith, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The Text presents to us Saint Paul in an holy pathos, or fit of longing to be with Christ. His heart was with Christ, and he wanted only the swift wing of death to carry him thither. I am (saith he) in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better.
The Text presents to us Saint Paul in an holy pathos, or fit of longing to be with Christ. His heart was with Christ, and he wanted only the swift wing of death to carry him thither. I am (saith he) in a streight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better.
I shall briefly explain the terms as they lie in order.
I am in a straight betwixt two.
[Greek or Hebrew], I am hemmed in,* it may allude to a Castle which is so straitly beleaguered and hemmed in, that it hath no way to make a sally out.* It fared now with Saint Paul, as with a woman that hath her children at home with her, and her husband beyond the Seas, she would fain be with her husband, yet loth to leave her children: So Paul would gladly have been with Christ, but was loth to leave the Philippians, his spiritual children.