A96110:31
The upright mans character and crown. Preached in a sermon at Pauls before the…
The upright mans character and crown. Preached in a sermon at Pauls before the right Honourable the Lord Major, and the aldermen of the City of London, March 29. 1657. / By Thomas Watson minister of Stephens Walbrook London.
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1657
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.
When the wicked prosper, it doth not follow that their way is good, or that God favours them, Gods candle (as Job saith) may shine upon their head*, and yet his wrath hang over their head. 'Tis the greatest judgment to thrive in a way of sin. Dionysius, when he had robbed the Temple; and afterwards had a fair gale to bring home his stolen plunder; See (saith he) how the gods love Sacrilege. The Philosopher saith, a calm is sometimes the forerunner of an earth-quake. Hamans banquet did but usher in execution. God may let men succeed, that their judgements may exceed.
When the wicked prosper, it doth not follow that their way is good, or that God favours them, Gods candle (as Job saith) may shine upon their head*, and yet his wrath hang over their head. 'Tis the greatest judgment to thrive in a way of sinne. Dyonisius, when he had rob'd the Temple; and afterwards had a faire gale to bring home his stollen plunder; See (saith he) how the gods love Sacriledge. The Philosopher saith, a calme is sometimes the forerunner of an earth-quake. Hamans banquet did but usher in execution. God may let men succeed, that their judgements may exceed.
The upright man will not go by these rules, but leaving such false guides he makes the Word of God his star to follow. This is the Judge and Umpire of all his actions, To 1the Law, to the Testimony, Isaiah 8. 20. The Old and New Testament are ⟨p. 10⟩the two lips by which God speaks to us, and are the pair of Compasses, by which the upright man draws the whole circumference of his life.