PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Select Works of Thomas Watson — Body of Divinity and Sermons
Thomas Watson, d. 1686 · 632,849 words · 737 reading sections
037
Fended in liis tongue, lie is more careful of liis words, and made a strict vow with him- self, that he would look better to them, Ps. xxxix. 1., "I said, I will tiike heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tonc^ue." Look to the former slips of your tonfrue, and how you have by your words provoked God, and that will b…
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6th Motive. He who offends not in his tongue, is a perfect man ; an high expres- sion ; " if any man offend not in word, tlic same is a perfect man ;" that is, attains to a very high degree, in the highest form of Christ's school. A prudent man, or an up- right man ; or comparatively, in comparison of others, such as h…
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(3.) That which is apt to occasion wea- riness in well-doing, is the deferring of the reward. We are apt to be discouraged and grow weary, if we have not what we desire presently ; we are all for present pay. But consider, 1. Our work is not yet done ; we have not yet finished the faith : the ser- rant doth not receive…
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6. Consider the examples of such as have continued their progress unweariably in a Christian course. The apostle sets before our eyes a cloud of witnesses; Ileb. xii. 1;, " Being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race that is set before us :" let us run it with swift- ness and constanc…
729 wordsSECTION 605ON KNOWING GOD AND DOING GOOD.
us pray for persevering grace. It was Da- vid's prayer, Ps. cxix. 117., "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe;" and it was Bcza's prayer, " Lord, perfect what thou hast begun in me." That we may hold on a Christian course, let us labour for throe persevering graces. Faith keeps from faint- ing; faith gives a substance …
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Use. See how necessary it is to get the knowledge of what is good ; it ushers in salvation, 1 Tim. ii. 4. Ignorance of God is the cause of all sin, Jer. ix. 3. Igno- rance of God damns, Hos. iv. 6. It is sad to be ignorant in gospel-times; but many. alas ! do not oidy not know God, but thej are not willing to know, Jer…
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A. 4. Men know to do good, but do it not, because the knowledge in their head never Avorks into their hearts ; it doth not quicken them, nor warm their affections with love to the truth. A. 5. Men knoAV to do good, but do it not, because of prcjudicate opinion. The things to be done in religion are judged to be too st…
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1. Presumptuous sins are desperate sins, because they are committed with much pre- meditation and forethought. The presump- tuous sinner doth not sin unawares, but he doth project and cast in his mind how to bring his sin about, as Joseph's brethren did in betraying him, as JutUis did in be- traying Christ, and as thos…
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Use 5. Trial. Let us examine if we are not guilty of sinning thus presumptuously, knowing to do good, yet not to do it. (L) Is it not to sin presumptuously, when we live in the total neglect of duty ? We know we ought to pray in our families, yet do it not. To live in the neglect of family duties, is not this to sin pr…
934 wordsSECTION 610SERMON VI.
6th, There is little hope for such as know to do good, yet do it not, — know what is e- vil, but will not forbear. There were sa- crifices for sins of ignorance, but no sacri- fices for sins of presumption, Numb. xv. 30. Indeed presumptuous sinners hope all will be well, Prov. xiv. 16., " The fool rageth and is confide…
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l.s/, Privatively. St. Paul tells the Col- lossians what will not avail them, " neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision availeth," &c. Circumcision was a great privilege ; it was a badge and cognizance to distinguish the people of God from those who were ex- leri and foreign ; it was a pail between the garden enclosed…
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Use 1st, Information. And it hath six brandies, ist, It shows us the glorious fuhicss of Jesus Christ ; " he is all in all." Christ is a panoply, a magazine and store- house of all spiritual riches; you may go with the bee from flower to flower, and suck here and there a little sweetness, but you will never have enough…
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defended tliem ? Clirist not only gives us our crown but our sliield ; lie not only gives us our garland when we overcome, but our strength whereby we overcome, Rev. xii. II., " They overcame him — that is, the .iccuser of the brethren — by the blood of the Lamb." Christ keeps the fort- royal of grace that it be not bl…
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* all in all ;' and to encourage you to go to liim, remember there is in him not only ful- ness, but freeness. " O every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters !" Christ is not only full as the honey-comb, but he drops as the honey-comb. 5. If Christ be all, see here the Chris- tian's inventory, how rich is he. tha…
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(5.) He that wants Christ, hath no abi- lity for service ; lie is as Samson, when his locks Avere cut, — his strength is gone from hinv — he wants a vital principle, — lie can- not walk with God, — he is like a dead mem- ber in the body, that hath neither strength nor motion, John xv. 5., " Without me ye can do nothing…
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2. If Jesus Christ be all, then make sure of Christ ; never leave trading in ordinan- ces, till you have gotten this pearl of price. In Christ there is the accumulation of all good things ; O then let not your souls be quiet, till this bundle of myrrh lie between your breasts ! Cant. i. 13. In other things we strive fo…
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(8.) Clirist is an enduring good ; other things are like the lamp, which while it shines it spends, the heavens " shall wax old like a garment," Ps. cii. 26. But Je- sus Christ is a permanent good, with him are durable riches, Prov. viii. 18. They last as long as eternity itself lasts. (9.) Christ is a diffusive commu…
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Caution 1. Not that the saints have al- ways the same certainty, or that they have such an assurance as excludes all doubtings and conflicts; there will be flowings and ebbings in their comforts, as well as in their graces. Was it not so in David ? Some- times we hear him say, God's loving-kind- ness was before his eye…
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norant of that commodity which doth both enrich and crown ? What is it to be versed in music, and to be ignorant of Christ, whose blood makes atonement in heaven, and music in the conscience ? What is it to know all the stratagems of war, and to be ignorant of ' the Prince of peace ?' .0 make Christ all; be willing to …
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Use ult. Here is a breast of comfort to every man that hath Christ, " Christ is all ;" it is good lying at this fountain-head. When a Christian sees a deficiency in himself, he may see an all-sufficiency in his Saviour. " Happy is that people whose God is the Lord !" Ps. cxliv. ult. That servant needs not want who hath…
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left behind them the good seed of sound doctrine, and the good savour of an holy cxarnple. For my own part, what my doc- trine and manner of life hath been among you, you are witnesses, and God also. And, however, I have great reason to judge and condemn myself before the Lord, and to bewail it, that my cimversation ha…
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These things premised, I shall now give you the full proof of the doctrine, in the following reasons. The doctrine you re- member is, — those that obey the gospel, whatsoever, or whomsoever they want, shall ever be in a peaceful and blessed con- dition. The reasons are, 1st, The God of peace shall be with them. 2d, I…
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Christians, in the world you must have trouble : suppose you have, yet in him you shall have peace, who hath overcome the world ; Isa. xxvi. 3., " Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace," (in peace, peace, as it is in the original) " whose mind is stayed on thee ;" Ps. Ixxxv. 8., " I will hear what the Lord God will speak…
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But how, or in what sense, is it to be un- derstood, that this God of peace will be with us? — I answer in three particulars: 1. The heart of God will be with you. Joseph's blessing, — " the good will of him that dwelt in the bush," — will be thy por- tion, Deut. xxxiii. 16. What was that bush ? the church or Israel o…
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(2.) WHiat the event hereupon was. Wliy God helped him to all he had again ; ver. 19., " There was nothing lacking to them, nei- ther small nor great, neither sons nor daughters ; neither spoil, nor any thing they had taken : David recovered all." Hence note, that a Christian when he hath lost all, hath yet a God to go…
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2d, Covering or protection in their way : Ps. xxxi. 20., " Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence, from the pride of man ; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion, from the strife of tongues." " Thou shalt hide them in thy presence," or " face;" thy light shall be their dark place to cover them ; " thou…
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l.sV, Wliat those things are, which are especially intended, in that comprehensive term, " all things." Some there are, as Augustine with others, who • understand it universally, of all things whatsoever, whether good or evil, — extending it even to the sins of the saints. It is true, God doth often bring good out of t…
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3. Eternal good, or that glory and joy, — that everlasting rest and peace, — the pos- session of that inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that is resreved in heaven for us. Now here note these things. (1.) That our bona corporis, our outward good things, are only good for us, as they are conducible ad bonnm spir…
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And if this be the meaning, what a glo- rious promise is this ? What can any ra- tional man desire more ? Nothing slijill be- fall him but shall be for his good: he shall be deprived or kept short of nothing, but what he had better be without than have, lie that is unsatisfied with this ])roinise, it is either from lus…
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1. The afflictions and tribulations of the saints are the way that leads them on to the possession of that good which God hath intended to them ; afflictions are the way of the kingdom ; the cross is the way to the crown : Acts xiv. 22., " Through many tribulations we must enter into the king- dom of God." Ps. Ixvi. 11…
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are all making for you ; your good is al- ready working by all these things. See, Christians, what an harvest of blessednesa is growing up to you, out of this promise. The seed is already sowing, — your good ia already working, — God is at work, the whole creation is at work, — men and angels, — good men and bad men, —…
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Sinners, whatever your mind be, in per- secuting the saints, never think to debauch them by it; if that be your aim, you mis- take your course ; the living spark which God hath kindled in them will not be blown out, but be blown up, by your puffing at it ; the dirt you cast upon them, doth but scour them the brighter. …
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comes with a comfort in its belly; and the sweet is so great as swa!h»ws up the bitter; it is an hundred fold that the saints jrain by all their losses in this life, but how great shall their reward be in heaven ! 2 Cor. iv 17., " Our light affliction, which is hut for a moment, worketh for us a far more ex- ceeding an…
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More especially, he rules and governs the men of this world. He sits in all the councils of men, though they see him not; he orders all their decrees : there is no de- cree can pass unless God gives his vote. He rules in all the actions of men ; even those things that are acted through our improvidence come not to pass…
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3. The providence of God shall never fail of accomplishing its end. There is nothing wanting that might give us the fullest as- surance hereof. For, (1.) The providence of God hath power with it. He is the Almighty that hath pro- mised ; he that ruloth in the earth dwelleth in the heaven, and doth whatsoever he will. …
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to you ; if the glittering glories, the glorying pleasures he entices you by, and entertains you with, prove not trash and dirt, and mere lies in the end, then say, the devil hath for- gotten his trade of lying; the devil's works will be even like himself, false and deceit- ful. But God is true, and all his works are d…
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God will make good his word to you, sooner or later, — in one time or other, — in one way or other; in the best time, in the best way, in the appointed time ; the vision sliall speak, and shall not lie; Ilab. ii. 3., " Though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come, and will not tarry." At least, at the end…
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of God, — by virtue whereof, all that ever befalls them shall work for their good. Methinks the hearing of this promise open- ed, should set your souls, and all that is within you a crying out, " O that this were my portion ! Wherever my lot do fall, as to outward things, though in a prison, though in a desert, though …
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1 shall leave you such as I would not. 1 would not leave one blind person, one vain person, one loose liver, not one unbeliever, or impenitent, amongst you all. O what a good day would this day of my departure be ! What light would there be in this dark evening, wore it thus with you ! If I might see you all recovered …
936 wordsSECTION 640FAREWELL DISCOURSE ON HIS EJECTION.
Brethren, my heart's desire for you all is, that you may be saved ; and if there be any persons that bear evil will to me, my particular wish for them is, the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush, be those men's portion for ever. These are some of my wishes for you ; will you join your wish- es with mine ; will you …
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0 the gashes that such self-reflections make ! Soul, how camest thou in hither into all this misery ? O it is of myself, my- self, that my destruction is. The door was open, and I was told of it, and was bid come in, but I would not. That I am lost and undone, was not my fate, which I could not avoid, but my fault and …
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1. Of my discharge of my ministry. What my doctrine and manner of life hath been, is known to you ; and what my aim and intent hath been, is known to God. The searcher of hearts, knows that it is the salvation of souls that hath been the mark at which I have levelled. My way hath been to use all plainness, that I might…
782 wordsSECTION 643THE ART OF DIVLVE CONTENTMENT.
After all my most impartial inquiries, — after all my seeking counsel from the Lord, — after all my considering, and consulting with men of all persuasions about these matters, — I find myself so far short of sa- tisfaction, that I am plainly put to this choice, to part with my ministry or my conscience. I dare not lie…
836 wordsSECTION 644ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
his hand. Care, when it is eccentric, either distrustful or distracting, is very dishon- ourable to God; it takes away his provi- dence, as if he sat in heaven and minded not what became of things here below ; like a man that makes a clock, and then leaves it to go of itself. Immoderate care takes the heart off from be…
884 wordsSECTION 645ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
1. You have heard much against sin : are vou hearers ; or are vou scholars ? I low many sermons have you heard against co- vetousness, that it is the root, on which pride, idolatry, treason do grow ? 2 Tim. iv. 2. and 4. One calls it a metropolitan sin ; it is a complex evil, it doth twist a great many sins in with it.…
898 wordsSECTION 646ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
1. Because spiritual things are against nature. Every thing in religion is antipodes to nature. There are in religion two things, credeiida et facienda, and both are against nature. — I. Credenda, matters of faith : as, for men to be justified by the righteousness of another, — to become a fool that he may be wise, — t…
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lnovv much more shall your heavenly Fatlier give the Holy Spirit to them ihat ask him? And thus much of the first part of the text, the scliolar, which I intended only as a short gloss or paraphrase. Chap. IV. The Second Branch of the Text, the Lesson itself, with the Proposition. II. I come to the second, which is t…
899 wordsSECTION 648ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
2(//y, The doctrine of contentment con- cerns poor men. You that do suck so li- berally from the breasts of providence, be content ; it is an hard lesson, therefore it had need be set upon the sooner. How hard is it whenthelivelihood is even gone, — a great estate boiled away almost to not'iing, then to be contented. T…
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For the illustration of this doctrine, I shall propound these questions. Quest. 1. JVIiether a Christian may not besefisible of his condition, and yet be contented ? Ans. Yes ; for else he is not a saint, but a stoic. Rachel did well to weep for her children, there was nature ; but her fault was, she refused to be co…
874 wordsSECTION 650ART OF DIVINE^ CONTENTMENT.
2. Contentment is an intrinsical thing ; it lies within a man ; not in the bark, but tiie root. Contentment hath both its foun- tain and stream in the soul. The beam hath not its light from the air ; the beams of comfort which a contented man hath, do xiot arise from foreign comforts, but from within. As sorrow is seat…
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Be content, by virtue of a decree. What- ever our condition be, God the umpire of the world hath from everlasting decreed that condition for us, and by his providence or- dered all appertinaiices thereunto. Let a Christian often think with himself, who hath placed me here, whether I am in a high sj)here, or in a lower.…
909 wordsSECTION 652ART OF DIVINE COXTEXTMEXT.
<lri('s the brains, wastes the sj)irits, corrodes and eats out the comfort of life ; discontent makes a man that he doth not enjoy what he doth possess. A drop or two of vinegar will sour a whole glass of wine. Let a man have the atlluence and confluence of worldly comforts, a drop or two of discon tent will imbitter a…
902 wordsSECTION 653ART OF DIVINE COXTENTMEXT.
content of liis heart, es'ery one lisns out Ins trouDle, and here even tne stamme»'int5 tongue speaks too freely and tluentiy. if we have not what we desir*', God shall not have a good look from us, but presently we are sick of discontent, ana readv to d\e out of an humour. If God will not forgive the people of Israel …
826 wordsSECTION 654ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
Why then should a Christian be discontent- ed ? Why should Ite weep excessively ? " Daughters of Jerusalem weep not for me, but weep for yourselves," Luke xxiii. 28. So, could we hear our children speaking to us out of heaven, they would say, Weep not for us who are happy ; we lie upon a soft pillow, even in the bosom …
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things shall be added to you," Mat. ^^. 33 Adjtcie7itur, they shall be cast in as overplus When a man buys a piece of cloth he hath an inch or two given in to the measure ; now, though he lose his inch of cloth, yet lie is not undone, for still the whole piece, remains ; our outward estate is not so much in regard of t…
841 wordsSECTION 656ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
ilrpjy 1. You may pick something out of your child's undutifulness ; the child's sin is sometimes the ])arent's sermon ; the un- dutifulness of children to us, may be a me- mento to put us in mind of our undutiful- ness once to God. Time was when we were rebellious children ; how long did our heart standout as garrison…
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Reply 1. Thou art not alone, others of the saints have been betrayed by friends ; and when they have leaned upon them, they have been as a foot out of joint. This was true in the type David, Ps. Iv. 12, 13, 14, " It was not an enemy reproached me, but it was thou, O man, my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance ; we too…
858 wordsSECTION 658ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
I nothing else but compassion ; for there is naturally no affection in us to desire hia friendship, nor no goodness in us to deserve it ; the loadstone Is in himself. When wo were full of blood, he was full of bowels ; when we were enemies, he sent an embas- sage of peace ; when our hearts were turn- ed back from God, …
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Repbj 6. We live in an age wherein men dare reproach God himself. The divinity of the Son of God is blasphemously re- proached by the Socinian ; the blessed Bi- ble is reproached by the Antiscripturist, as if it were but a legend of lies, and every man's faith a fable ; the justice of God is called to the bar of reason…
927 wordsSECTION 660ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
Reply 2. Art thou under sufferings : thou hast an opportunity to shew the valour and constancy of thy mind Some of (ioil's saints would have accounted it a great fa- vour to have been honoured with martyr- dom. One said, " I am in prison till I be in prison." Thou countest that a trouble, which others would have worn a…
864 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical work by Thomas Watson, d. 1686. OCR from an original historical scan hosted by Internet Archive; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.