The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)Watts, Isaac
Religion
The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)
Watts, Isaac
Dissenters, Religious -- England; Sermons, English -- 18th century; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
When _the Greeks, who seek after learning_, say to a christian, “How can
this gospel be true and divine, which is so plain and simple in itself,
which was preached by a parcel of fishermen, and invented by a
carpenter, and his followers that published it had no more learning than
he? How is it possible such a religion should be from God, that hath so
much of unlearned simplicity in it?” But the christian can tell them,
that all the wisdom and learning of the philosopher could never do such
miracles as this gospel has done, could never work such a divine life
and temper in my heart.
When the Jews shall say, “How can this be the Messiah? For the Messiah,
the Son of God, must be a great King, the Governor of the earth, must
deliver the Jews from their slavery, must have power over all the
nations; how could this be the Messiah, that was crucified among his
countrymen, and we, with our fellow-citizens, joined together to put him
to death, and he lay like a mere mortal in his grave? How can this be
the Saviour, or can his religion be true?” The christian, that is called
of God, and has found the witness in himself, makes answer, _he that was
foolishness to the Greeks, and a scandal to the Jews, is the wisdom of
God, and the power of God to me._ I have seen my _sins nailed to the
cross_ of this Redeemer; I have found a way for the pardon of all my
iniquities, and the satisfaction of my conscience (which was before full
of anguish) in and from the cross of this Messiah; I have found holiness
wrought in my soul by the belief of this gospel; I have felt such virtue
proceeding from this Saviour, that I, who was before all over unclean
and defiled, am in some degree made holy: This gospel therefore must be
from God, and this is the Messiah, his Son.
When the deists of our age shall object and say, “How can ye believe
such a religion to be divine, that is delivered in so poor and mean a
way, as the story of Christ, and all the strange doctrines of your
gospel? How can the bible be the word of God? Not only because there are
so many obscurities and mystical speeches in it, that a learned man in
our day would be ashamed to write it? How can this gospel be the
revelation of God, that wants so much of the beauty of oratory and
strong reasoning, which the wisdom of man pretends to, and daily
performs?” But the christian answers; “The gospel, that is contained
here, must be from God: For although it has so much human weakness in
our eyes, I have felt a divine power attending it, it hath been to me
the power of God unto salvation. Let it want therefore what human
ornaments it will, if it has a divine efficacy in it, I am sure it is
from above.” Thus whatsoever temptations are proposed to baffle his
faith, and to stagger his belief of the doctrine of Christ, this one
instance of its divinity, keeps the believer steady: “I have found it of
efficacy to begin eternal life in me, therefore I know it is from God.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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