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
1. The first remark is very obvious, how glorious is the gospel of our
Lord! How preferable to all other religions! Those which men have
invented, are not to come into competition with it; let none of them be
named. Even that religion which God himself invented, the religion of
the Jews, had not such honourable characters belonging to it, as this of
our Saviour hath. Many expressions that are used in the epistles of St.
Paul, to shew the superiority of the gospel above the law, are such as
give it an infinite advantage and preference: As in point of glory, so
in point of evidence too. One was _the letter_; the other is _the
spirit_; one was _the ministration of condemnation_, the other of
salvation; one _the ministration of death_, the other of life: and as
life, spiritual or eternal life, is represented as the peculiar effect
and prerogative of the gospel, so it carries more light of evidence with
it to confirm its heavenly original; it brings the believing soul much
nearer to heaven.
The Jewish religion instituted by Moses, although, by the accompanying
power of the Spirit of God, _it wrought effectually_, in the hearts of
those that sincerely received it, and changed their natures in a saving
manner; yet the brightness and glory of this sort of evidence, that
belonged to that religion was derived from the gospel, which was hidden
under the types of it: Nor could it be supposed to have equal brightness
or force with the gospel itself, when unveiled, and shining in open
light; as I have shewn in the second discourse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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