A66111:1085
The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…
The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being the substance of divers sermons preached on Psalm XXXII / by Samuel Willard.
printed by B. Green and J. Allen for Michael Perry, 1650
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.
2. Neither let it make you to conclude that this very Sin is not forgiven. You are ready to say, surely God is angry, else he would not follow me with such afflictions, & if he had forgiven me, this anger had been turned away, and he pacified to me; herein you argue on a mistaken principle. God doth not always afflict in anger: he is angry at his own, so long as they lie under sin unrepented of; but he can administer correction in love, Heb. 12. 6. And though there be an anger of love in some Corrections, yet there is a Chastisement which is without anger at us, in mere pity, wisdom, and tenderness toward his Children.
2. Neither let it make you to conclude that this very Sin is not forgiven. You are ready to say, surely God is angry, else he would not follow me with such afflictions, & if he had forgiven me, this anger had been turned away, and he pacified to me; herein you argue on a mistaken principle. God doth not always afflict in anger: he is angry at his own, so long as they ly under sin unrepented of; but he can administer correction in love, Heb. 12. 6. And though there be an anger of love in some Corrections, yet there is a Chastisement which is without anger at us, in meer pitty, wisdom, and tenderness toward his Children.
USE III. Let us take heed of rash judging of Gods people on this account. It may be we have known them to fall into some sins, that have been scandalous, or we hear them complain of some sins that distress them, we have seen their sorrow and bitterness, and the most satisfying testimonies of their Repentance; but for all God follows them with remarkable grievous afflictions; and we are ready to think, God is still angry; something stands out against them, they have dissembled, &c. But let us take heed of this: Gods Judgments ⟨p. 370⟩are a great deep: He may have freely forgiven them, and yet for holy ends thus exercise them, to humble, and do them good in the latter end. Let not such unsearchable things weaken our Charity.