A66111:1498
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.
USE. I. For Information in a few particulars.
1. Learn hence the different verdict that God and the world pass upon men. 1 Cor. 3. 19. Men think themselves wise if they can baffle the counsels of God, and silence their own Consciences, and sin in despite of counsels and warnings, under a pretence of carnal reason: but God counts them no better than beasts, and writes this wisdom of theirs the most stupid folly: and let us take Gods censure of it, rather than mens vain opinion about it, for his word shall stand.
2. Hence see the miserable change which the fall hath brought upon man. When God made him at first, he was perfect in understanding, he knew ⟨p. 476⟩how to put difference between good and bad, and choose that which would promove the Glory o• God & his own eternal felicity: and all his sense• were in a due subordination, and offered him no• delusion: but since his Apostasy he hath crazed his understanding, and fallen in a spiritual account a species below himself. God therefore would have all men in their natural state to know that they ar• beasts, Eccl. 3. 18. And how should this though• help to abase us, and make us bewail our infelicity •
2. Hence see the miserable change which the fall hath brought upon man. When God made him at first, he was perfect in understanding, he knew ⟨p. 476⟩how to put difference between good and bad, and chuse that which would promove the Glory o• God & his own eternal felicity: and all his sense• were in a due subordination, and offered him no• delusion: but since his Apostasy he hath crazed• his understanding, and fallen in a spiritual account a species below himself. God therefore would have all men in their natural state to know that they ar• beasts, Eccl. 3. 18. And how should this though• help to abase us, and make us bewail our infelicity •
3. Learn hence the reason of the gross security of Sinners, under the awakening means of Grace. Though• the word be dispensed never so plainly and solemnly, yet how few are moved at it, or concerne• for themselves after all? And we might wonder that men who have reason in them should be so stupidly senseless, but that the truth in hand may satisfy us: men in their natural state are a company of fools, and brutes, and madmen, that are out of their wits, that do not know, and therefore do not consider; God puts them together, Isa. 1. 3. And he that knows no danger, fears none.
3. Learn hence the reason of the gross security of Sinners, under the awakning means of Grace. Though• the word be dispensed never so plainly and solemnly, yet how few are moved at it, or concerne• for themselves after all? And we might wonder that men who have reason in them should be so stupidly senceless, but that the truth in hand may satisfy us: men in their natural state are a company of fools, and bruits, and madmen, that are out of their wits, that do not know, and therefore do not consider; God puts them together, Isa. 1. 3. And he that knows no danger, fears none.
4. This tells us what a great change is wrought •• Conversion. Among other comparisons used in the word of God to set this forth, one is, the recover• ing of men to their understanding again. Th• mad Prodigal, when God was about to Conve• him, comes to himself, Luk. 15. 17. He had bee• distracted before, but now he returns to his right mind: In Conversion a new Creature is produced all new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. And what a Metamorphosis i• this to see a brute turned into a rational being ⟨p. 477⟩•nd it is not less to see an obstinate sinner made gracious Saint.
4. This tells us what a great change is wrought •• Conversion. Among other comparisons used in the word of God to set this forth, one is, the recover• ing of men to their understanding again. Th• mad Prodigal, when God was about to Conve• him, comes to himself, Luk. 15. 17. He had bee• distracted before, but now he returns to his righ• mind: In Conversion a new Creature is produced• all new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. And what a Metamorphosis i• this to see a bruit turned into a rational being ⟨p. 477⟩
5. We have here a reason why instruments can of themselves do nothing. It is Gods pleasure to send •hen to treat with men, as to such who have an Humane understanding in them; but to convince •nd persuade sinners is a work too big for them: •heir encouragement to use the means, and sinners encouragement to attend them, is because it is Gods way, but we must subordinate the whole success to him; so that if we persuade not obstinate sinners, wonder not, for who are we? and if we do persuade them, arrogate not; it was not •e, but his Grace working with us.
5. We have here a reason why instruments can of •hemselves do nothing. It is Gods pleasure to send •hen to treat with men, as to such who have an Humane understanding in them; but to convince •nd perswade sinners is a work too big for them: •heir encouragement to use the means, and sinners •ncouragement to attend them, is because it is Gods way, but we must subordinate the whole •uccess to him; so that if we perswade not obstinate sinners, wonder not, for who are we? and if we do perswade them, arrogate not; it was not •e, but his Grace working with us.
USE. II. For Exhortation, both to Sinners, and the Children of God.
1. Here is matter of counsel for Sinners;
1. Beware of confiding in your carnal reason: Vain man would be wise, &c. Job 10. 12. They who have the least wisdom, are most conceited of themselves and think they have the greatest reason for what they do. Well, you are wise then, but let me tell you, the worlds wise men go wisely to hell. All their •easonings for sin are brutish, and are counted wisdom only by the fleshly part. When therefore you find that you incline to hearken to these, ask, •ut are not these the disputings of the flesh, and if •o, they will be found folly in the end.
1. Beware of confiding in your carnal reason: Vain man would be wise, &c. Job 10. 12. They who have the least wisdom, are most conceited of themselves and think they have the greatest reason for what they do. Well, you are wise then, but let me tell you, the worlds wise men go wisely to hell. All their •easonings for sin are brutish, and are counted •isdom only by the fleshly part. When therefore you find that you encline to hearken to these, ask, •ut are not these the disputings of the flesh, and if •o, they will be found folly in the end.
2. Be then convinced of the folly that cleaves to you. God himself hath declared every unregenerate man •o be a born fool, and gives this for the reason why ⟨p. 478⟩they will not be persuaded, Psal. 58. 3, 4. If eve• you become truly wise, you must be convinced o• this, 1 Cor. 3. 17. The first lesson that sinful man •• to learn in wisdoms School, is that he himself is •• fool; which, if any thing, will put him on enquiring after wisdom. Many might have arrived a• true wisdom, but for a conceit they had that they were already wise. And if you will compare th• sentiments of carnal reason, with the dictates o• the word of God, you must either charge them with foolishness, or confess your wisdom to be so.
2. Be then convinced of the folly that cleaves to you. God himself hath declared every unregenerate man •o be a born fool, and gives this for the reason why ⟨p. 478⟩they will not be perswaded, Psal. 58. 3, 4. If eve• you become truly wise, you must be convinced o• this, 1 Cor. 3. 17. The first lesson that sinful man •• to learn in wisdoms School, is that he himself is •• fool; which, if any thing, will put him on enquiring after wisdom. Many might have arrived a true wisdom, but for a conceit they had that they were already wise. And if you will compare th sentiments of carnal reason, with the dictates o the word of God, you must either charge them with foolishness, or confess your wisdom to be so.
3. Let this conviction drive you to God, to beg of him to restore you to your understanding again. The direction is, if any lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, Jam. 1. 5. And who is there that doth not lack it but the exhortation is nextly to such whom the Spirit of God hath made to feel their want, and this made him so earnest on this account, Prov. 30. 2. 3.
4. Now refer your selves wholly to the Divine Oracle. Look upon the Spirit of God to be the author, and the word of God to be the store-house, and the Ordinances to be the Medium of communication, by which you may obtain that Wisdom that is from above, which only will make you wise to Salvation. Remember what that hath told you Job 28. 28. Come then to this School, and humbly wait for his teaching, and so may you arrive at that wisdom which will make you happy; when the worlds wise man, and his wisdom shall perish together.
2. To the Children of God, in whom, God hat• planted the seeds of true wisdom.
1. Be sensible that you have a great deal of this bru••ness remaining in you. We should always look on •s to humble us, and make us fearful of our selves. •o much as there is of the old man in us, so much •olly: David confessed it of himself, 2 Sam. 24. 18. And this censure the Psalmist passeth on himself, and his carnal reasonings, Psal. 73. 22. So foolish […] I, and ignorant, &c. And if we do but observe all […] exorbitant actions, we shall find too much of this every day.
1. Be sensible that you have a great deal of this bru••ness remaining in you. We should always look on •s to humble us, and make us fearful of our selves. •o much as there is of the old man in us, so much •olly: David confessed it of himself, 2 Sam. 24. 18. And this censure the Psalmist passeth on himself, and his carnal reasonings, Psal. 73. 22. So foolish 〈…〉 I, and ignorant, &c. And if we do but observe all 〈…〉 exorbitant actions, we shall find too much of this every day.
2. Let this teach you to beware that you do not lean •o your own understanding. It is the caution, Prov. 3. 5. And the reason is given, Chap. 28. 26. The law in our members will be very forward to give in its foolish arguings, and if we be not careful, we shall be ensnared by them: they will tell us a fair story, and so cheat us. Was not David so trapanned, when he would needs number the people, against all advice to the contrary? Did not Asa, •o so, when he hearkened to his own heart, and persecuted the prophet?
2. Let this teach you to beware that you do not lean •o your own understanding. It is the caution, Prov. 3. 5. And the reason is given, Chap. 28. 26. The law in our members will be very forward to give in its foolish arguings, and if we be not careful, we shall be ensnared by them: they will tell us a fair story, and so cheat us. Was not David so trapan'd, when he would needs number the people, against all advice to the contrary? Did not Asa, •o so, when he hearkned to his own heart, and persecuted the prophet?
3. Let this move us to pity, and bear, and take ••ns with Sinners. Let us not be enraged, though we find them stout, and obstinate, and to despise ou• counsels. He that would tame a beast, must expect that he will carry himself like one. It is for want of understanding; and such were you •ill God enlightened you. Be not then beat out, but follow them with patience and perseverance, waiting on God for his blessing on your endeavours: and though they be now enraged, yet •f ever God make them to come to themselves, they ⟨p. 480⟩will be thankful, and count you their best friends so may you become instruments of their Salv• tion, and that will be to your everlasting com• fort. Dan. 12. 3.
3. Let this move us to pity, and bear, and take ••ns with Sinners. Let us not be enraged, though we find them stout, and obstinate, and to despise ou• counsels. He that would tame a beast, must expect that he will carry himself like one. It is for want of understanding; and such were you •ill God enlightned you. Be not then beat out, but follow them with patience and perseverance, waiting on God for his blessing on your en•eavours: and though they be now enraged, yet •f ever God make them to come to themselves, they ⟨p. 480⟩will be thankful, and count you their best friends so may you become instruments of their Salv• tion, and that will be to your everlasting com• fort. Dan. 12. 3
