A66111:611
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.
1. That we are not absolutely bound to confess to men, those Sins which Gods Providence hath kept secret from them. In some case we ought, as anon, but in it self it is not a positive duty; they are between God and us, and we have only to do with him. God hath not enjoined us to expose our selves either in our name or life by publishing them to the world, if he will bring us forth, it is just; but if he will let them solely hid, our business is to see that all be right between him and us.
1. That we are not absolutely bound to confess to men, those Sins which Gods Providence hath kept secret from them. In some case we ought, as anon, but in it self it is not a positive duty; they are between God and us, and we have only to do with him. God hath not enjoyned us to expose our selves either in our name or life by publishing them to the world, if he will bring us forth, it is just; but if he will let them so ly hid, our business is to see that all be right between him and us.
2. That a verbal Confession to men of the wrongs we have done them, is not always requisite. There is a restoration of wrongs by restitution that is due, but this may be done, though they know no• who wronged them, nor is it necessary that they should. In some places these are Capital; a man by confessing exposeth his life, and the wrong• may be repaired by another hand, and the Sin confessed to God, and forgiveness obtained.
3. Sins known to others, and by which there is […] scandal are to be confessed to men, for removing the scandal. If it be private, and but few know of i• it sufficeth to confess it to them,