N00129:335
Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy
Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy: delivered in several sermons on solemn occasions: / by Mr. Samuel Willard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Groton. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green, 1673
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.
3. A desire to be thought wise, discerning and prudent, hence men will enquire for light: we love to have the esteem for prudence and discretion, to be accounted men of discerning spirits, that observe and know the times, and hence take some pains in searching.
4. An ironical and flouring spirit: such this seems to be in the Text, not that we have any true desire to know any thing, but in disdain of Gods Ministers: we enquire of them as for knowledge, but in the mean-while look upon them to have no more knowledge of the mind and counsel of God then ourselves: with this spirit those proud men seem to have come to enquire of the Prophet. Jer. 43.
4. An ironicall and flouring spirit: such this seems to be in the Text, not that we have any true desire to know any thing, but in disdain of Gods Ministers: we enquire of them as for knowledge, but in the mean-while look upon them to have no more knowledge of the minde and counsel of God then ourselves: with this spirit those proud men seem to have come to enquire of the Prophet. Jer. 43.
Reas. 2. Because there are other ends of such Enquiry, besides such as accompany sincerity; viz.