N00129:384
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.
Reas. From the suitableness and seasonableness of these thoughts at such a time.
Reas. From the sutableness and seasonableness of these thoughts at such a time.
1. The se•ions consideration of it may be a means to prevent it: by removing the Cause, the Effect ceaseth; God brings sorrow for sin, Repentance stops him in his course, and brings back his favour. A wise and holy improvement of the day of Gods goodness and favour, causeth the Sun to stand still in our Firmament, and the day of prosperity to last: but the sinful abuse of it hastens the setting of our Sun, and coming of the black and dark night; now to think of this beforehand, affords us a solemn and awakening Motive carefully to improve our time of visitation, whereby we may enjoy a blessed lengthening out of our tranquillity.
2. The due improving of these thoughts may be a means to fit us for the Night: Fore-warned (as we say) and fore-armed; the expectation of storms and tempests, drives persons to seek a seasonable shelter and hiding-place from the wind and rain: this makes serious souls prepare to meet with their God. They that never think nor consider of a change, never think of being emptied from vessel to vessel, are like fishes taken in an evil net, are horribly unprepared; but the serious expectation of days of Calamity, will drive us (if any thing) to make our peace with God, to take up our shelter under the wings of the ⟨p. 64⟩Lord Jesus Christ, […] evil of these evils overtake us not.
2. The due improving of these thoughts may be a means to fit us for the Night: Fore-warned (as we say) and fore-armed; the expectation of storms and tempests, drives persons to seek a seasonable shelter and hiding-place from the wind and rain: this makes serious souls prepare to meet with their God. They that never think nor consider of a change, never think of being emptied from vessel to vessel, are like fishes taken in an evil net, are horribly unprepared; but the serious expectation of dayes of Calamity, will drive us (if any thing) to make our peace with God, to take up our shelter under the wings of the