N00129:414
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. 2. Because there can be no hope of true Reformation, where there is not sincerity in […] enquiring: if we enquire hypocritically, we cannot […] to spent; for the very first step to repentance, is a serious […] and enquiry into our hearts and ways, Lam. 3.40. Those proud men, Jer. 43. they come in hypocrisy, and hence when they have an answer from God, and are counselled for their […], they take up a resolution that they will not do according to the word of the Lord.
Reas. 2. Because there can be no hope of true Reformation, where there is not sincerity in 〈…〉 enquiring: if we enquire hypocritically, we cannot 〈…〉 to spent; for the very first step to repentance, is a serious 〈…〉 and enquiry into our hearts and wayes, Lam. 3.40. Those proud men, Jer. 43. they come in hypocrisie, and hence when they have an answer from God, and are counselled for their 〈…〉, they take up a resolution that they will not do according to the word of the Lord.
Use. I for Trial: Le us examine whether this be not the reason why God hath not yet made us to see, and be sensible of the grounds of his Contest with this poor Land. This is the great and general complaint, We have fasted and prayed, sought and enquired, but his hand is stretched out still, and he is yet pleased to hide the reason from us, and not to let us know why he […] with us. Oh, do not charge God […] of […] or hard dealing: God, though he be Sovereign, and not […] of any of his matters, yet he is a gracious God, and […] to the humble soul to make a discovery of his Counsels, would we know why God hides his mind from us; look upon our selves, did we ever yet enquire in good earnest? Gods hand hath been heavy on this account upon us.