N00129:469
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. 1. Of the the first; From Gods merciful Nature, who had rather sinners should repent and live, Ezek. 36. 11. he had rather spare then destroy, but it must be so as his Honour may not be wronged, which is near and precious to him, and therefore it must be by giving glory to him in a way of Repentance. Hence God when he ha•• begun, useth delays, and moves slowly in bringing his Judgements.
Reas. 1. Of the the first; From Gods merciful Nature, who had rather sinners should repent and live, Ezek. 36. 11. he had rather spare then destroy, but it must be so as his Honour may not be wronged, which is near and precious to him, and therefore it must be by giving glory to him in a way of Repentance. Hence God when he ha•• begun, useth delayes, and moves slowly in bringing his Judgements.
Reas. 2. Of the second; Because partial Repentance is but a mockery: We owe God all, and therefore in every thing wherein we have offended him, we ought to repent and return, and seek to make it up. He that doth not repent seriously of every sin, doth not repent truly of any sin; he that doth not return unto God, doth not in truth turn away from his sin: a half repentance therefore is no repentance at all.
Reas. 3. Of the third: