N00583:36
Reformation the great duty of an afflicted people. Setting forth the sin and danger…
Reformation the great duty of an afflicted people. Setting forth the sin and danger there is in neglecting of it, under the continued and repeated judgments of God. : Being the substance of what was preached on a solemn day of humiliation kept by the Third Gathered Church in Boston, on August. 23d. 1694. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of the said church. ; [Four lines from Zechariah]
printed by Bartholomew Green, 1694
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. The body of a Professing People are not always truly gracious. To be sure, in times wherein there is a decay of holiness, and increase of impiety, it is not like to be so. All are not Israel that are of Israel. There is indeed a bored ear in the Children of God, that doth incline them to be ready to hearken to the voice of the Rod, and to be awakened to discipline; to be of a tender▪ heart, and resent the displeasure of God; this is the natural and genuine working of Grace in the heart wherein it really planted. But all are not so who are the People of God by external denomination, and a verbal profession. When Apostasy begins to creep upon a People, Conversion work begins to be more rare, ⟨p. 21⟩and men are not so frequently brought home to God by a through and saving change wrought in them: Hypocrisy and Luke warmness begins to get head and prevail, and the power of Godliness ceaseth, and men rest contented in a name to live whiles they are dead. We have the Character of such a Church fully represented to us in that of Laodicea, in Rev. 3. 14. &c. And it is not seldom exemplified in the world, where the name of Christ is taken up.
1. The body of a Professing People are not always truly gracious. To be sure, in times wherein there is a decay of holiness, and increase of impiety, it is not like to be so. All are not Israel that are of Israel. There is indeed a bored ear in the Children of God, that doth encline them to be ready to hearken to the voice of the Rod, and to be awakened to discipline; to be of a tender▪ heart, and resent the displeasure of God; this is the natural and genuine working of Grace in the heart wherein it really planted. But all are not so who are the People of God by exterternal denomination, and a verbal profession. When Apostasy begings to creep upon a People, Conversion work begins to be more rare, ⟨p. 21⟩and men are not so frequently brought home to God by a through and saving change wrought in them: Hypocrisy and Luke warmness begins to get head and prevail, and the power of Godliness ceaseth, and men rest contented in a name to live whiles they are dead. We have the Character of such a Church fully represented to us in that of Laodicea, in