N00583:44
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.
DOCT. III. If Gods Judgments do not reform a backslidden People, the blame lies in their wilfulness.
Hither the Lord chargeth it, not if you do not, but if ye will not reform. All the impenitency of a backslidden People is the effect of their obstinacy. This is not to be understood so, as if they did not labour of Impotency in themselves, or as if they had a power in themselves to reform themselves, which is the mistaken inference which some draw from ⟨p. 28⟩such Scriptures as charge sin upon mans wilfulness. No, it must be granted that they cannot reform themselves; although it is also certain that externally, or with respect to practice, they might do a great deal more than they do; and that will manifestly declare them inexcusable: but truly to turn from sin, and cordially to return to God from whom they have departed, is a work above their ability, and the Spirit of God must powerfully work it in them, if ever it be done. But still God is wont to lay the blame of their not being Reformed, not upon their impotency, but their wilfulness. Thus Matth. 23. 37. How often would I have gathered thy Children, but ye would not. Joh. 5. 40. Ye well not come unto me; and here lies the height of the wickedness of it; and that it is so, will be made to appear, if we consider these three things.
Hither the Lord chargeth it, not if you do not, but if ye will not reform. All the impenitency of a backslidden People is the effect of their obstinacy. This is not to be understood so, as if they did not labour of Impotency in themselves, or as if they had a power in themselves to reform themselves, which is the mistaken inference which some draw from ⟨p. 28⟩such Scriptures as charge sin upon mans wilfulness. No, it must be granted that they cannot reform themselves; although it is also certain that externally, or with respect to practice, they might do a great deal more than they doe; and that will manifestly declare them inexcusable: but truly to turn from sin, and cordially to return to God from whom they have departed, is a work above their ability, and the Spirit of God must powerfully work it in them, if ever it be done. But still God is wont to lay the blame of their not being Reformed, not upon their impotency, but their wilfulness. Thus