N00802:1226
The truly blessed man
The truly blessed man: or, The way to be happy here, and for ever: being the substance of divers sermons preached on, Psalm XXXII. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. N.E. ; [Five lines from Isaiah]
printed by B. Green for Michael Perry, 1700
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.
7. This makes him to bring himself under obligations. A Child of God never puts up a petition to him, but either expresseth or supposeth a promise made to him, in case he answers him: for all transactions between God and his people▪ are in a Covenant way. Sometimes they bind themselves by a vow, as Jacob, Gen. 28.20. or explicit promise, as Psal. 80.18▪ And it is ever implied according to the method of the Covenant expressed, Psal. 50.15.
8. His hope excites in him a premeditation what to do. Hope looks out for God to come in this way, and makes him to think, if or when God answers my requests, how shall I best show my self grateful to him in it? hence a promise •iven, made them turn a fast into a thanksgiving, Chron. 20.18, 19.
9. And this puts him upon a preparation for the work before hand. He counts it his concern, and therefore addresseth himself to make ready; that he may have nothing to do, but put it in execution, when the time comes, Psal. 65.1. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion.