N00802:1229
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.
USE I We have here a Rule for Trial, whether we offer right prayers to God in a time of trouble. Many pray, and complain they cannot be heard; and if they should enquire, might here see the reason of it: there are things that men reckon for prayers, which God receives not as such. And here,
USE I We have here a Rule for Trial, whether we offer right prayers to God in a time of trouble. Many pray, and complain they cannot be heard; and if they should enqui•e, might here see the reason of it: there are things that men reckon for prayers, which God receives not as such. And here,
1. Do we bring all our troubles to him, seeking his help in them? There are that if some fearful distress overtake them, will cry, and call, and make a loud noise, Prov. 1.26, &c. But for ordinary troubles, they hope to grapple with them alone: and whiles they can either bear them, or have a prospect of relief in any other way, they will not trouble him with their petitions: these have not made him their hiding place, and well may he dismiss them to seek help, where they have been wont to go for it, Jer. 2.28.
2. What are our designs when deliverance comes? It is an usual language, if ever I get out of this trouble, I will do thus or so; and would we take an account of our musings on this account, it would let us see much of our hearts. And here,