N00802:1514
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
Sermon › Doctrine 3: To go no further in Gods Service than forced is an ill sign. DOCTRINE III.
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.
3. It is the way also to be more clear in the knowledge of our good estate. The free Obedience of Gods people, saith that they are his indeed, Psal. 110.3. Whereas our being obedient no longer than we are driven to it, must needs give us awful grounds to call our selves in question. And for help.
1. Labour to get the love of God established in our hearts. The Apostle could say, The lov• of Christ constrains us, 2 Cor. 5.14. And were this active, it would do more on us than all the beatings that we feel: this would make us never well but when we are engaging in his work.
2. Study the amiableness of his Service. It is always some prejudice entertained at the ways of God, that makes us inconstant in our Obedience, and this is the suggestion of the flesh: would we be able experimentally to say with him, Psal. 19.7, 8, 9, 10. It would knit our hearts to it. Did we believe that Wisdoms ways are ways of pleasan••y, and all her paths peace, Prov. 3.16. It would •ind us to them of choice, and we should never […] well, but when exercised in them.
2. Study the amiableness of his Service. It is always some prejudice entertained at the wayes of God, that makes us inconstant in our Obedience, and this is the suggestion of the flesh: would we be able experimentally to say with him,