N00802:1673
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: Faith the foundation of true Obedience. 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.
2. Hence also learn what to think of those who, on pretence of faith, encourage themselves without Repentance in their Disobedience. How many, who have made some profession, and do something in duties, do live in gross neglects, and are drawn into great transgressions? and though they are convinced of it, and cannot deny but that it is sin in them; yet make a light matter of it; their faith answers all, and they do not repent soakingly of it, but wipe off all with an easy complement, and the Blood of Christ must answer for it; though it be a truth that it must so, if ever it be forgiven, yet there is a way that faith directs to, of which they are regardless. What is this but to make […] a Cloak for sin, which, how contrary is it to the nature and end of it? and must needs declare […] they have it not, or do not exercise it aright.
2. Hence also learn what to think of those who, on pretence of faith, encourage themselves without Repentance in their Disobedience. How many, who have made some profession, and do something in duties, do live in gross neglects, and are drawn into great transgressions? and though they are convinced of it, and cannot deny but that it is sin in them; yet make a light matter of it; their faith answers all, and they do not repent soakingly of it, but wipe off all with an easy complement, and the Blood of Christ must answer for it; though it be a truth that it must so, if ever it be forgiven, yet there is a way that faith directs to, of which they are regardless. What is this but to make 〈…〉 a Cloak for sin, which, how contrary is it to the nature and end of it? and must needs declare 〈…〉 they have it not, or do not exercise it aright.
3. Hence then how injuriously do our adver•a•••• charge us for pleading for faith to nourish in […] a neglect of Obedience? This proceeds from the malignity of the proud hearts of men against the Gospel way of Salvation by Christ, R•m 6 1. When as it is evident that the Doctrine o Faith, is the round of our establishing Evangelical Obedience;