N00802:1709
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.
3. It is mercy that helps them in their Obedience. Not only doth it bestow a new principle on them, •ut supplies them with fresh strength for the performance ⟨p. 562⟩of every new act, so as to do it acceptably, Joh 15 5. 2 Cor 3.5. So that if at any time he withdraws his influence of assistance from us, we are a• a stand, and cannot go forward; he worketh our works in us and for us.
4. It is of mercy that they are kept in Obedience. Not only is the•e a corrupt nature remaining in them, but it is able, when God suffers it, to Captivate them, Rom. 7.23. The Grace in them, from whence their Obedience flows, is maintained by him, else it would die. It is indeed called an immortal seed, because it sha•l never die, because he keeps it alive, supports, defends, revives it, 1 Pet. 1.5. The Obliquities which the Children of God sometimes turn aside to, say what they would soon be at, if God did not preserve them; and did he not pity them, there is provocation enough in every such fall, for him to leave them.
4. It is of mercy that they are kept in Obedience. Not only is the•e a corrupt nature remaining in them, but it is able, when God suffers it, to Captivate them, Rom. 7.23. The Grace in them, from whence their Obedience flows, is maintained by him, else it would dy. It is indeed called an immortal seed, because it sha•l never dy, because he keeps it alive, supports, defends, revives it,