N00802:303
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. For INFORMATION, in two particulars.
1. Learn hence how vainly many pretend themselves to be in a Pardoned state. How few indeed are there of those that Live under the Gospel, who do not presume o• this? whence else is the quietness, and confidence of the most, under all the awful and awakening truths that sound in their Ears from time to time? And yet if they were brought to th• trial of this one Character, how must they fall before it? And that not only in their own Consciences, but in the Consciences of others too, even after all the allowances, which a well regulated Cha•ity may make, are afforded to them? And it is to be feared, that besides those that walk open faced, there are a great many of close covered Hypocrites, whose own hearts would condemn them, if they would hear them speak, how plausibly so ever they carry it in appearance. And certainly if mens Lives are full of Guile, their Spirits are so ⟨p. 121⟩too. He that is an Hypocrite in his Life, may well be presumed to be so in his Heart, and how unprofitably doth such an one please himself with expectation to be forgiven? Job 36.13. But let all such know that their hopes will ere-long prove as the Spiders web, and certainly perish. Let me say to such, if Piety be not a thing to be chosen, why do you pretend to it? And if it be, why do you no more but pretend to it? Think of this you that talk high of Religion, and yet lead a Licentious Life: You that study no more than to get mens good word, and to baffle your own Consciences, that they may not lead you a wretched Life.
1. Learn hence how vainly many pretend themselves to be in a Pardoned state. How few indeed are there of those that Live under the Gospel, who do not presume o• this? whence else is the quietness, and confdence of the most, under all the awful and awakning truths that sound in their Ears from time to time? And yet if they were brought to th tryal of this one Character, how must they fall befoe it? And that not only in their own Consciences, but in the Consciences of others too, even after all the allowances, which a well regulated Chaity may make, are afforded to them? And it is to be feared, that besides those that walk open faced, there are a great many of close covered Hypocrites, whose own hearts would condemn them, if they would hear them speak, how plausibly so ever they carry it in appearance. And certainly if mens Lives are full of Guile, their Spirits are so