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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 2: Guilt apprehended, Distressing to Gods Children. DOCTRINE II.
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.
1. If you do not look to your selves you may fall into it. There is not the best man on Earth secured against it. This was the Case of David, a man after Gods own heart, Text, as long as we dwell in a Sinful World, and labour under a body of death, we are not out of danger, and for that reason should not be secure in our minds. We may be the Heirs of Salvation, and yet want the joy of Salvation, Psal. 55.12.
2. Satan will do all he can to bring you into it. ⟨p. 157⟩If he cannot destroy you he will do you all the damage he can, and his great business is to make breaches between you and your God; and that by driving you into something that is provoking, and when he hath so done, and God is angry, to accuse you to your own Consciences, and lay on load till he breaks your backs if possible; first to make you bold to sin, and then make you to despair by reason of it, and this calls you to be Watchful, 1 Pet. 5.8.
3. If you do fall into such a Condition, it will be terrible. No man knows the dismalness of it, but he that hath felt it: It will Soak out your moisture, and Dry up your marrow, and terribly scorch you. Read those sorrowful ditties, Psal. 38. & 88. And ask your own hearts, whether it be not a matter of greatest concern to avoid the precipitating your selves into it. And for advice here,