N00802:648
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 › Right Confession, its nature and usefulness. DOCTRINE. › Proposition 6: PROPOSITION VI.
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. There is a reason why we find no relief. God is wise in the management of all his Providences towards the Children of men; and this affair is certainly governed by this Providence; there are the causes of all, and he doth nothing but what he hath reason for, and an holy design in, and it is good for us humbly to make enquiry after it, as he, Job 10.2. Show me why thou contendest with me.
1. There is a reason why we find no relief. God is wise in the management of all his Providences towards the Children of men; and this affair is certainly governed by this Providence; there are the causes of all, and he doth nothing but what he hath reason for, and an holy design in, and it is good for us humbly to make enquiry after it, as he, Job 10.2. Shew me why thou contendest with me.
2. God is faithful to his promises. He is frequently better, but never worse than his word. The ⟨p. 238⟩Scripture is abundant in asserting Gods faithfulness, for our encouragement to trust in him: and there are many attestations given to it, by such as have made the trial. Now there are gracious Promises made to such as ingeniously confess their Sins to God; as he requireth it in the New-Covenant, so he encourageth it; and it is certain that he cannot deny himself
3. Hence there is certainly some blame in you that must be removed, in order to your receiving the promised benefit. There is such a defect in your Confession, as rendereth it another thing from that which the Gospel requires of you: and if you would have him to come to you, and witness his pardoning mercy in you, that must be rectified. It is then necessary that you make a through trial on this account how else shall you know what is your present duty? If you sit down discouraged, you thereby change God; but if you make a through search, you may so be set in the right way.