N00802:729
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 › Gods readiness to forgive on Penitent Confession. DOCTRINE.
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. They that instead of confessing, do cover their sins, and yet hope to do well enough. And how many are there of these? Such as seek to hide their Sins under excuses, or to justify themselves by pleas and defences; or that little regard to practice ⟨p. 265⟩Repentance upon their falling into sin, but think it sufficient, either to plead their infirmity, or slight it over with saying, we are all Sinners, and none without their faults, or a pretence that they allow it not in themselves, though the flesh be too hard for them, and hope that God will not charge it: thus they prevent their deep sorrow, and taking to themselves the due shame for their sins; and think they are as good Christians as any, and God will accept them as well as the best; surely this speaks them presumptuous.
2. They that instead of confessing, do cover their sins, and yet hope to do well enough. And how many are there of these? Such as seek to hide their Sins under excuses, or to justifie themselves by pleas and defences; or that little regard to practice ⟨p. 265⟩Repentance upon their falling into sin, but think it sufficient, either to plead their infirmity, or slight it over with saying, we are all Sinners, and none without their faults, or a pretence that they allow it not in themselves, though the flesh be too hard for them, and hope that God will not charge it: thus they prevent their deep sorrow, and taking to themselves the due shame for their sins; and think they are as good Christians as any, and God will accept them as well as the best; surely this speaks them presumptuous.
3. They that encourage themselves to sin •oldly on account of Gods mercy. Instead of being melted into Godly Sorrow, on consideration that God is so good and gracious, which is the kindly effect of it in the hearts of the Godly, they are emboldened to sin by it: Was there not such a spirit in them?