N00802:778
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 1: Examples of Pardoned Sinners, our Encouragement DOCTRINE I.
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. That this manner of Dispensation continueth to be exemplified in Gods Providence. We have not the same ground of assurance now concerning others, in that we have only their own Testimony, as we have for those recorded in the Book of God; however there is a charitable credit to be given them; yea, we often see so much of God in them, as greatly establisheth our confidence in the thing: how many who have fallen, and God hath put them in trouble, and brought them to the brinks of despair, and yet while they have been seeking God, with confession and repentance, in the name of Christ, they have been lifted up, and received great consolation.
4. All these are for our instruction; and we ought so to improve them. We are told, Rom. 15. ⟨p. 280⟩4. That whatsoever is written, is for our learning. The design of the whole Scripture is one, viz. To enlighten, direct, and help us in the Glorifying of God. Such passages therefore as refer to the dealing of Go• with such as have sought pardon of him, under distress of Conscience, are not merely for our speculation; nor do we rightly use any Scripture History, unless we apply it to our selves, and draw some Lessons from it, to help us in our great business, and that must be suited to the design of it: and no Providences pass before us but we ought to observe them, so as to use them for our advantage.
4. All these are for our instruction; and we ought so to improve them. We are told, Rom. 15. ⟨p. 280⟩4. That whatsoever is written, is for our learning. The design of the whole Scripture is one, viz. To enlighten, direct, and help us in the Glorifying of God. Such passages therefore as refer to the dealing of Go with such as have sought pardon of him, under distress of Conscience, are not meerly for our speculation; nor do we rightly use any Scripture History, unless we apply it to our selves, and draw some Lessons from it, to help us in our great business, and that must be suited to the design of it: and no Providences pass before us but we ought to observe them, so as to use them for our advantage.