A66098:117
Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shown the connection…Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shewn the connexion…
Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shown the connection which there is between the promise, on God's part; and duty, on our part, in the covenant of grace as it was delivered in several sermons, preached in order to solemn renewing of covenant. By Samuel Willard teacher of a church in Boston in New-England.Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shewn the connexion which there is between the promise, on God's part; and duty, on our part, in the covenant of grace as it was delivered in several sermons, preached in order to solemn renewing of covenant. By Samuel Willard teacher of a church in Boston in New-England.
printed by James Glen for Samuel Sewall, 1682
Discourse › Pages 1-60: Covenant-Keeping the way to Blessedness.
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.
4. It is to be considered, that in the Act of Believing, the Soul doth not only give it self up to Christ as the high Priest of his Reconciliation, but also as his Prophet, and his King, to be taught and to be ruled by Him, as one that knows he hath not skill or power to order and direct his own ways: And this is properly that Obedience of Faith which Jesus Christ (when He receives the Believer into this Relation) undertakes to maintain and carry on in him. The Soul by Believing makes it sure that Christ shall be his Helper, to supply him with all ⟨p. 38⟩that Grace whereby he may do all that which the Covenant requires of him: Hence, though we have Security from Christ to help us, yet this engagement of His takes not away the quality of a Condition from our duty: Only shows us whither we must go, and where our dependence must be, if ever we hope to live as God's Covenant-People, who of our selves can do nothing.
4. It is to be considered, that in the Act of Believing, the Soul doth not only give it self up to Christ as the high Priest of his Reconciliation, but also as his Prophet, and his King, to be taught and to be ruled by Him, as one that knows he hath not skill or power to order and direct his own wayes: And this is properly that Obedience of Faith which Jesus Christ (when He receives the Beleever into this Relation) undertakes to maintain and carry on in him. The Soul by Believing makes it sure that Christ shall be his Helper, to supply him with all ⟨p. 38⟩that Grace whereby he may do all that which the Covenant requires of him: Hence, though we have Security from Christ to help us, yet this engagement of His takes not away the quality of a Condition from our duty: Only shewes us whither we must go, and where our dependance must be, if ever we hope to live as God's Covenant-People, who of our selves can do nothing.
If any shall (this notwithstanding) think it more fit and proper to call this Obedience, rather a Covenant-Command, than a Condition, I shall not be eager to dispute of terms, provided this one thing be granted, which cannot without opposing the truth be denied, viz. That it is a part of the Gospel-way, necessary to Salvation (i. e. Necessitate Praecepti & medii) beside, or beyond which interpretation, I do not understand or urge the notion of a Condition in the Gospel-Covenant.