A66098:125
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. That we do constantly repair to Christ for His strength to help us, and that solely relying upon His Grace to give us favour and acceptance with God, and ultimately resolving all our hopes, not into our own, but His Righteousness. This is that which we are engaged and required to do in the New-Covenant, and if we do not this, let our Obedience be never so specious, it is still reputed but legal, and so becomes worthless. Sense of our own infirmity disabling us from doing duty perfectly, ought not to discourage us from endeavouring to do it sincerely, but its use is to teach us this Lesson, that since our strength is not in our selves, but in another, we ought to go out of our selves and repair unto Him. All the Grace and Strength of Jesus Christ is ⟨p. 42⟩exhibited and proffered in the Covenant for the help of a Believer in performing of his duty, and here appears the Work of Faith in quickening and enlivening of Obedience, that it enables us to rely upon this Strength of Christ for our help, and (having placed our hope here) in this confidence to set about our duty: And now, having cast our selves upon Christ to go on in it with courage, not being dismayed for its imperfection, but leaving it with Him to render the Services we do acceptable with His Father, looking to have our Prayers and Performances offered, not by themselves, but with his sweet incense: And hence, when we have thus by the grace of God done our duty, we are to have no confidence in the worth and merit of our Obedience, to purchase ought of favour and happiness for us; but to acquiesce (in the way of Obedience) only in the Righteousness of Christ, Phil. 3. 8, 9.
4. That we do constantly repair to Christ for His strength to help us, and that solely relying upon His Grace to give us favour and acceptance with God, and ultimately resolving all our hopes, not into our own, but His Righteousness. This is that which we are engaged and required to do in the New-Covenant, and if we do not this, let our Obedience be never so specious, it is still reputed but legall, and so becomes worthless. Sense of our own infirmity disabling us from doing duty perfectly, ought not to discourage us from endeavouring to do it sincerely, but its use is to teach us this Lesson, that since our strength is not in our selves, but in another, we ought to go out of our selves and repair unto Him. All the Grace and Strength of Jesus Christ is