A66098:151
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.
2. Because hereby, not only Salvation it self, but the way to the attaining of it, is also made plain and clear. If God had only made it known, or declared that he would save by Might, and by Power a number of fallen Adam's Progeny, there might indeed have been some general and languishing hope afforded to particular Men and Women, but it had been upon very weak and uncertain grounds; nor could their hopes have been able to balance their fears; their state of Misery being certain and evidently demonstrable, but their happiness (at least) but in a remote probability. But when God not only reveals Salvation to be provided, but publisheth the way in which it is to be attained, and certainly enjoyed: Now the People of God have an argument, and an evidence, and a clear manifestation of the particular love of God to them. Now all this is done in the way ⟨p. 52⟩of a Covenant, in which there are Terms, Propositions, and Conditions. Thus it is that we come to be ascertained, not only that a number shall be saved, but who they be: They are here Characterized to us: and now Man knows what he hath to stand to, how to erect his hopes, and confirm them: By this way there comes to be a very fair intelligence between God and his Creatures, Isa. 1. 16. with 19, 20.
2. Because hereby, not only Salvation it self, but the way to the attaining of it, is also made plain and clear. If God had only made it known, or declared that he would save by Might, and by Power a number of fallen Adam's Progeny, there might indeed have been some generall and languishing hope afforded to particular Men and Women, but it had been upon very weak and uncertain grounds; nor could their hopes have been able to ballance their fears; their state of Misery being certain and evidently demonstrable, but their happiness (at least) but in a remote probability. But when God not only reveals Salvation to be provided, but publisheth the way in which it is to be attained, and certainly enjoyed: Now the People of God have an argumenr, and an evidence, and a clear manifestation of the particular love of God to them. Now all this is done in the way ⟨p. 52⟩of a Covenant, in which there are Termes, Propositions, and Conditions. Thus it is that we come to be ascertained, not only that a number shall be saved, but who they be: They are here Characterized to us: and now Man knows what he hath to stand to, how to erect his hopes, and confirm them: By this way there comes to be a very fair intelligence between God and his Creatures,