A66098:187
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
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.
Collect. 3. It may instruct us in the Nature and quality of the relation wherein Children stand related to the Covenant: This Enquiry and Consideration, both our Doctrine and Text lead us to: For though I mentioned not Children particularly in the Doctrine, yet they are included in the general expression of it, and distinctly mentioned in the Text, and God bears a respect to them in the outward dispensation of the Covenant of Reconciliation. There are some that wholly exclude their children from the Covenant, others there are who place too much carnal confidence in their relation to it: And many Children too that Cheat themselves upon this account: It is good therefore that they should know both their Privilege and their Danger. The Text puts Parents and Children's Children […] the same relation, and under the same Conditions.
Collect. 3. It may instruct us in the Nature and quality of the relation wherein Children stand related to the Covenant: This Enquiry and Consideration, both our Doctrine and Text lead us to: For though I mentioned not Children particularly in the Doctrine, yet they are included in the general expression of it, and distinctly mentioned in the Text, and God bears a respect to them in the outward dispensation of the Covenant of Reconciliation. There are some that wholly exclude their children from the Covenant, others there are who place too much carnal confidence in their relation to it: And many Children too that Cheat themselves upon this account: It is good therefore that they should know both their Priviledge and their Danger. The Text puts Parents and Childrens Children 〈…〉 the same relation, and under the same Conditions.
I shall endeavour to clear up this Collection by opening three propositions.
Prop. 1. That the Children of Believers are equally interested in the visible Covenant with their Fathers. By Believers I do not only intend those that are such by a true and living Faith, but such also as are so by an open and acknowledged profession of their Faith, for these also in the judgement of Charity are to be acknowledged for true Believers: And it was to such,