A66098:204
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.
2. Though the Word may be preached to the Heathen, yet it is committed to the Church or Covenant People of God, Rom. 3. 2. It is a depositum that God put into their hands, a gift of God's favour which He hath given His Church possession of.
Quest. But it may then be demanded, why then do you not admit all the Children of Believers to all the Ordinances? If they be theirs, wrong is done them by debarring them of their Right.
Quest. But it may then be demanded, why then do you not admit all the Children of Beleevers to all the Ordinances? If they be theirs, wrong is done them by debarring them of their Right.
Answ. That any of the Children of the Covenant, being adult, do not enjoy all the Ordinances, is their own fault in a great measure: The Door of the House of God stands open unto them, and if they are willing to come in to it, and are regularly fit for it, there is no reason they should be prohibited; nay, all encouragement ⟨p. 74⟩is, or ought to be set before them, that they may, according to our Saviours manner of expression, be compelled to come in, i. e. By the force of argument and persuasion. Thus we see it is a great privilege to have a Title to the Ordinances, for all that is needful to eternal Salvation, as to means, is therein afforded them. The Word Preached is a perfect Rule, able to make the Man of God so, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. The Sacraments administered have abundance of grace in them, and afford great relief and strength to the Souls of those who know how to make use of them. The Church censures are Medicinal, and appointed by God. For healing and not for destruction.