A66098:253
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.
Now, to the end, that you may order your Repentance aright, take these few Rules.
1. Labour to uphold and strengthen in your hearts a true and genuine hatred of all Sin: This is the great Principle on which true Repentance acts. Our commission of Sin ariseth from our Love and liking of it on our corrupt part: Now Repentance acts in a direct contrariety unto this, and hence it proceeds from hatred of Sin. Repentance is properly a change of the mind and affection. All Self-Justification ariseth from the Complacency which Men have in their sinful ways; hence arise excuses, and diminutive extenuations: And we are not so much afraid of Sin, as of the wrath and punishment which attends it: Whereas, if Sin were in it self hateful to us, we should both avoid ⟨p. 95⟩it with all care as a Man would the biting of a Serpent; and also when at any time we are overtaken, we would loath our selves for it: Let Sin then be exceeding sinful in your esteem, grow more and more out of love with, get therefore more acquainted with the odious nature of it: See how contrary to God's holiness it is, how impure, and what defilement it pollutes the Soul withal.
1. Labour to uphold and strengthen in your hearts a true and genuine hatred of all Sin: This is the great Principle on which true Repentance acts. Our commission of Sin ariseth from our Love and liking of it on our corrupt part: Now Repentance acts in a direct contrariety unto this, and hence it proceeds from hatred of Sin. Repentance is properly a change of the minde and affection. All Self-Justification ariseth from the Complacency which Men have in their sinful wayes; hence arise excuses, and diminutive extenuations: And we are not so much afraid of Sin, as of the wrath and punishment which attends it: Whereas, if Sin were in it self hatefull to us, we should both avoid ⟨p. 95⟩it with all care as a Man would the biting of a Serpent; and also when at any time we are overtaken, we would loath our selves for it: Let Sin then be exceeding sinful in your esteem, grow more and more out of love with, get therefore more acquainted with the odious nature of it: See how contrary to God's holiness it is, how impure, and what defilement it pollutes the Soul withal.