A66098:279
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. Beware of suffering one another in Sin, but in all faithfulness endeavour each others recovery. None so much needs a helping hand to be lent him, as he that is fallen, and it is a main part of that Love which the People of God owe one to another, to be faithful in reproving Sin. If we are not to turn aside from, nor to neglect to help our Neighbour's Ox, and Ass when they are fallen, much less the Soul of our Brother: Not to reprove Sin, when there is need of a reproof, is (if we will credit the interpretation of the Spirit of God) accounted to hate him in our heart, Lev. 19. 17. And I the rather urge this, because this duty seems to be much laid aside: And there are indeed many temptations to neglect it; & yet such is the Condition of the People of God, that they do often stand in need of it: To omit it (then) argues a Spirit either of flattery or cowardice. It is the duty of Christians to be faithful in giving, and candid in taking of reproofs, not (with the Galatians) to count him our Enemy that tells us the truth: But (with David) to take it as a kindness to be faithfully reproved, Psal. 14. 5. It is the way which God hath appointed for our recovery out of Sin, and it is a great Judgment upon a People where there is no Reprover. And not only so, but, not to reprove, is many times interpreted to approve. Moreover, by this means we may prevent a great deal of Sin: Reproofs are like the North-wind which cleanseth the Air, If by reproving we should offend our Brother, it is only his corruption that we ⟨p. 109⟩offend; when His Grace begins to stir, this will blow over, and our fidelity will be gratefully acknowledged. However, if Asa imprison the Prophet, yet he saves his own Soul: This you have promised by Covenant to do: And that you may do it aright and to good effect, Observe these Rules in doing it.
2. Beware of suffering one another in Sin, but in all faithfulness endeavour each others recovery. None so much needs a helping hand to be lent him, as he that is fallen, and it is a main part of that Love which the People of God ow one to another, to be faithfull in reproving Sin. If we are not to turn aside from, nor to neglect to help our Neighbour's Ox, and Ass when they are fallen, much less the Soul of our Brother: Not to reprove Sin, when there is need of a reproofe, is (if we will credit the interpretation of the Spirit of God) accounted to hate him in our heart,