A66098:294
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.
1. The main errand which brought your Fathers into this Wilderness, was not only that they might themselves enjoy, but that they might settle for their Children, and leave them in full possession of the free, pure, and uncorrupted liberties of the Covenant of Grace. They have made this Profession openly to the World: yea, let reason speak, and say, what else was there which could have tempted them to come into a Land which was not sown, leaving the pleasant enjoyments of a good Land, and of which many of them had a good share, running through so many hazards, wrestling with so many hardships, not expecting (and it would have seemed vain and presumptuous to have expected) any worldly advantage, or likelihood of any other compensation for such expenses as they were at, and difficulties they broke through, but only this? And if ⟨p. 118⟩this were the Portion they thought worth so much that they might have it to leave them, it concerns you to mind and regard it. It was their love to your Souls that embarked them in this design, and it will be horrible ingratitude in you to slight it. You cannot neglect God's Covenant, but you do withal cast reflections upon, and greatly undervalue; yea, and despise that work, which will be New-England's Glory, and was so signally owned and abetted by God's providence in the day of it; and will be unworthy heirs of your Father's Estates, if you do not prosecute their begun designs.
1. The main errand which brought your Fathers into this Wilderness, was not only that they might themselves enjoy, but that they might settle for their Children, and leave them in full possession of the free, pure, and uncorrupted libertyes of the Covenant of Grace. They have made this Profession openly to the World: yea, let reason speak, and say, what else was there which could have tempted them to come into a Land which was not sown, leaving the pleasant enjoyments of a good Land, and of which many of them had a good share, running through so many hazards, wrestling with so many hardships, not expecting (and it would have seemed vain and presumptuous to have expected) any worldly advantage, or likelyhood of any other compensation for such expences as they were at, and difficultyes they broke through, but only this? And if ⟨p. 118⟩this were the Portion they thought worth so much that they might have it to leave them, it concerns you to mind and regard it. It was their love to your Souls that embarked them in this designe, and it will be horrible ingratitude in you to slight it. You cannot neglect God's Covenant, but you do withal cast reflections upon, and greatly undervalue; yea, and despise that work, which will be New-England's Glory, and was so signally owned and abetted by God's providence in the day of it; and will be unworthy heirs of your Father's Estates, if you do not prosecute their begun designs.