A66098:347
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. There is no hope that they should long hold out, and keep true to their Covenants, that do not engage in them with their whole hearts. What Men are driven to do upon fear or force, hath no truth in it: Let but that fear be removed, or constraint taken off ⟨p. 140⟩them, and you shall quickly see them returning age• to their old wonts, and forgetting every Promise which they engaged themselves in unto God. A notable instance we have for this in those Jews, Jer. 34. 8. &c. Their hearts were not to the Law and Covenant of God: Hence, though in a hurry and distress, they made vows, and began to put them in execution, yet the present danger was no sooner over, but they tasted sweetness in their old Sins, and impudently returned to them again. Yea, this is the very Reason rendered in our Text, why they so often revolted after so many returns. A thing that moves by the force of weights, will move but till they are down: It must be a living thing, that holds on its motion to the end. Hypocrisy and formality will tyre by the way and give in: It is only Grace in the heart that will carry a Man through his Work.
2. There is no hope that they should long hold out, and keep true to their Covenants, that do not engage in them with their whole hearts. What Men are driven to do upon fear or force, hath no truth in it: Let but that fear be removed, or constraint taken off ⟨p. 140⟩them, and you shall quickly see them returning age• to their old wonts, and forgetting every Promise which they engaged themselves in unto God. A notable instance we have for this in those Jews, Jer. 34. 8. &c. Their hearts were not to the Law and Covenant of God: Hence, though in a hurry and distress, they made vows, and began to put them in execution, yet the present danger was no sooner over, but they tasted sweetness in their old Sins, and impudently returned to them agen. Yea, this is the very Reason rendred in our Text, why they so often revolted after so many returnes. A thing that moves by the force of weights, will move but till they are down: It must be a living thing, that holds on its motion to the end. Hypocrisy and formality will tyre by the way and give in: It is only Grace in the heart that will carry a Man through his Work.