A66098:362
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. Be very jealous of your own hearts. Ever suspect and be afraid lest they should be deceitful: Blessed is the Man that feareth always, Pro. 28. 26. Peter trusted to his heart, and it deceived him, and so may it be with me. It is the wisdom of a Christian to watch his Soul diligently, looking upon it as a slippery thing, and very ready to steal away from every holy and solemn work, and to deceive him with vain shows, and false pretences: he that trusts it, is not Wise.
2. Be very jealous of your own hearts. Ever suspect and be afraid lest they should be deceitful: Blessed is the Man that feareth alwayes, Pro. 28. 26. Peter trusted to his heart, and it deceived him, and so may it be with me. It is the wisdome of a Christian to watch his Soul diligently, looking upon it as a slippery thing, and very ready to steal away from every holy and solemn work, and to deceive him with vain shewes, and false pretences: he that trusts it, is not Wise.
3. Be sure rightly to understand and clearly to know what it is that you engage in. That Christian is most like to stand firm to his Covenants, that enters upon them with the most mature deliberation: The want of this may bring a Man into a great snare, and lay him open to grievous temptations, Prov. 20. 26. It is a snare to a Man to devour that which is holy; and after vows to make inquiry. Without knowledge there can be no practice; without consideration there can ⟨p. 147⟩be no good resolution. A Man's heart cannot be in that promise which he hath not weighed in his understanding. He that Covenants to forsake that Sin, which he hath a full purpose in his heart to keep and hug as his Darling, how is he like to stand to it? Remember then, that you engage to be for God, and for no other: You give up your selves to be led by his Spirit, directed by his Word, to be at his dispose and not your own; to make his Will your Rule, and his Glory your end. You promise that you will not run in the Current and Stream of the Times in the pursuit of vanity, nor seek your own things, but the things of Christ. In a Word, you promise sincere and universal Obedience: Do you know or consider this? Have you thought, and do you approve of it in your hearts? If not, your hearts are false.