A81214:39
The nature, solemnity, grounds, property, and benefits, of a sacred covenant. Together with the…
The nature, solemnity, grounds, property, and benefits, of a sacred covenant. Together with the duties of those who enter into such a covenant. Delivered in a sermon at Westminster, at the public convention, (ordered by the Honourable House of Commons) for the taking of the Covenant, by all such, of all degrees, as willingly presented themselves, upon Friday, Octob. 6. 1643. By Joseph Caryl, preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inn.The nature, solemnity, grounds, property, and benefits, of a sacred covenant. Together with the duties of those who enter into such a covenant. Delivered in a sermon at Westminster, at the publique convention, (ordered by the Honourable House of Commons) for the taking of the Covenant, by all such, of all degrees, as willingly presented themselves, upon Friday, Octob. 6. 1643. By Ioseph Caryl, preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincolnes-Inne.
London: printed by E.G. for John Rothwell, 1643
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Thirdly, enquire diligently at your own hearts, whether they come up indeed to the terms of this Covenant. You must bid high for the honour of a Covenanter, for a part in this privilege. Which of you (saith our Lord Christ to his hearers, Luke 14. 28. intending to build a Tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it, begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. We are met this day to lay the foundation of one Tower, and to pull up the foundation of another; we are pulling up the foundation of Babels Tower, and we are laying a foundation for Scions Tower. We have seen some who have heretofore done as much, but they have done no more, when they had laid a foundation for those noble works in taking a solemn ⟨p. 11⟩Oath and Covenant, they have never moved a hand after either to build or to pull down, unless it were quite cross to their own engagements, for the pulling down of Scions Tower, and the building of Babylon.
Thirdly, enquire diligently at your owne hearts, whether they come up indeed to the tearmes of this Covenant. You must bid high for the honour of a Covenanter, for a part in this priviledge. Which of you (saith our Lord Christ to his hearers, Luke 14. 28. intending to build a Tower, sitteth not downe first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it, begin to mocke him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. We are met this day to lay the foundation of one Tower, and to pull up the foundation of another; wee are pulling up the foundation of Babels Tower, and we are laying a foundation for Sions Tower. We have seene some who have heretofore done as much, but they have done no more, when they had laid a foundation for those noble works in taking a solemne ⟨p. 11⟩Oath and Covenant, they have never moved a hand after either to build or to pull downe, unlesse it were quite crosse to their owne ingagements, for the pulling downe of Sions Tower, and the building of Babylone.