A81214:78
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.
To this I answer in a word, Invisible enemies will ever do us more hurt then visible; and if we cannot deliver our selves from them when they are seen and known, doubtless unseen and unknown they will more easily, though more insensibly devour us. And I verily believe, we have already received more damage and deeper wounds from pretended friends, then from profest and open enemies. The sad stories of Abner and Amasa inform us, That there is no sense against his stroke who comes too near us, who stabs while he takes us aside to speak kindly to us, who draws his sword while he hath a kiss at his lips, and art thou in health my brother, at his tongue. Let us never think our selves stronger because we do not know our weakness, or safer because we are ignorant of our danger. Or that our real enemies and false friends will do us less hurt, because they are less discovered. I do not think that a flock ever fared the better, because the Wolves that were amongst them went in sheeps clothing. Rather will our knowledge be our security, and the discovery which this Covenant makes, help on both our deliverance and our business. For as (possibly) this Covenant may discover those who are faithful to be fewer then was supposed before this strict distinction from others, so it will certainly make them stronger then they were before, by a stricter union among themselves. And this is
To this I answer in a word, Invisible enemies will ever doe us more hurt then visible; and if wee cannot deliver our selves from them when they are seene and knowne, doubtlesse unseene and unknowne they will more easily, though more insensibly devoure us. And I verily beleeve, we have already received more dammage and deeper wounds from pretended friends, then from profest and open enemies. The sad stories of Abner and Amasa informe us, That there is no sence against his stroke who comes too neere us, who stabs while he takes us aside to speake kindely to us, who drawes his sword while he hath a kisse at his lips, and art thou in health my brother, at his tongue. Let us never thinke our selves stronger because we doe not know our weaknesse, or safer because we are ignorant of our danger. Or that our reall enemies and false friends will doe us lesse hurt, because they are lesse discovered. I doe not thinke that a flocke ever fared the better, because the Wolves that were amongst them went in sheeps clothing. Rather will our knowledge be our security, and the discovery which this Covenant makes, helpe on both our deliverance and our businesse. For as (possibly) this Covenant may discover those who are faithfull to be fewer then was supposed before this strict distinction from others, so it will certainly make them stronger then they were before, by a stricter union among themselves. And this is