A81214:91
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, take heed of dallying with this Covenant; It is more then serious, a sacred Covenant: it is very dangerous jesting with edge tools; this Covenant is as keen as it is strong. Do not play fast and loose with it, be not in and out with it, God is an avenger of all such, he is a jealous God, and will not hold them guiltless who thus take his name in vain. They who swear by or to the Lord, and swear by Malcham are threatened to be cut off. Zeph. 1. 5. To be on both sides, and to be on no side; neutrality and indifferency differ little, either in their sin or danger.
Thirdly, take heed of dallying with this Covenant; It is more then serious, a sacred Covenant: it is very dangerous jesting with edge tooles; this Covenant is as keen as it is strong. Doe not play fast and loose with it, be not in and out with it, God is an avenger of all such, he is a jealous God, and will not hold them guiltlesse who thus take his name in vaine. They who sweare by or to the Lord, and sweare by Malcham are threatned to be cut off. Zeph. 1. 5. To be on both sides, and to be on no side; neutrality and indifferency differ little, either in their sinne or danger.
Fourthly, above all take heed of Apostatizing from, or an utter desertion of this Covenant. To be deserted of God is the greatest punishment, and to desert God is the greatest sin. When you have set your hands to the plough, do not look back, Remember Lots Wife. Besides the sin, this is, first, extremely base and dishonourable; It is one of the brands set upon those Gentiles, whom God had given up to a reprobate mind, and to vile affections (Rom. 1. 26. 28.) That they were Covenant breakers. And how base is that issue which is begotten between and borne from vile affections and a reprobate mind? Where the parents are such, it is easy to judge what the child must be. Secondly, besides the ⟨p. 32⟩