N00263:102
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. ; [Seven lines from Deuteronomy]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. ; [Seven lines from Deuteronomy]
printed by James Glen, 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.
1. We are here to carry in mind the fore-mentioned distinction, viz. that the conditions propounded in the Gospel are not Antecedent and Meritorious, or so propounded as to be the procuring cause of God's Love and Favour, or of the reward propounded in the Covenant, ⟨p. 33⟩such as were the conditions of the Covenant of Works and these propounded to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption: for whatsoever respected to price and purchase, we must refer it to Christ alone: But they are connex and consequent, only pointing out unto us the way in which the free blessing of Grace is to be obtained by Mankind. Hence, we are utterly to disclaim and oppugn all such Popish Doctrines, as any ways tend to render good Works to be meritorious of the promised good. This is certain, that the different way of propounding one and the same thing, may greatly alter the quality and consideration of it: If Salvation should be of Works as the Cause, it would shut out Grace; but that good Works may be of the things that accompany Salvation, and that necessarily as concomitants, is very well consistent with the free Grace of God, appearing in our Salvation.
1. We are here to carry in mind the fore-mentioned destinction, viz. that the conditions propounded in the Gospell are not Antecedent and Meritorious, or so propounded as to be the procuring cause of God's Love and Favour, or of the reward propounded in the Covenant, ⟨p. 33⟩such as were the conditions of the Covenant of Works and these propounded to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption: for whatsoever respected to price and purchase, we must referr it to Christ alone: But they are connex and consequent, only pointing out unto us the way in which the free blessing of Grace is to be obtained by Mankind. Hence, we are utterly to disclaim and oppugne all such Popish Doctrines, as any wayes tend to render good Works to be meritorious of the promised good. This is certain, that the different way of propounding one and the same thing, may greatly alter the quality and consideration of it: If Salvation should be of Works as the Cause, it would shut out Grace; but that good Works may be of the things that accompany Salvation, and that necessarily as concomitants, is very well consistent with the free Grace of God, appearing in our Salvation.