N00263:105
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.
4. Whereas Faith is sometimes asserted to be the only Condition required of us in the New-Covenant, it is thus to be understood, viz. Either,
1. That Faith is the only Condition of our Justification, but not so of our Salvation. It is a Condition of our Salvation too, but not only: the Right and Title to Salvation is conferred in Believing, but there is Obedience also requisite in the way to Salvation, Tit. 3.8.
2. That Faith is the only Condition by which we come to have an interest in Christ's suretyship, but not of what is in this suretyship engaged by Christ for us that we shall do. By believing in him, Christ comes to be our acknowledged and actual Surety in the Covenant of Reconciliation, who was our designed and indented Surety in the Covenant of Redemption; but still there is ⟨p. 35⟩something he stands Surety for us in, which is formally to be done by us, though virtually by the influence and efficacy of His Grace: God expects, and Christ promiseth that we should fear Him, and obey Him, and for this He stands bound in the behalf of every Believer; yet the visible Covenant being proposed to us, as well as to Him: Hence, we also stand obliged •o the performance of it: God in it tells us what it is that He expects of as if we hope to enjoy Him, which (though it must be wrought efficiently by His Spirit, yet it) must be formally performed by us, Tit. 2.11, 12.