N00263:118
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.
And now having discovered the Conditions propounded and required in this Covenant, the question under consideration, viz. What it is to keep Covenant is easily hence answered: To keep Covenant is in general to perform that Obligation we stand in to it; for Man to keep Covenant with God, is for him to perform the conditions of his Covenant. In particular, let us observe that our present discourse refers to the visible dispensation of the Covenant, and our so being related to it, as it stands propounded on God's Part, and at least outwardly acknowledged and submitted to on our Part: The conditions then are all those things which the Gospel calls for at our hands, or prescribes to us as necessary to Salvation: and then to keep Covenant, is,
And now having discovered the Conditions propounded and required in this Covenant, the question under consideration, viz. VVhat it is to keep Covenant is easily hence answered: To keep Covenant is in generall to perform that Obligation we stand in to it; for Man to keep Covenant with God, is for him to performe the conditions of his Covenant. In particular, let us observe that our present discourse referrs to the visible dispensation of the Covenant, and our so being related to it, as it stands propounded on God's Part, and at least outwardly acknowledged and submitted to on our Part: The conditions then are all those things which the Gospel calls for at our hands, or prescribes to us as necessary to Salvation: and then to keep Covenant, is,
1. To believe in Jesus Christ for Life, i. e. for Grace and Glory: to go out of our selves to Him for all, and rely on, or place our hope and trust in Him alone: This every Member and Child of the Visible Church doth ⟨p. 39⟩stand bound or engaged unto, and that upon no less or lower considerations than Salvation and Damnation, Mark, 16.16. In which believing they choose God alone for their Portion, Jesus Christ for their only Redeeming-Mediator, the Spirit for their only sanctifying Leader: They renounce all other vain trust and confidence: They say, Ashur shall not save us, they cast their Idols to Moles and to the Bats. They rest not upon the Works of their own hands, nor hope to receive any thing at the Hands of God for their own sakes: They seek the Glory of God, and give to Him the Honour and Praise due to His Name, they go to Him for all they want, they acknowledge His Mercy and Grace in all they receive, &c. The truth is, it is a large and vast condition to believe, and it is a certain and undeniable truth, that every one in the Visible Church is a Covenant-breaker till he believes, i. e. he falls short of his engagement.