N00263:147
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. Why God dispenseth these Mercies in way of Covenant?
Ans. Besides the free Sovereign liberty which God challengeth justly of dealing with His Creatures in what way seems most meet to His own good pleasure, which ⟨p. 51⟩is His own Rule, and ought with greatest veneration to be acknowledged by them: This way of Transaction is the best fitted and accommodated to the state of fallen Man; and that,
Ans. Besides the free Soveraign liberty which God chall••geth justly of dealing with His Creatures in what way seems most meet to His own good pleasure, which ⟨p. 51⟩is His own Rule, and ought with greatest veneration to be acknowledged by them: This way of Transaction is the best fitted and accommodated to the state of fallen Man; and that,
1. Because, having been at first placed under a Covenant of Works, he could not so well be delivered from the fears and terrors arising from his apprehended violation of it, and the curses thereby brought upon himself, but by the discoveries of a New Covenant of Grace. If God had not proclaimed a Covenant of Grace, Man would have been held under the tenor of the Law. Adam (now fallen) was under the amazement of that threatening of Death, Cen. 2.17. Nor could he discover any the least glimmerings of Hope till the Covenant-Promise was made known for his encouragement, Gen. 3.15. The Curse denounced came by a Covenant, and therefore the Mercy promised must come in the same way, that it may be every whit as plain and sure to us, for they are only Covenant-Mercies, which are sure Mercies.