N00263:154
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.
Observe then,
2. That they are also Conditional in the Visible and Ministerial dispensation of the Covenant of Reconciliation. The Gospel according to the tenor in which it is published unto Men, makes proffers of these Mercies to none, nor engageth them by Promise unto any, but upon Terms, which all those that will enjoy them must subscribe, and perform. Neither can any Gospel Minister in Christ's Name, give unto any Man the least assurance of enjoying the promised Mercy, but upon these Terms. We cannot say unto any Man in particular, positively, and without any limitation you shall be saved. All that we can say to them is, If you believe, you shall be saved: If you be faithful to Death you shall receive a Crown of Life; nor can we conclude the good estate of any, further than we discover in them, such things as accompany salvation; on which grounds we may hope well of some Men, but we can say no more of any, though they be admitted never so near unto God invisible enjoyment of the privileges of the Gospel. Paul himself could say no more to his Romans, Rom. 8.13. nor to any of the Churches whom he directed his Epistles unto. The Apostles wrote and spake to those whom they knew to be visible Believers, as to such for whom they had Charity, and yet as to such whom they did not know, but that (many of them) might in the day of Revelation be found really unbelievers, except they were by special Revelation made to understand other ways of some ⟨p. 54⟩particulars, we therefore can Preach Salvation but Conditionally.
2. That they are also Conditionall in the Visible and Ministerial dispensation of the Covenant of Reconciliation. The Gospell according to the tenor in which it is published unto Men, makes profers of these Mercyes to none, nor engageth them by Promise unto any, but upon Termes, which all those that will enjoy them must subscribe, and performe. Neither can any Gospell Minister in Christ's Name, give unto any Man the least assurance of enjoying the promised Mercy, but upon these Termes. We cannot say unto any Man in particular, positively, and without any limitation you shall be saved. All that we can say to them is, If you believe, you shall be saved: If you be saithfull to Death you shall receive a Crown of Life; nor can we conclude the good estate of any, further than we discover in them, such things as accompany salvation; on which grounds we may hope well of some Men, but we can say no more of any, though they be admitted never so near unto God invisible enjoyment of the priviledges of the Gospell. Paul himself could say no more to his Romans,