N00263:162
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.
Collect. 1. To take notice of the wondrous kindness and good Will of God exhibited to Men in the Covenant of Reconciliation. The very News of a Covenant between God and fallen Man, is matter of just admiration: And the Matter or Contents of it call the Children of Men to see and adore, viz. That God is in the dispensation of it, Reconciling the World to himself. And there are five things in special, which do serve to illustrate the great kindness of God to the Children of Men in it, viz.
Collect. 1. To take notice of the wondrous kindness and good Will of God exhibited to Men in the Covevant of Reconciliation. The very News of a Covenant b•tween God and fallen Man, is matter of just admiration: And the Matter or Contents of it call the Children of Men to see and adore, viz. That God is in the dispensation of it, Reconciling the World to himself. And there are five things in special, which do serve to illustrate the great kindness of God to the Children of Men in it, viz.
I. If we seriously consider who they be that are the Subjects ⟨p. 56⟩with whom this Covenant is made: There is an Emphasis in that Phrase, Luk. 2.14. Good-Will towards Men, and that is discoverable in many respects. If we Consider.
1. What Man had done to alienate God's heart and good Will from him for ever; who, when God had Created and put him in a glorious Estate, given him an holy Law for his direction; furnished him with his own Image, implanting all needful graces to render his Obedience to that Law feasible, made a good Covenant with him, a Covenant of Life, put all the visible Creation in subjection to him, and promised him all happiness if he would obey him: He, this notwithstanding, wilfully lighted his Law, profaned his Covenant, abused all his Favours, trampled upon his Glory, and set up vile things in his room: how should God have good thought more of such a Creature?