N00263:180
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. That for a People to enjoy all the visible and outward means of Grace and Good, are outward and probationary favours. It is true, the Ordinances and Privileges of the Gospel may in a sense be called spiritual, relating to the end they direct us unto, because they are means guiding and leading us to the enjoyment of ⟨p. 63⟩spiritual good: but yet, in themselves, as they are enjoyed by a visible Church, visibly, they are outward things: i. e. they are separable from, and may be enjoyed without true, inward, saving Grace. A People High in means may be Low in Grace, yea empty of it: Such was Capernaum, Mat. 11.23. Laodicea may be rich, and yet poor, Rev. 3.17. &c. The best manured, and most carefully tended Vineyard, may bring forth wild and sower Grapes, Isa. 5. begin. And as they are outward, so also they are probationary; God tries and proves a People with Gospel-Privileges. It is not sufficient security to a Fig-tree, that because it is planted in the Vineyard, and there carefully manured it shall therefore bear Figs: But the Husband Man comes year after year, to see whither it bears or no, and it is possible that he shall find it barren, though in the Vineyard. So that parable seems to hold forth, Luk. 13.7, 8 God indeed expects Fruit according to his laying out, and that justly, and therefore He comes and looks for it, but it doth not always prove according to His just expectation. Not that God can indeed be frustrated of any of His purposes: but God here speaks after the manner of Men, who are wont to take pains in their Husbandry, with an eye to profit, and therefore observe what In-comes they receive.
1. That for a People to enjoy all the visible and outward means of Grace and Good, are outward and probationary favours. It is true, the Ordinances and Priviledges of the Gospell may in a sense be called spiritual, relating to the end they direct us unto, because they are means guiding and leading us to the enjoyment of ⟨p. 63⟩