N00263:183
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.
4. Nothing sooner, or more provokes God then the abusing or not well improving of visible Covenant-privileges. We shall find how God expostulates with Israel in these very terms, Amos, 3.2. Thee only have • known &c. The greater the kindness is that is abused, the greater a provocation it must needs be: Now Covenant-privileges are the best and most excellent Privileges which a People can enjoy. It was the Jews advantage taken notice of by the Apostle, with a ⟨p. 66⟩Note of specialty put upon it, Rom. 3.1, 2. Chiefly, that to them were committed the Oracles of God. And when David had enumerated the sundry favours which God had bestowed upon His People Israel. He sets the peculiar emphasis upon this, Psal. 147. ult. He hath not dealt so with any Nation. It is not so great a Sin to abuse the Common goodness of God, and yet this is to treasure up Wrath, Rom. 2 3.4. These are little and low favours compared with the Gospel and Covenant, in which eternal Life is exhibited, and therefore whatsoever abuse God bears withal, this He cannot away with: If it once com•s to a despising and undervaluing, and not improving of such Mercies, then God cannot hold His Peace, but must declare His displeasure, Deut. 32.6. Do ye thus requi•e the Lord?
4. Nothing sooner, or more provokes God then the abusing or not well improving of visible Covenant-priviledges. We shall find how God expostulates with Israel in these very terms, Amos, 3.2. Thee only have • known &c. The greater the kindness is that is abused, the greater a provocation it must needs be: Now Covenant-priviledges are the best and most excellent Priviledges which a People can enjoy. It was the Jews advantage taken notice of by the Apostle, with a