N00263:222
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.
2. That a Believer is to be engaged to his duty, not only by a promise, but also by the precept; it is true the promise is our Encouragement, but the precept is our Rule; in submission to the command therefore he is to go about his Work, and to leave the success of it to Divine dispose, and so doing he performs his duty in Faith: and he that is not acted by this principle, but doth all merely as he thinks it may succeed, is truly mercenary.
2. That a Beleever is to be engaged to his duty, not only by a promise, but also by the precept; it is true the promise is our Encouragement, but the precept is our Rule; in submission to the command therefore he is to go about his Work, and to leave the success of it to Divine dispose, and so doing he performes his duty in Faith: and he that is not acted by this principle, but doth all meerly as he thinks it may succeed, is truly mercenary.
3. There are other Promises which may encourage a Believer in this duty, viz. That if he doth in it Truth and sincerity it shall be accepted and rewarded by God. God will some way or other make him to find that his labour hath not been in vain. The Husband-man is in duty to sow his Seed in Faith; but he is not sure he shall have a good Crop. The Fig-tree may not blossom, though he manures it with care, but this is his encouragement, that in a way of doing duty, God hath said that He will bless him.
3. There are other Prom•ses which may encourage a Beleever in this duty, viz. That if he doth in it Truth and sincerity it shall be accepted and rewarded by God. God will some way or other make him to find that his labour hath not been in vain. The Husband-man is in duty to sow his Seed in Faith; but he is not sure he shall have a good Crop. The Fig-tree may not blossom, though he manures it with care, but this is his encouragement, that in a way of doing duty, God hath said that He will bless him.