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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.
5. Maintain and daily keep in exercise the work of Repentance. Though I know it is dangerous and presumptuous for Men to adventure to Sin, upon hope to make all good again by Repentance (as though a Man should boldly and frequently take poison, because he hath a precious Antidote by him) and indeed such a frame of spirit cannot reign, and rule in a Believer, to whom Sin it self is in its own nature abominable, yet such is the state of fallen Man (though converted) that except they keep the grace of Repentance in continual exercise, they cannot keep Covenant with God. There is no living a life of Gospel obedience without it. The state of Believers in this life is a very imperfect state, in regard of Sanctification, it being but in part or degree, not perfect. there is in a Child of God a great deal of foolishness, by reason of which he often misseth his way, and wandereth from the precept: much weakness which makes him to fall seven times: he stumbles at a small thing that lies in his way: Every difficulty is ready to be an obstacle unto him: Much also of rebellion is in his heart, by reason of that Law which is in his members, which frequently leads him Captive. Hence the wise Man makes that peremptory demand, Who can say, I have made my heart clean, Pro. 20.9. His errors and wanderings are so many ⟨p. 94⟩that [alas!] he cannot know them, Psal. 19.12. Hence hath God in much mercy, accommodated the Covenant of Grace to this imperfect state of His own People, so that a principal part of our keeping Covenant with God, lies in our upholding of the constant exercise of true Repentance. And God in His gracious condescendency is pleased to acknowledge the penitent (though imperfect) Believer to be a Covenant keeper, and though we ought not thereupon to be bold to sin, yet if at any time, through our own frailty, and the subtlety of our own deceitful hearts, we are overtaken, He hath provided Christ to be an Advocate for us, 1 Joh. 2.1. Hence, we find the Gospel-precepts are summarily comprehended in those two words, Repent and Believe, Mark, 1.15. And God hath abundantly promised in His word, that if His People do at any time repent of, and heartily acknowledge and turn from their sinful faults, He will Hear in Heaven, and Pardon, and their Sins shall be in His account, as if they had never been committed.