N00263:26
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.
The text propounds a great benefit, with a condition: i. e. it tell us that there are great and glorious things to be had with God, and shows us the way in which they are to be enjoyed: and lest any should suppose this to be a legal and not evangelical proposition, let the terms of it be exactly minded, and we shall be satisfied: The promise speaks not of things to be merited, purchased, or earned by us, which are legal terms, but it speaks of Mercy: now the dispensation of everlasting Mercy belongs not to the Covenant of Works, but of Grace: the Covenant of Works hath no mention of Mercy: Besides, wherever any mention is made of favour to fallen Adam's Children, it is of Grace: The first Covenant affords no relief to these. It outreacheth the power of fallen Man to keep that Covenant, and in such a way to obtain the Promise.
The text propounds a great benefit, with a condition: i. e. it tell us that there are great and glorious things to be had with God, and shews us the way in which they are to be enjoyed: and lest any should suppose this to be a legal and not evangelical proposition, let the terms of it be exactly minded, and we shall be satisfied: The promise speakes not of things to be merited, purchased, or earned by us, which are legall terms, but it speaks of Mercy: now the dispensation of everlasting Mercy belongs not to the Covenant of Works, but of Grace: the Covenant of Works hath no mention of Mercy: Besides, wherever any mention is made of favour to fallen Adam's Children, it is of Grace: The first Covenant affords no relief to these. It outreacheth the power of fallen Man to keep that Covenant, and in such a way to obtain the Promise.
cIt is a grand mistake for any to account nothing Gospel, but the New-Testament: Indeed the greatest part of the Old-Testament is Gospel, containing the Gracious Transactions of God with fallen Man: Now wherever such a thing is made mention of, it must needs come under the tenor of the New-Covenant, the first being made weak by the Sin of Man, & no ways able to help him, Gal. 3.21. Which could have given Life▪ viz. to fallen Man. Moreover the scope of this whole Psalm, is evangelical, namely, to represent God to us acting in the application of the mercies of the Covenant of Grace, Pardon, Forgiveness, Pity, tender Care, &c.