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…

1. By Depravation: I mean a contemptuous rejection, and casting off the Ordinances, either in Whole or in Part: Some there be that do wholly reject Visible-Ordinances, as things Carnal, and not suited to the spiritual dispensations of Grace in the Days of the Gospel; Men, who (under pretence of holiness, and an extraordinary pitch of perfection) do throw off and trample upon the very means of holiness: Men that ha•e gained too much charity in the World, but are indeed dangerous enemies to the People of God, and subverters of Covenant-duties: Others there be that call some Ordinances in question, either throwing them wholly aside, or, at the least, turning them out of the right order and course. Anabaptism is a dangerous underminer of Gospel-Order and Ordinances. And many there be that account it but a light matter to neglect this or that of Christ's Institutions. Many plead, this is not necessary, and that may be omitted without any danger: A Man may get to Heaven though he be not baptized, or though he never comes to the Lord's Table. But to what end are all these Cavillings and Argumentations used, but to throw an imputation of folly upon the infinite wisdom of Jesus Christ▪ Neither are we to lay out the way to Man's Salvation by the Rule of God's absolute Power, but according to his revealed Will; and God that hath annexed to His Covenant the means of the Gospel as the way of our Duty, will not excuse us from the guilt of the contempt of His Covenant, because we therefore neglected and slighted His Ordinances, because we had a confidence in His Power and Mercy, hoping that He would save us without them. If God were so exact with Moses, that He strictly engaged him to follow the pattern given him in the mount, in all things ⟨p. 99⟩belonging to his house, not omitting to prescribe the number and places of every Pin in the Tabernacle, surely then He will charge breach of Covenant upon all such as dare to mutilate or curtail any of His Gospel-appointments.

1. By Depravation: I mean a contemptuous rejection, and casting off the Ordinances, either in Whole or in Part: Some there be that do wholly reject Visible-Ordinances, as things Carnal, and not suted to the spiritual dispensations of Grace in the Dayes of the Gospel; Men, who (under pretence of holiness, and an extraordinary pitch of perfection) do throw off and trample upon the very means of holiness: Men that hae gained too much charity in the World, but are indeed dangerous enemies to the People of God, and subverters of Covenant-duties: Others there be that call some Ordinances in question, either throwing them wholly aside, or, at the least, turning them out of the right order and course. Anabaptisme is a dangerous underminer of Gospel-Order and Ordinances. And many there be that account it but a light matter to neglect this or that of Christ's Institutions. Many plead, this is not necessary, and that may be omitted without any danger: A Man may get to Heaven though he be not baptized, or though he never comes to the Lord's Table. But to what end are all these Cavellings and Argumentations used, but to throw an imputation of folly upon the infinite wisdome of Jesus Christ Neither are we to lay out the way to Man's Salvation by the Rule of God's absolute Power, but according to his revealed Will; and God that hath annexed to His Covenant the means of the Gospel as the way of our Duty, will not excuse us from the guilt of the contempt of His Covenant, because we therefore neglected and slighted His Ordinances, because we had a confidence in His Power and Mercy, hoping that He would save us without them. If God were so exact with Moses, that He strictly engaged him to follow the pattern given him in the mount, in all things