N00263:274
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.
3. By mutual bearing and forbearing. Such is our state in this Life, that there are many unavoidable frailties will discover themselves in our conversation; it is impossible that Christians should have frequent converse together, but now and then they will manifestly discover a dark side, and if we be not ready to bear and cover a multitude of infirmities, we are not ⟨p. 107⟩fit to keep company with Men, nor shall we ever forward one another's Graces: And more especially bear much in what may personally concern our selves: Paul will not readily challenge his Galatians of doing him any injury.
3. By mutual bearing and forbearing. Such is our state in this Life, that there are many unavoidable frailties will discover themselves in our conversation; it is impossible that Christians should have frequent converse together, but now and then they will manifestly discover a dark side, and if we be not ready to bear and cover a multitude of infirmities, we are not ⟨p. 107⟩fit to keep company with Men, nor shall we ever forward one anothers Graces: And more especially bear much in what may personally concern our selves: Paul will not readily challenge his Galatians of doing him any injury.
4. By an holy Emulation. As there is a sinful, so there is an holy strife among Christians, when we do not envy to others their Graces, but when by looking upon them we are the more ashamed of our selves, and are thereby excited to be the more industrious in imitating, and constant in endeavouring to overtake, and if it were possible to out-do them. The Life of a Christian is a Race, and every one there runs with might and main, and counts it his interest and honour to get first to the Goal, &c. Paul in his Epistles often propounds the pattern of one Church to another to the end that he might stir them up to this emulation. Runners are not wont to let others go before them, if they can help it.