N00263:284
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.
And that is,
1. That they be owned and acknowledged as such, and that not only in their Infancy and Minority by applying the Ordinance of Baptism to them, but also in riper and more grown years. Some there be that acknowledge them not at all to have any visible Covenant relation and interest; if not in Word, yet in effect they deny it; though possibly they may confess it to be ⟨p. 112⟩Parents duty to instruct them that they may be capable of it: But this is plainly Anabaptistical: Others that own them in minority, yet look upon them to grow out of that relation practically, when they grow up to years; but that such as are related, should ordinarily lose this relation any other ways then by a course of discipline, seems a Paradox, and hath been elaborately confuted by many, viz. That any Person should cast himself out. I doubt not but many contrary minded to us, have very good intentions, and are acted by a zeal of Holiness, but that there m•y be a mistake and a misguided zeal in the People of God themselves is not to be doubted; and whither they or we are in an error the day shall discover, mean while, as we believe, so we speak. Many believing Jews in Paul's Time had their doubts and Controversies about Circumcision. But as for those who yield no relation to Children at all; but do account of, and carry it to them as Strangers, under pretence of preserving Holiness in the Churches, let any serious and understanding man judge whether that be a way to propagate Holiness. I cannot but think that the serious & solemn Speech of the Two Tribes and Half, to their Brethren, speaks something to our Times and Churches. Josh. 22.24, 25. If we have not rather done it (viz. built the Altar) for fear of this thing, saying, in time to come your Children might speak unto our Children, saying, What have you to do with the Lord God of Israel? For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, […] children of Reuben, and children of Gad, ye have no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord. It is not in the nature of fallen Man, spontaneously to own and acknowledge God: It is worth our serious thoughts, whether, not to acknowledge our Children to be of the visible People of God, […] not in effect to say they have no part in the