N00263:286
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.
Or whether such an expression as that of the Apostle doth not carry more of encouragement in it? Act. 3.25. Ye are the Children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant God made with our Fathers. It is doubtless (let men say or think what they please) some privilege to be Children of the Covenant; there is in it great motive and persuasive to them, although we know that there is none but the Spirit of God is able to make this, or any other argument to be effectual with them for their Conversion and Salvation.
Or whether such an expression as that of the Apostle doth not carry more of encouragement in it? Act. 3.25. Ye are the Children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant God made with our Fathers. It is doubtless (let men say or think what they please) some priviledge to be Children of the Covenant; there is in it great motive and perswasive to them, although we know that there is none but the Spirit of God is able to make this, or any other argument to be effectual with them for their Conversion and Salvation.
2. That they may be made Possessors of the privileges of the Covenant according as they are capable. Doubtless the visible privileges of the Covenant, are not only an Honorarium to the People of God, but they are also (and principally) means appointed and sanctified by God for the begetting and increasing of Faith: And it is one end of God's conferring these privileges upon any of the Children of Men, that His chosen may thereby, in His way, be brought to partake in the invisible. The work of Conversion, since the planting of Churches by Apostles and Apostolical Men, is ordinarily to be expected within, and not out of the visible Church. It is the Church unto whom the Ordinances and Offices are given, 1 Cor. 12.28. And that for all those ends which are there needful: Nor are we to presume, or thereupon to ground the visible Covenant-Interest of Children, upon a presumption that they are born Converted, or have received saving Grace in the womb; since we know that for the most part it is otherwise, and that God has reserved this work to be ordinarily performed by the means instrumentally in such as live and grow up to years of knowledge: Though we believe He doth it in a secret way for those that die in infancy: God gives