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…

3. That the ways, and orders, and Ordinances of God's House may be left to them, not depraved or polluted, but pure and entire, according to the Orders of the Gospel, and instructions of Jesus Christ. If we shall through neglect suffer corruptions to creep in in our days, we may expect that they will grow a-pace upon our Posterity. Apostasy hath always been observed to grow much faster than Reformation. There are some public Church duties, which (if practically neglected) when once lost, will hardly be recovered; some evil practices which if once grown into a custom, will soon plead prescription, and not without great difficulty be suppressed: Something of this New-England's experience will attest to, what bickerings, controversies and disputes have been? What oppositions have been broken thorough, in redeeming our Children's interest? And there are many Exorbitances standing at the door, ready to thrust in. The Rule left us by Christ must be stood to, if we will have His Peace, and it will be no little comfort to you when you leave this World, that you leave behind, Religion settled upon the right Basis, and unpolluted; and this will be a good argument of hope that God intends a blessing to succeeding Generations: However, it will afford great peace to your Consciences, that though Religion should dye, decay, suffer in the World, yet you have been true to your Covenant with God; have been faithful observers of it in this your Generation, ⟨p. 117⟩and have done the best to leave it nothing worse than you found it; and can therefore quietly depart out of the World; yea, go hence with a solid hope and grounded expectation, to receive the Promise, and take possession of everlasting Mercies.

3. That the wayes, and orders, and Ordinances of God's House may be left to them, not depraved or polluted, but pure and intire, according to the Orders of the Gospel, and instructions of Jesus Christ. If we shall through neglect suffer corruptions to creep in in our dayes, we may expect that they will grow a-pace upon our Posterity. Apostasy hath alwayes been observed to grow much faster than Reformation. There are some publick Church dutyes, which (if practically neglected) when once lost, will hardly be recovered; some evil practices which if once grown into a custom, will soon plead prescription, and not without great difficulty be suppressed: Something of this New-England's experience will attest to, what bickerings, controversies and disputes have been? What oppositions have been broken thorough, in redeeming our Childrens interest? And there are many Exorbitances standing at the door, ready to thrust in. The Rule left us by Christ must be stood to, if we will have His Peace, and it will be no little comfort to you when you leave this World, that you leave behind, Religion setled upon the right Basis, and unpolluted; and this will be a good argument of hope that God intends a blessing to succeeding Generations: However, it will afford great peace to your Consciences, that though Religion should dye, decay, suffer in the World, yet you have been true to your Covenant with God; have been faithful observers of it in this your Generation,