N00263:303
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.
2. By not hearkening or yielding obedience to the institutions of Christ appointed for their good: When by any Sin or scandal they have dishonoured the Name of Christ, they submit not, nor are willing to obey the Rules He hath set down for their humbling and reforming, when they are impenitent and will not hear the Church: Many will acknowledge this to be their Duty, who do yet practically choose rather to stand off and be from under watch and discipline, ⟨p. 123⟩& so debar themselves & posterity, as much as in them▪ lies from visible Privileges: This is also a renouncing, beware of it: Though you cannot by so doing dissolve your Covenant relation, yet you may provoke God to reject and cast you off.
2. By not hearkening or yeelding obedience to the institutions of Christ appointed for their good: When by any Sin or scandal they have dishonoured the Name of Christ, they submit not, nor are willing to obey the Rules He hath set down for their humbling and reforming, when they are impenitent and will not hear the Church: Many will acknowledge this to be their Duty, who do yet practically chuse rather to stand off and be from under watch and discipline, ⟨p. 123⟩& so debar themselves & posterity, as much as in them▪ lyes from visible Priviledges: This is also a renouncing, beware of it: Though you cannot by so doing dissolve your Covenant relation, yet you may provoke God to reject and cast you off.
4. Be much and earnest with God in Prayer that He would afford you His Grace, whereby you may keep Covenant with Him. This is a great Duty incumbent on Children; know therefore that it is no small thing to serve an holy and jealous God: Remember that you are by nature averse and obstinate, your hearts are estranged from God and Christ from the womb: The power to serve God & keep his Commandments is not a gift of Nature, which is all enmity: Supernatural grace is necessary to the doing so great a Work: Faith is the great Covenant-Condition, and that is not of your selves: without this you cannot please God, you cannot keep His Covenant: Nor can you work it in your hearts; it must be wrought by a creating power, and you must go to God for it, it is His gift, and He will be sought to. As long as you live in your unbelief, you do nothing but break your Promise, violate your Covenant, and thereby lay in wrath and condemnation for your selves, except you be converted, you cannot be true to God: See then the sinfulness of your hearts and natures, the impotency that is in you, you are in your natural estate, like Ephraim, unaccustomed to the yoke, bewail it with him, and ask grace,