N00263:313
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.
The Necessity of SINCERITY in Renewing COVENANT.
Psal. 78.37. begin. For their Heart was not right with Him.
The great Affair occasioning this Solemnity, and business we have to attend this day in the presence of God, is to revive, and a-new to ratify the Covenant-engagement in which we stand obliged unto Him: To the end that we may awaken our drowsy, and quicken our slow hearts to a diligence in performing that duty, which (by a natural propensity, and too many insinuating Temptations) we are very prone to neglect. As also that we may enjoy the gracious & favourable presence of God with us, pardoning, owning and accepting of us. That it is a laudable (and often a necessary) practice (as being established by precept, and confirmed by the example of the People of God from ancient Times) is not my present Work to insist upon, it being else-where, and by the labours of another (now made public) sufficiently cleared. The great thing is, that we may so do it as to obtain and not miss of our end: That we may not (instead of ⟨p. 132⟩obtaining a blessing) incense Divine displeasure, and pull down a Curse upon our own heads. My design therefore is, to enter Caution and propound counsel to that purpose (as God shall help) and that by an improvement of these Words; to make way unto which let us only in general take notice of the occasion and intendment of them.