N00263:334
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.
3. That they be strengthened with Holy Purposes and Resolutions to do as they shall Promise and Engage. God regards not bare, empty Promises, But He looks for Performance; and Men must purpose, if ever they intend to do: Every Holy action hath its rise in the Heart, devoting it self to God, and resolving to serve Him. To promise, and never intend to perform, is mere mockery; it is not what we pretend, but what we intend, That God regards. They in Jer. 44. begin. Promised the Prophet fair, they spake like honest and well-meaning Men, let God but direct, and they would do. But this was the furthest thing from their thoughts, they were preoccupied and forestalled with resolutions of their own, and if these should be crossed, they were resolved, and they show it, vers. 16. The Prophet did not speak to their minds: If he had, What obedient Men had they been?
3. That they be strengthened with Holy Purposes and Resolutions to do as they shall Promise and Engage. God regards not bare, empty Promises, But He looks for Performance; and Men must purpose, if ever they intend to do: Every Holy action hath its rise in the Heart, devoting it self to God, and resolving to serve Him. To promise, and never intend to perform, is meer mockery; it is not what we pretend, but what we intend, That God regards. They in Jer. 44. begin. Promised the Prophet fair, they spake like honest and wel-meaning Men, let God but direct, and they would do. But this was the furthest thing from their thoughts, they were preocupied and forestalled with resolutions of their own, and if these should be crost, they were resolved, and they shew it, vers. 16. The Prophet did not speak to their mindes: If he had, What obedient Men had they been?
III. An Heart that is stable and firm to its purposes and promises. Men many times think to do something for God, but a deceitful heart deludes them. Jehu thought to have made a great Reformation, and begins with a notable Zeal, but it tired before it had gone through all its Stages: And what was the Reason, but because his Heart was not firm? It was a good frame David was in, when he said, My Heart is fixed,