N00263:351
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. Whether you can rationally hope that he will accept of your Covenanting except your hearts be in it. To believe it, is to make him a liar. Did he not of all the Sacrifices challenge the inwards (as the principal Part) for himself? And what doth that signify to us, but that the heart must be his in every service of ours? Did he accept of the plausible, but heartless service of the Jews, Ezek. 33.31? see vers. ult. Did he accept of their fasts, Isa. 58? No, and why not? Only because they were hypocritical and heartless.
2. Whether you can rationally hope that he will accept of your Covenanting except your hearts be in it. To believe it, is to make him a lyar. Did he not of all the Sacrifices challenge the inwards (as the principal Part) for himself? And what doth that signify to us, but that the heart must be his in every service of ours? Did he accept of the plausible, but heartless service of the Jews, Ezek. 33.31? see vers. ult. Did he accept of their fasts, Isa. 58? No, and why not? Only because they were hypocritical and heartless.
3. Whether you can impose upon him and cheat him with an heartless Covenant. Can you kiss your hands, and mean while hide hypocrisy in your hearts, and God not know it? And can he know it, and not bear witness against it? Had you only Man to do withal, you might with many fair words, and deceitful shows invite him to credit and confide in your false and deceitful promises, for Man judgeth according to appearance, but he who searcheth the darkest corner of the Soul, and sees our inside, will not be so imposed upon.
3. Whether you can impose upon him and cheat him with an heartless Covenant. Can you kiss your hands, and mean while hide hypocrisy in your hearts, and God not know it? And can he know it, and not bear witness against it? Had you only Man to do withal, you might with many fair words, and deceitful shews invite him to credit and confide in your false and deceitful promises, for Man judgeth according to appearance, but he who searcheth the darkest corner of the Soul, and sees our inside, will not be so imposed upon.