N00263:4
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.
To the READER.
THE Doctrine of the Covenant, however full of grace, and light, and glory, hath occasioned, as deep Enquiries, so Disputes, and variety of Apprehensions, and that too among men both godly and learned, yea, that have been eminently so. True it is, that in Principles which do more nearly concern the foundation, or that relate to the substantials of the Covenant, Orthodox Writers are of the same Judgment; and their Circumstantial differences have caused the light of Truth to break forth with a greater brightness and glory, Ex collisione Ingeniorum fit scintilla Veritatis. There are very judicious bDivines, who in their Discourses of the Covenant of Grace, take it in a more strict sense, for the same with that Covenant of Mercy, which the Elect-believing World is the proper subject of. Others (and those who have been great ⟨image ?⟩cLights in the Church of God) under the Covenant of Grace, comprehend the Covenant of Redemption. Those glorious & blessed Transactions, which have from the days of Eternity, passed between the Father and the Son, concerning the Redemption of lost Sinners, are, (though Decrees & purposes) by the Scriptures held forth, and expressed unto us, in a Covenant-way. The Lord Christ, is the Prince Head, and Mediator of the everlasting Covenant; He is the great Patentee, with whom that heavenly Charter is confirmed, and established for ever. Indeed, the Covenant of Redemption in respect of Christ is rather of Works, than of Grace, his obedience being every way perfect & meritorious; but as it relates to us, it is a Covenant of Grace; since it was from Infinite grace in the blessed God, that He hath given his Son to be a Surety for Sinners, and that as to those whom Christ hath Undertaken for, He accepts of the obedience of another, without requiring Personal satisfaction according to the Rigour