N00263:43
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. Hence it is requisite that the obligation should be mutual, because this is the only way for men to express fair dealing one with another, and so to be able to uphold a loving compliance: It is the proof of sincerity: deceitful men will give fair words, and make plausible promises; but every honest and well meaning man, will be as willing to be bound as to have another bound to him, and therefore will be as ready, to give as to take security: It is true such proceedings among men arise from the falseness which Man is prone to, which God is a stranger from, and therefore in himself needs not so to be engaged: His Promise is unfailable, but He indulgeth it to the weakness of our Faith.
3. Hence it is requisite that the obligation should be mutual, because this is the only way for men to express fair dealing one with another, and so to be able to uphold a loving compliance: It is the proof of sincerity: deceitfull men will give fair words, and make plausible promises; but every honest and well meaning man, will be as willing to be bound as to have another bound to him, and therefore will be as ready, to give as to take security: It is true such proceedings among men arise from the falseness which Man is prone to, which God is a stranger from, and therefore in himself needs not so to be engaged: His Promise is unfailable, but He indulgeth it to the weakness of our Faith.
4. Hence also (the obligation being mutual) there is no Party in a Covenant that is at liberty, or stands free, but is under engagement: It is not now at his pleasure whither he will do or not do, though before it might be: Yea, God Himself, though a free Agent, and His Grace is free Grace, who might have chosen whither ever He would have come upon any terms with His Creatures; yet acknowledgeth His Covenant-engagement in which He hath bound Himself, and bids us humbly to plead it▪ ⟨p. 10⟩Psal. 74.20. Neither doth this infringe, but enhance the free Grace of God, that He is thus freely bound, who might, without wrong to His Creatures have stood free.