N00263:73
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.
Hence it is, that although the Gospel be propounded so in the Covenant of Reconciliation, as to Promise Life upon condition of Believing, yet God in faithfulness doth give to His Elect this Grace of Faith, makes them Believers against their natural Wills, taking away Obstinacy and Infidelity, and so brings them under the Condition by mere Grace, because there is a more ancient Covenant of Grace than the Gospel-Covenant, in which He stands fully and freely obliged thus to do.
Hence it is, that although the Gospell be propounded so in the Covenant of Reconciliation, as to Promise Life upon condition of Believing, yet God in faithfulness doth give to His Elect this Grace of Faith, makes them Beleevers against their naturall Wills, taking away Obstinacy and Infidelity, and so brings them under the Condition by meer Grace, because there is a more ancient Covenant of Grace than the Gospell-Covenant, in which He stands fully and freely obliged thus to do.
2. The one of them is between equals, the other is between Superiors and Inferiors: When I say the first ⟨p. 22⟩was between equals, my meaning is, that both the Parties were equal, and the terms also equal. There was an equality between the Parties, it was a compact made between God the Father and His Fellow, so Christ is called, Zech. 13.7. He counted it no Arrogancy or Injury to be His Compe•r Phil. 2.6. An equality also in the terms, it was a free Covenant on God's Part, He was not at all obliged to it, but did it according to His good pleasure, Col. 1.19. It was Voluntary also on Christ's Part, He did it spontaneously,