N00263:91
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.
5. In the one a Believer is brought under the Promises, and escaped from the danger of the threatenings: Life is assured him, and Death is removed from him, it saith he shall not dye but live, Rom. 8.3. In Christ, i. e. by a living Faith: in the other a Person is liable to both. vers. 13. Where the Apostle directs his speech to them under the notion and consideration of visible Believers, and so they have a respect to threatenings as well as promises: and the reason is, because in the one the condition is looked upon as fulfilled (being so in part, and the whole undertaken for by Christ) Hence he is escaped the forfeiture: whereas in the other it is considered as a Covenant depending, and to issue according to the carriage of the subject.
5. In the one a Beleever is brought under the Promises, and escaped from the danger of the threatnings: Life is assured him, and Death is removed from him, it saith he shall not dye but live, Rom. 8.3. In Christ, i. e. by a living Faith: in the other a Person is lyable to both. vers. 13. Where the Apostle directs his speech to them under the notion and consideration of visible Beleevers, and so they have a respect to threatnings as well as promises: and the reason is, because in the one the condition is looked upon as fulfilled (being so in part, and the whole undertaken for by Christ) Hence he is escaped the forfeiture: whereas in the other it is considered as a Covenant depending, and to issue according to the carriage of the subject.
Now these are not essential differences, such as should make it two Covenants, but all only such as arise from the Modal dispensation of it: The reason of which different ⟨p. 29⟩dispensation is, because God will gather up His Elect out of the rubbish of the World, in such a way, as shall tend to leave others also inexcusable if they will not come in. Indeed the main reason of this visible dispensation is for the Elects sake, that they may be gathered in a way suiting the nature of a reasonable creature. There are many brought into the visible Covenant that some may be saved of these many. God had rather a thousand should have the Gospel unprofitably, than one chosen Vessel want it. But God doth it also that such as neglect the improving of it unto Salvation, may perish with the greater condemnation, and more triumphant Exaltation of revenging Justice: Hence, not only the Covenant of Works, but the Covenant of Grace too, will have to lay to the charge of all such as for abusing of it,