N00556:139
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all…
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all our hopes and happiness. Briefly opened and improved. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Three lines from Psalms]
Boston: printed by Benj. Harris over against the Old-Meeting-House, 1693
Chapter 10: The necessity of this Covenant, in order to Mans Salvation.
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.
CHAP. 10. The necessity of this Covenant, in order to Mans Salvation.
IT may be enquired what ground there was for such a Covenant as this? or, what reference Mans Salvation hath to it, and dependence upon it? and the enquiry into this will serve to set forth the Rich Grace of God to man, in those Ancient Thoughts he had for him; and here in general it may be asserted, That there was a necessity for such a Transaction to pass. But that this necessity may be rightly stated; I shall first observe what sort of necessity it is, and then clear it up.
IT may be enquired what ground there was for such a Covenant as this? or, what reference Mans Salvation hath to it, and dependence upon it? and the enquiry into this will serve to set forth the Rich Grace of God to man, in those Ancient Thoughts he had for him; and here in general it may be asserted, That there was a necessity for such a Transaction to pass. But that this necessity may be rightly stated; I shall first obser•e what sort of necessity it is, and then clear it up.
1. A thing may be said to be necessary in a double respect, viz. Absolute and Hypothetical; and there is a great difference between these.