N00556:14
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
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 I. An Introduction.
THE Unparalleled and Incomprehensible Love of God to Sinful Man, displayed in the wonderful Affair of his Redemption and Salvation; is the great thing celebrated in the Scriptures; and is that which invites our most frequent, and raised Meditations. Paul therefore prays for his Ephesians, that they, together with all Saints, might be able to comprehend it▪ Eph. 3.17, 18, 19. Nor is there one passage in this whole Transaction, but what is admirable and precious; it being the foundation of our hope to enjoy Eternal Life, who are by Nature Children of Wrath; and but for it, the whole forfeited Race of Adam must have perished hopelessly ⟨p. 2⟩and everlastingly. The Contemplation of this is truly surprising: Time is too short; Eternity but long enough to spend in the Survey of it. This Love is a Fountain which sprang up in, and runs down to Eternity. It never knew a beginning, nor shall ever come to an end.
THE Unparallel'd and Incomprehensible Love of God to Sinful Man, displayed in the wonderful Affair of his Redemption and Salvation; is the great thing celebrated in the Scriptures; and is that which invites our most frequent, and raised Meditations. Paul therefore prays for his Ephesians, that they, together with all Saints, might be able to comprehend it▪ Eph. 3.17, 18, 19. Nor is there one passage in this whole Transaction, but what is admirable and precious; it being the foundation of our hope to enjoy Eternal Life, who are by Nature Children of Wrath; and but for it, the whole forfeited Race of Adam must have perished hopelesly ⟨p. 2⟩and everlastingly. The Contemplation of this is truly surprizing: Time is too short; Eternity but long enough to spend in the Survey of it. This Love is a Fountain which sprang up in, and runs down to Eternity. It never knew a beginning, nor shall ever come to an end.