N00556:71
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 5: Of the Rise of this Covenant, or the Grounds of its being made.
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. 5. Of the Rise of this Covenant, or the Grounds of its being made.
IT now follows, in the next place, that we enquir• ▪ from whence this Covenant had its Rise, or what was the ground of the making of it.
This will be best understood by our careful observing where this Covenant is placed; and that is under the head […] Election and it refers unto the means which were in it Ordained for the accomplishment of it in ⟨p. 31⟩the Salvation of such as were Chosen. In the Decree (as in the prudent purposes of all wise Agents) there is the resolving of the End, and the laying out of the means by which it is to be advanced. These are inseparable in Gods Purposing, but distinguishable in the things purposed. In the Decree we find such a thing as Election, wherein God hath appointed men unto Salvation, and also contrived the way in which he will accomplish it; and to this way doth the Covenant of Redemption appertain: and therefore the •ise of it was the mere good Pleasure of God, to advance the glory of the Riches of his Grace, by the Redemption of his Chosen, and bringing of them to Enjoy Eternal Life ▪ for which end, he appointed his own Son to be the Redeemer, and Indented about it in a free Covenant.
This will be best understood by our careful observing where this Covenant is placed; and that is under the head Election and it refers unto the means which were in it Ordained for the accomplishment of it in