Selected quad for the lemma: work_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
work_n	ceremonial_a	law_n	moral_a	5,536	5	9.9611	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33104	The National Covenant and Solemn League & Covenant with the acknowledgement of sins, and engagement to duties as they were renewed at Lesmahego, March 3. 1689 with accommodation to the present times : together with an introduction touching national covenants, by way of analysis on the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy, the substance whereof, was delivered in a discourse to the people, on the preparation day, before they were renewed.	Church of Scotland.	1689 (1689)	Wing C4231E; ESTC R40835	72,873	76

the Children of Israel in the Land of Moah beside the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. Whence we may have ground for moving and solving several difficulties Quest 1 I. It may be doubted If Covenanting with GOD especially National be a necessary or expedient Duty approven in the Scriptures Ans The Lawfulness of Oaths Vows and Covenants to for or before GOD will be questioned by none but Quakers and other Enthusiasts or Fanaticks In the Old Test it is here evident the Lord Commanded to enter into this Covenant and Oath v. 1. and 12. And it is never Abrogate in the New Test except in ordinary Communications wherein it was condemned in the Old as well as in the New. And it is so far from being Abrogate that it is Confirmed by the Apostle saying A Mans Covenant once confirmed cannot be disanulled Gal. 3.15 And concerning even Promissory Oaths saying That an Oath for confirmation is an end of all strife Heb. 6.16 Nor can the expediency or the necessity of this Duty be doubted by any who considers the Commands enforcing it the usefulness that the Saints experienced in it for restraining from Sin for Aggravating it in their Humiliations from this consideration That they had Vowed and Covenanted to the contrary for stirting up to the Duties bound upon them by the Law and for encouraging themselves in the h●pe of Pardon for their Short-comings We must not think it is inconvenient to Vow or that it is indifferent to Vow or not Vow It is said indeed Eccles 5.5 Better it is that thou shouldest not Vow than that thou shouldest Vow and not pay But that does not make Vowing either Inconvenien● Inexpedient nor Indifferent or not good simply No more than the Apostles saying 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better not to have known the way of Righteousness than after it is known to turn from it will make knowing the way of Righteousness to be either Inconvenient or Inexp●di●nt or not good simply For Vowing as well as Paying is expressly commanded Psal 76.11 And in some cases especially in necessary things Vowing and Breaking is better than not Vowing and yet B●eaking the Law for the later is two Sins Omission in not Vowing and Commission in Breaking the former only the sin of Breaking the Vow as Mr Durham clears it at large on Command 3. Pag. 135.136 c. 2. As for National Vowing or Covenanting it is evidently approven in Scripture Precepts Promises and Practises Here is a Scripture Precept for it in the Old Test never Abrogated in the New. There are also Promises and these relating to the New Test times not only of Personal but of National Covenanting as Churches and Christian Societies Isa 19.18 21 23. to the end Jer. 50.4.5 Zech. 2.11 And as for Precedents we have very many of National Covenants made and renewed again and again for Preservation and Reformation of Religion Extirpation of false Worship maintaining their Laws Liberties and Government punishing and restraining the Wicked keeping the common Peace and mutual Defence against the common Enemies As here after that in Horeb Israels Covenant is solemnly Sworn under the Conduct of Moses And Renewed by Joshua Josh 24. By Asa 2 Chron. 15.13 14. Jehojadah 2 Kings 11.17 2 Chron. 23.16 Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29 10. Josiah 2 Kings 23.2 2 Chron. 34. Ezra chap. 10.3 Nehemiah chap 9. ult and 10.28 29. Yea alwayes in times of Humiliation and intended Reformation we find they fell about this Duty That the Lord● fierce Wrath might turn away 2 Chron. 29.10 To confirm Israels hope Ezr● 10.1 Nehem. 9. ult As also in the New Testament somewhat like this is hinted at 2 Cor. 8.5 Where the Churches of Macedonia gav● their own selves to the Lord and to the Apostles which at least implie● a Covenant Quest 2 II. It may be questioned What was the Nature of these Covenants at Horeb and of this in Moab and other National Covenant● in Scripture Was it a Covenant of Works or of Grace that was severa● times Renewed And do we stand bound to them as the Israelites them Ans These Covenants as to their Nature were neither the Covenan● of Works nor of Grace formally though matterially partaking o● both They have the same mutual contracting Parties GOD and Man thô here Man is to be considered not in his Abstract Singular Individual or personal Capacity But as a Member of a Community undertaking Vows The same obligations to all the duties of these forementioned Divine Covenants thô here they are to be tak●n as Publick and National Duties in reference to Religion as a publick Interest The same sanctions and certifications of Blessings and Curses here to be understood a● Na ional With respect to the Matter of them in the Old Testament Dispensation they obliged to the observation of the whole Moral Judicial and Ceremonial Law of GOD as it was then calculate to the judaical P●dagogie requiring indeed perfection legal accordding to the Tenor of the Covenant of Works but admitting Repentance and through Faith accepting Perfection Evangelical according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace And in the New Testament Dispensation they oblige to the same observance of the same Laws that are not abolished and of these Ceremonial Institutions of CHRIST that are substitute in the place of the former Pedagogical and Typical Ceremonies calculate to the Meridian of Gospel Light Purity and Simplicity With respect to the End in both Dispensations they had and have the same subserviency to the Covenant of Grace the same with the Law to restrain Sin to manifest it and to lead to CHRIST for Remission of it And with respect to the several sorts of People engaging under these Bonds they were to Believers according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace and to Unbelievers according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Works But as to their Form and Formality they were the Ecclesiastick and National Covenants of the visible Community of the Lords People engaging to be His and to keep His Wayes and Testimonies First Transacted Exod. 19.5 8. Exod. 24.7 8. Renewed here Deut. 29. and several times afterwards Quest 3 III. Another Question is Who may tender or impose it May it be without the Magistrate Here the Magistrate Moses is Authorized to make it But may it be done without him Or when it is so is the obligation of it Binding when the Magistrate or publick Father disalowes or discharges it The reason of the doubt is taken from Numb 30.3 5 8. Where it is said if a Woman in her Fathers house or Husbands vow a Vow unto the Lord and her Father or Husband disallow her not any of her Vows or Bonds wherewith she hath bound her Soul shall stand but shall be made of none effect Ans Justice and Order requires that whoever hath the greatest Influence upon or Authority over the Community should tender the Oath and it belongs indeed to Magistrates to enjoyn it but not so