The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

CHAP. XV.

Of the Covenant of Works.

Of the Couenant of Workes.

THE whole Doctrine of Righteousness in¹ the several parts and branches of it, hath hitherto been declared, which is indeed the perfect rule & directory of all duties whatsoever, which either we owe to God, or to our brethren for his sake. Now if a man shall ask but what good cometh to us by the keeping of these Commandments? This, if there were no more, is abundantly sufficient, that God is thereby glorified. So as if it were possible (which notwithstanding cannot be) that doing his will, we should perish everlastingly, yet ought we as cheerfully, and with as ready minds to obey, ⟨p. 223⟩as if we were to gain Heaven by it. But see the exceeding bounty and goodness of God, that will not have us serve him for nought. He is pleased for the perfect keeping of his Law, and the Righteousness by him enjoined, not only to promise a recompense of reward, but to contract and covenant with us, and under certain conditions, as it were, to bind himself unto it, which is the same that we call the Law or Covenant of works; the first Covenant that ever God made with his Creatures. The sum whereof is in few words, He ^bthat doth these things, shall live by them. As on the other side, ^cCursed is every one that continueth not in all the things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them. For this Covenant requireth works done by the strength of Nature, and according to the Law of our Creation, answerable to Gods Justice, the express Image whereof is in the Moral Law: And therefore the nature of Men and Angels, beautified in their first Creation with Holiness, and the light of Gods Law written in their heart, is the ground and foundation of this Covenant: for otherwise it could not have stood with the Justice of God, to require these things at their hands, unless the Law of GOD had been stamped and signed in them, and their nature made holy and pure, able by Creation to do the same.