1. What is a Covenant? It is a contract of mutual peace and good will, obliging parties on both hands to the performing of mutual benefits and offices. Thus was the Covenant betwixt God and Abraham, there was a mutual stipulation in it, on Gods part to perform his promises of temporal, spiritual, and Eternal grace; and on Abraham's part to receive this grace by faith, and to perform due obedience and thankfulness to God. Hence a little nearer, we say the Covenant is a mutual compact, or agreement betwixt God and man, whereby God promiseth all good things, especially Eternal happiness unto man; and man doth promise to walk before God in all acceptable, free, and willing obedience, expecting all good from God, and happiness in God, according to his promise, for the praise and glory of his grace. Others, describing the Covenant of grace (for with the Covenant of works we will not meddle) they give it thus, The Covenant of grace is a free and gracious compact, which God of his mere mercy in Jesus Christ hath made with sinful man, promising unto him pardon of sins and eternal happiness; If he will but repent of sin, and embrace mercy reached forth by faith unfeigned; and walk before God in willing, faithful, and sincere obedience. —In this description many things are considerable. As, 1. That the Author of this Covenant is God; not as our Creator, but as our merciful God and Father in Christ Jesus. 2. That the cause of this Covenant is not any worth, or dignity or merit in man, but the mere mercy, love, and favour of God. 3. That the foundation of this Covenant is Jesus Christ, in and through whom we are reconciled unto God; for since God and man were separated by sin, no Covenant can pass betwixt them, no reconciliation can be expected, nor pardon obtained, but in and through a Mediator. 4. That the party Covenanted with, is sinful man; the fall of our first Parents was the occasion of this Covenant, and God was pleased to permit the fall, that he might manifest the riches of his mercy in mans recovery. 5. That the form of this Covenant stands on Gods part in gracious and free promises of forgiveness, holiness, happiness; and on mans part in a restipulation of such Duties as will stand with the free grace and mercy of God in Christ. 6. That the stipulation on mans part required, is repentance for sin, belief in the promises;
1. What is a Covenant? It is a contract of mutual peace and good will, obliging parties on both hands to the performing of mutual benefits and offices. Thus was the Covenant betwixt God and Abraham, there was a mutual stipulation in it, on Gods part to performe his promises of temporal, spiritual, and Eternal grace; and on Abrahams part to receive this grace by faith, and to performe due obedience and thankfulness to God. Hence a little nearer, we say the Covenant is a mutual compact, or agreement betwixt God and man, whereby God promiseth all good things, especially Eternal happiness unto man; and man doth promise to walk before God in all acceptable, free, and willing obedience, expecting all good from God, and happiness in God, according to his promise, for the praise and glory of his grace. Others, describing the Covenant of grace (for with the Covenant of works we will not meddle) they give it thus, The Covenant of grace is a free and gracious compact, which God of his meer mercy in Jesus Christ hath made with sinful man, promising unto him pardon of sins and eternal happiness; If he will but repent of sin, and embrace mercy reached forth by faith unfeigned; and walk before God in willing, faithful, and sincere obedience. —In this description many things are considerable. As, 1. That the Author of this Covenant is God; not as our Creator, but as our merciful God and Father in Christ Jesus. 2. That the cause of this Covenant is not any worth, or dignity or merit in man, but the meer mercy, love, and favour of God. 3. That the foundation of this Covenant is Jesus Christ, in and through whom we are reconciled unto God; for since God and man were separated by sin, no Covenant can pass betwixt them, no reconciliation can be expected, nor pardon obtained, but in and through a Mediator. 4. That the party Covenanted with, is sinful man; the fall of our first Parents was the occasion of this Covenant, and God was pleased to permit the fall, that he might manifest the riches of his mercy in mans recovery. 5. That the form of this Covenant stands on Gods part in gracious and free promises of forgiveness, holiness, happiness; and on mans part in a restipulation of such Duties as will stand with the free grace and mercy of God in Christ. 6. That the stipulation on mans part required, is repentance for sin, belief in the promises;
