Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…

The [Covenant] is sometime taken for Gods part alone, sometime for our part alone, sometime for both conjunct, even for a mutual Covenanting. As it is taken for Gods act, it signifieth 1. Either some absolute promise of God, made 1. Either to Christ concerning men, or on their behalf (and so the elect may be said to be in Covenant before they are born, because Christ hath a promise that they shall be saved, and the non-elect are in Covenant before they are born, because Christ hath a promise of some good to them.) 2. Or to men themselves: And that is either 1. Common, or 2. Peculiar to some. 1. Common: as the promise made to fallen mankind that a Saviour should be sent to Redeem them. The promise made to the people of Israel that the Messiah should be of ⟨p. 59⟩them according to the ••esh, and personally live among them, and preach the Gospel to them. The promise made to Noah and the world, that the earth should no more be drowned with water: The promise of preaching the Gospel to all Nations (which is common, though not absolutely universal:) the promise of a Resurrection to all the world, and that they shall be judged by Christ the Redeemer, and (at least those that heard the Gospel) on the terms of the new Law, and not on the mere rigorous terms of the Law of entire nature: the promise of a fuller and clearer promulgation and explication of the Law of grace, when Christ should come in the flesh: the promise of a fuller measure of the Spirit to be poured out, for Miracles to confirm the Christian Doctrine to the beholders, hearers and actors; that there shall be a Ministry Commissioned to Disciple and Baptize all Nations, maintained to the end of the world (which gives Ministers right and authority to Baptize them;) and if there be any other the like promise of the means necessarily anteceding faith. Thus far many thousands that are unregenerate, and non-elect, may be said to be in Covenant, that is under these promises. 2. Some of these absolute promises are peculiar to some: as to one Sex (though common as to that Sex) as the mans superiority: to one Age: to one Degree in order of nativity (as to the elder brother to have some superiority over the younger, Gen. 4.7.) to one Nation, as to the Israelites were made many peculiar promises;

The [Covenant] is sometime taken for Gods part alone, sometime for our part alone, sometime for both conjunct, even for a mutual Covenanting. As it is taken for Gods act, it signifieth 1. Either some absolute promise of God, made 1. Either to Christ concerning men, or on their behalf (and so the elect may be said to be in Covenant before they are born, because Christ hath a promise that they shall be saved, and the non-elect are in Covenant before they are born, because Christ hath a promise of some good to them.) 2. Or to men themselves: And that is either 1. Common, or 2. Peculiar to some. 1. Common: as the promise made to fallen mankinde that a Saviour should be sent to Redeem them. The promise made to the people of Israel that the Messiah should be of