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

Thus much I thought meet to say, for the opening of that branch of the Question, How far men unregenerate may be in Covenant, as to their own act.

But the great Question is yet behind, Whether these men be in Covenant with God, as to Gods actual engagement to them: so far as that Gods premise is in force for conveying actual right to them as to the promised blessings? and so whether it be a mutual Covenant, and both parties be actually obliged? And thus I say that wicked men are not in Covenant with God, that is; God is not in Covenant with them: Neither have they any right to the main blessings given by the Covenant, viz. Christ, Pardon, Justification, Adoption, Glory: Nor yet to the common blessings of this Covenant, for they are given by the same Covenant and on the same conditions as the special blessings: So that though they may have right to them at present on the ground of Gods present collation, or trusting them with them (as a servant hath in his Masters stock) yet have they no right by Covenant: For it is Godliness that hath the promise of this life, and of that to come, as being the condition of both; and it is seeking first Gods Kingdom and Righteousness, that is the condition on which other things shall be added to us. The same holds of Church-privileges and Ordinances quoad possessionens not proper to the faithful.

But the great Question is yet behind, Whether these men be in Covenant with God, as to Gods actual engagement to them: so far as that Gods premise is in force for conveying actual right to them as to the promised blessings? and so whether it be a mutual Covenant, and both parties be actually obliged? And thus I say that wicked men are not in Covenant with God, that is; God is not in Covenant with them: Neither have they any right to the main blessings given by the Covenant, viz. Christ, Pardon, Justification, Adoption, Glory: Nor yet to the common blessings of this Covenant, for they are given by the same Covenant and on the same conditions as the special blessings: So that though they may have right to them at present on the ground of Gods present collation, or trusting them with them (as a servant hath in his Masters stock) yet have they no right by Covenant: For it is Godliness that hath the promise of this life, and of that to come, as being the condition of both; and it is seeking first Gods Kingdom and Righteousness, that is the condition on which other things shall be added to us. The same holds of Church-priviledges and Ordinances quoad possessionens not proper to the faithfull.