A30345:109
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. V. Of the Covenant of Promise made with Adam immediately upon his fall.
The Covenant of Promise began immediately upon the fall, and reached unto the coming of Christ in the flesh, which is obscure in comparison of the new Covenant, but in it self receiveth distinction of degrees, according to the several breakings out of it to the dark world, and the growth from several manifestations of God, as was proportionable to the number and qualities of those, who in succeeding ages should take benefit: so that at first being like a young sapling, it grew to be firm, always a fruitful tree. In Scripture it is delivered unto us under these degrees of growth, both in respect of fuller and more clear manifestation, and as we may suppose of numbers that received benefit by it. First, from Adam until Abraham. Secondly, from Abraham until the Covenant made with Israel upon the Mount. Thirdly, from Moses to Christ: which must be subdistinguished: for the Covenant which God did promise to make with Israel and Judah upon the delivery from the North Country, was to exceed the ⟨p. 37⟩former Covenant, which he had made with their Fathers, when he brought them out of Egypt. Jer. 23. 5, 6, 7, 8. The first breaking forth of this gracious and free Promise and Covenant was immediately upon the fall, and is expressed in these words, I will put 1enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed, and her seed: He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Herein God setting down the irrevocable judgement and final overthrow and destruction of Satan, the arch-enemy of his glory, and mans Salvation, Gods fearful dooms-man: into whose power man was now fallen, he proclaimeth his rich grace and mercy towards mankind in Jesus Christ, the woman's seed, who should break the Serpents head. In the malediction of the Serpent is included the greatest blessing of God most merciful towards miserable and wretched sinners. In reference to this gracious ancient Proclamation of mercy the Gospel is called everlasting.