A30345:122
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.
The promise is, that God will pardon the sins of them that repent unfeignedly, and believe in his mercy: which he doth truly promise to all in Covenant, and effectually bestow upon them that be heirs of the promise. 2. The stipulation is, that they believe in him that justifieth the ungodly, and walk before him in all well-pleasing. This may be gathered, because the promise of forgiveness cannot be received, but by faith, and by faith it is that we overcome the world, and vanquish Satan, the enemy of our souls. Thus we read, that by faith the Elders▪ obtained a good report: and that by faith 1Abel offered unto God a more excellent Sacrifice then Cain: by which he obtained witness that he was righteous: and that by faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death: and that Noah became heir of the righteousness which is by faith: which is an argument sufficient, that they understood how faith was required in this Covenant or promise. And seeing it is the property of faith to work by love, and to be fruitful in all good works, of necessity if faith be commanded, obedience is required, though not as the cause of life, yet as the way to life, and the fruit of faith. If we must believe in God, we must also walk with God, and work righteousness. To whom God gives to believe in him, to them he gives to obey, and do all his Commandments; as he doth to all that be effectually and internally in Covenant with ⟨p. 44⟩his Highness: and of whom he requireth faith in his Promise, of them he exacteth obedience to his Commandment, scil. of all them that be outwardly in Covenant. Thus we find, that by faith Enoch walked with God▪ or walked before God in all wellpleasing. Heb. 11. 5. 6. Gen. 5. 22, 24. And to what end is remission from sin promised, that man set free from the curse of the Law and stroke of revenging justice should wallow in profaneness? No, but that he should serve God in holiness and righteousness all the days of his life.
The promise is, that God will pardon the sinnes of them that repent unfainedly, and believe in his mercy: which he doth truly promise to all in Covenant, and effectually bestow upon them that be heires of the promise. 2. The stipulation is, that they believe in him that justifieth the ungodly, and walke before him in all wel-pleasing. This may be gathered, because the promise of forgivenesse cannot be received, but by faith, and by faith it is that we overcome the world, and vanquish Sathan, the enemy of our soules. Thus we reade, that by faith the Elders obtained a good report: and that by faith