A30345:190
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.
2. That is said to be perfect, which hath obtained an high degree of perfection, not simply, but in comparison of that which is beneath: when a man is so habituated in his course, that he hath attained a facility and constancy in well doing. Children new borne are perfect, that is, entire: but when they be come to ripe age, they are perfect in comparison of themselves as new born babes. But every growth argueth not comparative perfection, but that only which is so great, that it may seem to introduce a new form: or when by long practice a man is so habituated in his course, that he hath attained a facility and constancy in well doing. Children are more ⟨p. 76⟩[…] ⟨p. 77⟩[…] ⟨p. 78⟩perfect then Infants new borne, and Striplings then Children: but they are not said to be perfect, because the growth is but small: but when they are come to ripe age, although as age increaseth much may be added, they may be called perfect, because then1 they have attained as it were a new form. So to be perfect and absolute, the Philosopher doth attribute to men of ripe age. Arist. Hist. Ani. l. 2. cap. 1. de part. Animal. lib. 4. cap. 10. Strong meat (saith the Apostle) belongeth to them that are perfect, or of full age. Heb. 5. 14. those that have left the Rudiments of Christian2 Religion are called perfect, perfect in respect of them that be babes in understanding, and stand in need of milk. 1 Cor. 14. 20. The Law makes nothing perfect. Heb. 7. 19. because it was a rudiment only which was delivered to children, so that he that is seasoned with the knowledge of the Gospel, is perfect in respect of them that be instructed only in the Law. We speak wisdom amongst them that are perfect.