A30345:192
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.
but when in the greatest straits, and even in death it self we live and breathe, the power of God doth after a special manner show forth it self, and is perfected in us, that is, doth show it self to be exceeding great, which cannot be conquered or overcome. In the same manner as the Apostle saith, Faith is perfected by works, Jam. 2. 21. not that works do perfect faith, but that faith whilst it brings forth good works, doth manifest how perfect it is: it borroweth not force from works, but in works doth declare what force it hath. Thus the graces of the Spirit are perfected, whilst by the effects it is made manifest how perfect they are.1
but when in the greatest streights, and even in death it selfe we live and breathe, the power of God doth after a speciall manner shew forth it selfe, and is perfected in us, that is, doth shew it selfe to be exceeding great, which cannot be conquered or overcome. In the same manner as the Apostle saith, Fath is perfected by works, Jam. 2. 21. not that works doe perfect faith, but that faith whilest it brings forth good works, doth manifest how perfect it is: it borroweth not force from workes, but in works doth declare what force it hath. Thus the graces of the Spirit are perfected, whilest by the effects it is made manifest how perfect they are.1
3. That is perfect, which is every way absolute and complete, to which nothing is wanting, nothing superfluous: and so the souls of the just are made perfect in Heaven. In the first degree perfection is necessary to salvation, without which we cannot be partakers of the eternal inheritance: in the second and third degree it is to be striven after, though the latter cannot be obtained in this life. The greatest measure of perfection attainable in this present life, is an imperfect perfection: but that imperfection is sin; and therefore though we come short, we must strive forward towards perfection, that we might be perfect hereafter.