A30345:195
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.
God will pass by the imperfections which he espieth in the best service of his children, when once he seeth their hearts to be entire and perfect towards him. Hypocrisy drowneth many excellent graces, and causeth God to take no notice of them: but integrity is so well pleasing to his Majesty, that if it be not shaken, he will ⟨p. 81⟩not see many other infirmities. This is the challenge against the Church of Sardis, I have not found thy works perfect before God. 1David had many imperfections, and did often step aside in the way, but he is not accused to break the whole Law in any thing, save in the matter of Uriah, 1 King. 15. 5. The Holy Ghost hath noted sundry defects in Asa, but addeth this of him by way of conclusion, yet his heart was perfect towards the Lord all his days, 1 King. 15. 14. Contrarily in Jehu, after a large description of many excellent things, it is observed, But Jehu regarded not to walk in the Law of the Lord with all his heart; and so his service in destroying Ahab's house (rewarded with a temporal blessing2 to the fourth generation) was reckoned murder. Hezekiah is bold to pray in behalf of them that came unprepared to the Passover, The good Lord be merciful unto him that prepareth his heart to seek the Lord God, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. An Husband will bear with many aberrations in the behaviour of his Wife, so long as he is persuaded of the entireness of her heart towards him: and so dealeth the Lord with them that fear before him with all their hearts. Great is the excellency, many the privileges of the entire and perfect man. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, 3then he that is perverse in his ways, turning away now on this side, now on that, though he be rich. Integrity advanceth the poor man above the wealthy, and yieldeth him more sound comfort and profit both, then all the riches in the world can. They are blessed that walk in the perfect way: Not they that walk in the way of the Ministry, or of the Magistracy, but indefinitely they which walk in any way allowable by the word, with a perfect heart, be it never so mean or simple, they are blessed. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, whatsoever it be, be it to be the scourer of Channels, drudge in a Kitchen, or to serve in the Galleys.