A30345:224
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.
In the former overture of the Covenant by Gods appointment they offered sacrifice, which was a type of Christ, and seal of remission ⟨p. 90⟩and propitiation by the blood of Christ, under this expression the same continued: for so we read, that Abraham built1 Altars unto the Lord, and offered sacrifice. But unto this, it pleased God to add other assurances whereby he bound himself to perform the promises which he freely made of his grace, and did establish the faith of Abraham and his posterity. This Covenant God confirmed by federal signs in the segments and fiery lamp. Gen. 15. and then by sacramental signs, as by Circumcision. Gen. 17. which was a seal of promise on Gods part, and an homage or fealty in Abraham and his seed binding them unto the service which God required under the Covenant of grace: and2 therefore the Apostle put this upon them that will use Circumcision after Christ, that they are bound to keep the whole Law, not because Circumcision for the outward act was commanded in the Law, but because it was that homage penny, which tied them to punctual obedience. We may conceive, that God by this Commandment might now prove Abraham's obedience therein, imposing a thing abhorrent to nature, which could not be before sin, because it doth presuppose sin and punishment: And it was a notable pledge of his faith, for if he could believe God in so dangerous and fearful an execution, they might believe him in any other command or promise under the Covenant. Circumcision was not without the shedding of blood, because the Covenant was not yet established in the blood of the Messiah, and that might lead the faithful to the blood of Christ, as assuring the purging away of sin by the same. God could have instituted • Sacrament which might have agreed to both sexes, but of his infinite wisdom, he made choice of that which could have being i• the males only: but the female was accounted as circumcised in the male: and therefore faithful women were the daughters of Abraham,