A30345:225
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.
It was also a sign of the Circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of Christ, without which the rite did commend no man to God. Deut. 10. 16. which Circumcision of the heart is promised of God as his grace. Deut. 30. 6. and is fulfilled in Christ,1 C•l. 2. 10, 11. Phil. 3. 3. And it was a seal of the Covenant, and ⟨p. 91⟩so of all the promises made therein concerning things temporal to the seed and posterity of Abraham, as they stood in reference to the Covenant of Grace. All that were outwardly circumcised, were not partakers of the spiritual blessings promised, yet was not Circumcision altogether unprofitable unto them: but as they were within the Covenant, so did Circumcision seal unto them the blessings of the Covenant. If they were externally in Covenant only and by profession, it confirmed the promises of the earthly Canaan and some other outward things whereof they were partakers: If they were internally and effectually in Covenant, it confirmed the highest blessings unto them, which they obtained by faith. It appears then, that all are not in Covenant after one manner, nor do all that be in Covenant, equally partake of the same blessings: they that be outwardly in Covenant partake the outward and basest part of the Covenant, they that be truly in Covenant obtain the bighest: but what blessings soever they enjoy, they are given according to the Covenant of Grace, and not of works, given of free bounty to them that yield but partial and feigned obedience, and not merited by their works. But of this more at large in the next Chapter.
It was also a signe of the Circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of Christ, without which the rite did commend no man to God. Deut. 10. 16. which Circumcision of the heart is promised of God as his grace. Deut. 30. 6. and is fulfilled in Christ,