This distinction of the Covenant depends upon a distinction of Gods love; for there is a love of God towards the creature, whence all the good that is in the creature doth flow, and there is a love of God vouchsafed to the creature, and that for those things which it hath received, not of it self, but of God, as it was beloved with that first love. That we may call primary or antecedent (for distinction sake) this secondary or consequent love. From that flows both the making and fulfilling of the Absolute Covenant: on this depends the fulfilling of the Covenant, whereunto a restipulation is annexed, but not the making thereof. For in the Absolute Covenant there is nothing in the creature that might move God, either to promise, or to perform what he hath promised: but in the Covenant to which a stipulation is annexed, God fulfils what he promised, because the creature exhibits what was exacted, although this that God hath entered into such a Covenant, and promised so great things unto him that performed such and such obedience, that wholly proceeds from the antecedent love, and free pleasure of Almighty God. The essence of the Covenant properly consisteth in the Promise and stipulation: But the words of the Covenant contain obedience required of God, and promised of them in Covenant, and so by a Metonymy are called the Covenant. Exod. 34. 27, 28. Deut. 29. 1. Jer. 11. 2, 3, 4. and 34. 13, 14. The Tables of the Law were the Tables of the Covenant. The Covenant and Law differ, as friendship and tables obligatory to friendship: he that violates these, is convinced to break this: Heb. 8. 1, 2. and the tables of the Covenant of Law are called the Covenant or Testament, and the Book of the Covenant. Exod. 24. 4, 7. 2 King. 23. 2. A Covenant is made betwixt men ⟨p. 5⟩of those things, which either were not due before, or were not thought to be due, which are made firm, stable and due by the very Covenant, so that by the Covenant new right is acquired or caused, either to one or both, who Covenant betwixt themselves of any matter. Therefore the Covenant of God doth contain new things, great, and in no wise due, which of his mere pleasure God offers unto us. Now where there is huge and infinite disparity, there can be no assurance of this so great a gift, but the certain Word of God, and the assured Promise of him who doth never lie, nor change.
This distinction of the Covenant depends upon a distinction of Gods love; for there is a love of God towards the creature, whence all the good that is in the creature doth flow, and there is a love of God vouchsafed to the creature, and that for those things which it hath received, not of it selfe, but of God, as it was beloved with that first love. That we may call primary or antecedent (for distinction sake) this secondary or consequent love. From that flowes both the making and fulfilling of the Absolute Covenant: on this depends the fulfilling of the Covenant, whereunto a restipulation is annexed, but not the making thereof. For in the Absolute Covenant there is nothing in the creature that might move God, either to promise, or to performe what he hath promised: but in the Covenant to which a stipulation is annexed, God fulfils what he promised, because the creature exhibits what was exacted, although this that God hath entered into such a Covenant, and promised so great things unto him that performed such and such obedience, that wholly proceeds from the antecedent love, and free pleasure of Almighty God. The essance of the Covenant properly consisteth in the Promise and stipulation: But the words of the Covenant containe obedience required of God, and promised of them in Covenant, and so by a Metonymie are called the Covenant. Exod. 34. 27, 28. Deut. 29. 1. Jer. 11. 2, 3, 4. and 34. 13, 14. The Tables of the Law were the Tables of the Covenant. The Covenant and Law differ, as friendship and tables obligatory to friendship: he that violates these, is convinced to breake this: Heb. 8. 1, 2. and the tables of the Covenant of Law are called the Covenant or Testament, and the Book of the Covenant. Exod. 24. 4, 7. 2 King. 23. 2. A Covenant is made betwixt men ⟨p. 5⟩of those things, which either were not due before, or were not thought to be due, which are made firme, stable and due by the very Covenant, so that by the Covenant new right is acquired or caused, either to one or both, who Covenant betwixt themselves of any matter. Therefore the Covenant of God doth contain new things, great, and in no wise due, which of his meere pleasure God offers unto us. Now where there is huge and infinite disparity, there can be no assurance of this so great a gift, but the certaine Word of God, and the assured Promise of him who doth never lie, nor change.
