A30345:28
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
A TREATISE OF THE Covenant of GRACE. › Chapter 1: Of the significations of the word Covenant.
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.
THE word translated Covenant, some derive1 of another that signifies to choose, or to eat; because usually they had a feast at making of Covenants: or it is a thing which two choose, and of which they mutually agree and promise betwixt themselves: although the word be used, when one alone doth promise with a simple promise, and so it may be referred to the Testamentary disposition. Others derive it of a root that importeth to cut, divide or smite:2 which being joined to the word Covenant, signifieth to make or strike covenant or agreement. Gen. 15. 18.3 In the same day the Lord made a Covenant with Abraham. Jer. 34. 18. They have not performed the words of the ⟨p. 2⟩Covenant, which they had made before me. Psal. 83. 5. They are confederate against thee, Psal. 89. 3. I have made a Covenant with my chosen. But else where to promise, appoint or ordain, 2 Chron. 7. 18. As I have promised (or ordained, or covenanted) with David thy Father. And so in the new Testament, the word used by the Septuagint doth signify (Luk. 22. 29) And I appoint unto you a Kingdom. Erasm. Ego dispono vobis regnum. Beza, Ego paciscor. Sir. Ego polliceor. And amongst all Nations, Covenants were established by the oblation of Sacrifice: Example beyond all exceptions, we have in that Sacrifice, wherein God made a Covenant with the people of Israel, and bound them to the obedience of his Law: whence it is also called a Covenant of Salt, that is, perpetual; either, because salt expels corruption, or rather, because salt was used in Sacrifices; as if it had been said, a Covenant being stricken, and such ceremonies used, as are ordinary in making Covenants. Amongst the Greeks also, that it was most usual, appears not only by infinite examples, but by common phrases, as [Greek or Hebrew], which is as much as to swear the Sacrifice being slain, or to establish a Covenant. And in Homer, Iliad. 3. [Greek or Hebrew], that is, bringing or bearing those things, which were necessary in performing an Oath, or making a Covenant. The word Covenant or testamental bond or league, which hath in Hebrew the signification of brotherly or friendly parting, and of explaining the conditions of agreement; The Greek Interpreters do frequently and almost perpetually render by [Greek or Hebrew], a testament or disposition,