A30345:347
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 9: Of the Covenant that God made with David.
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 this Covenant therefore the internal efficacy and outward administration is to be distinguished: or some things are absolutely promised, or if upon condition so as God will make good the condition; others are conditionally promised, so as they take not effect, because the condition was not made good. In the first sense, God promised a Son to David, who should sit upon his throne, and build an house unto the Lord God of Israel: He promised also to establish his throne for ever: but that took not effect in Solomon, but in Christ, who came of the loins of David, and in whose hand the spiritual Kingdom was established for ever-more. I will establish thy seed for ever; and I will build thy 1throne from generation to generation. If you seek for corporal succession in the stock of David, it failed together with the Kingdom: but this eternity is to be found in Christ, who builded a ⟨p. 153⟩Kingdom, that shall never fade; an heavenly and spiritual Kingdom, which shall not cease, before things that are in Heaven do perish and vanish away, that is, never; not earthly and corporal, which is subject to change and alteration. In this sense2 David saith, This was all his Salvation, and all his desire, although he made it not to bud, that is, he rested in this alone, that God would effect and make good his promise; not for their righteousness, (for Davids house was not such as it ought, kept not Covenant with God) but for his great names sake. In the second sense many things were promised, which never took effect, and yet God is faithful and true, because the condition was broken. To the spiritual house of David, so to speak, was promised pardon of sin, adoption, comfort, joy, and an heavenly inheritance; all this was made good, for God freely called them by his Spirit, and by his power kept them by faith unto Salvation. Though the house of David lost the Kingdom and government in Israel, yet God preserved his posterity until Christ came, in whom the throne of David was established for ever: for this was absolutely promised. But the temporal glory of Davids house, and the peace of Israel was changed, because they changed the ordinances, neglected the charge, and brake the Commandments of God. If his sons forsake my Law, and walk not in my 3