A30345:349
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.
Hence we learn, two things are to be considered in the Covenant, 1. The persons in Covenant according to the external administration, or according to the effectual purpose and internal administration. 2. The good things promised not only temporal, but spiritual. For they are either such as are absolutely necessary to salvation, or such as concern the welfare of a Christian, his peace, joy, cheerful and constant walking with God without offence, and such like. To the first sort, the promises of the Covenant are made sincerely, but conditionally, If they do well they shall be accepted; if they consent and obey, they shall inherit the good things of the Land. To the other being effectually called, all other promises are made absolutely, or at least shall absolutely be made good, because God will give them to do what he requireth. Effectual calling is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. It is wrought freely, effectually, certainly, but when, where and as the Lord will, not conditionally, nor according to promise to this or that person. God promiseth he will preserve his Church, and uphold the seed of David: but to this or that person God hath not promised, that he shall be brought home, or gathered to the flock. The Covenant made presupposeth man called, and taking hold of the Covenant, it doth not promise that he shall be effectually wrought upon, and powerfully drawn to lay hold upon the promise. Faith is the gift of God, which he giveth as ⟨p. 155⟩he pleaseth: but to the believer he assureth all other necessary good things, with continuance in faith, according to his free Covenant.
Hence we learne, two things are to be considered in the Covenant, 1. The persons in Covenant according to the externall administration, or according to the effectuall purpose and internall administration. 2. The good things promised not only temporall, but spirituall. For they are either such as are absolutely necessary to salvation, or such as concerne the welfare of a Christian, his peace, joy, chearfull and constant walking with God without offence, and such like. To the first sort, the promises of the Covenant are made sincerely, but conditionally, If they doe well they shall be accepted; if they consent and obey, they shall inherit the good things of the Land. To the other being effectually called, all other promises are made absolutely, or at least shall absolutely be made good, because God will give them to doe what he requireth. Effectuall calling is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. It is wrought freely, effectually, certainly, but when, where and as the Lord will, not conditionally, nor according to promise to this or that person. God promiseth he will preserve his Church, and uphold the seed of David: but to this or that person God hath not promised, that he shall be brought home, or gathered to the flock. The Covenant made presupposeth man called, and taking hold of the Covenant, it doth not promise that he shall be effectually wrought upon, and powerfully drawne to lay hould upon the promise. Faith is the gift of God, which he giveth as