A30345:38
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.
The Subject of this Covenant in general is man not differenced by special respects: for as the Law was given, so the Gospel is revealed to man. Man in this or that special consideration is the subject of the Covenant, as it is divided for kinds, or altered for circumstances, and degrees: but man is the subject of the Covenant without such particular considerations. The Lord having respect to the mutability and weakness of mans nature, was pleased, as to try his obedience by Symbolical precepts, so to evidence the assurance of his faithful promise by outward seals: but when the creature shall grow to absolute perfection and unchangeableness, such symbolical precepts and outward seals shall cease as needless. The good promised is eternal blessedness with all good things that do accompany it, or belong thereunto: the good required is obedience to the just and righteous Commandment of God, which he as our Sovereign Lord doth claim and call for, according as he shall prescribe and appoint. The end thereof is the glory of God, viz. the praise of his wisdom, justice and bounty. And in all these things the Covenants howsoever divided in kinds, or varied in degrees and circumstances, do sweetly consent and agree. But seeing the Covenant is not one, but manifold, both in kinds and degrees, we must distinguish it, and weigh more diligently what doth agree to every kind, and wherein they agree, and wherein they differ one from another. Some distinguish thus, the Covenant is either of Nature, or of Grace, or subservient to both, which is called the Old Testament. Others thus, the Covenant is Legal or Evangelical, of works, or of grace. The Covenant of works, wherein God covenanteth with man to give him eternal life upon condition of perfect obedience in his own person. The Covenant of Grace, which God maketh with man promising eternal life upon condition of believing. And this distinction is one for substance with the former: and with that which may be taken from the ⟨p. 9⟩special consideration of the subject with whom it was made, scil. the Covenant made with Adam in the state of Innocency, or with man after the Fall. We read not in Scripture, the Covenant of works, or of grace totidem syllabis: the nearest we come to it is Rom. 3. 27. the Law of works opposed to the Law of faith;
The Subject of this Covenant in generall is man not differenced by speciall respects: for as the Law was given, so the Gospell is revealed to man. Man in this or that speciall consideration is the subject of the Covenant, as it is divided for kinds, or altered for circumstances, and degrees: but man is the subject of the Covenant without such particular considerations. The Lord having respect to the mutability and weaknesse of mans nature, was pleased, as to try his obedience by Symbolicall precepts, so to evidence the assurance of his faithfull promise by outward seales: but when the creature shall grow to absolute perfection and unchangeablenesse, such symbolicall precepts and outward seales shall cease as needlesse. The good promised is eternall blessednesse with all good things that doe accompany it, or belong thereunto: the good required is obedience to the just and righteous Commandement of God, which he as our Soveraigne Lord doth claime and call for, according as he shall prescribe and appoint. The end thereof is the glory of God, viz. the praise of his wisedome, justice and bountie. And in all these things the Covenants howsoever divided in kinds, or varied in degrees and circumstances, doe sweetly consent and agree. But seeing the Covenant is not one, but manifold, both in kinds and degrees, we must distinguish it, and weigh more diligently what doth agree to every kind, and wheein they agree, and wherein they differ one from another. Some distinguish thus, the Covenant is either of Nature, or of Grace, or subservient to both, which is called the Old Testament. Others thus, the Covenant is Legall or Evangelicall, of works, or of grace. The Covenant of workes, wherein God covenanteth with man to give him eternall life upon condition of perfect obedience in his owne person. The Covenant of Grace, which God maketh with man promising eternall life upon condition of beleeving. And this distinction is one for substance with the former: and with that which may be taken from the