A30345:452
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.
God is both the Author of this Covenant, and one party confederate. Fathers, we know, seldom frame Indentures, thereby to bind themselves what they will do for their children, if they will be obedient, but by right of Fatherhood they challenge of them their best service: Lords and great personages seldom indent with their free servants what preferment they shall expect after some term of service and attendance, but if they look for reward, they must stand at their courtesy. But our Lord and Master, to whom we owe our selves by right of Creation, who might take advantage against us for former disobedience, is content to undertake and indent with us, and by Indenture to bind himself to bestow great things and incomprehensible upon us, if we will accept his kindness and bind our selves unto him in willing and sincere obedience.
God is both the Author of this Covenant, and one partie confederate. Fathers, we know, seldome frame Indentures, thereby to bind themselves what they will doe for their children, if they will be obedient, but by right of Fatherhood they challenge of them their best service: Lords and great personages seldome indent with their free servants what preferment they shall expect after some terme of service and attendance, but if they look for reward, they must stand at their courtesie. But our Lord and Master, to whom we owe our selves by right of Creation, who might take advantage against us for former disobedience, is content to undertake and indent with us, and by Indenture to bind himself to bestow great things and incomprehensible upon us, if we will accept his kindnesse and bind our selves unto him in willing and sincere obedience.
If you demand a reason of this dealing, none can be given, but the mere grace and rich mercy and love of God. Thus saith the 1Lord God, I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy Names sake. I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant, &c. And ye shall know 2that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the Land of Israel, &c. And there ye shall remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein