A30345:658
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.
Fourthly, Christ not only as God, but as man hath power above1 every creature: As Mediator he hath received a power imperial over every creature: which is apparent in this, that the Apostle saith, Christ is so placed above all, that all are subject under2 his feet. To me is given all power in Heaven and earth: that is, power whereunto every creature is subject. He speaketh of it as done, because it was immediately to be performed. This person as God, receiving by voluntary dispensation this honour from the Father, that he should in an immediate and appropriate manner execute government over all creatures in heaven and earth; the same person as man participating in this Kingly divine authority, so far that he should instrumentally concur in executing all that judgement which Christ according to his divine nature did principally effect. Though the Father and the Spirit have a right and sovereignty over the creature, yet they do not immediately execute this in such manner as the Son doth, who hath received a right of executing immediately and in a manner appropriate to his person, the sovereign dominion of God over every creature. The Son by voluntary dispensation sent by the Father, did empty himself of exercising and showing forth his right and dominion over every creature: and the Father by voluntary dispensation doth resign to the Son the immediate execution of all power over every creature, till that time that all things be subdued under him. This the Scripture doth lay down, as in regard of earthly powers3 they are subject; for he is ruler of the Kings of the earth. He hath this royal state written on his thigh, as it were King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Rev. 19. 16. That he hath power over the4 Angels is plain, both by the reverence they do him, and their obedience towards him. Every knee boweth unto him, the evil Angels yield signs of subjection, either deceitfully to wrong ends, or by force compelled, though their state is such they cannot do it religiously as the other. And if Christ have power to send forth, dispose of, and employ the Angels, he hath power to take account how that he setteth them about is discharged. The evil Angels could not enter the Swine without his leave, and they are subject to his judgement: when the Saints shall judge the Angels, what power hath Christ himself this way?