A30345:683
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.
If it be said, the Scripture mentioneth some that were worthy1 of their calling or of peace that was offered. That is not to be ⟨p. 326⟩understood of any worthiness of gracious acceptation that can be in a natural man, upon the good use of natural abilities and endowments, but of a further measure of light, which the Lord imparteth to them that are in part enlightened already. He speaketh of the Jews, amongst whom many were godly, but to whom greater light was to be granted, the Messiah being exhibited. He speaks not of the difference betwixt these to be called, and others not to be called effectually, but of the difference between some called already, and such as were of the number of them that were not called. The godly will not deny himself to be a lost sheep, as he had need to be converted more and more▪ If then the subject of Vocation be man a sinner, captive, dead in2 trespasses, then the bound or term from which he is called is the state of life animal, and of sin and misery, because of sin, scil. from guilt and condemnation, from the power and servitude of sin. The term unto which he is called is God, or Christ, righteousness, and Salvation, or eternal life. God the Father in his Son is both the author and the term of Vocation; he of his3 rich grace and mercy in Jesus Christ calleth us to come unto himself, from whom we had strayed and departed. Christ also is the author of Vocation, and the term whereunto the called do come. They are called unto the state of grace and supernatural good, and all spiritual blessings in this life, communion with Christ in whom is the fullness of grace and truth, and the state of glory and consummate fruition of God.
If it be said, the Scripture mentioneth some that were worthy1 of their calling or of peace that was offered. That is not to be ⟨p. 326⟩understood of any worthinesse of gracious acceptation that can be in a naturall man, upon the good use of naturall abilities and endowments, but of a further measure of light, which the Lord imparteth to them that are in part enlightened already. He speaketh of the Jewes, amongst whom many were godly, but to whom greater light was to be granted, the Messiah being exhibited. He speakes not of the difference betwixt these to be called, and others not to be called effectually, but of the difference between some called already, and such as were of the number of them that were not called. The godly will not deny himself to be a lost sheep, as he had need to be converted more and more If then the subject of Vocation be man a sinner, captive, dead in