A30345:738
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.
IN the matter of Salvation it pleased God to deal with man by way of stipulation and promise, and so likewise in his calling to the participation of the Covenant. For though this Vocation be every way free, gracious and absolute, as the Spirit worketh where he listeth, yet in the Gospel, which is the instrument of Vocation, it pleaseth God to propound both the condition, which he requireth, and the promise which he hath made. The promise, as an argument to move us the rather to give our selves unto Christ, and to do what is required. The prescription of what he requireth, as that condition, without which we cannot obtain, and by which most certainly we shall obtain what good is promised. Effectual Vocation on Gods part is the powerful invitation and assured drawing of the weary and thirsty soul unto Christ, that in him it might find refreshing and comfort.
IN the matter of Salvation it pleased God to deale with man by way of stipulation and promise, and so likewise in his calling to the participation of the Covenant. For though this Vocation be every way free, gracious and absolute, as the Spirit worketh where he listeth, yet in the Gospel, which is the instrument of Vocation, it pleaseth God to propound both the condition, which he requireth, and the promise which he hath made. The promise, as an argument to move us the rather to give our selves unto Christ, and to doe what is required. The prescription of what he requireth, as that condition, without which we cannot obtaine, and by which most certainly we shall obtaine what good is promised. Effectuall Vocation on Gods part is the powerfull invitation and assured drawing of the weary and thirsty soule unto Christ, that in him it might finde refreshing and comfort.
The answer on our part, is a free and willing coming unto1 Christ, that in him we might be satisfied; the embracing of Jesus Christ, and lodging him in our bosom. And therefore that ⟨p. 348⟩which first of all receiveth that Vocation, is faith, whereby we believe, that if a man perform the condition, he shall possess the promise, if he come unto Christ, he shall be satisfied: but if he perform not the thing required, he shall not enjoy the promise; he shall not be satisfied, if he drink not the water of life. And not only so, but he shall continue poor, naked, blind, miserable, captive, a prisoner, an alien from the Covenant, and without God in the world: nay, he shall be punished with contrary evils, according to the nature of the Covenant divine, where there is no promise without a commination contrary to it. This faith is grounded upon the free and gracious Covenant, whereby God is pleased to bind himself first unto us, before he bind us unto himself, that his promise might be apprehended as the ground of our faith, upon which we should firmly believe: And upon the