A30345:741
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.
And here the doubt touching the precedency of faith and repentance may easily be determined. For if faith be taken largely or generally for a belief of the promise, if we repent and receive it, then faith is before repentance: for there can be no turning without hope of pardon, nor coming home by hearty sorrow, without some expectation of mercy. Thus the Exhortations run, Turn unto the Lord, for he is merciful and gracious. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. But if faith be taken more strictly, for that faith or belief whereby we receive, embrace, or rest upon the promise of God in Christ Jesus for pardon and forgiveness, then repentance goeth before pardon: for no remission is promised to1 be enjoyed but upon condition of repentance; and if the penitent only be immediately capable of pardon, then pardon is received by a penitential faith. If repentance be necessary to Justification, of necessity it must go before justifying faith; because faith and justification are immediately coupled together. It is impossible to come unto Christ without repentance, but to come unto Christ is to embrace or receive him soundly and effectually to the refreshing of the soul. Coming unto Christ is a lively motion of the soul, wherein arising from sin, it draweth nigh or approacheth unto Christ, that in him it might be satisfied. The motion is one, but the points are two. For in drawing nigh unto Christ, the soul ariseth from sin: which may be called repentance. Of the signification of the word, I will move no question at this time: but take repentance for a coming unto Christ by true, godly sorrow, from whom we had formerly departed by sin and wickedness, to the extreme hazard of our souls.
And here the doubt touching the precedency of faith and repentance may easily be determined. For if faith be taken largely or generally for a beliefe of the promise, if we repent and receive it, then faith is before repentance: for there can be no turning without hope of pardon, nor comming home by hearty sorrow, without some expectation of mercy. Thus the Exhortations run, Turn unto the Lord, for he is mercifull and gracious. Repent, for the Kingdome of God is at hand. But if faith be taken more strictly, for that faith or beliefe whereby we receive, embrace, or rest upon the promise of God in Christ Jesus for pardon and forgivenesse, then repentance goeth before pardon: for no remission is promised to1