A30345:76
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.
2. In the form of Sanction. In the Covenant of Nature there is no Mediator: but the Covenant of Grace is made in Christ, in whom God hath made us accepted. The Covenant of Nature was not promised before it was promulgated: but the Covenant of Grace was first promised, and long after promulgated and established or ratified in the blood of his Sonne.
2. In the forme of Sanction. In the Covenant of Nature there is no Mediatour: but the Covenant of Grace is made in Christ, in whom God hath made us accepted. The Covenant of Nature was not promised before it was promulgated: but the Covenant of Grace was first promised, and long after promulgated and established or ratified in the bloud of his Sonne.
3. In the special matter of the Covenants, and that both in respect of the Promise and stipulation. For the Covenant of Nature promised life, but not righteousness: but in the Covenant of Grace God promiseth to tread Satan under the feet, and to write his Law in the hearts of them that be heirs of Salvation. That Covenant promiseth life to them that perfectly obey, but not remission or forgiveness of any, even the least iniquity. But this promiseth forgiveness of sins and life eternal to the penitent sinner believing in Christ, and embracing the free promise of mercy. In that, life eternal is promised as the reward of justice: in this, life and glory as the reward of free and rich grace and mercy. To him that worketh, the wages is of debt; but to him that believes the reward is of Grace. In that God as a Creator doth exact his right of man pure: but in this as a loving Father he doth offer himself to the sinner smitten with the conscience of his sin. In that, life eternal and most blessed is promised, but only animal, to be enjoyed in Paradise, or continuance in that good estate wherein he was set at first of the rich bounty of God: but in the other, translation out of ignominy and death into eternal happiness and glory in Heaven. In the Covenant of Nature ⟨p. 26⟩perfect obedience is exacted, so that if there be but the least failing in any jot or title, and that but once, a man can never be justified thereby, nor can the breach be made up by any repentance: But in the Covenant of Grace obedience is required, repentance admitted, and sincerity accepted: If a man sin and go astray, if he return unfeignedly, he shall be received into favour. In the Covenant of Nature obedience and works were commanded as the cause of life and justification: in the Covenant of Grace, Faith is required as the instrumental cause of Remission and Salvation, obedience as the qualification of the party justified, and the way leading to everlasting blessedness. The object of obedience in the Covenant of Nature was God: in the Covenant of Grace God in Christ.