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…

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.

3. In the speciall matter of the Covenants, and that both in respect of the Promise and stipulation. For the Covenant of Nature promised life, but not righteousnesse: 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 heires of Salvation. That Covenant promiseth life to them that perfectly obey, but not remission or forgivenesse of any, even the least iniquity. But this promiseth forgivenesse of sinnes and life eternall to the penitent sinner believing in Christ, and embracing the free promise of mercy. In that, life eternall 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 beleeves the reward is of Grace. In that God as a Creatour doth exact his right of man pure: but in this as a loving Father he doth offer himselfe to the sinner smitten with the conscience of his sinne. In that, life eternall 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 eternall happinesse and glory in Heaven. In the Covenant of Nature