The Covenant of Grace

Answ. There be saving graces, which do sanctify us unto God our Father: but whether they do make way for Jesus Christ, there proveth a difference: but you may discern the truth of the point. If the Lord do give any saving Qualification before Christ, then the soul may be in a state of Salvation before Christ, and that would be prejudicial unto the grace and truth of Christ; for if there be no name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved, but only Jesus Christ, nor his name, but in a way of fellowship with him, then it will unavoidably follow, that whatsoever saving work there be in the soul, it is not there before Christ be there; it is true, John Baptist was sent to subdue all flesh by a spirit of burning, wch burneth up the Covenant of Abraham, I mean their carnal confidence in it, and all their fruits of righteousness; here were indeed preparations for ⟨p. 54⟩Christ, but these were not saving, they were still Children of wrath, Ye Serpents, ye Generation of Vipers notwithstanding all this; John did indeed dispense poverty of Spirit, and yet though they had received the Holy Ghost, they were not sensible of it, yet the poverty of spirit was there, unto which the Promise was made, but then Jesus Christ was there also, whether they knew it or knew it not, that is not greatly material in this Argument. But if the Kingdom of Heaven was there, Jesus Christ was there first, otherwise it will prove dishonourable unto the name of Christ. Indeed there is a saving preparation before consolation in Christ, and the manifestation of our gracious union with him; but for our first union, there are no steps unto the Altar, Exod. 20. last. But Christ doth prepare his Tabernacle for himself to dwell in.

Answ. There be saving graces, which doe sanctifie us unto God our Father: but whether they doe make way for Jesus Christ, there proveth a difference: but you may discern the truth of the point. If the Lord doe give any saving Qualification before Christ, then the soule may be in a state of Salvation before Christ, and that would be prejudiciall unto the grace and truth of Christ; for if there be no name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved, but onely Jesus Christ, nor his name, but in a way of fellowship with him, then it will unavoidably follow, that whatsoever saving work there be in the soul, it is not there before Christ be there; it is true, John Baptist was sent to subdue all flesh by a spirit of burning, wch burneth up the Covenant of Abraham, I mean their carnall confidence in it, and all their fruits of righteousnesse; here were indeed preparations for