The Marrow of Modern Divinity

Evan. No indeed, God did not renew it with them now, and not before, because they were better able to keep it, but because they had more need to be made acquainted what the covenant of works is, then those before: for though 'tis true, the Ten Commandments which were at first perfectly written in Adams heart, were much obliterated by his fall, yet some impressions and relics thereof still remained, and Adam himself was very sensible of his fall,¹ and the rest of the fathers were holpen by traditions,² And (saith Cameron) God ⟨p. 43⟩did speak to the Patriarchs from heaven, yea and he spake unto them by his Angels. But now by this time sin had almost obliterated and defaced the impressions of the Law written in their hearts,³ and by their being so long in Egypt, they were so corrupted, that the instructions and ordinances of their fathers were almost all worn out of mind, and their fall in Adam was almost forgotten, as the Apostle testifieth, saying,⁴ Before the time of the Law sin was in the world, yet did they not impute it to themselves, because there was no Law. Nay in that long course of time betwixt Adam and Moses, men had forgotten what was sin; so that although God had made a promise of blessing to Abraham, and to all his seed that would plead interest in it, yet these people at this time were proud, and secure, and heedless of their estate; and though sin was in them, and death reigned over them, yet they being without a law to evidence this sin and death unto their consciences, they did not impute it unto themselves, they would not own it nor charge themselves with it, and so by consequence found no need of pleading the promise made to Abraham; Therefore the Law entered, that Adams offence,⁵ and their own actual transgression might abound. So that now the Lord saw it needful that ⟨p. 44⟩there should be a new edition and publication of the covenant of works, the sooner to compel the elect unbelievers to come to Christ the promised seed, that the grace of God in Christ to the elect believers might appear the more exceeding gracious; so that you see the Lords intention therein was, that they by looking upon this Covenant, might be put in mind what was their duty of old, when they were in Adams loins,⁶ yea, and what was their duty still, if they would stand to that covenant, and so go the old and natural way to work:

Evan. No indeed, God did not renew it with them now, and not before, because they were better able to keep it, but because they had more need to be made acquainted what the covenant of works is, then those before: for though 'tis true, the Ten Commandements which were at first perfectly written in Adams heart, were much obliterated by his fall, yet some impressions and reliques thereof still remained, and Adam himself was very sensible of his fall,¹ and the rest of the fathers were holpen by traditions,² And (saith Cameron) God ⟨p. 43⟩did speak to the Patriarchs from heaven, yea and he spake unto them by his Angels. But now by this time sin had almost obliterated and defaced the impressions of the Law written in their hearts,³ and by their being so long in Egypt, they were so corrupted, that the instructions and ordinances of their fathers were almost all worne out of mind, and their fall in Adam was almost forgotten, as the Apostle testifieth, saying,⁴ Before the time of the Law sin was in the world, yet did they not impute it to themselves, because there was no Law. Nay in that long course of time betwixt Adam and Moses, men had forgotten what was sin; so that although God had made a promise of blessing to Abraham, and to all his seed that would plead interest in it, yet these people at this time were proud, and secure, and heedlesse of their estate; and though sin was in them, and death raigned over them, yet they being without a law to evidence this sin and death unto their consciences, they did not impute it unto themselves, they would not own it nor charge themselves with it, and so by consequence found no need of pleading the promise made to Abraham; Therefore the Law entred, that Adams offence,⁵ and their own actuall transgression might abound. So that now the Lord saw it needfull that ⟨p. 44⟩there should be a new edition and publication of the covenant of works, the sooner to compell the elect unbeleevers to come to Christ the promised seed, that the grace of God in Christ to the elect beleevers might appeare the more exceeding gracious; so that you see the Lords intention therein was, that they by looking upon this Covenant, might be put in mind what was their dutie of old, when they were in Adams loines,⁶ yea, and what was their dutie still, if they would stand to that covenant, and so go the old and naturall way to work:

1. 1Rom. 2.15
2. 2In M. Bolton, p. 371.
3. 3Bullinger, come. plac.Bullinger, com. plac.
4. 4Rom. 5.1•
5. 5Rom. 5.2•
6. 6Pembl. •ind. fid. p. 155.

yea, and hereby they were also to see what was their present infirmity in not doing their duty, that so they seeing an impossibility of obtaining life by that way of works, first appointed in Paradise, they might be humbled, and more heedfully mind the promise made to their father Abraham, and hasten to lay hold on the Messiah or promised seed.

yea, and hereby they were also to see what was their present infirmitie in not doing their duty, that so they seeing an impossibilitie of obtaining life by that way of workes, first appointed in Paradise, they might be humbled, and more heedfully minde the promise made to their father Abraham, and hasten to lay hold on the Messiah or promised seed.

Nom. Then, Sir, it seemeth that the Lord did not renew the Covenant of works with them, to the intent that they should obtain eternal life by their yielding obedience to it.

Nom. Then, Sir, it seemeth that the Lord did not renew the Covenant of workes with them, to the intent that they should obtaine eternall life by their yeelding obedience to it.

1. 1Bolton, […] bound. •.132, 158.Bolton, 〈…〉 bound. •.132, 158.
2. 2Reinolds on the use of the Law,
3. 3D. Willet on Exo. 10
4. 4Pembl. vind. fid. p. 154.
5. 5Gal. 3.19. Reynolds on the use of the law

Nom. Then, Sir, it should seem that the covenant of works was added to the covenant of grace, to make it more complete.

Nom. Then, Sir, it should seem that the covenant of works was added to the covenant of grace, to make it more compleat.

Evan. ¹O no, you are not so to understand the Apostle, as though it were added by way of ingrediency,² as a part of the covenant of grace, as if that covenant had been incomplete without the covenant of works, for then the same covenant should have consisted of contradictory materials, and so it should have overthrown it self; for, saith the Apostle, If it be by grace, then is it no more of works, ³otherwise grace is no more grace; But if it be of works, then is it no more of grace, otherwise work is no more work. But it was added by way of subserviency and attendance, the better so advance and make effectual the covenant of ⟨p. 47⟩grace; so that although the same covenant that was made with Adam, was renewed on mount Sinai, yet I say still it was not for the same purpose; for this was it God aimed in making the covenant of works with man in innocency,⁴ to have that which was his due from man. But God made it with the Israelites for no other end, than that man being thereby convinced of his weakness, might fly to Christ; so that it was renewed only to help forward and introduce another, and a better covenant, and so to be a manuduction unto Christ, viz. to discover sin, to waken the conscience, and convince them of their own impotency, and so to drive them out of themselves to Christ. Know it then, I beseech you, that all this while there was no other way of life given either in whole, or in part, then the covenant of grace: all this while God did but pursue the design of his own grace, And therefore was there no inconstancy either in Gods will, or acts; only such was his mercy, that he subordinated the covenant of works,⁵ and made it subservient to the covenant of grace and so to tend to evangelical purposes.

Evan. ¹O no, you are not so to understand the Apostle, as though it were added by way of ingrediency,² as a part of the covenant of grace, as if that covenant had been incompleat without the covenant of works, for then the same covenant should have consisted of contradictory materials, and so it should have overthrown it self; for, saith the Apostle, If it be by grace, then is it no more of works, ³otherwise grace is no more grace; But if it be of works, then is it no more of grace, otherwise work is no more work. But it was added by way of subserviencie and attendance, the better so advance and make effectuall the covenant of ⟨p. 47⟩grace; so that although the same covenant that was made with Adam, was renewed on mount Sinai, yet I say still it was not for the same purpose; for this was it God aimed in making the covenant of works with man in innocencie,⁴ to have that which was his due from man. But God made it with the Israelites for no other end, than that man being thereby convinced of his weaknesse, might flie to Christ; so that it was renued only to help forward and introduce another, and a better covenant, and so to be a manuduction unto Christ, viz. to discover sin, to waken the conscience, and convince them of their own impotencie, and so to drive them out of themselves to Christ. Know it then, I beseech you, that all this while there was no other way of life given either in whole, or in part, then the covenant of grace: all this while God did but pursue the designe of his own grace, And therefore was there no inconstancie either in Gods will, or acts; only such was his mercy, that he subordinated the covenant of works,⁵ and made it subservient to the covenant of grace and so to tend to evangelicall purposes.

1. 1Ibid.
2. 2Marshal, Infants-baptism.Marshal, Infants-baptisme.
3. 3Rom. 11.6
4. 4Bolton, true boun. p. 157.
5. 5Reynolds on the use of the law.

Nom. But yet, Sir, me thinks it is somewhat strange, that the Lord should put them upon doing the Law, and also promise them life for doing, and yet never intend it.

Evan. Though he did so, yet did he neither require of them that which was unjust, nor yet dissemble with them in the promise; for the Lord may justly require perfect obedience at all mens hands, by virtue of that Covenant which was made with them in Adam, and if any man could yield perfect obedience to the law, both in doing and suffering, he should have eternal life; for we may not deny,¹ saith Calvin, but that the reward of eternal salvation belongeth to the upright obedience of the law, but God knew well enough that the Israelites were never able to yield such an obedience,² and yet he saw it meet to propound eternal life to them upon those terms,³ that so he might speak to them in their own humour, as indeed it was meet, for they swelled with mad affiance in themselves,⁴ saying, All that the Lord commandeth we will do, and be obedient. Well said the Lord, If you will needs be doing,⁵ why, here is a law to be kept, and if you can fully observe the righteousness of it, you shall be saved, sending them of purpose to the law, to awaken and convince them, to sentence and humble them, and to make them see their own folly in seeking for life by that way; in short,⁶ to make them see the terms under which they stood, that so they might be ⟨p. 49⟩brought out of themselves, and expect nothing from the Law, in relation to life, but all from Christ; for how should a man see his need of life by Christ,⁷ if he do not first see that he is fallen from the way of life? And how should he understand how far he hath strayed from the way of life, unless he do first find what is that way of life? Therefore it was needful that the Lord should deal with them after such a manner, to drive them out of themselves, and from all confidence in the work of the Law; that so by faith in Christ they might obtain righteousness and life. And just so did our Saviour also deal with that young expounder of the Law, Matth. 19.16. who as it seemeth was sick of the same disease, Good Master (saith he) What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? He doth not (saith Calvin) simply ask, which way,⁸ or by what means he should come to eternal life, but what good he should do to get it;

Evan. Though he did so, yet did he neither require of them that which was unjust, nor yet dissemble with them in the promise; for the Lord may justly require perfect obedience at all mens hands, by vertue of that Covenant which was made with them in Adam, and if any man could yeeld perfect obedience to the law, both in doing and suffering, he should have eternall life; for wee may not deny,¹ saith Calvin, but that the reward of eternall salvation belongeth to the upright obedience of the law, but God knew well enough that the Israelites were never able to yeeld such an obedience,² and yet hee saw it meet to propound eternall life to them upon those termes,³ that so hee might speake to them in their owne humor, as indeed it was meet, for they swelled with mad affiance in themselves,⁴ saying, All that the Lord commandeth we will doe, and be obedient. Well said the Lord, If you will needs be doing,⁵ why, here is a law to be kept, and if you can fully observe the righteousnesse of it, you shall be saved, sending them of purpose to the law, to awaken and convince them, to sentence and humble them, and to make them see their own folly in seeking for life by that way; in short,⁶ to make them see the termes under which they stood, that so they might bee ⟨p. 49⟩brought out of themselves, and expect nothing from the Law, in relation to life, but all from Christ; for how should a man see his need of life by Christ,⁷ if he do not first see that he is fallen from the way of life? And how should hee understand how farre hee hath strayed from the way of life, unlesse he doe first finde what is that way of life? Therefore it was needfull that the Lord should deale with them after such a manner, to drive them out of themselves, and from all confidence in the worke of the Law; that so by faith in Christ they might obtaine righteousnesse and life. And just so did our Saviour also deale with that young expounder of the Law, Matth. 19.16. who as it seemeth was sick of the same disease, Good Master (saith he) What shall I doe that I may inherit eternall life? He doth not (saith Calvin) simply ask, which way,⁸ or by what meanes hee should come to eternall life, but what good he should doe to get it;

1. 1Instit. p. 157.
2. 2Pembl. vind. fid. p. 164.
3. 3Instit. p. 159.
4. 4Exod. 19.8
5. 5Pembl. ibid.
6. 6Bolton, true bounds, p. 22.
7. 7Call Instit.Cal Instit.
8. 8Institut. pag. 402.

whereby it appears, that he was a proud Justitiarie, one that swelled in fleshly opinion that he could keep the Law and be saved by it, therefore he is worthily sent to the Law to work himself weary, and so see need to come to Christ for rest. And thus you see that the Lord to the former promises made to the Fathers,¹ added a fiery Law which he gave from mount Sinai in thunder and lightning, and with a terrible ⟨p. 50⟩voice to the stubborn and stiff-necked Israel, whereby to break and tame them, and to make them sigh and long for the promised Redeemer.

whereby it appsares, that he was a proude Iustitiarie, one that swelled in fleshly opinion that he could keep the Law and be saved by it, therefore hee is worthily sent to the Law to worke himself weary, and so see need to come to Christ for rest. And thus you see that the Lord to the former promises made to the Fathers,¹ added a fierie Law which he gave from mount Sinai in thunder and lightning, and with a terrible ⟨p. 50⟩voice to the stubborne and stiff-necked Israel, whereby to break and tame them, and to make them sigh and long for the promised Redeemer.

1. 1Walker on the Covenant, page 155.

Ant. And, Sir, did the Law produce this effect in them?

Evan. Yea indeed did it, as it will appear. If you consider that although before the publishing of this Covenant, they were exceeding proud and confident of their own strength to do all that the Lord would have them do; yet when the Lord came to deal with them, as men under the Covenant of works,¹ in showing himself a terrible Judge, sitting on the throne of Justice, like a mountain burning with fire, summoning them to come before him by the sound of a trumpet, yet not to touch the mountain without a mediator;² they were not able to endure the voice of words, nor yet to abide that which was commanded,³ insomuch as Moses himself did fear and quake, and they did all of them so fear and fright, shake and shiver, that their peacock feathers were now pulled down. This terrible show, wherein God gave his Law on mount Sinai, did represent the use of the Law; there was in the people of Israel that came out of Egypt a singular holiness,⁴ they gloried and said, We are the people of God, we will do all ⟨p. 51⟩that the Lord commandeth. Moreover Moses sanctified them, and bad them wash their garments, refrain from their wives, and prepare themselves against the third day, there was not one of them but he was full of holiness; The third day Moses bringeth the people out of their tents to the mountain, in the sight of the Lord, that they might hear his voice: what followed then? Why, when they beheld the horrible sight of the Mount, smoking and burning, the black clouds and the lightnings flashing up and down in this horrible darkness, and heard the sound of the trumpet blowing long, and waxing louder and louder, they were afraid, and standing afar off, they said not to Moses as before, All that the Lord commandeth we will do; but talk thou with us, and we will hear, but let not God talk with us lest we die: so that now they saw they were sinners, and had offended God, and therefore stood in need of a Mediator to negotiate peace, and entreat for reconciliation between God and them, and the Lord highly approved of their words, as you may see, Deut. 5. where Moses repeating what they had said, adds further;

Evan. Yea indeed did it, as it will appear. If you consider that although before the publishing of this Covenant, they were exceeding proud and confident of their owne strength to doe all that the Lord would have them doe; yet when the Lord came to deale with them, as men under the Covenant of works,¹ in shewing himselfe a terrible Judge, sitting on the throne of Justice, like a mountaine burning with fire, summoning them to come before him by the sound of a trumpet, yet not to touch the mountaine without a mediatour;² they were not able to endure the voice of words, nor yet to abide that which was commanded,³ insomuch as Moses himselfe did feare and quake, and they did all of them so feare and fright, shake and shiver, that their peacock feathers were now pulled downe. This terrible shew, wherein God gave his Law on mount Sinai, did represent the use of the Law; there was in the people of Israel that came out of Egypt a singular holinsse,⁴ they gloried and said, We are the people of God, wee will doe all ⟨p. 51⟩that the Lord commandeth. Moreover Moses sanctified them, and bad them wash their garments, refraine from their wives, and prepare themselves against the third day, there was not one of them but he was full of holinesse; The third day Moses bringeth the p•ople out of their tents to the mountain, in the sight of the Lord, that they might heare his voice: what followed then? Why, when they beheld the horrible sight of the Mount, smoaking and burning, the blacke clouds and the lightnings flashing up and downe in this horrible darknesse, and heard the sound of the trumpet blowing long, and waxing louder and louder, they were afraid, and standing afar off, they said not to Moses as before, All that the Lord commandeth wee will doe; but talke thou with us, and we will heare, but let not God talk with us lest wee die: so that now they saw they were sinners, and had offended God, and therefore stood in need of a Mediatour to negotiate peace, and intreat for reconciliation betweene God and them, and the Lord highly approved of their words, as you may see, Deut. 5. where Moses repeating what they had said, adds further;

1. 1Dixon. on the Hebr.
2. 2Heb. 12.19, 20.
3. 3B. Babing. on Gen. 20.
4. 4Luther O• Gal. p. 153.

The Lord heard the voice of your words when ye spake to me, and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words ⟨p. 52⟩of this people, which they have spoken unto thee, they have well said all that they have spoken, ¹to wit, in desiring a Mediator: Where I pray you take notice, that they were not commended for saying, All that the Lord commandeth we will do, (No saith a godly Writer) they were not praised for any other thing,² then for desiring a Mediator: Whereupon, the Lord promised Christ unto them, even as Moses testifieth, saying, The Lord thy God shall raise up unto thee a Prophet like unto me from among you, even of your brethren, ³unto him shall you hearken, according to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the Assembly, when thou saidest, Let me hear the voice of the Lord my God no more, nor see this great fire any more that I die not: and the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I command him. And to assure us that Christ was the Prophet here spoken of, he himself saith unto the Jews, If ye had believed Moses,⁴ ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. And that this was it which he wrote of him, the Apostle Peter witnesseth, Acts 3.22. and so doth the Martyr Stephen, Acts 7.37. Thus you ⟨p. 53⟩see, when the Lord had by means of the covenant of works made with Adam, humbled them, and made them sigh for Christ the promised seed, he renewed the promise with them, yea, and the covenant of grace made with Abraham.

The Lord heard the voyce of your words when yee spake to mee, and the Lord said unto mee, I have heard the voyce of the words ⟨p. 52⟩of this people, which they have spoken unto thee, they have well said all that they have spoken, ¹to wit, in desiring a Mediatour: Where I pray you take notice, that they were not commended for saying, All that the Lord commandeth we will doe, (No saith a godly Writer) they were not praised for any other thing,² then for desiring a Mediatour: Whereupon, the Lord promised Christ unto them, even as Moses testifieth, saying, The Lord thy God shall raise up unto thee a Prophet like unto me from among you, even of your brethren, ³unto him shall you hearken, according to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the Assembly, when thou saidest, Let mee heare the voice of the Lord my God no more, nor see this great fire any more that I die not: and the Lord said unto mee, They have well spoken, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth, and hee shall speake unto them all that I command him. And to assure us that Christ was the Prophet here spoken of, hee himselfe saith unto the Jews, If yee had believed Moses,⁴ ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. And that this was it which hee wrote of him, the Apostle Peter witnesseth, Acts 3.22. and so doth the Martyr Stephen, Acts 7.37. Thus you ⟨p. 53⟩see, when the Lord had by meanes of the covenant of works made with Adam, humbled them, and made them sigh for Christ the promised seed, he renued the promise with them, yea, and the covenant of grace made with Abraham.

1. 1Walker on the Covenant, p. 70
2. 2The Author of the benefit of Christs death. Aynsworth, on Deut
3. 3Deut. 18.15, 16, 17 18.
4. 4Joh. 3.25.Ioh. 3.25.

Ant. I pray, Sir, how doth it appear that the Lord renewed that Covenant with them?

Ant. I pray, Sir, how doth it appear that the Lord renued th•t Covenant with them?

Evan. It doth plainly appear, in that the Lord gave them by Moses the Levitical Laws, and ordained the Tabernacle, the Ark, and the Mercy-Seat, which were all Types of Christ: Moreover, The Lord called unto Moses,¹ and spake unto him out of the Tabernacle, and commanded him to write the Levitical Laws, and the Tabernacle Ordinances, telling him withal, That after the tenor of those words he had made a Covenant with him, and with Israel:² so Moses wrote these Laws, not in Tables of stone, but in an authentical book, saith Ainsworth, called the book of the Covenant,³ which book Moses read in the audience of the people, Exod. 24.7. And the people consented unto it: then Moses having before sent young men of the children of Israel, who were first born, and therefore Priests until the time of the Levites,⁴ to offer sacrifice of burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings unto the Lord; He took the blood, and ⟨p. 54⟩sprinkled it on the people, and said, behold the blood of the Covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning these things; whereby they were taught, that by virtue of blood, this Covenant betwixt God and them was confirmed,⁵ and that Christ by his bloodshed should satisfy for their sins, for indeed the Covenant of grace was before the coming of Christ,⁶ sealed by his blood in Types and Figures.

Evan. It doth plainly appeare, in that the Lord gave them by Moses the Leviticall Laws, and ordained the Tabernacle, the Ark, and the Mercy-Seat, which were all Types of Christ: Moreover, The Lord called unto Moses,¹ and spake unto him out of the Tabernacle, and commanded him to write the Leviticall Laws, and the Tabernacle Ordinances, telling him withall, That after the tenour of those words he had made a Covenant with him, and with Israel:² so Moses wrote these Laws, not in Tables of stone, but in an authenticall booke, saith Ainsworth, called the booke of the Covenant,³ which book Moses read in the audience of the people, Exod. 24.7. And the people consented unto it: then Moses having before sent young men of the children of Israel, who were first born, and therefore Priests untill the time of the Levites,⁴ to offer sacrifice of burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings unto the Lord; He tooke the blood, and ⟨p. 54⟩sprinkled it on the people, and said, behold the blood of the Covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning these things; whereby they were taught, that by vertue of blood, this Covenant betwixt God and them was confirmed,⁵ and that Christ by his bloodshed should satisfie for their sins, for indeed the Covenant of grace was before the comming of Christ,⁶ sealed by his blood in Types and Figures.

1. 1Levit. 1.1.
2. 2Exod. 34.27. Exo. 24.4.
3. 3On the text.
4. 4Ainsworth.
5. 5Dixon on the Heb.
6. 6Walker on the Cov. pag. 13.

Ant. But Sir, was this every way the same Covenant that was made with Abraham?

Evan. Surely I do believe that Reverend Bullinger spake very truly, when he said,¹ that God gave unto these people no other Religion, in nature, substance, and matter it self, differing from the Laws of their Fathers, though for some respects he added thereunto many Ceremonies, and certain Ordinances, the which he did to keep their minds in expectation of the coming of Christ, whom he had promised unto them; and to confirm them in looking for him,² lest they should wax faint; And as the Lord did thus by the Ceremonies, as it were lead them by the hand to Christ, so did he make them a promise of the Land of Canaan, ³and outward prosperity in it, as a type of heaven, and eternal ⟨p. 55⟩happiness, so that the Lord dealt with them as children in their infancy, and under age, leading them on by the help of earthly things, to heavenly and spiritual,⁴ because they were but young and tender, and had not that measure and abundance of spirit which he hath bestowed upon his people now under the Gospel.

Evan. Surely I do believe that Reverend Bullinger spake very truly, when he said,¹ that God gave unto these people no other Religion, in nature, substance, and matter it selfe, differing from the Laws of their Fathers, though for some respects hee added thereunto many Ceremonies, and certain Ordinances, the which he did to keep their mindes in expectation of the comming of Christ, whom he had promised unto them; and to confirm them in looking for him,² lest they should wax faint; And as the Lord did thus by the Ceremonies, as it were lead them by the hand to Christ, so did he make them a promise of the Land of Canaan, ³and outward prosperity in it, as a type of heaven, and eternall ⟨p. 55⟩happinesse, so that the Lord dealt with them as children in their infancy, and under age, leading them on by the help of earthly things, to heavenly and spirituall,⁴ because they were but young and tender, and had not that measure and abundance of spirit which he hath bestowed upon his people now under the Gospel.

1. 1Come. places EnglishCom. places English
2. 2Calvins Institut. lib. 2.
3. 3Call. Inst. p. 157.Cal. Inst. p. 157.
4. 4Bolton, true bounds, p. 2•9.