The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. The whole entire Nature of the Covenant of Works consisted in this; That upon our personal obedience, according unto the Law and Rule of it, we should be accepted with God, and rewarded with him. Herein the essence of it did consist. And whatever Covenant proceedeth on these terms, or hath the nature of them in it, however it may be varied, with Additions or Alterations, is the same Covenant still, and not another. As in the Renovation of the Promise wherein the Essence of the Covenant of Grace was contained, God did oft-times make other Additions unto it, as unto Abraham and David; yet was it still the same Covenant for the substance of it, and not another; so whatever Variations may be made in, or Additions unto the Dispensation of the first Covenant, so long as this Rule is retained, Do this and live; it is still the same Covenant, for the Substance and Essence of it.

2. The whole intire Nature of the Covenant of Works consisted in this; That upon our personal obedience, according unto the Law and Rule of it, we should be accepted with God, and rewarded with him. Herein the essence of it did consist. And whatever Covenant proceedeth on these terms, or hath the nature of them in it, however it may be varied, with Additions or Alterations, is the same Covenant still, and not another. As in the Renovation of the Promise wherein the Essence of the Covenant of Grace was contained, God did oft-times make other Additions unto it, as unto Abraham and David; yet was it still the same Covenant for the substance of it, and not another; so whatever Variations may be made in, or Additions unto the Dispensation of the first Covenant, so long as this Rule is retained, Do this and live; it is still the same Covenant, for the Substance and Essence of it.

3. Hence two things belonged unto this Covenant. (1.) That all things were transacted immediately between God and Man. There was no Mediator in it, no one to undertake any thing, either on the part of God or Man, between them. For the whole depending on every ones Personal obedience, there was no place for a Mediator. (2.) That nothing but perfect sinless obedience would be accepted with God, or preserve the Covenant in its Primitive state and condition. There was nothing in it as to pardon of sin, no provision for any defect in Personal obedience.