A57966:225
The covenant of life opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of grace
The covenant of life opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of grace containing something of the nature of the covenant of works, the sovereignty of God, the extent of the death of Christ ... the covenant of grace ... of surety or redemption between the by Samuel Rutherford ...The covenant of life opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of grace containing something of the nature of the covenant of works, the soveraignty of God, the extent of the death of Christ ... the covenant of grace ... of surety or redemption between the by Samuel Rutherford ...
Edinburgh: printed by Andro Anderson for Robert Brown, 1655
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.
if the Jews be cast off, and rejected of God, as Paul, by his extreme desire to have them saved, insinuates, then the Word of God takes no effect, and his calling and choosing of them for his people, takes no effect, v. 6. He Answers, it is not failed, though the body of Israel be rejected. For there are two kinds of Israelites, some only carnal and born ⟨p. 77⟩according to the flesh: Others sons of promise, and chosen of God. Now the word of promise takes effect in the latter sort, to wit, in the chosen, and in the sons of promise, for they are not cast off of God, and so the Word of God takes effect, v. 6. (2.) But the truth is, if there be none Covenanted with God, but the chosen under the New Testament, then there is no such thing as an external and visible Covenanting with God, under the New Testament, then must all the Nations, Isa. 2.1, 2. Kingdoms of the World, Rev. 11.15. all Egypt, Assyria, Isa. 19.25. all the Gentiles, Isa. 60. be internally Covenanted and sons of promise, and predestinated to life? And that, 2 Cor. 6.16. I will be your God, and ye shall be my people, under the New Testament, must infer, that all in Covenant under Christ must be spiritually in Covenant, and the Visible Church of Corinth, and of all the Kingdoms of the world, Rev. 11.15. must be the invisible and chosen Church, and as many as are called, must be chosen, contrary to Mat. 22.14. Hence.1 Q. 1. Have Infants now under Christ no privilege nor Covenant Grace external by their birth and descent from believing Parents? Ans. Sure they have. For Acts 2.39. the promise is to you and to your children. Either to all children or to some, the Text makes no exception. If it be said to all conditionally, if they believe, not absolutely? Ans. That must be an internal covenanting proper to the elect, and the promise is not made to the aged but conditionally, so they believe. And yet the promise shall be made to Infants and Children, but not while they come to age. 2. To be cut off and cast out of Covenant is a dreadful Judgement, Zecha. 11.9.