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 ...
Samuel Rutherford 1600?–1661Edinburgh: printed by Andro Anderson for Robert Brown, 1655
[16], 368 p. · 159k words · Wing R2374 · ESTC R20879
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.
NO doubt, Christ God-Man is in Covenant with God, being a person designed from eternity,1 with his own consent, and in time yielding thereunto, and yet he stands not in that Covenant-relation that we stand in: as we shall hear.
NO doubt, Christ God-Man is in Covenant with God, being a person designed from eternity,1 with his own consent, and in time yeelding thereunto, and yet he stands not in that Covenant-relation that we stand in: as we shall hear.
1. Arg. What Argument does prove that there is a people in Covenant with God,1 who call the Lord their God, as Zech. 13.9. ⟨p. 291⟩Jer. 32.38. Isai, 25.9. the same shall prove Christ to be in Covenant with God: As who can say, he is my God, 2he must be in Covenant with God. As Jer. 31.33. I will be their God, and they shall be my people, Ezek. 11.20. Ezek. 34.24, 25, 30
. He shall build a house for my Name, he shall be my Son, and I will be his father. Then follows the Covenant-promise: And I will establish the Throne of his Kingdom over Israel for ever; which is expounded,
, &c. of Christ, a Covenanted King as long as the Sun and the Moon endures, 34, 35, 36. and cannot agree to David, whose Kingdom is now gone. As also, Christ flees to this Covenant in his extreme suffering, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
. it is Christ who saith, v. 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God. And it is a Covenant compellation, my God, and spoken by him, v. 6. Mine ears thou hast opened, who removes all sacrifices, and offers himself a sacrifice,
. Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God (a Covenant word) hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, above thy fellows. See glorified Christ glorying in this,
. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the house of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of my God (which is) New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from ny God: Four times he calls him his God. The Lord speaks in his Type,
. he who comes in the Name of the Lord, and is made the head of the corner: Thou art my God, and I will praise thee, thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
1. Arg. What Argument does prove that there is a people in Covenant with God,1 who call the Lord their God, as Zech. 13.9. ⟨p. 291⟩Jer. 32.38. Isai, 25.9. the same shall prove Christ to be in Covenant with God: As who can say, he is my God, 2he must be in Covenant with God. As Jer. 31.33. I will be their God, and they shall be my people, Ezek. 11.20. Ezek. 34.24, 25, 30. Now this is clearly said of Christ, Psal. 89.26. He shall cry unto me, thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation: The Son, the only begotten of the Father saith, thou art my God, Heb. 1.5. And again, I▪ will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. It is expounded of Christ, but was first spoken of Solomon, the Type, 1 Sam. 7.14. My mercy, that is, my Covenant-mercy to the Son of David and his seed, shall stand sure as the dayes of heaven, Psal. 89.28, 29, 34, 35, 36. 1 Chron. 22.10. He shall build a house for my Name, he shall be my Son, and I will be his father. Then follows the Covenant-promise: And I will establish the Throne of his Kingdom over Israel for ever; which is expounded, Psal. 89.28, 29, &c. of Christ, a Covenanted King as long as the Sun and the Moon indures, 34, 35, 36. and cannot agree to David, whose Kingdom is now gone. As also, Christ flees to this Covenant in his extream suffering, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psal. 22.1. Mat. 27.46. So Psal. 40. it is Christ who saith, v. 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God. And it is a Covenant compellation, my God, and spoken by him, v. 6. Mine ears thou hast opened, who removes all sacrifices, and offers himself a sacrifice, Heb. 10.5. A body thou hast prepared me. So also, Ps. 45.7. Thou lovest righteousnesse and hatest wickednesse: Therefore God, thy God (a Covenant word) hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladnesse, above thy fellows. See glorified Christ glorying in this, Rev. 3.12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the house of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of my God (which is) New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from ny God: Four times he calls him his God. The Lord speaks in his Type, Psal. 118.28. he who comes in the Name of the Lord, and is made the head of the corner: Thou art my God, and I will praise thee, thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
1Arg. 1.
2For the Covenant of redemption because Christ c•lls the LORD his God.For the Covenant of redemption becaus Christ c•lls the LORD his God.
Christ is a noble example in this teaching us to ride at this anchor of hope, thou art my God by Covenant. Mic. 5.4. Christ shall feed in the Name of the Lord his God, Isa. 55.4.
Christ is a noble example in this teaching us to ride at this •nchor of hope, thou art my God by Covenant. Mic. 5.4. Christ shall feed in the Name of the Lord his God, Isa. 55.4.
12. Arg. Is taken from the Lords way of calling of Christ to his Office of Mediator: So, he who is the Lords chosen, called, and sent servant, is either engaged in the service, by necessity of nature, so that God cannot choose, but he must choose and call him, and he must, by the same necessity of nature, be chosen and called to that service, or he is the Lords chosen and called servant by free agreement and consent of the Lord who calls, and of the party called, which is a Covenant between Master and Servant, the Lord and the sent Ambassador who is sent, the Lord, the Messenger who comes with such news. Now of Christ it is said, Isai. 42.1. Behold my servant whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights. And of mere grace and free-love, both God sent him, and he came, Joh. 3.16. 1 Tim. 1.15. for by no necessity of nature was Christ sent to preach glad tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, Isai. 61.1. to say to the prisoners go forth, Isai. 49.9. For Isai. 42.6. I the Lord have called thee (saith he) in righteousness — 7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house. Nor can we say, that any thing, but the good will of the Lord did conclude or determine him to send: 1. To save men, not Angels, Heb. 2.16. 2. Some men, not others; Joh. 15.13, 14. 3. So ill deserving men, as lost ones, Luk. 19.10. sinners, • Tim. 1.15. Rom. 5.6.8. (3.) When the Lord speaks of the Covenant of grace, Ezek. 37.23. he adds a word of this Covenant, I will cleanse them, so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24. And David my servant (the son of David Christ, for David was dead) shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Shepherd. Ezek. 34.23. I will set up one Shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall be their Shepherd. 24. I the Lord will be their God. And Zecha. 13. JEHOVAH owns Christ as this Shepherd, as one of his hiring. v. 7. Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd. Mal. 3.1. The Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in, behold he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12. Arg. Is taken from the Lords way of calling of Christ to his Office of Mediator: So, he who is the Lords chosen, called, and sent servant, is either ingadged in the service, by necessity of nature, so that God cannot choose, but he must choose and call him, and he must, by the same necessity of nature, be chosen and called to that service, or he is the Lords chosen and called servant by free agreement and consent of the Lord who calls, and of the partie called, which is a Covenant between Master and Servant, the Lord and the sent Ambassadour who is sent, the Lord, the Messenger who comes with such news. Now of Christ it is said, Isai. 42.1. Behold my servant whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights. And of meer grace and free-love, both God sent him, and he came, Joh. 3.16. 1 Tim. 1.15. for by no necessity of nature was Christ sent to preach glad tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, Isai. 61.1. to say to the prisoners go forth, Isai. 49.9. For Isai. 42.6. I the Lord have called thee (saith he) in righteousnesse — 7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darknesse out of the prison-house. Nor can we say, that any thing, but the good will of the Lord did conclude or determine him to send: 1. To save men, not Angels, Heb. 2.16. 2. Some men, not others; Joh. 15.13, 14. 3. So ill deserving men, as lost ones, Luk. 19.10. sinners, • Tim. 1.15. Rom. 5.6.8. (3.) When the Lord speaks of the Covenant of grace, Ezek. 37.23. he addes a word of this Covenant, I will cleanse them, so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24. And David my servant (the son of David Christ, for David was dead) shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Sheepherd.
12. Arg. From the Lords calling of his Son to his Office.
Hence, this David is the Servant, Shepherd, and Messenger of the Lord, either by nature, which cannot be said, for the Man Christ is by Nature his servant, but ⟨p. 293⟩Christ-Mediator, God-Man, is not so his servant, or he is so by free consent, on the Lords part, who hires and sends him, and on Christs part, who graciously condescended to be hired, and undertook for us; which all along must be understood of no servile reward.
Hence, this David is the Servant, Sheepherd, and Messenger of the Lord, either by nature, which cannot be said, for the Man Christ is by Nature his servant, but ⟨p. 293⟩Christ-Mediatour, God-Man, is not so his servant, or he is so by free consent, on the Lords part, who hires and sends him, and on Christs part, who graciously condescended to be hired, and undertook for us; which all along must be understood of no servile reward.
3. Arg. Christs voluntary yielding to the work, proves this,1 if Christ, God: Man willing to empty himself and take on him our nature, did offer his service to God, saying, Sacrifice and burnt-offering thou didst not desire, Psal. 40.6. Heb. 10.5. a body thou hast prepared me. 7. Then said I, lo I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will. And if Christ-God-Man did willingly lay down his life of his own goodness, and no man could take his life from him, against his will, Joh. 10, 11, 18. Joh. 18.5.8. Joh. 14.31. Luk. 9.51. Then is Christs free consent to be our surety and Redeemer, to seek and to save us, clear, Matth. 20.28. Luk. 19.10. And if it pleased the Lord to bruise him, Isa. 53.10. and of love to give him to the death for us, Joh. 3.16. Rom. 8.3.32. Matth. 21.37. then the Lords consent that he should be our Surety, Saviour, and Redeemer, is no less evident. Now a mutual agreement between JEHOVAH and the Son for one and the same undertaking is a compact and Covenant, to have us saved.
3. Arg. Christs voluntary yeelding to the work, proves this,1 if Christ, God: Man willing to empty himself and take on him our nature, did offer his service to God, saying, Sacrifice and burnt-offering thou didst not desire, Psal. 40.6. Heb. 10.5. a body thou hast prepared me. 7. Then said I, loe I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will. And if Christ-God-Man did willingly lay down his life of his own goodnesse, and no man could take his life from him, against his will, Joh. 10, 11, 18. Joh. 18.5.8. Joh. 14.31. Luk. 9.51. Then is Christs free consent to be our surety and Redeemer, to seek and to save us, clear, Matth. 20.28. Luk. 19.10. And if it pleased the Lord to bruise him, Isa. 53.10. and of love to give him to the death for us, Joh. 3.16. Rom. 8.3.32. Matth. 21.37. then the Lords consent that he should be our Surety, Saviour, and Redeemer, is no lesse evident. Now a mutuall agreement between JEHOVAH and the Son for one and the same undertaking is a compact and Covenant, to have us saved.
13. Arg. Christ his offering of his service to GOD proves this Covenant.
4. Argument is,1 from the agreed upon giving and taking between the Father and the Son, where there is a free giving of some to the Son to be ransomed, and kept, upon the Fathers part, and a most free closing of the Son to own and answer for the given, and to lose none, but to raise them up at the last Day, There certainly is a Covenant gone before, as Jacobs reckoning with Laban, Gen. 31.39. That which was torn of beasts, I brought not unto thee: I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40. (Thus) I was, in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. This evidently speaks a Covenant upon Labans part, delivering his flock to Jacob, as to a servant and shepherd, saying, I contract with thee, I deliver my flock to thee, answer for them: make an account to me of dead and living. And on Jacobs part, a taking burden Covenant ways to take care of ⟨p. 294⟩them; and a Covenant-yielding, require thou at my hand old and young, weak and strong of the flock: I bind my self to keep them. So Christ hath delivered and given to him of the Father, so many by head and name, Joh. 17.2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many, [Greek or Hebrew] as thou hast given him. 12. Those that thou gavest me, [Greek or Hebrew], I have kept, and none of them are lost. Joh. 6.37. All that the Father hath given me, shall come unto me, [Greek or Hebrew], and the comer to me, I will in no wise cast out. 39. And this is the Fathers (Covenant-) will that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, 2and I will raise him up (by Covenant and Gospel-promise) at the last day. And what speaketh stronger consolation, then the Father gave me to the Son Christ to be saved, and the Son undertook for me, hath given a written band under his hand to keep me? O what happiness! that I am not mine own keeper, but that Christ hath given it under his hand, and the Father and the Son have Covenant-wise closed and stricken hands, the one having given, and the other received me a-keeping. 2.
4. Argument is,1 from the agreed upon giving and taking between the Father and the Son, where there is a free giving of some to the Son to be ransoned, and keeped, upon the Fathers part, and a most free closing of the Son to own and answer for the given, and to lose none, but to raise them up at the last Day, There certainly is a Covenant gone before, as Jacobs reckoning with Laban, Gen. 31.39. That which was torn of beasts, I brought not unto thee: I bare the losse of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40. (Thus) I was, in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. This evidently speaks a Covenant upon Labans part, delivering his flock to Jacob, as to a servant and sheepherd, saying, I contract with thee, I deliver my flock to thee, answer for them: make an account to me of dead and living. And on Jacobs part, a taking burden Covenant wayes to take care of ⟨p. 294⟩them; and a Covenant-yeelding, require thou at my hand old and young, weak and strong of the flock: I bind my self to keep them. So Christ hath delivered and given to him of the Father, so many by head and name, Joh. 17.2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternall life to as many, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 as thou hast given him. 12. Those that thou gavest me, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, I have kept, and none of them are lost. Joh. 6.37. All that the Father hath given me, shall come unto me, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and the comer to me, I will in no wise cast out. 39. And this is the Fathers (Covenant-) will that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on him, may have ••verlasting life, 2and I will raise him up (by Covenant and Gospel-promise) at the last day. And what speaketh stronger consolation, then the Father gave me to the Son Christ to be saved, and the Son undertook for me, hath given a written band under his hand to keep me? O what happinesse! that I am not mine own keeper, but that Christ hath given it under his hand, and the Father and the Son have Covenant-wise closed and stricken hands, the one having given, and the other received me a-keeping. 2.
14 Arg. The Fathers giving of the elect to Christ to be redeemed, and the Son his willing receiving of them proves this Covenant.4 Arg. The Fathers giving of the elect to Christ to be redeemed, and the Son his willing receiving of thē proves this Covenant.
2The persons being given of the Father to the Son speaks strong consolation & its no consolation at all to depend upon free-will.
My soul enter thou not into their secrets who lay all peace, comfort, assurance of salvation upon their own Socinian faith, that is, their indifferent relying upon the Saviour Jesus and their own holiness, watchfulness, obedience, love to God. Sure, the comfort, joy, peace, assurance subjective that they have in their conscience, can be no stronger then the objective and fundamental certitude of standing, persevering, overcoming, flowing from free-will▪ which is woefully free and indifferent to persevere and stand, or not to persevere, not to stand, but to fall away. Its a stronger consolation (and the strongest should be the Christians choice) that is founded upon the Fathers giving,1 and the Sons receiving of sinners; and the faith of salvation to me which relies and leans upon Christs undertaking for me, that I shall not be lost, nor cast out, then upon my undertaking for my self.
My soul enter thou not into their secrets who lay all peace, comfort, assurance of salvation upon their own Socinian faith, that is, their indifferent relying upon the Saviour Jesus and their own holiness, watchfulnesse, obedience, love to God. Sure, the comfort, joy, peace, assurance subjective that they have in their conscience, can be no stronger then the objective and fundamentall certitude of standing, persevering, overcoming, flowing from free-will▪ which is woefully free and indifferent to persevere and stand, or not to persevere, not to stand, but to fall away. Its a stronger consolation (and the strongest should be the Christians choise) that is founded upon the Fathers giving,1 and the Sons receiving of sinners; and the faith of salvation to me which relies and leans upon Christs undertaking for me, that I shall not be lost, nor casten out, then upon my undertaking for my self.
15. Arg. Christs receiving of the Seals of the Old & New Covenant, proves that there is such a Covenant
The fifth Argument is from Christs receiving the Seals, Who so receives in his body the Seals of the Covenant of Grace, Circumcision, and Baptism, and yet needs no putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, by Circumcision, and needs no forgiveness of sin, ⟨p. 295⟩no regeneration, no burying with Christ in Baptism, as Col. 2.11, 12. Rom. 6.3, 4, 5. and eats the Passover, and needs not that the Lamb of God take away his sins, as Joh. 1.29. since he is holy, and without sin, he must be under the Covenant, and God must be his God, in some other Covenant then sinners are, for these seals are proper to a Covenanted people, strangers and Pagans might not receive them, but these in Covenant only, Gen. 17.7. Exod. 12.48. Matth. 28.20. Col. 2.11, 12. and Christ must have received Seals for other uses and ends, then sinners received them, to wit, to testify that he was the God of both Jews and Gentiles, and that he was the undertaker for us, in a Covenant of suretyship for us, to perfect a higher command then any mortal man was under, to wit, to lay down his life for sinners, Joh. 10.18. and beside that, for our cause he was made under the Law, to fulfil all righteousness, and so was Circumcised, Luk. 2.21. Baptized, Matth. 3.13, 16, 17. did eat the Passover with the Disciples, Mat. 26.18▪ 19, 20. Mar. 14.18. Luk. 22.13, 14. he▪ in coming under that state in which he must, because a man, fulfil the Law, and be under even Gospel commands so far as they were suitable to his holy Nature, testifieth in obeying all commands even of the Moral Law (and as the Son of God he was under no such obligation) that he was under a special engagement, and compact to God, for the work of Redemption. And we are taught to feel what inbred delight and sweetness of peace is in duties; when Christ Covenants with God to come under the Law, and under the hardest of commands, to lay down his life for sinners, because it was a Law and command by Covenant, that hath most of obedience which hath most of a Law.
The fifth Argument is from Christs receiving the Seals, Who so receives in his body the Seals of the Covenant of Grace, Circumcision, and Baptism, and yet needs no putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, by Circumcision, and needs no forgivenesse of sin, ⟨p. 295⟩no regeneration, no burying with Christ in Baptism, as Col. 2.11, 12. Rom. 6.3, 4, 5. and eats the Passeover, and needs not that the Lamb of God take away his sins, as Joh. 1.29. since he is holy, and without sin, he must be under the Covenant, and God must be his God, in some other Covenant then sinners are, for these seals are proper to a Covenanted people, strangers and Pagans might not receive them, but these in Covenant only, Gen. 17.7. Exod. 12.48. Matth. 28.20. Col. 2.11, 12. and Christ must have received Seals for other uses and ends, then sinners received them, to wit, to testifie that he was the God of both Jews and Gentiles, and that he was the undertaker for us, in a Covenant of suretyship for us, to perfect a higher command then any mortall man was under, to wit, to lay down his life for sinners, Joh. 10.18. and beside that, for our cause he was made under the Law, to fulfill all righteousness, and so was Circumcised, Luk. 2.21. Baptized, Matth. 3.13, 16, 17. did eat the Passeover with the Disciples, Mat. 26.18▪ 19, 20. Mar. 14.18. Luk. 22.13, 14. he▪ in coming under that state in which he must, because a man, fulfill the Law, and be under even Gospel commands so far as they were suteable to his holy Nature, testifieth in obeying all commands even of the Morall Law (and as the Son of God he was under no such obligation) that he was under a speciall ingagement, and compact to God, for the work of Redemption. And we are taught to feel what imbred delight and sweetnesse of peace is in duties; when Christ Covenants with God to come under the Law, and under the hardest of commands, to lay down his life for sinners, because it was a Law and command by Covenant, that hath most of obedience which hath most of a Law.
Ans. He needed no seals at all to strengthen his faith of dependency, for there was no sinful weakness in his faith, yet he was capable of growing, Luk. 2.52: For the Law requires not the like physical intention and bendednesse of acts of obedience from the young, as from the aged. 2. In that the receiving of the seals proves Christ to be Surety of the Covenant of Grace, it makes good, that he was under the other Covenant, and to perform the obedience due to the special command of dying, as to a command of Covenant.
Ans. He needed no seals at all to strengthen his faith of dependency, for there was no sinfull weaknesse in his faith, yet he was capable of growing, Luk. 2.52: For the Law requires not the like physicall intention and bendednesse of acts of obedience from the young, as from the aged. 2. In that the receiving of the seals proves Christ to be Surety of the Covenant of Grace, it makes good, that he was under the other Covenant, and to perform the obedience due to the speciall command of dying, as to a command of Covenant.
16. Argument, is from the Lords liberty: If God might in justice have prosecuted the Covenant of Works, and Adam and his might justly have suffered eternal death for sin (for the Law is holy and just, and the threatening Gen. 2.17. just) except the Lord had of grace made another Covenant, then must the Lord send, or not send a Saviour to suffer, and be a suffering Redeemer and Surety as pleased him, or not pleased him; and if Christ may refuse to undertake, or willingly agree, as pleased him, and Christ being God•consubstantiall with the Father, might have stood to the Law-way of works: For who, or what could have hindered him to follow a course of justice against all men? then if both agreed to dispense with that Law-way to save man; Here is Covenant-condescension between JEHOVAH and the Son, of quieting Law, and pitching on a mild Gospel-way.
16. Argument, is from the Lords libertie: If God might in justice have prosecuted the Covenant of Works, and Adam and his might justly have suffered eternall death for sin (for the Law is holy and just, and the threatning Gen. 2.17. just) except the Lord had of grace made another Covenant, then must the Lord send, or not send a Saviour to suffer, and be a suffering Redeemer and Surety as pleased him, or not pleased him; and if Christ may refuse to undertake, or willingly agree, as pleased him, and Christ being God•consubstantiall with the Father, might have stood to the Law-way of works: For who, or what could have hindered him to follow a course of justice against all men? then if both agreed to dispense with that Law-way to save man; Here is Covenant-condiscension between JEHOVAH and the Son, of quieting Law, and pitching on a milde Gospel-way.
16. Arg. God might have followed a Law-way with all flesh, & not have sent his Son, & the Son might have refused to be sent […] Ergo, by compact Christ came6. Arg. God might have followed a Law-way with al flesh, & not have sent his Son, & the Son might have refused to be sent 〈…〉 Ergo, by compact Christ came
17. Argument, from the promises made to Christ: He to whom the promises are made, as to the seed, so as in him they are yea, and Amen, and he who is eminently the chief heir of the promises, as engaged to make good the promises on the Lords part, to give forgiveness, Jer. 31.34, Heb. 8.12. perseverance, Jer. 32.39, 40. Isa. 54.10. Isa. 59.21. peace, Ezek. 34.25. Lev. 26.6.11, 12. yea, and a new heart, Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 11.19. Heb. 8.10. life eternal, Joh. 10.28. and to make good the promises upon our part, by fulfilling the condition, and giving habitual grace, Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 36.26. and actual influences, Jer. 31.34. to know the Lord, Jer. 32.39, 40. Ezek 36.27. to, and with him, God must strike a Covenant of suretyship, that he shall have the anointing in its fullness, above his fellows, without measure, to make good all these promises as Mediator; for it is not simply grace and life that the Lord bestows upon his people, but grace out of the store-house of the Mediator God-Man. Now this must be given to Christ by promise, Gal. 3.16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made, he saith not, and to seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ: He cannot well mean mystical Christ, that is, Christ and all his, for they are indeed many and numerous, as Isai. 2.1, 2. Isai. 60.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Psal. 22.27. compared with Rev. 5.11. Rev. 7.9. for the promises are made to Christ-God-Man eminently, not formally: For 2 Cor. 1.20. All the ⟨p. 297⟩promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen. For the promise is made to us for Christ, and through his grace, then the promise is made first to him, and more eminently, and to us for him: Propter quod unumquodque •ale, id ipsum magis tale. 2. The promises are fulfilled and made good, not because we fulfil the condition, but for Christ, in whom, and by whose merit, both the grace promised, and the grace habitual and actual to perform the condition, be it faith, repentance, humility, &c. is freely given to us. 3. Christ is he who makes the Covenant and all the promises, Act. 7.32. Who said to Moses, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham — 34. I bave seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them: And now come, I will send thee unto Egypt. And v. 35.
17. Argument, from the promises made to Christ: He to whom the promises are made, as to the seed, so as in him they are yea, and Amen, and he who is eminently the chief heir of the promises, as ingaged to make good the promises on the Lords part, to give forgivenesse, Jer. 31.34, Heb. 8.12. perseverance, Jer. 32.39, 40. Isa. 54.10. Isa. 59.21. peace, Ezek. 34.25. Lev. 26.6.11, 12. yea, and a new heart, Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 11.19. Heb. 8.10. life eternall, Joh. 10.28. and to make good the promises upon our part, by fulfilling the condition, and giving habituall grace, Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 36.26. and actuall influences, Jer. 31.34. to know the Lord, Ier. 32.39, 40. Ezek 36.27. to, and with him, God must strike a Covenant of suretyship, that he shall have the anointing in its fulnesse, above his fellows, without measure, to make good all these promises as Mediatour; for it is not simply grace and life that the Lord bestows upon his people, but grace out of the store-house of the Mediatour God-Man. Now this must be given to Christ by promise, Gal. 3.16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made, he saith not, and to seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ: He cannot well mean mysticall Christ, that is, Christ and all his, for they are indeed many and numerous, as
17. Arg. All the promises how they are made to Christ.
Moses is made a Ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the Angel that appeared to him in the bush. This is Christ, the Angel, 38. of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1.1 Whom they tempted, 1 Cor. 10.9. Of whom the Lord said, Exod. 23.21. Beware of him, and obey his voice, and provoke him not: for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my Name is upon him. And this Angel saith, I am the God of Abraham, the Omniscient God that sees the afflictions of his people. 3. Hears their prayers. 4. Delivers them out of Egypt, Exod. 20.1, 2▪ and so the Author of the Covenant, and of all the promises. It is much for weak believers that God stands engaged in Christ by Covenant with him to give us to believe, and to believe to the end.2 Hath the Lord given himself Surety for the standing of a tottering believer? Is there not ground to believe that Christ shall make good his undertaking? Also, if all the promises be made to Christ who is the Author of the Covenant, and upon condition that Christ do his part, and lay down his life; then sure Christ is under a Covenant, to enjoy his reward, when he hath done his work? And to have a believing seed is Christs reward, heaven and earth can make no •urer binding for faith and salvation.
Moses is made a Ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the Angel that appeared to him in the bush. This is Christ, the Angel, 38. of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1.1 Whom they tempted, 1 Cor. 10.9. Of whom the Lord said, Exod. 23.21. Beware of him, and obey his voice, and provoke him not: for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my Name is upon him. And this Angel saith, I am the God of Abraham, the Omniscient God that sees the afflictions of his people. 3. Hears their prayers. 4. Delivers them out of Aegypt, Exod. 20.1, 2▪ and so the Author of the Covenant, and of all the promises. It is much for weak beleevers that God stands ingadged in Christ by Covenant with him to give us to beleeve, and to beleeve to the end.2 Hath the Lord given himself Surety for the standing of a tottering beleever? Is there not ground to beleeve that Christ shall make good his undertaking? Also, if all the promises be made to Christ who is the Author of the Covenant, and upon condition that Christ do his part, and lay down his life; then sure Christ is under a Covenant, to injoy his reward, when he hath done his work? And to have a beleeving seed is Christs reward, heaven and earth can make no •urer binding for faith and salvation.
1Christ is he who made the promises and the Covenant.
2CHRIST is an engaged Surety for the standing of a weak believer.CHRIST is an ingadged Suretie for the standing of a weak believer.
8. As the former Argument is from the promise made unto Christ, and fulfilled to him, so this is from the Predictions, Prophecies and Promises of him, as he, of whom such glorious promises are foretold, and may claim the thing promised, by faith, he ⟨p. 298⟩hath some word of promise for suiting these things: which is a Covenant, if he shall do what is required of him, and fulfil the Commandment,1Joh. 10.18.
8. As the former Argument is from the promise made unto Christ, and fulfilled to him, so this is from the Predictions, Prophecies and Promises of him, as he, of whom such glorious promises are foretold, and may claim the thing promised, by faith, he ⟨p. 298⟩hath some word of promise for suiting these things: which is a Covenant, if he shall do what is required of him, and fulfill the Commandement,1Joh. 10.18.
But such Prophecies and Promises there be of CHRIST, Isa. 22.22. The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open and none shall shut, and he shall shut and none shall open. 23. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious Throne to his fathers house. 24. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his fathers house, the off-spring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity: from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. Zech. 3.8. For behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. Zech. 6.12. Speak unto Joshua, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose Name is the BRANCH, and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the Lord: 13. Even he shall build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his Throne. Mic. 5.4. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord his God, and they shall abide: For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land. So Psal. 72.7. In his days shall the righteous flourish, &c. Hence, as Christ prayed in faith, Joh. 17.5. to be glorified with the glory he had with the Father before the world was, because he finished the work, though he was not yet crucified, but he had a mind fixed to suffer: So may Christ pray in faith to Govern right, and to bear the glory, and to feed in the strength of the Lord, and to have a conquished people, since he was to fulfil all the work that was laid upon him: And this supposes a Covenant.
But such Prophecies and Promises there be of CHRIST, Isa. 22.22. The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open and none shall shut, and he shall shut and none shall open. 23. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious Throne to his fathers house. 24. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his fathers house, the off-spring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity: from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. Zech. 3.8. For behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. Zech. 6.12. Speak unto Joshua, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose Name is the BRANCH, and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the Lord: 13. Even he shall build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his Throne. Mic. 5.4. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord his God, and they shall abide: For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land. So Psal. 72.7. In his dayes shall the righteous flourish, &c. Hence, as Christ prayed in faith, Joh. 17.5. to be glorified with the glory he had with the Father before the world was, because he finished the work, though he was not yet crucified, but he had a mind fixed to suffer: So may Christ pray in faith to Govern right, and to bear the glory, and to feed in the strength of the Lord, and to have a conquished people, since he was to fulfill all the work that was laid upon him: And this supposes a Covenant.
PuritansScotland
Scottish theologian and commissioner to the Westminster Assembly.
. I will set up one Sheepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall be their Sheepherd. 24. I the Lord will be their God. And Zecha. 13. JEHOVAH ownes Christ as this Sheepherd, as one of his hireing. v. 7. Awake, O sword, against my Sheepherd.
promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen. For the promise is made to us for Christ, and through his grace, then the promise is made first to him, and more eminently, and to us for him: Propter quod unumquodque •ale, id ipsum magis tale. 2. The promises are fulfilled and made good, not because we fulfill the condition, but for Christ, in whom, and by whose merit, both the grace promised, and the grace habituall and actuall to perform the condition, be it faith, repentance, humility, &c. is freely given to us. 3. Christ is he who makes the Covenant and all the promises, Act. 7.32. Who said to Moses, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham — 34. I bave seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Aegypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them: And now come, I will send thee unto Aegypt. And v. 35.
