Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

For the latter clause concerning breach of Covenant,¹ together with the other. 1. I say, not only in••rmities do not, but the greatest sins cannot make a breach of Covenant between God and the soul that is once really (not rationally) wrapped up in the Covenant of grace. Indeed gross scandalous sins, nay infirmities, when they are given way to, and not resisted, may keep the soul from the fruition for a time of Gods Covenant, but never from the eternal jus and right unto it; for as the habit of Faith or Grace gives a man a constant right to the promise and Covenant (which seed ever remains, which habit ever lasts, Jer. 3. 9.) so the act of Faith or Grace gives a man fruition of the Covenant and the benefit of the promise, and hence by the acting and venting of some sins wherein there is included the neglect of the exercise of grace, He that is really in covenant with God, may be deprived of the fruition ⟨p. 13⟩of it; yet seeing the seed of God, and the habit of grace ever remains, he cannot by any sin break his covenant, for the covenant of grace is absolute, wherein the Lord doth not only promise the good, but to begin and perfect and fulfil the condition absolutely, without respect of sin, ex parte creatur•: Indeed if Gods covenant of Grace did (as that of works) depend upon man to fulfil the condition, having sufficient grace to fulfil it, then gross sin might well break the Covenant: but seeing God hath undertaken to fulfil the Covenant absolutely, notwithstanding all the evils and sins of the soul, no sin can possibly break that knot and covenant which so firm and resolute love hath once knit. And therefore, if this be a good argument, Infirmities cannot break covenant: What cause have I to be humbled for them? so as to say, It is thy mercy Lord that I am not consumed for them (as you write) you may upon the same ground say so, If the Lord should desert you, or you forsake the Lord, and so fall into the foulest sin, which I suppose corrupt conscience dares not be so bold as to think or allow of.

For the latter clause concerning breach of Covenant,¹