A65285:542
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. The Covenant of Works was very strict. God required of Adam, and all Mankind, 1. Perfect Obedience. Adam must do all things written in the Book of the Law, Gal. 3.10. and not fail, either in the matter or manner. Adam was to live up to the whole breadth of the Moral Law, and go exactly according to it, as a well made Dial goes with the Sun: a sinful thought had forfeited the Covenant. 2. Personal Obedience. Adam must not do his work by a Proxy, or have any Surety bound for him; no, it must be done in his own Person. 3. Perpetual Obedience. He must continue in all things written in the Book of the Law, Gal. 3.10. Thus it was very strict. There was no Mercy in case of failure.
3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis; therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts. The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness; which though in Innocency was perfect, yet was subject to a change. Adam was created holy, but mutable. He had a power to stand, but not a power not to fall. Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with, but he was not sure he should not break. Adam was his own Pilot, and could steer right in the time of Innocency; but he was not so secured, but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation, and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwreck. So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart, he having no Security given him, that he should not fall from that glorious state.
3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis; therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts. The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness; which though in Innocency was perfect, yet was subject to a change. Adam was created holy, but mutable. He had a power to stand, but not a power not to fall. Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with, but he was not sure he should not break. Adam was his own Pilot, and could steer right in the time of Innocency; but he was not so secured, but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation, and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwrack. So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart, he having no Security given him, that he should not fall from that glorious state.