But they differ. 1First, in that the Covenant of Nature was made altogether with all men, this only with the Israelites. ⟨p. 383⟩Secondly, in that the Covenant of Nature was presently made wth man, at the instant of his Creation, and had no praeparatories at all unto it; the old Covenant long after, and had many praeparatories. Thirdly, that the Covenant of Nature doth only bind us by the law of Nature unto due obedience. The old covenant doth oblige us farther, unto ceremonies. Fourthly, seeing life is promised in both Covenants, in this, it is designed us, by the fruition of the land of Canaan, in that of Paradise. Fifthly, seeing both covenants do lead us unto Christ, the covenant of nature doth not this by it self, but by accident, the old covenant doth this by it self; for it is its true and proper scope: For God made not the Covenant of Nature with men, for this end, that being oppressed with the weight of it, they should breath after Christ, but the last and main end of it is this, that men should render up unto God that which is his due; but in the subservient Covenant, God requires not his right, for any other end then this, that men, upon conviction of their own weakness, should fly into the arms of Christ. Sixthly, the Covenant of Nature, is founded upon the Creation and general Conservation, the subservient Covenant is founded upon the Election of the people of ⟨p. 384⟩Israel. And lastly upon their freedom out of Egypt, and their conservation in the land of Canaan. Seventhly, the Covenant of Nature was therefore made, that by it men might be drawn sweetly, for it was written in their hearts, but the subservient Covenant for this end, to compel men, afor it did beget unto bondage. Eighthly, the Covenant of Nature is eternal, the old Covenant is but temporary. Ninthly, the Covenant of Nature had no regard unto restraint from outward impieties, neither as touching the principal scope of it, nor yet as touching the less principal. bThe old Covenant as touching its less principal scope hereunto hath regard. Tenthly, the Covenant of Nature was engraven in the heart, whereas the old Covenant only in tables of stone. Eleventhly, the Covenant of Nature was made in Paradise, the subservient Covenant in the Mount Sinai. Twelfthly, there was no Mediator, of the Covenant of Nature; the subservient Covenant had a Mediator, that is to say, Moses.
But they differ. 1First, in that the Covenant of Nature was made altogether with all men, this only with the Israelites. ⟨p. 383⟩Secondly, in that the Covenant of Nature was presently made wth man, at the instāt of his Creation, and had no praeparatories at all unto it; the old Covenant long after, and had many praeparatories. Thirdly, that the Covenant of Nature doth onely binde us by the law of Nature unto due obedience. The old covenant doth oblige us farther, unto ceremonies. Fourthly, seeing life is promised in both Covenants, in this, it is designed us, by the fruition of the land of Canaan, in that of Paradise. Fiftly, seeing both covenants do lead us unto Christ, the covenant of nature doth not this by it self, but by accident, the old covenant doth this by it self; for it is its true and proper scope: For God made not the Covenant of Nature with men, for this end, that being oppressed with the weight of it, they should breath after Christ, but the last and maine end of it is this, that men should render up unto God that which is his due; but in the subservient Covenant, God requires not his right, for any other end then this, that men, upon conviction of their owne weaknesse, should flie into the armes of Christ. Sixtly, the Covenant of Nature, is founded upon the Creation and generall Conservation, the subservient Covenant is founded upon the Election of the people of ⟨p. 384⟩Israel. And lastly upon their freedom out of Egypt, and their conservation in the land of Canaan. Seventhly, the Covenant of Nature was therefore made, that by it men might be drawn sweetly, for it was written in their hearts, but the subservient Covenant for this end, to compell men, afor it did beget unto bondage. Eightly, the Covenant of Nature is eternall, the old Covenant is but temporary. Ninthly, the Covenant of Nature had no regard unto restraint from outward impieties, neither as touching the principall scope of it, nor yet as touching the lesse principall. bThe old Covenant as touching its lesse principall scope hereunto hath regard. Tenthly, the Covenant of Nature was engraven in the heart, whereas the old Covenant only in tables of stone. Eleaventhly, the Covenant of Nature was made in Paradise, the subservient Covenant in the Mount Sinai. Twelfthly, there was no Mediatour, of the Covenant of Nature; the subservient Covenant had a Mediatour, that is to say, Moses.
- 1The difference.
- aGal. 4.24.
- bEx. 20.20.
