Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shown the connection…Covenant-keeping the way to blessedness, or, A brief discourse wherein is shewn the connexion…

Ans. Keeping of Covenant is to be interpreted or understood according to the Relation and Station of the Party under consideration: respect is also to be had to the quality of the Covenant. Now in a Covenant wherein there is an imparity in the Parties (^t and such is the Covenant of Reconciliation) it is a thing very useful to be observed, that on the Part of the Inferior there is something to be done which is expected as a duty from him, unto which he stands obliged whither there were any conditions propounded or no; and that, either by virtue of a command given, which was a prerogative of his Superior over him, if he had such an absolute power, or by voluntary, and illimited Promise made thus to do, or both. Whereas the Superior stands equally poised in the Covenant, as one that hath no other tie or obligation lying upon him, but what is conditional. ⟨p. 30⟩Hence follows this difference in the nature of keeping Covenant, viz. The Superior may keep his Covenant either ways, namely, either by fulfilling the Covenant-Promise, or by executing the Covenant threatening, always provided that it truly correspond, or bear a due respect to to the deportment or behaviour of the Inferior in the things which he thus stands related to: Hence it is, that God keeps His Covenant as well by inflicting punishment upon the disobedient, as by performing mercies for the obedient; although the Scripture usually refers to that Letter. But now it is far otherwise on the part of the Inferior, for Obedience is the thing which is expected from him, and therefore is engaged by a Promise annexed to it; but disobedience is a wrong done to his Superior, and is therefore Hedged with a severe threatening, and the guilt of it brings damage upon him: Hence it is that by obedience he is reputed to keep Covenant, because then only doth he perform his Covenant-duty. Disobedience is a breach of Covenant, because he violates by it the Covenant-duty.

Ans. Keeping of Covenant is to be interpreted or understood according to the Relation and Station of the Party under consideration: respect is also to be had to the quallity of the Covenant. Now in a Covenant wherein there is an imparity in the Parties (^t and such is the Covenant of Reconciliation) it is a thing very usefull to be observed, that on the Part of the Inferiour there is something to be done which is expected as a duty from him, unto which he stands obliged whither there were any conditions propounded or no; and that, either by vertue of a command given, which was a prerogative of his Superiour over him, if he had such an absolute power, or by voluntary, and illimited Promise made thus to do, or both. Whereas the Superiour stands equally poized in the Covenant, as one that hath no other tye or obligation lying upon him, but what is conditionall.