The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all…

4. A true Believer, who is entered into the Covenant of Grace with God, cannot strongly plead for any Covenant-mercy at his hands without running up hither. It is true, the Covenant of Grace is sure: it hath its firm and inviolable promises belonging to i•, and every one that hath entertained it by a true and ⟨p. 104⟩living Faith, is under the promises of it, and hath such a Title to them as can never fail him. But let us observe, The Covenant of Grace hath its Conditions; and it is certain upon daily experience, that the best Believers do but poorly on their part perform that which is required of them, and are often failing in, and falling short of their Duty in this regard: if therefore they must always fix their eye upon that, and look no farther than themselves, they would not seldom, be driven off from Prayer, and lose their active hopes of acceptance with God; especially when they are over-taken with gross prevarications, and woeful scandalous failures in their Covenant Obligations: and these things have sometimes h•ld them under doubts, and fears, and darkness: and where shall they have their Souls lifted up again, and encouraged to go to God for the Grace and help which they need, but by remembering the Covenant made with Christ, in which they are given to him, and undertaken for by him? and not only so, but it is to be remembered, that there i• no Meritorious virtue in the best Obedience or Covenant keeping which they […] attain unto, to impetrate any mercy ⟨p. 105⟩at the hands of God for them. Their Righteousness when it is best, is but ragged and defiled. There is something in all they do which wants a pardon, or else it cannot be accepted of them; and all the right that we have in any of that good which is laid up in the Promises of the Covenant of Grace, is derived to us from the merit of Christs Obedience and Satisfaction; and we can believingly ask for it upon no other score. When therefore David pleads with God for good, he begs of him to be his Surety, Psal. 119.122. All the Encouragement that a Child of God hath to be importunate with God, and wait on him with expectation to be made to partake in his favours, which derive through the Covenant of Grace, is in this, that he knows, or is made to have an active hope, that his name is written in the Covenant of Redemption; and therefore he may boldly ask it for Christs sake;