N00556:57
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all…
The doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Wherein is laid the foundation of all our hopes and happiness. Briefly opened and improved. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Three lines from Psalms]
Boston: printed by Benj. Harris over against the Old-Meeting-House, 1693
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.
A. It is a general Observation that in all Covenants there are two Parties, and there can be neither less or more; for the notion of a Covenant belongs to the Head of Relation, which hath but the Relate and the Correlate, and cannot exceed. If then there are divers parties, they suppose divers Covenants. In the Covenant of Works, God and Man immediately were the Parties: In the New Covenant they are God and Man, through' the Interposition of a Mediator, unto whom both Parties have a respect. But in the Covenant of Redemption they are God & the Son. This is agreed on among all those that acknowledge such a Covenant, but under what consideration, it is depa•ed with reference to each party, and may be here particularly Explained.
A. It is a general Observation that in all Covenants there are two Parties, and there can be neither less or more; for the notion of a Covenant belongs to the Head of Relation, which hath but the Relate and the Correlate, and cannot exceed. If then there are divers parties, they suppose divers Covenants. In the Covenant of Works, God and Man immediately were the Parties: In the New Covenant they are God and Man, thro' the Interposition of a Mediator, unto whom both Parties have a respect. But in the Covenant of Redemption they are God & the Son. This is agreed on among all those that acknowledge such a Covenant, but under what consideration, it is depa•ed with reference to each party, and may be here particularly Explained.
1. God is one Party, Psal. 89.3. I have made: The Party that speaks there is God himself. But it may be asked, whether he be to be considered Essentially ⟨p. 21⟩or Personally; and so is to be […] the Father? In the former Descrip•••• given of this Covenant, I have expressed it as belonging •o God the Father. There are some Divines who would have it taken Essentially, and assigned to the Deity, considered in the Essence, and not in any particular Subsistence, left otherwise the Holy Spirit, the Third Person in the Sacred Trinity should be excluded from being personally concerned in this Covenant. This Debate needs not be eagerly pursued, being easily reconcilable: here then observe.