Paradise Opened, Text (1 of 5)

Paradise Opened · Text (1 of 5)

Beloved in our Lord,

IN the firſt part of my golden Key, I have ſhewed you ſeven ſeveral pleas, that all ſincere Chriſtians may form up, as to thoſe ſeveral Scriptures in the Old and New Teſtament, that refer either to the great day of account, or to their particular days of account. In this ſecond part, I ſhall go on where I left, and ſhew you ſeveral other choice Pleas, that all believers may make in the preſent caſe.

The eighth Plea that a believer may form up as to theE…cleſ. 11. 9. cap. 12. 14. Mat. 12. 14. cap. 18. 23. Luk 16 2. R…m. 14 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. H…b. 9 27. cap. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 4. 5.Matt 12:14Luke 16:22 Cor 5:101 Pet 4:5 ten Scriptures in the margent, that refer to the great day of account, or to a man's particular account; may be drawn up from the conſideration of the covenant of grace, or the new covenant that all believers are under. It is of high concernment to underſtand the tenure of the covenant of grace, or the new Covenant, which is the Law you muſt judge of your eſtates by, for if you miſtake in that, you will err in the concluſion: That perſon is very unfit to make a Judge, who is ignorant of the Law, by which himſelf and others muſt be tryed▪ For the clearing of my way, let me premiſe theſe ſix things;

Firſt, premiſe this with me, that God hath commonly dealt 1with man in the way of a Covenant; that being a way that is moſt ſuitable to man, and moſt honourable for man, and the moſt amicable and friendly way of dealing with man: No ſooner was man made, but God entered into Covenant with him, In the day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt die the Ge…. 2. 17. Gen. 9 11. 12, 13, 14, 15. …en. 6. 18. C…r. 17. 1, 2.Gen 9:11Gen 9:12Gen 9:13Gen 9:14Gen 9:15death: & after this, he made a Covenant with the world, by Noah: & after this, he made a Covenant with Abraham: & p. 2after this, he made a Covenant with the Jews at MountExod. 19.Exod 19 Sinai: Thus you ſee, that God has commonly dealth with man in the way of a Covenant. But,

Secondly, premiſe this with me, All men are under 2ſome Covenant or other; they are either under a Covenant of works, or they are under a Covenant of grace: all perſons that live and die without an intereſt in Chriſt▪ they live and die under a Covenant of works; ſuch as live and die with an intereſt in Chriſt, they live and die under a Covenant of grace. There is but a two-fold ſtanding taken notice of in the bleſſed Scriptures; the oneRom. 6. 14. I am not of Camero's mind, that there were three Covenants; but of the Apoſtles mind, who expreſly tells us, that there are two Teſtaments, and no more, in that Gal. 4. 24.Rom 6:14Gal 4:24 is under the Law, the other is under Grace. Now, he that is not under grace, is under the Law. It is true, in the Scripture you do not read, in totidem ſyllabis, of the Covenant of works, and the Covenant of grace: but that of the Apoſtle, comes near it, Rom. 3. 27. where is boaſting then? it is excluded; by what Law? of works? nay, but by the Law of faith: Here you have the Law of works, oppoſed to the Law of faith; which holds out as much as the Covenant of works, and the Covenant of grace. The Apoſtle ſets forth this two-fold condition of men, by a very pertinent reſemblance, namely, by that of marriage, Rom. 7. 1, 2, 3. All Adam's ſeed are married to one of theſe two husbands; either to the Law, or to Chriſt. He that is not ſpiritually married to Chriſt, and ſo brought under his Covenant, is ſtill under the Law, as a Covenant of works; even as a wife is under the Law of her husband, while he is yet alive. Certainly, there were never any, but two Covenants made with man, the one Legal, the other Evangelical; the one of works, the other of grace; the firſt in innocency, the other after the fall: ponder upon Rom. 4. 13. But,

Thirdly, Let me premiſe this, That the Covenant of 3grace was ſo legally diſpenſed to the Jews, that it ſeems to be nothing elſe, but the repetition of the Covenant of works; in reſpect of which legal diſpenſations of it, the ſame Covenant, under the Law, is called a Covenant of works; under the Goſpel, in regard of the clearer manifeſtation p. 3of it, it is called a Covenant of grace: But theſe were not two diſtinct Covenants, but one and the ſame Covenant diverſly diſpenſed. The Covenant of grace is the ſame for ſubſtance now to us, ſince Chriſt was exhibited, as it was to the Jews, before he was exhibited; but the manner of adminiſtration of it is different, becauſe it is: 1. Now clearer, things were declared then in types and ſhadows; Heaven was then typed out by the Land of Canaan, but now we have things more plainly2 Cor. 3. 12. Heb. 7. 12.2 Cor 3:12Heb 7:12 manifeſted. In this reſpect it is called a better Teſtament or Covenant; not in ſubſtance, but in the manner of reveiling it; and the promiſes are ſaid to be better promiſesHeb. 8. 6. Act. 10. 35.Heb 8:6Acts 10:35 upon the ſame account. 2. The Covenant of grace, is now more largely extended; then it extended only to the Jews, but now, to all that know the Lord, and thatCol…ſ. 3. 11. Ne…m. 7. 2. J…b 1. 1, 8. Acts 13. 22. Rom. 4 18, 19, 20.Acts 13:22Rom 4:18Rom 4:19Rom 4:20 chuſe him, fear him, love him, and ſerve him in all nations. 3. There is more abundance of the ſpirit, of grace, of light, of knowledg, of holineſs, poured out generally 4upon the people of God now, than there was in thoſeThe word Covenant, in our Engliſh tongue, ſignifie, as we all know, a mutual promiſe, bargain and obligation, between two perſons; and ſo likewiſe doth the Hebrew Berith, and the Greek Diatheke. A Covenant is a ſolemn compact or agreement, between two choſen parties, or more; whereby, with mutual, free and full conſent; they bind and oblige themſelves, one to another. A Covenant is Amicus ſtatus interf…derates: ſo Martin, a friendly ſtate between Allies. times: Though then ſome few Saints, had much of the ſpirit, and much of grace and holineſs, both in their hearts and lives; but now the generality of the Saints, have more of the ſpirit, and more grace and holineſs, than the generality of the Saints had in thoſe times. But,

Fourthly, premiſe this with me, that a right notion of the Covenant, according to the Originals of the Old and New Teſtament, will conduce much to a right underſtanding of God's Covenant. The derivation of the Hebrew word, and of the Greek, may give us great light and is of ſpecial uſe, to ſhew the nature of the Covenant which they principally ſignifie, and what ſpecial things are therein required: The Hebrew word, foreign Berith, a Covenant, is by learned men, derived from ſeveral roots: Firſt, ſome derive it from foreign, Barar, to purifie, make clear, and to purge out droſs, chaff, and all uncleanneſs; and to ſelect, and chuſe out, and ſeparate the pure from the impure, the gold and ſilver from the droſs, and the pure wheat from the chaff. The reaſons of this derivation p. 4are theſe two: 1. Becauſe, by Covenants open and clear amity is confirmed, and faithfulneſs is plainly and clearly declared and ratified without deceipt or ſophiſtication betwixt covenanters: And things are made plain and clear betwixt them, in every point and article: 2. Becauſe God, in the Covenant of works, did chuſe out man eſpecially, with whom he made the Covenant; and becauſe, in the Covenant of grace, he chuſeth out of the multitude his Elect, even his Church and faithful people, whom he did ſeparate by predeſtination and election from all Eternity, to be an holy people to himſelf in Chriſt, Eph. 1. 4. 2. Some derive it from foreign, And verily, the Lord, when he makes a Covenant with any, he doth ſeparate them from others, he looks on them, and takes them, and owns them for his peculiar people, 1 Pet. 2. 9. for his peculiar treaſure, Exod. 19. 5. and agrees with them, as the choſen and choiceſt of all others,: The firſt ſtaff in Zach. 11. 10. is called Beauty, and this was the Covenant; and certainly it muſt be a high honour for a people to be in Covenant with God; for by this means, God becomes ours, and we are made nigh unto him, Jer. 31. 38, 40, 41. He is ours, and we are his, in a very peculiar way of relation: and by this means, God opens his love, and all his treaſures of grace unto us: In his Covenant he tells us of his ſpecial care, love, kindneſs, and great intentions of good to us; and by this means his faithfulneſs comes to be obliged to make good all his Covenant relations and engagements to us, Deut. 7. 9. Now in all this, God puts a great favour and honour upon his people. Hence, when the Lord told Abraham, that he would makeGen. 1…. 2, 3.Gen 1:2Gen 1:3 a Covenant with him, Abraham fell upon his face, he was amazed at ſo great a love and honour. Secondly, ſome derive the word from foreign, Barah, comedit, to eat, becauſe uſually they had a feaſt at the making of Covenants; in the Eaſtern Countreys they commonly eſtabliſhed their Covenants, by cating and dringing together. Herodotus tells us, that the Perſians were wont to contract Leagues and friendſhip, inter vinum & epulas, in a ful feaſt, where p. 5whereat their wives, children and friends were preſent. The like Tacitus reports of the Germans amongſt the Greeks and other nations, the Covenanters ate bread and ſalt together. The Emperour of Ruſſiah, at this day, when he would ſhew extraordinary grace and favour unto any, ſends him bread and ſalt from his table: And when he invited Baron Sigiſmond, the Emperour Ferdinand's Ambaſſador, he did it in this form; Sigiſmunde, comedes ſal & panem noſtrum nobiſcum: Sigiſmond, you ſhall eat our bread and ſalt with us. Hence, that Symbol of Pythagoras, foreign, break no bread, is interpretedV…de …urcium …itum …pu… Busbeq…ium Epiſt. 1. 11 by Eraſmus and others, to mean, break no friendſhip▪ Moreover the Egyptians, Thracians and Libyans in ſpecial, are ſaid to have uſed, to make leagues, and contract friendſhip, by preſenting a cup of wine one to another; which cuſtom, we find ſtill in uſe amongſt our weſtern Nations. It has been the univerſal cuſtom of Mankind, and ſtill remains in uſe, to contract Covenants, and make Leagues and friendſhip by eating and drinking together. When Iſaac made a Covenant with Abimelech the King of Gerar, the Text ſaith, He made him, and Gen. 26. 30, 31.Gen 26:30Gen 26:31thoſe that were with him, a feaſt; and they did eat and drink and roſe up betimes in the morning, and ſware one to another. When Jacob made a Covenant with Laban, after they had ſworn together, he made him a feaſt; and Gen. 31. 54.Gen 31:54called his brethren to eat bread, ſaith the Text▪ When David made a League with Abner, upon his promiſe of bringing all Iſrael unto him; David made Abner, and the 2 …am. 3 20.men that were with him, a feaſt, ſaith the Text. Hence, in the Hebrew tongue, a Covenant is called foreign, Berith, of foreign ▪ Barah, To eat, as i… they ſhould ſay, an eating; which derivation is ſo natural, that it deſerves (ſay ſome) to be preferred before that, from the other ſignification of the ſame verb, which is to chuſe; of which before. Now they that derive Berith from Barah, which ſignifies, to eat and refreſh ones ſelf with meat: They give this reaſon, for that derivation, viz. Becauſe the old Covenant of God, made with man in the Creation, was a Covenant, p. 6wherein the condition or Law, was about eating: ThatGen. 2. 16, 17.Gen 2:16Gen 2:17 man ſhould eat of all the trees and fruits, except of the tree of knowledg of good and evil: And in the ſolemn making and ſealing of the Covenant of grace, in Chriſt, the bleſſed ſeed; the publick Ceremony was ſlaying and ſacrificing of beaſts; and eating ſome part of them, after the fat, and the choice parts were offered up, and burn'd on the Altar: For God, by vertue of that Covenant, gave man leave to eat the fleſh of beaſts, which he might notD…u…. 12. …7. Gen. 1 29. Gen. 31. 46.Gen 1:29Gen 31:46 do in the ſtate of innocency; being limited to fruits of trees, and herbs bearing ſeed, for his meat: ſo alſo in ſolemn Covenants between men, the parties were wont to eat together. Thirdly, others derive the word Berith, from foreign, Bara, or foreign, Barah, to ſmite, ſtrike, cut, or divide (as both theſe words ſignifie) the word alſo ſignifies to elect or chuſe; and the reaſons they give for this derivation, are theſe two: Firſt, becauſe Covenants are not made, but by choice perſons, choſen out one by another, and about choice matters, and upon choice conditions, choſen out, and agreed upon, by both parties: Secondly, becauſe, in making of Covenants, commonly ſacrifices were ſtricken and ſlain, for confirmation and ſolemnity: Of old, God ſealed his Covenant by ſacrifices of beaſts ſlain, divided and cut aſunder, and the choice fat, and other parts, offered upon the Altar. And in making of great and ſolemn Covenants, men in old time, were wont to kill and cut aſunder ſacrificed beaſts; and to paſs…e…. 15. 9 10, 17. Je…. 34. 18, 19, 20. Lev…. 26. 25. weigh well theſe two Scriptures; … breakers may well look …pon them, as flaming ſwords is terrible thunder-bolts. between the parts divided, for a ſolemn teſtimony, or for the confirmation of the Covenants that they had made. And as learned men have long ſince obſerved, that the very Heathen, in their covenanting, uſed ſacrifices, and divided them, paſſing between the parts; and this they did, as ſome conjecture, in imitation of God's people: This third is the common opinion, about the Original of this name; and therefore, preferred before all other: So this word foreign, Berith, Covenant, ſeems to ſound as much as foreign, Kerith, a ſmiting or ſtriking, becauſe of ſacrifices ſlain in covenanting. Hence the word Covenant is p. 7often joyned witſt foreign, Karath, which ſignifies ſtriking of Covenant. An example of this beyond all exceptionAnd Riven in Gen. 31. Exerci…at 135.Gen 31 (ſaith my Author) is in that ſacrifice, wherein God, by Moſes, made a Covenant with all the people of Iſrael, and bound them to obey his Law; the deſcription of it is in Exod. 24. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. And Moſes wrote all the wards of the Lord, and roſe up early in the morning, and builded an Altar under the hill, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Iſrael. And he ſent young men of the children Anciently Co…enants were made with blood, to be taken con…an y in the covenant, e…en to the the… … of blood, & loſs of life.of Iſrael, which offered burnt offerings, and ſacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord. And Moſes took half of the blood, and put it in baſons; and half of the blood he ſprinkled on the Altar. And he took the book of the Covenant and read in the audience of the people; and they ſaid, all that the Lord hath ſaid, will we do, and be obedient. And Moſes took the blood, and ſprinkled it on the people, and ſaid, Behold the blood of the Covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all theſe words. I ſhall notRup…rtus Ambr…ſe Cajetan &c. trouble my reader with that myſtical and too curious a ſence, that ſome of the Ancients put upon theſe words: the hiſtorical ſenſe is here more fit: For in this Ceremony of dividing the blood in two parts, and ſo beſprinkling the Altar with the one half, which repreſented God; and the people with the other, between whom the Covenant was confirmed; the old uſe in ſtriking of Covenants, is obſerved: For the ancient cuſtom was, that they which made a League or Covenant, divided ſome beaſt, and put the parts aſunder, walking in the midſt; ſignifying, that as the beaſt was divided, ſo they ſhould be, which brake the Covenant: So when Saul went againſt the Ammonites, coming out of the field, he hewed two Oxen, and ſent them into all the coaſts of Iſrael; expreſſing the1 Sam. 11. 7.1 Sam 11:7 like ſignification, that ſo ſhould his Oxen be ſerved, that came not forth after Saul and Samuel: After the ſame manner, when God made a Covenant with Abraham, and he had divided certain beaſts, as God had commandedGen. 15. 12. to the 19.Gen 15:12 him, and laid one part againſt another; a ſmoaking …ir… brand went between, repreſenting God, ſignifying, that p. 8ſo he ſhould be divided, which violated the Covenant▪ So in this place, not much unlike; the blood is parted in twain, ſhewing that ſo ſhould his blood be ſhed, which kept not the Covenant. Fourthly, ſome derive the word Berith, from foreign, Bara, to create; and the reaſon they give for this derivation is this, becauſe the firſt ſtate of creation was confirmed by the Covenant which God made with man, and all creatures were to be upheld by means of obſerving of the Law and condition of the Covenant; and that Covenant being broken by man, the world, made ſubject to ruine, is upheld; yea, and, as it were, created anew by the Covenant of grace in Chriſt. Fifthly, ſome derive the word Berith, from foreign, Berath, which ſignifies firmneſs, ſureneſs, becauſe Covenants are firm and ſure, and all things agreed on are confirmed and made ſure by them; God's Covenant is a ſure Covenant, Deut. 7. 9. The Lord thy God, he is the faithful God (or the God…. 31. 31, 23, 35, …6, 37. …ſ…l. 19. 7. Rev. 3. 14. Iſa. 54. 10.Rev 3:14Isa 54:10 of Amen) which keepeth covenant with them that love him: Pſal. 89. 34. My covenant will I not break (Hebrew, I will not profane) nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. All God's precepts, all God's predictions, all God's menaces, and all God's promiſes, are the iſſue of a moſt juſt, faithful and righteous will. There are three things that God cannot do: 1. He cannot die: 2. He cannot lie, Tiius 1. 2. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promiſed before the world began: 3. He cannot deny himſelf. Now the derivation of Berith, from the ſeveral roots ſpecified, and not from one only, doth give much light to the point under conſideration; and doth reconcile in one, all the ſeveral opinions of the learned, and juſtifies their ſeveral derivations, without rejecting or offering any wrong or diſgrace to any.

Secondly, The Greek name, foreign, Diatheke, A Covenant, or a Teſtament: By this Greek word, the Septuagint, in their Greek Tranſlation, do commonly expreſs the Hebrew word Berith; and it is obſerveable, that this is the only word, by which, the Hebrew word Berith is rendered in the New Teſtament: This Greek word Diatheke, p. 9is tranſlated Covenant in the New Teſtament aboutHeb. 8. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 cap. 1. 4. Luk. 1. 72. Rom. 9. 4, &c. Mat. 26. 28. Luk. 22. 20, &c.Heb 8:6Heb 8:7Heb 8:8Heb 8:9Heb 8:10Luke 1:72Rom 9:4Matt 26:28Luke 22:20 twenty times; and the ſame word is tranſlated Teſtament, in the New Teſtament about twelve times: Wherever you find the word Covenant in the New Teſtament, there you ſhall find Diatheke; and wherever you find the word Teſtament, in the New Teſtament, there you ſhall find Diatheke: ſo that it is of importance for us to underſtand this word aright. Now this Greek word, foreign, Diatheke, is derived from foreign, Diatithemai, which hath divers of the ſignifications of the Hebrew words, of which Berith is derived; for it ſignifies to ſet things in order and frame, to appoint orders, and make Laws, to pacifie and make ſatisfaction, and to diſpoſe things by ones laſt Will and Teſtament. Now, to compoſe and ſet things in order, is to uphold the Creation, to walk by orders and Laws made and appointed, is to walk by rule, and to live, to deal plainly and faithfully without deceipt. To pacifie and make ſatisfaction, includes ſacrifices and ſin-offerings: To diſpoſe by will and Teſtament, implies choice of perſons and gifts; for men do commonly by will, give their beſt and moſt choice things, to their moſt dear, and moſt choice friends. Thus the Greek which the Apoſtles uſe in the New Teſtament, to ſignifie a Covenant, to expreſs the Hebrew word Berith, which is uſed in the Law and the Prophets, doth confirm our derivation of it, from all the words beforenamed. And this Derivation of the Hebrew and Greek names of a Covenant being thus laid down, and confirmed by the reaſons formerly cited, is of great uſe. The various acceptation and uſe of theſe two names in the Old and New Teſtament, is very conſiderable for the opening of the Covenant. Firſt, to ſhew unto us, the full ſignification of the word Covenant, and what the nature of a Covenant is in general: 2. To juſtifie the divers acceptations of the word, and to ſhew the nature of every word in particular; and ſo to make way for the knowledg of the agreement and difference between the Old and New Covenant: here, as in a Chriſtal glaſs, you may ſee that p. 10this word Berith, and this word Diatheke, ſignifie all Covenants in general, whether they are religious or civil; for there is nothing in any true Covenant, which is not comprized in the ſignification of theſe words, being expounded according to the former derivations. Here alſo, we may ſee what is the nature of a Covenant in general, and what things are thereunto required: As firſt, every true covenant preſuppoſeth a diviſion or ſeparation: Secondly, it comprehends in it a mutual promiſing and binding between two diſtinct parties: Thirdly, there muſt be faithful dealing, without fraud, or diſſembling on both ſides: Fourthly, this muſt be between choice perſons: Fifthly, it muſt be about choice matters, and upon choice conditions, agreed upon by both: Sixthly and laſtly, it muſt tend to the well ordering and compoſing of things between them. Now, all theſe are manifeſt by the ſeveral ſignifications of the words, from which Berith and Diatheke, are derived. And thus much for the word Covenant, according to the Originals of the Old and New Teſtament.

Fifthly, premiſe this with me, That there was a Covenant of works, or reciprocal Covenant, betwixt God and Adam, together with all his poſterity: Before Adam fell from his primitive holineſs, beauty, glory and excellency; God made a Covenant with Adam, as a publick perſon, which repreſented all Mankind. The Covenant of works was made with all men in Adam, who was made, and ſtood as a publick perſon, head and root, in a common and comprehenſive capacity: I ſay, it was made with him as ſuch, and we all in him; he and all ſtood and fell together: 1. Witneſs the imputation of Adam's ſin to all mankind, Rom. 5. 12. In whom (or for as much as) all have ſinned; they ſinned nor all in themſelves, therefore in Adam, ſee verſ. 14, In him all died. 2. Witneſs1 Cor. 15. 47. Deut. 29. 21. Rom. 8. 20, …1. Gal. 3. 10, 13.1 Cor 15:47Deut 29:21Rom 8:20Rom 8:1Gal 3:10Gal 3:13 the curſe of the Covenant, that all mankind are directly under; conſult the Scriptures in the margent. Thoſe, on whom the curſe of the Covenant comes, thoſe are under the bond and precept of the Covenant; But all mankind p. 11are under the curſe of the Covenant; and therefore, all mankind are under the bond and precept of the Covenant. Adam did underſtand the terms of the Covenant, and did conſent to the terms of the Covenant; for God dealt with him in a rational way, and expected from him a reaſonable ſervice. The end of this Covenant, was the upholding of the Creation, and of all the creatures, in their pure natural eſtate, for the comfort of man continually, and for the ſpecial manifeſtation of God's free grace: And that he might put the greater obligation upon Adam, to obey his Creator, and to ſweeten his authority to man; and that he might draw out Adam to an exerciſe of his faith, love and hope in his Creator; and that he might leave Adam the more inexcuſable in caſe he ſhould ſin; and that ſo, a clear way might be made for God's juſtification, and man's conviction: Upon theſe grounds God dealt with Adam, not only in a way of ſovereignty, but in a way of Covenant.

But how may it be evidenced, that God entred into a Queſt. Covenant of works with the firſt Adam, before his fall, there being no mention of ſuch a Covenant in the Scripture, that we read of?

Though the name be not in the Scripture, yet the thing Anſw. is in the Scripture, as will evidently appear, by compareingSocinians call for the word ſatisfaction, others call for the word ſacrament, others call for the word Trinity, and others call for the word Sabbath, for Lords day, &c. and thence conclude againſt Satisfaction, Sacraments, Trinity, Sabbath, for want of expreſs words▪ when the things themſelves are plainly and li…ely ſet down in other words, in the bleſſed Scriptures: ſo it is in this caſe of God's Covenant with Adam. The vanity and folly of ſuch ways of reaſoning, is ſufficiently demonſtrated by all writers upon thoſe Subjects, that are …ound in the faith, &c. Scripture with Scripture; though it be not poſitively and plainly ſaid in the bleſſed Scripture, that God made a Covenant of works with Adam, before his fall: Yet, upon ſundry Scripture grounds and conſiderations, it may be ſufficiently evinced, that God did make ſuch a Covenant with Adam, before his fall; and therefore, it is a nice cavil, and a fooliſh vanity, for any to make ſuch a noiſe about the word Covenant; and for want of the word Covenant, boldly to conclude that there was no ſuch Covenant made with Adam, when the thing is lively ſet down in other words, though the word Covenant be not p. 12expreſſed; and this I ſhall make evident by an induction of particulars, thus;

Firſt, God, to declare his ſovereignty and man's ſubjection, gave Adam, though innocent, a Law. God's expreſs preſcription of a poſitive Law, unto Adam, in his innocent ſtate, is clearly and fully laid down, in that Gen. 2. 16, 17. And the Lord God commanded the man, ſaying, of every tree of the garden thou maiſt freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledg of good and evil, thou ſhalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die: Hebrew, Dying, thou ſhalt die. Mark how God bounds man's obedience with a double fence: Firſt, he fenced him with a free indulgence, to eat of every tree in the Garden, but one; the leſs cauſe he had to be liquoriſh after forbidden fruit; but, ſtolen waters are ſweet. Secondly, by an exploratory prohibition upon pain of death: by the firſt, the Lord wooes him by love; by the ſecond, he frights him by the terrour of his juſtice; and bids him touch and taſte, if he durſt. The Faederati were God and Adam; God the Creator, and man the creature, made after Gods image and likeneſs; and ſo not contrary to God, nor at enmity with him, but like unto God, though far different and inferiour to God in nature and ſubſtance. Here are alſo terms agreed on, and matters covenanted reciprocally, by theſe parties: Adam, on his part, was to be obedient to God, in forbearing to eat of the tree of knowledg only. God's charge to our firſt parents was only negative, not to eat of the tree of knowledg; the other, to eat of the trees, was left unto their choice. Eve confeſſeth that God ſpake unto them both, and ſaid, ye ſhall not eat of it: And God ſpeaks unto both of themGen. 3. 2.Gen 3:2 together in theſe words; Behold I have given unto you every Gen. 1. 19.Gen 1:19herb, and every tree, &c. At which time, alſo, it is very like, that he gave them the other prohibition of not eating of that one tree; for if God had made that exception before, he would not have given a general permiſſion after; or if this general grant had gone before, the exception coming, ſhould ſeem to abrogate the former p. 13grant. The Septuagint ſeem to be of this mind, that this precept was given both to Adam and Eve, reading thusSo doth Gregory read as the Septuagint does, Gr …. l. b. 35. moral. …. 10 in the plural number; In what day ye ſhall eat thereof, ye ſhall die. And though, in the Original, the precept be given in the name of Adam only; that is only, 1. Becauſe Adam was the more principal, and he had the charge of the woman: And 2. Becauſe that the greateſt danger was in his tranſgreſſion, which was the cauſe of the ruine of his poſterity: 3. Becauſe, as Mercerus well obſerves, Adam was the common name, both of the man and woman; Gen. 5. 2. and ſo is taken, verſ, 15. And God, on his part, for the preſent, permits Adam to eat of all other trees of the Garden. And for the future (in his explicite threatning of death in caſe of diſobedience) implicity promiſeth life, in caſe of obedience herein.

Secondly, the promiſes of this Covenant on God's part, 2were very glorious; Firſt, that heaven, and earth, and all creatures, ſhould continue in their natural courſe and order, wherein God had had created and placed them, ſerving always for man's uſe, and that man ſhould have the benefit and Lordſhip of them all. Secondly, As for natural life, in reſpect of the body, Adam ſhould have had perfection without defect, beauty without deformity, labour without wearineſs. Thirdly, as for ſpiritual life, Adam ſhould never have known what it was to be under…. 18. 1. …. terrours and horrours of conſcience, nor what a wounded ſpirit means, he ſhould never have found the arrows of … 6. 4.the Almighty ſticking fa…l in him, nor the poyſon thereof drinking up his ſpirits, nor the terrours of God, to ſet themſelves in array againſt him; nor he ſhould never have taſted of death: Death is a fall that came in by a fall; had Adam never ſinned, Adam had never died; had Adam ſtood faſt in innocency, he ſhould have been tranſlated to glory without diſſolution. Death came in by ſin, and ſin goeth out by death: As the worm kills the worm that bred it, ſo death … ſin that bred it. Now, where there are parties covenanting, promiſing, and agreeing upon terms, and terms mutually agreed upon by thoſe parties, p. 14as here. There's the ſubſtance of an expreſs Covenant, though it be not formally, and in expreſs words called a Covenant. This was the firſt Covenant which God made with man, and this is called by the name Berith, Jer. 33. 20. where God ſaith, If you can break my Covenant of the day and night, and that there ſhall not be day and night in their ſeaſon, verſ. 21. Then may alſo my Covenant with David, be broken. In theſe words he ſpeaks plainly of the promiſe in the Creation: That day and night ſhould keepGen. 1. 14, 15, 16.Gen 1:14Gen 1:15Gen 1:16 their courſe, and the ſun, moon, and ſtars, and all creatures, ſhould ſerve for man's uſe. Now, though man did break the Covenant on his part, yet God being immutable, could not break Covenant on his part, neither did he ſuffer his promiſe to fail; but by vertue of Chriſt promiſed to man in the new Covenant, he will keep touch with man ſo long as mankind hath a being on the earth, In this firſt Covenant, God promiſed unto man life and happineſs, Lordſhip over all the creatures, liberty to uſe them, and all other bleſſings which his heart could deſire, to keep him in that happy eſtate, wherein he was created. And man was bound to God, to walk in perfect righteouſneſs, to obſerve and keep God's Commandments, and to obey his will in all things, which were within the reach of his nature, and ſo far as was reveiled to him: In the firſt Covenant, God reveiled himſelf to man, as one God, Creator and Governour of all things, infinite in power, wiſdom, goodneſs, nature and ſubſtance. God was man's good Lord, and man was God's good ſervant; God dearly loved man, and man greatly loved God with all his heart; there was not the leaſt ſhadow, or occaſion of hatred or enmity between them; there was nothing but mutual love, mutual delight, mutual content, and mutual ſatisfaction, between God and man: Man, in his primitive glory, needed no Mediator, to come between God and him; man was perfect, pure, upright and good, created after God's own image; and the nearer he came to God, the greater was his joy and comfort: God's preſence now, was man's great delight; p. 15and it was man's heaven on earth, to walk with God. But,

Thirdly, Conſider the intention and uſe of the two eminent 3Trees in the Garden, that are mentioned in a more peculiar manner, viz. The tree of life, and The tree of knowledg. The intended uſe of theſe two Trees in Paradiſe, was Sacramental: Hence they are called Symbolical Trees, and Sacramental Trees, by learned writers, both ancient and modern. By theſe the Lord did ſignifie and ſeal to our firſt parents, that they ſhould always enjoy that happy ſtate of life, in which they were made, upon condition of obedience to his Commandments, i. e. inThe Tree of life was the … and …eal which God gave to man, for confirmation of this firſt Covenant; and it was to man, a Sacrament and pledge of eternal life on earth, and of all bleſſings needful to keep man in life. eating of the tree of life, and not eating of the tree of knowledg. The Tree of life is ſo called, not becauſe of any native property, and peculiar vertue it had in it ſelf, to convey life; but ſymbolically, morally and ſacramentally: It was a ſign and obſignation to them of life, natural and ſpiritual, to be continued to them, as long as they continued in obedience to God. The ſeal of the firſt Covenant was the Tree of life; which, if Adam had received, by taking and eating of it, whilſt he ſtood in the ſtate of Innocency, before his fall, he had certainly been eſtabliſhed in that eſtate for ever; and the Covenant being ſealed and confirmed between God and him on both parts, he could not have been ſeduced and ſupplanted by Satan, as ſome learned men do think, and as God's own words ſeem to imply, Gen. 3. 22. And now, leſt he put forth his hand, and take alſo of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. The tree of knowledg of good and evil, was ſpoken from the ſad event and experience they had of it, as Sampſon had of God's departing from him, when he loſt his Nazaritiſh hair by Dalilah. The tree of life, was a Sacrament of life; The tree of knowledg, a Sacrament of death: The tree of life, was for confirmation of man's obedience; and The tree of knowledg, was for caution againſt diſobedience. Now if theſe two Trees were two Sacraments; the one aſſuring of lite in caſe of obedience, the other aſſuring of death in caſe of diſobedience; then hence we may collect, p. 16That God not only entred into a Covenant of works with the firſt Adam, but alſo gave him this Covenant under Sacramental ſigns and ſcals. But,

Fourthly, Seriouſly conſider that a Covenant of works 4lay clear, in that Commandment, Gen. 2. 16, 17. which may thus be made evident; 1. Becauſe that was the condition of man's ſtanding and life, as it was expreſly declared: 2. Becauſe, in the breach of that Commandment given him, he loſt all, and we in him. God made the Covenant of works primarily with Adam, and with us in him, as our head, incluſively; ſo that when he did fall, we did fall; when he loſt all, we loſt all. There are five things we loſt in our fall; 1. Our holy Image, and ſo became vile: 2. Our ſonſhip, and ſo became ſlaves: 3. Our friendſhip, and ſo became enemies: 4. Our communion with God, and ſo became ſtrangers: 5. Our glory, and ſo became miſerable. Sin and death came into the world by Adam's fall: In Adam's ſinning, we all ſinned;1 C…r. 15. 22. Rom. 5. 12. to the end, &c.Rom 5:12 and in Adam's dying, we all died; as you may ſee, by comparing the Scriptures in the margent together. In Adam's firſt ſin, we all became ſinners by imputation: Adam being an univerſal perſon, and all mankind one in him, by God's Covenant of works with him: Omnes ille unus homo fuerunt, Auguſt. All were that one man, viz. by federal conſociation: God covenanted with Adam, and in him with all his poſterity; and therefore Adam's breach of Covenant, fell not only upon him, but upon all his poſterity. But,

Fifthly and laſtly, we read of a Second Covenant, Heb. 510. 9. Rom. 9. 4. Gal. 4. 24. Eph. 2. 12. And we read of a New Covenant, Jer. 31. 31. Behold the days come, ſaith Heb. 8. 6, 7.Heb 8:6Heb 8:7the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, and with the houſe of Judah: So Heb. 8. 8. I will make a new covenant, &c. verſ. 13. In that he ſaith a new covenant, he hath made the firſt old, &c. Heb. 12. 24. And to Jeſus the mediator of the new covenant, &c. Now if there be a Second Covenant, then we may ſafely conclude there was a Firſt; and if there be a New Covenant, then p. 17we may boldly conclude that there was an Old Covenant: A Covenant of Grace always ſuppoſeth a Covenant of Works: I know there is a repetition of the Covenant of Works with Adam, in the Law of Moſes; as in that ofHeb. 8. 7, 8, 9.Heb 8:7Heb 8:8Heb 8:9 the Apoſtle to the Galatians, The Law is not of faith, but the man that doth theſe things, ſhall live in them. The Law requires works, and promiſeth no life to thoſe that will be juſtified by faith. In the firſt Covenant, threeGal. 3. 10, 11, 12.Gal 3:10Gal 3:11Gal 3:12 things are obſervable; 1. The precept, That continueth not in all things; the precept requires perfect, perſonal and perpetual obedience: 2. The promiſe, Live, the man that doth them ſhall live; live happily, bleſſedly, chearfully, everlaſtingly: 3. The curſe in caſe of tranſgreſſion, Curſed is every one, that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law, to do them: One ſin, and that but in thought, broke the Angel's Covenant,Jude 6.Jude 1:6 and hath brought them into everlaſting chains: So the ſame Apoſtle, to the Romans, further tells us, that Moſes deſcribeth the righteouſneſs which is of the law, that the man that doth thoſe things, ſhall live by them. Thus it wasRom. 10. 5.Rom 10:5 with Adam, principally and properly, therefore he was under a Covenant of works, when God gave him that command, Gen. 2. 16, 17. This firſt Covenant, is called a Covenant of works, becauſe this Covenant required working on our part, as the condition of it, for juſtification and happineſs, The man that doth theſe things, ſhall live. Under this Covenant, God left man to ſtand upon his own bottom, and to live upon his own ſtock, and by his own induſtry; God made him perfect and upright, and gave him power and ability to ſtand, and laid no neceſſity at all upon him to fall. In this firſt Covenant of works, man had no need of a Mediator, God did then ſtipulate with Adam immediately; for ſeeing he had not made God his enemy by ſin, he needed no days-man, toJob 9. 33.Job 9:33 Make friendly interceſſion for him.

Adam was inveſted and endowed with righteouſneſs and holineſs in his firſt glorious eſtate; with righteouſneſs, that he might carry it fairly, juſtly, evenly and p. 18righteouſly towards man; and with holineſs, that heEph. 4. 22, 23, 24. In this Scripture, the Apoſtle ſpeaks plainly of the Renovation of that Knowledg, Holineſs and Righteouſneſs that Adam ſometimes had, but loſt it by his fall.Eph 4:22Eph 4:23Eph 4:24 might carry it wiſely, lovingly, reverentially and holily towards God, and that he might take up in God as his chiefeſt good, as in his great ALL. I ſhall not now ſtand upon the diſcovery of Adam's Beauty, Authority, Dominion, Dignity, Honour and Glory, with which he was adorned, inveſted and crowned in innocency: Let this ſatisfie, that Adam's firſt eſtate, was a ſtate of perfectPſal. 8. 4, 5, 6. Gen. 2. 20.Ps 8:4Ps 8:5Ps 8:6Gen 2:20 knowledg, wiſdom and underſtanding; it was a perfect ſtate of holineſs, righteouſneſs and happineſs; there was nothing within him, but what was deſirable and delectable; there was nothing without him, but what was amiable and commendable; nor nothing about him, but what was ſerviceable and comfortable. Adam, in his innocent eſtate, was the wonder of all underſtanding, the mirrour of wiſdom and knowledg, the image of God, the delight of heaven, the glory of the Creation, the world's great Lord, and the Lord's great darling: Upon all theſe accounts, he had no need of a Mediator. And let thus much ſuffice to have ſpoken concerning the firſt Covenant of works, that was between God and Adam in innocency. But,

Sixthly, Premiſe this with me, viz. That there is a 6new Covenant, a ſecond Covenant, or a Covenant of grace, betwixt God and his people, expreſs ScripturesH… 8. 6 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. prove this, Deut. 7. 9. Know therefore, that the Lord thy God, he is God; the faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him, and keep his commandments to a thouſand generations: 2 Sam. 23. 5. Although See this 2 S…m. 23. 5. opened in my box of precious Ointments. pa…. 369, 370 371 372, 373, 374.my houſe be not ſo with God, yet he hath made with me, an everlaſting covenant, ordered in all things, and ſure: for this is all my ſalvation, and all my deſire; although he make it not to grow: Nehem. 1. 5. I beſeech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and …errible God; that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him, and keep his commandments: Iſa. 54. 10. For the mountains ſhall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindneſs ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord, that p. 19hath mercy on thee: Jer. 32. 40. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me: Ezek. 20. 37. And I will cauſe you to paſs under the rod, and I will bring you into D…ut. 4. 23. Iſ…. 55. 1, 2, 3. Jer. 24. 7. cap. 30. 22. cap. 31. 31, 33. cap. 32. 38. Heb. 8. 8, 9, 10.Jer 24:7Heb 8:8Heb 8:9Heb 8:10the bond of the Covenant: Deut. 29. 12. That thou ſhouldeſt enter into Covenant with the Lord thy God; and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee to day: Conſult the Scriptures in the margent alſo, for they cannot be applyed to Chriſt, but to us. But for the further evidencing of that Covenant, that is between the Lord and his people. Now, that there is a Covenant betwixt God and his people, may be further evinced by unanſwerable arguments, let me point at ſome among many.

Firſt, Chriſt is ſaid to be the mediator of this Covenant, 1Heb. 9. 15. And for this cauſe, he is the mediator of the new teſtament, that by means of death for the redemption of the tranſgreſſions that were under the firſt teſtament; they which are called, might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance: Certainly, that Covenant, of which Chriſt is the Teſtator, muſt needs be a Covenant made with us: for elſe, if the Covenant were made only with Chriſt (as ſome would have it) then it will roundly follow, that Jeſus Chriſt is both Teſtator; and the party, to whom the Teſtaments and Legacies are bequeathed: which ſounds harſh; yea, which, to aſſert, is very abſurd: Since the creation of the world, was it ever known, that ever any man did bequeath a Teſtament and Legacies to himſelf? Surely no▪ Chriſt is the Teſtator of the New Covenant; and therefore, we may ſafely conclude, that the New Covenant is made with us. The office of Mediator (you know) is to ſtand betwixt two at variance: The two at variance, were God and man: Man had offended and incenſed God againſt him; God's wrath was an inſupportable burrhen, and a conſuming fire; no creature was able to ſtand under it, or before it: Therefore Chriſt, to reſcue and redeem man, becomes a Mediator; Chriſt▪ undertaking to be a Mediator, both procured a Covenant to paſs betwixt God p. 20and man, and alſo engaged himſelf for the performance thereof on both parts; and to aſſure man of partaking of the benefit of God's Covenant, Chriſt turns the Covenant into a Teſtament; that the conditions of the Covenant, on God's part, might be as ſo many Legacies; which being confirmed by the death of the Teſtator, none might diſannul, Heb. 8. 6. He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was eſtabliſhed upon better promiſes. The promiſes of the new Covenant are ſaid to be better in theſe ſix reſpects, 1. All the promiſes of the Law, were conditional: Do this, and thou ſhalt live; the promiſes of the new Covenant are abſolute of grace, as well as to grace: 2. In this better Covenant, God promiſeth higher things; here God promiſeth himſelf, his ſon, his ſpirit, a higher righteouſneſs, and a higher ſonſhip: 3. Becauſe of their ſtability, thoſe of the old Covenant, were ſwallowed up in the curſe; Rom. 4. 13, 16. Gal. 3. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Cant. 5 16. Col. 1. 19. cap. 2. 3. Iſa. 44. 3. Jo… 2. 28. Act. 2. 16, 17. Gal. 3. 2.Rom 4:13Rom 4:16Gal 3:16Gal 3:172 Cor 1:20Song 5:16Col 1:19Isa 44Acts 2:16Acts 2:17Gal 3:2theſe are the ſure mercies of David: 4. They are all bottomed upon faith, they all depend upon faith: 5. They are all promiſed upon our intereſt in Chriſt; this makes the promiſes ſweet, becauſe they lead us to Chriſt, the fountain of them; whoſe mouth is moſt ſweet, and in whoſe perſon, all the ſweets of all created beings do center: 6. Becauſe God hath promiſed to pour out a greater meaſure of his ſpirit, under the New Covenant, than he did under the old Covenant; Heb. 12. 24. And to Jeſus, the mediator of the new covenant. Thus you ſee that Chriſt is called, the mediator ef the covenant, three ſeveral times: Now, he could not be the Mediator of that Covenant that is betwixt God and himſelf (of which more ſhortly) but of that Covenant, that is betwixt God and his people. But

Secondly, The people of God have pleaded the Covenant, 2that is betwixt God and them, Remember thy Covenant: Jer. 14. 21. Luk. 1. 72. Pſal. 25. 6.Jer 14:21Luke 1:72Ps 25:6Now, how could they plead the Covenant betwixt God and them; if there were no ſuch Covenant; ſee the Scriptures in the margent. But,

Thirdly, God is often ſaid to remember his Covenant,Ponde… upon theſe Scriptures, Pſal. 105. 8. Pſal. 106. 45. Pſal. 111. ….Ps 105:8Ps 106:45Ps 111 Gen. 9. 15. I'l remember my covenant, which is between you and me: Exod. 6. 5. I have remembred my covenant: Lev. p. 2126. 42. I remember my covenant with Jacob, and alſo my covenant with Iſaac, and alſo my covenant with Abraham, will I remember: Ezek. 16. 60. I will remember my covenant with thee, and I will eſtabliſh unto thee an everlaſting covenant. Now, how can God be ſaid to remember his Covenant with his people, if there were no Covenant betwixt God and them? But,

Fourthly, the temporal and ſpiritual deliverances, that 4you have by the Covenant, do clearly evidence, that thereGen. 9. 11. Iſa. 54. 9. Pſal. 111. 9. Iſa. 59. 21.Gen 9:11Isa 54:9Ps 111:9Isa 59:21 is a Covenant betwixt God and you, Zach. 9. 11. As for thee alſo, by the blood of thy covenant, I have ſent forth thy priſoners out of the pit, wherein there was no water: Theſe words include both temporal and ſpiritual deliverances: So that now, if there be not a Covenant betwixt God and you, what deliverances can you expect; ſeeing they all flow in upon the creature, by vertue of the Covenant, and according to the Covenant? By the blood of the Covenant,Luk 16. 24, 25.Luke 16:24Luke 16:25 believers are delivered from the infernal pit; where there is not ſo much water, as might cool Dives his tongue; and by the blood of the Covenant, they are delivered from thoſe deaths and dangers that do ſurround2 Cor. 1. 8, 9, 10.2 Cor 1:82 Cor 1:92 Cor 1:10 them: When ſincere Chriſtians fall into deſperate diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers; yet they are priſoners of hope, and may look for deliverance by the blood of the Covenant; this does ſufficiently evince a Covenant betwixt God and his people. But,

Fifthly, God has threatned, ſeverely to avenge and 5puniſh the quarrel of his Covenant, Levit. 26. 25. And I Deut. 29. 20, 21, 24, 25. cap. 31. 20, 21. J…ſ…. 7. 11, 12, 15. cap. 23. 15, 16. Ju…. …. 20. 2 King. 18 9, 10, 11, 12.Deut 29:20Deut 29:21Deut 29:24Deut 29:252 Kgs 18:92 Kgs 18:102 Kgs 18:112 Kgs 18:12will bring a ſword upon you, that ſhall avenge the quarrel of my covenant; or which ſhall avenge the vengeance of the Covenant) &c. conſult the Scriptures in the m…ge…t. Breach of Covenant betwixt God and man, breaks the peace, and breeds a quarrel betwixt them; in which, he will take vengeance of man's revolt, except there be repentance on man's ſide, and pardoning grace on his. For breach of Covenant, Jeruſalem is long ſince, laid waſte, and the ſeven golden candleſticks broken in pieces; and many others, this day, lie a bleeding in the Nations, p. 22who have made no more of breaking Covenant with the great God, than if therein they had to do with poor mortals, with duſt and aſhes like themſelves. Now, how can there be ſuch a ſin, as breach of Covenant; for which, God will be avenged, if there were no Covenant betwixt God and his people. But,

Sixthly, The ſeals of the Covenant, are given to God's 6people: Now, to thoſe, to whom the ſeals of the CovenantI… reaſon, the Cove…ant and the S…ls muſt go together▪ Were it no… a fond and fooliſh thing in any man, to make a Covenant with …e, and to gi…e the ſeals to ano…? In Equity and Juſtice, the Co…enant and Seals muſt go to the ſame perſons. are given, with them is the Covenant mad…, (for the ſeals of the Covenant, and the Covenant go to the ſame perſons) But the ſeals of the Covenant are given to believers; Abraham receives the ſign of circumciſion, a ſeal of the righteouſneſs of faith; Rom. 4. 11. Ergo, the Covenant is made with believers: Circumciſion is a ſign, in regard of the thing ſignified; and a ſeal, in regard of the Covenant, made betwixt God and man: Seal is a borrowed word, taken from Kings and Princes; who add their broad ſeal, or privy ſeal, to ratifie and confirm the Leagues, Edicts, Grants, Covenants, Charters, that are made with their Subjects or Confederates. God had made a Covenant with Abraham; and by circumciſion, ſigns and ſeals up that Covenant. But,

Seventhly, The people of God are ſaid, ſometimes to 7keep Covenant with God, Pſal. 25. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto ſuch as keep his covenant, and his teſtimonies. Mercies flowing in upon us, through the Covenant, are of all mercies, the moſt ſoul-ſatisfying, ſoul-refreſhing, ſoul cheering mercies; yea, they are the very cream of mercy: Oh, how well is it with that Saint, that can look upon every mercy, as a preſent ſent him from heaven, by vertue of the Covenant! Oh, this ſweetens every drop, and ſip, and cruſt, and crum of mercy, that a Chriſtian enjoys, that all flows in upon him through the Covenant. The promiſe laſt cited, is a very ſweet, choice, precious promiſe, a promiſe more worth, than all the riches of the Indies. Mark, All the paths of the Lord to his people, they are not only mercy, but they are mercy and truth; that is, they are ſure mercies that ſtream p. 23in upon them, through the Covenant: Solomon's dinnerProv. 15. 17. D…. 1. 12. John 6. 9.Prov 15:17John 6:9 of green herbs, Daniel's pulſe, Barley loaves and a ſew fiſhes, ſwimming in upon a Chriſtian, through the New Covenant, are far better, greater and ſweeter mercies, than all thoſe great things are, that flow in upon the great men of the world, through that general providence, that feeds the birds of the air, and the beaſts of the field, Pſal. 44. 17. Yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falſely in thy covenant; that is, We have kept Covenant with thee, by endeavouring to the uttermoſt of our power, to keep off from the breach of thy Covenant, and to live up to the duties of thy Covenant, ſuitable to that of the Prophet Micah, We will walk in the name of the Lord our Mi…ha 4. 5.God, for ever and ever. Perſons in Covenant with God, will not only take a turn or two in his ways (as Temporaries and Hypocrites do, who are hot at hand, but ſoon tire, and give in) but they will hold on in a courſe of holineſs,Rev 14. 4.Rev 14:4 and not fail to follow the Lamb, witherſoever heCap. 17. 14. goes, Pſal. 103. 17. The mercy of the Lord, is from everlaſting, to everlaſting: verſ. 18. To ſuch as keep his Covenant, &c. All ſincere Chriſtians, they keep Covenant with God: 1. In reſpect of their cordial deſires, to keep Covenant…em. 1. ult. …. 119. 133. Pſal. 39. 1, 2.Ps 39:1Ps 39:2 with God: 2. In reſpect of their habitual purpoſes and reſolutions, to keep Covenant with God: 3. In reſpect of their habitual and conſtant endeavours to keep Covenant with God: This is an Evangelical, and incompleat keeping Covenant with God, which in Chriſt, God owns and accepts; and is as well pleaſed with it, as he was with Adam's keeping of Covenant with him, before his fall. From what has been ſaid, we may thus argue▪ Thoſe that keep Covenant with God, thoſe are in Covenant with God thoſe have made a Covenant with God; But all ſincer… Chriſtians, they do keep Covenant with God. Ergo: But,

Eighthly a…d laſtly, The Lord hath, by many choice, 8precious and pathetical promiſes engaged himſelf to make2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 good that bleſſed Covenant that he has made with his people, yea, with his choice and choſen ones: take a few inſtances, p. 24If ye hearken to theſe judgments (ſaith God toDeut. 7. 12.Deut 7:12 Iſrael) and keep and do them: The Lord thy God ſhall keep unto thee, the covenant and the mercy, which he ſware unto Under the name Ju…gments, th… Commandments, and Statutes of God, are contained.thy fathers. This bleſſed Covenant is grounded upon God's free grace; and therefore, in recompencing their obedience, God hath a reſpect to his own mercy, and not to their merits: So Judg. 2. 1. I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you into the land which I ſware unto your fathers; and I ſaid, I will never break my covenant with you. God is a God of mercy, and his Covenant with his people, is a Covenant of mercy; and therefore he will be ſure to keep touch with them. So, Pſal. 89. 34. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth: As if he ſhould have ſaid, Though they break my Statutes, yet will I not break my Covenant; for this ſeems to have reference to the 31: verſ. If they break my ſtatutes, &c. Though they had prophaned God's Statutes, yet God would not prophane his Covenant, as the Hebrew runs, My covenant will I not break; that is, I will ſtand ſtedfaſtly, to the performance of it, and to every part and branch of it: I will never be inconſtant, I will never be off and on with my people, I will never change my purpoſe, nor eat my words, nor unſay what I have ſaid: So Jer. 33. 20. Thus ſaith the That is the order that I have ſet upon the courſes and the Revolutions of day and night.Lord, if you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there ſhall not be day and night in their ſeaſon: verſ. 21. Then may alſo, my covenant be broken with my ſervant David, &c. It is impoſſible for any created power, to break off the intercourſe of night and day; ſo, it is impoſſible for me, to break the Covenant that I have made with David my ſervant; the day and night ſhall as ſoon fail, as my Covenant ſhall fail: So, Iſa. 54. 10. The mountains ſhall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindneſs ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee: Though great and huge mountains ſhould remove; yea, though heaven and earthPſal. 46. 2.Ps 46:2 ſhould meet; yet the Covenant of God with his people, p. 25ſhall ſtand unmoveable. The Covenant of God, the mercy of God, and the loving kindneſs of God to his people, ſhall laſt for ever, and remain conſtant and immutable, though all things in the world, ſhould be turned upſide down. So, Pſal. 111. 4. The Lord is gracious, and full of compaſſion: verſ. 5. He will ever be mindful of his covenant: God looks not at his peoples ſins, but at his own promiſe; he will paſs by their infirmities, and ſupply all their neceſſities: God will never break his Covenant, he will never alter his Covenant, he will ſtill keep it, he will for ever be mindful of it. The Covenant of God with his people, ſhall be as inviolable, as the courſe and revolution of day and night; and more immoveable, than the very hills and mountains. From what has been ſaid, we may thus argue: If God hath, by many choice, precious and pathetical promiſes, engaged himſelf to make good that bleſſed Covenant that he has made with his people; then certainly there is a Covenant between God and his people: But God hath, by many choice, precious and pathetical promiſes, engaged himſelf to make good his Covenant to his people. Ergo.

I might have laid down ſeveral other unanſwerable arguments to have evinced this bleſſed truth, That there is a Covenant betwixt God and his people; but let theſe eight ſuffice for the preſent.

Seventhly and laſtly, premiſe this with me, viz. That 7it is a matter of high importance, and of great concernment,2 Sam. 23. 3, 4.2 Sam 23:32 Sam 23:4 for all mortals, to have a clear and a right underſtanding of that Covenant, under which they are: God deals with all men according to the Covenant, underPſal. 105. 8. …ſal. 111. 5. 1 …r. 11. 28. Gal. 4. 23, 24, 25.Ps 105:8Gal 4:23Gal 4:24Gal 4:25 which they ſtand: we ſhall never come to underſtand our ſpiritual eſtate and condition, till we come to know under what Covenant we are. If we are under a Covenant of works, our ſtate is miſerable; If we are under a Covenant of grace▪ …ur ſtate is happy; If we die under a Cov…nant of works, we ſhall be cert…inly damned▪ If we die under … Cove…ant …f grace, we ſhall be certainly ſav…d. p. 26'Till we come to underſtand, under what Covenant we are, we ſhall never be able to put a right conſtruction, a right interpretation upon any of God's actions, dealings or diſpenſations towards us: When we come to underſtand, that we are under the Covenant of grace; then we ſhall be able to put a ſweet, a loving and a favourableRev. 3. 19. J…b 1. 21. Jer. 24. 4, 5. Rom. 8. 28. Heb. 12. 10, 11. 2 Cor. 4. 15, 16, 17, 18.Rev 3:19Jer 24:4Jer 24:5Rom 8:28Heb 12:10Heb 12:112 Cor 4:152 Cor 4:162 Cor 4:172 Cor 4:18 conſtruction upon the moſt ſharp, ſmart, ſevere and terrible diſpenſations of God, knowing that all flows from love, and ſhall work for our external, internal and eternal good, and for the advancement of God's honour and glory in the world: When we come to underſtand, that we are under a Covenant of works, then we ſhall know that there is wrath, and curſes, and woes, wrapped up in the moſt favourable diſpenſations; and in the greateſtPrev. 1. 32. Mal. 2. 2. Deut. 28. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Levit. 26. 14, to the 24. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Heb. 12. 1.Mal 2:2Deut 28:15Deut 28:16Deut 28:17Deut 28:18Deut 28:19Deut 28:20Lev 26:142 Cor 2:14Heb 12:1 outward mercies and bleſſings that Chriſt confers upon us. If a man be under a Covenant of grace, and doth not know it; how can he rejoyce in the Lord? how can he ſing out the high praiſes of God? how can he delight himſelf in the Almighty? how can he triumph in Chriſt Jeſus? how can he chearfully run the race that is before him? how can he bear up bravely and reſolutely in his ſufferings for the cauſe of Chriſt? how can he beſiege the throne of grace with boldneſs? how can he be temptation proof? how can he be dead to this world; how can he long to be with Chriſt, in that other world? And if a man be under a Covenant of works, and doth not know it, how can he lament and bewail his ſad condition? how can he be earneſt with God, to bring him under the bond of the New Covenant? how can he make out after Chriſt? how can he chuſe the things that pleaſe God? how can he ceaſe from doing evil, and learn to do well? how can he lay hold on eternal life? how can he be ſaved from wrath to come? &c. If we are under a Covenant of grace, and do not know it, how can we manage our duties and ſervices with that life, love, ſeriouſneſs, holineſs, ſpiritualneſs,Pſal. 16. 4. Ames. 8. 5. Mal 1. 13. H…ſ. 6. 4. cap. 4. 10. Pſal. 36. 3.Ps 16:4Mal 1:13Ps 36:3 and uprightneſs, as becomes us? &c. If we are under a Covenant of works, and do not know it, how rare ſhall we be in religious duties? how weary ſhall we p. 27be of religious duties? and how ready ſhall we be to caſt off religious duties? By theſe few things I have been hinting at, you may eaſily diſcern how greatly it concerns all ſorts of perſons, to know what Covenant they are under; whether they are under the firſt or ſecond Covenant; whether they are under a Covenant of works, or a Covenant of grace. Now, having premiſed theſe ſeven things, my way is clear to that I would be at; which is this, viz.

That there are but two famous Covenants, that we muſt abide by; in one of them, all men and women in the world, muſt of neceſſity be found; either in the Covenant of grace, or in the Covenant of works: The Covenant of works is a witneſs of God's holineſs and perfection, the Covenant of grace is a witneſs of God's goodneſs and commiſ…ration; the Covenant of works is a ſtanding evidence of man's guiltineſs, the Covenant of grace is the ſtanding evidence of God's righteouſneſs; the Covenant of works is the laſting monument of man's impotency and changeableneſs, the Covenant of grace is the everlaſting monument of God's omnipotency and immutability: Now, no man can be under both theſe Covenants at once; if he be under a Covenant of works, he is not under a Covenant of grace; and if he be under a Covenant of grace, he cannot be under a Covenant of works: Such as are under a Covenant of works, they have the breach of that Covenant to count for, they being the S…rpentine brood of a tranſgreſſing ſtock; but ſuch as are under a Covenant of grace, ſhall never be tryed by the Law of works, becauſe Chriſt their ſurety hath fulfilled it for them; Acts 13. 38, 39. Rom. 8. 2, 3, 4. Gal. 4. 4, 5, 6. But let me open my ſelf more fully thus,

That all unbelievers, all Chriſtleſs, graceleſs perſons, are under a Covenant of works, which they are never able, ſafely to live under; ſhould they live and die under a Covenant of works, they were ſurely loſt and deſtroyed for ever; for the Covenant of works condemns and curſes the ſinner, Curſed is every one that continueth not in all p. 28Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them; neither hath the ſinner any way to eſcape that curſe of the Law, nor the wrath of God reveiled againſt all unrighteouſneſs and ungodlyneſs, but in the Covenant of grace;Rom. 1. 18.Rom 1:18 this Covenant of works the Apoſtle calls, The law of Rom. 3. 27. Gen. 2. 16, 17.Rom 3:27Gen 2:16Gen 2:17works. This is the Covenant which God made with man, in the ſtate of innocency before the fall: In this Covenant God promiſed to Adam for himſelf and his poſterity, life and happineſs, upon the condition of perfect, perſonal and perpetual obedience; and it is ſummed up by the Apoſtle, Do this, and live. God having created man upright,Gal. 3. 12. E…cl…. 7. 29. Gen. 1. 26. 27.Gal 3:12Gen 1:26Gen 1:27 after his own image; and ſo having furniſhed him with all abilities ſufficient for obedience; thereupon he made a Covenant with him for life, upon the condition of obedience: I ſay, he made ſuch a Covenant with Adam, as a publick perſon, as the head of the Covenant, and as he promiſed life to him and his poſterity, in caſe of obedience; ſo he threatned death and a curſe unto him and his poſterity, in caſe of diſobedience; In the day thou eateſt Gen. 2. 1…. Gal. 3. 10. Not only the Covenant of Grace, but the Covenant of works alſo, is an et… Co… nant; and therefore, the curſe of the Covenant remains upon me… unto Eternity. There is an eternal obligation upon the creature he being bound to God, by an eternal Law; and the tranſgreſſion of that …aw, carries with it an eternal guilt; which eternal guilt, brings ſinners under an eternal curſe.Gen 2:1Gal 3:10thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die; or dying, thou ſhalt die. God, in this Covenant of works, did deal with Adam and his poſterity, in a way of ſupremacy and righteouſneſs; and therefore there is mention made only of the threatnings; In the day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt die the death: And it is further obſervable, that in this Covenant that God made with Adam and his poſterity, he did promiſe unto them eternal life and happineſs in heaven (and not eternal life, in this world only, as ſome would have it) for Hell was threatned in theſe words; In the day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt die the death; and therefore, heaven and happineſs, ſalvation and glory, was promiſed on the contrary; we muſt neceſſarily conclude, that the promiſe was as ample, large and full, as the threatning was; yet this muſt be remembred, that when God did at firſt enter into Covenant with us, and did promiſe us heaven and ſalvation; it was upon condition of our perſonal, perfect and perpetual obedience, and therefore called a Covenant of works. Do this, and live, was not only a Command, p. 29but a Covenant, with a promiſe of eternal happineſs, upon perfect and perpetual obedience. All that are under a Covenant of works, are under the curſe of the Covevenant, and they are all bound over unto eternal wrath: But the Lord Chriſt has put an end to this Covenant, and aboliſhed it unto all that are in him, being himſelf made under it; and ſatisfying the precept, and the curſe of it, and ſo he did cancel it; As a hand-writing againſt us, nailing Col. 2. 14.Col 2:14it unto his croſs: So that all they that are in Chriſt, are freed from the Law, as a Covenant; but unto all other men, it remains a Covenant ſtill, and they remain under the curſe of it for ever, and the wrath of God abides uponJohn 3. 36.John 3:36 them. Though the Covenant of works (as it is a Covenant for life) ceaſeth unto believers, yet it ſtands in force againſt all unbelievers.

Now, oh, how ſad is it for a man to be under a Covenant of works. For,

Firſt, The Covenant of works, in the nature of it, requires 1perfect, perſonal and perpetual obedience, under pain of the curſe and death; according to that of the Apoſtle, As many as are of the works of the Law, are under the Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10curſe (preſuppoſing man's fall, and conſequently, his inablility to keep it) For it is written, curſed is every one that Deut. 27. 26.Deut 27:26continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them: The Covenant of works, therefore, affords no mercy to the tranſgreſſors of it; but inflicts death and curſe, for the leaſt delinquency; For whoſoever James 2. 10.Jas 2:10ſhall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all: The whole Law is but one copulative; He that breaketh one commandment, habitually breaketh all. A diſpenſatory conſcience keeps not any commandment; when the diſpoſition of the heart is qualified to break every command, then a man breaks every command in the account of▪ God; every one ſin, contains vertually, all ſin in it: He that dares contemn the Law-giver in any one command, he dares contemn the Law-giver in every command: He that allows himſelf in any one known ſin, in any courſe, way or trade of ſin; he ſ…s himſel… under that p. 30curſe, which is threatned againſt the tranſgreſſors of the Law.

They that are under this Covenant of works, muſt of neceſſity periſh. The caſe ſtands thus, Adam did break this Covenant, and ſo brought the curſe of it, both upon himſelf, and all his ſeed, to the end of the world; in his ſin, all men ſinned. Now, if we conſider all men asRom. 5. 12.Rom 5:12 involved in the firſt tranſgreſſion of the Covenant, they muſt all needs periſh without a Saviour, this is the miſerable condition that all mortals are in, that are under a Covenant of works. But,

Secondly, Such as are under a Covenant of works, their 2beſt and choiceſt duties are rejected and abhorred, for the leaſt miſcarriages or blemiſhes, that do attend them, or cleave to them: Obſerve the dreadful language of that Covenant of works; Curſed is he that continueth not in all Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10things that are written in the law of God, to do them. Hence it is, that the beſt duties of all unregenerate perſons, are loathed and abhorred by God; as you may clearly ſee, byIſa. 1. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Jer. 6. 20. Iſa. 66. 3. Am…s 5. …1. Mic. 6. 6. Mal. 1. 10.Isa 1:11Isa 1:12Isa 1:13Isa 1:14Isa 1:15Jer 6:20Isa 66:3Mic 6:6Mal 1:10 comparing the Scriptures in the margent together; the moſt glorious duties, and the moſt ſplendid performances of thoſe that are under a Covenant of works, are loathſome to God, for the leaſt miſtake that doth accompany them. The Covenant of works, deals with men according to the exacteſt terms of ſtrict juſtice, it doth not make nor allow any favourable or gracious interpretation, as the Covenant of grace doth; the very leaſt failour expoſes the ſoul to wrath, to great wrath, to everlaſting wrath. This Covenant, is not a Covenant of mercy, but of pure juſtice. But,

Thirdly, This Covenant admits of no Mediator: There 3was no days-man betwixt God and man, none to ſtandHence this Covenant is called by ſome, Pa…tum ami… …, a Covenant of friendſhip between them, neither was there any need of a Mediator; for God and man were at no diſtance, at no variance; man was then righteous, perfectly righteous; now, the proper work of a Mediator, is to make peace and reconciliation between God and us: At the firſt, in the ſtate of innocency, there was peace and friendſhip between God p. 31and man, there was no enmity in God's heart towards man, nor no enmity in man's heart towards God: But upon the fall, a breach and ſeparation was made between God and man; ſo that man flies from God, and hides fromGen. 3. 8, 9, 10.Gen 3:8Gen 3:9Gen 3:10 God, and trembles at the voice of God: Fallen man, is now turned Rebel, and is become a deſperate enemy to God; yea, his heart is full of enmity againſt God: The Rom. 8. 7.Rom 8:7wiſdom of the fleſh, is enmity againſt God; not an enemy, as the Vulgar Latine readeth it, but enmity in the abſtract;The word ſignifies the act of a carnal mind, comprehending thoughts, deſire, diſcourſe, &c. …, on the words. noting an exceſs of enmity: As, when we ſee a proud man, we ſay, there goes pride; ſo here is enmity, nothing can be ſaid more; for an enemy may be reconciled, but enmity can never; a vicious man may become vertuous, but vice cannot. There are natural Antipathies between ſome creatures; as between the Lyon and the Cock, the Elephant and the Boar, the Camel and the Horſe, the Eagle and the Dragon, &c. But what are all theſe Antipathies, to that antipathy and enmity, that is in the hearts of all carnal men againſt God. Now, whilſt men ſtand under a Covenant of works, there is none to interpoſe by way of mediation, but fallen man lies open to the wrath of God, and to all the curſes that are written in his book: When breaches are made between God and man, under the Covenant of grace; there is a Mediator, to interpoſe and to make up all ſuch breaches; but under the Covenant of works, there is no Mediator, to interpoſe between God and fallen man. Theſe three things I have hinted a little at, on purpoſe to work my reader, if under a Covenant of works, to be reſtleſs, till he be got from under that Covenant, into the Covenant of grace; where alone lies man's ſafety, felicity, happineſs and comfort. Now, this conſideration leads me by the hand, to tell you,

Secondly, That there is a Covenant of grace, that all believers, all ſincere Chriſtians, all real Saints, are under; for under theſe two Covenants, all mankind fall. The Apoſtle calls this Covenant of grace, The law of faith. Rom. …. ….Now, Firſt, this Covenant of grace is ſometimes ſtiled an everlaſting Covenant, Iſa. 55. 3. And I will make an everlaſting p. 32Covenant with you, even the ſure mercies of David: You need not queſtion my ſecurity, in reſpect of the great things, that I have propounded, and promiſed in my word, for the encouragement of your faith and hope; for I will give you my bond for all I have ſpoken, which2 Sam. 23. 5.2 Sam 23:5 ſhall be as ſurely made good to you, as the mercies that I have performed to my ſervant David. The word everlaſting, hath two acceptations; it doth denote, 1. Sometimes a long duration; in which reſpect, the old Covenant, cloathed with figures and ceremonies, is called everlaſting, becauſe it was to endure, and did endure aPſal. 105. 9, 10. Heb. 13. 2, &c.Ps 105:9Ps 105:10Heb 13:2 long time: 2. Sometimes it denotes a perpetual duration; a duration, which ſhall laſt for ever. In this reſpect, the Covenant of grace is everlaſting; it ſhall never ceaſe, never be broken, nor never be altered. Now, the Covenant of grace, is an everlaſting Covenant, in a twofold reſpect.

Firſt, …x parte faede…antis, in reſpect of God, who will 1never break Covenant with his people; but is their God,…it. 1. 2. Pſal. 90. 2.Ps 90:2 and will be their God, for ever and ever; Pſal. 48. 14. For this God is our God, for ever and ever; he will be our God, even unto death; I, and after death too: for this is not to be taken excluſively; oh no! for he will never, never Five times in ſcripture, i… this pre…ious o… … renewed, Joh. 1. 5. Deut. 31. 8. 1 King …. 57. Gen. 28. 15. That we may be … a pre…ing of it, ti…l we ha…e … all the … out of …. Iſa. 66. 11.John 1:5Deut 31:8Gen 28:15Isa 66:11leave them, nor forſake them; Heb. 13. 5. There are five Negatives in the Greek, to aſſure God's people, that he will never forſake them: According to the Greek, it may be rendred thus, I will not, not leave thee, neither will I not, not forſake thee: Leave us! God may, to our thinking, leave us; but forſake us, he will not. So, Pſal. 89. 34. My Covenant will I not break; Heb. I will not prophane my Covenant; nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth, Heb. The iſſue of my lips I will not alter: Though God's people ſhould prophane his Statutes, verſ. 31. yet God will not prophane his Covenant; though his people often break with him, yet he will never break with them; though they may be inconſtant, yet God will be conſtant to his Covenant: Iſa. 54. …0. For the mountains ſhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindneſs ſhall p. 33not depart from thee; neither ſhall the Covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord that hath mercy on thee: Though huge mountains ſhould remove (which is not probable) or though heaven and earth ſhould meet (which is not likely) yet his Covenant ſhall ſtand immoveable; and his mercy and kindneſs to his people, ſhall be immutable. This new Covenant of grace, is like the new heavens and new earth, which will never wax old, or vaniſh away; Iſa. 66. 22. But,

Secondly, The Covenant of grace is called an everlaſting 2Covenant: …x parte confaederatorum; in reſpect of the people of God, who are brought into Covenant, and ſhall continue in Covenant for ever and ever: You have both theſe expreſſed in that excellent Scripture; Jer. 32. 40.M…. 3. 6. H… 2 19. Gen. 17. 7.Gen 17:7 I will make an everlaſting Covenant with them (Heb. I will cut out with them a Covenant of perpetuity) that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but (Heb. and) I will put my fear into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me: Seriouſly dwell upon the place; it ſhews thatGod will never …rceaſe to pur… and follow his Covenant-people with … and bleſſings i…ceſſ… …. the Covenant is everlaſting on God's part, and alſo on our part: On God's part, I will never turn away from them, to do them good; and on our part, They ſhall never depart from me: How ſo? I will put my fear into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me. That they may continue conſtant with me; and not conſtrain me, by their Apoſtaſie, to break again with them; I will ſo deeply riv…t a reverend dread of my ſelf in their ſouls, as ſhall cauſe them to cling, and cleave, and keep cloſe to me forever. In the Covenant of grace, God undertakes for both parts: For his own, that he will be their God; i. e. that all he is, and all he has, ſhall be employed for their external, internal and eternal good: And for ours, that Jer. 32. 38.Jer 32:38we ſhall be his people; i. e. That we ſhall believe, love,E…k. 36. 26, 27. fear, repent, obey, ſerve him and walk with him, as he requires; and thus the Covenant of grace▪ becomes an everlaſting Covenant; yea, ſuch a … as hath the ſure, o… … and …. The Covenant of grace, … …ment, p. 34which God hath made with ſinful man, out of his mere mercy and grace; wherein he undertakes, both for himſelf, and for fallen man; and wherein he engages himſelf to make fallen man everlaſtingly happy. In the Covenant of Grace, there are two things conſiderable: Firſt, the Covenant that God makes for himſelf, to us; which conſiſts mainly of theſe branches; 1. That he will be our… ult. … 9. 1…, 17, 18. God; that is, as if he ſaid, you ſhall have as true an intereſt in all my attributes, for your good, as they are mine for my own glory: My grace (ſaith God) ſhall be yours, to pardon you, and my power ſhall be yours, to protect you, and my wiſdom ſhall be yours, to direct you, and my goodneſs ſhall be yours, to releive you, and my mercy ſhall be yours, to ſupply you, and my glory ſhall be yours, to crown you. This is a comprehenſive promiſe, for God to be our God▪ it includes all, Deus meus & omnia, ſaid Luther. 2. That he will give us his ſpirit; …. 44. …. …. 31. 33. … 2. 28. … 14. 16, 20. …. …. 23. … 2…. 4…. … 15. …6. cap. 16. 7.hence the ſpirit is called, the holy ſpirit of promiſe: The giving of the Holy Ghoſt, is the great promiſe, which Chriſt, from the father, hath made unto us: It is the ſpirit that reveils the promiſes, that appli…s the promiſes, and that helps the ſoul to live upon the promiſes, and to draw marrow and fatneſs out of the promiſes. The great promiſe of the Old Teſtament, was the promiſe of Chriſt; Gen. 3. 16. and the great promiſe of the New Teſtament, is the promiſe of the ſpirit; as you may ſee by the Scriptures in the margent: That in this laſt Age of the world, there may be a more clear and full diſcovery of Chriſt, of the great things of the Goſpel, of Antichriſt, and of the glorious conqueſts, that are in the laſt days, to be made upon him; the giving of the ſpirit, is promiſed as the moſt excellent gift. 3. That he will take away the heart …. 36. 26. J…r. …2. 40. …. 36. 25. Jer. 33. 9, 10. Jer. 32. 41.Jer 33:9Jer 33:10Jer 32:41of ſtone, and give a heart of fleſh; i. e. a ſoft and tender heart. 4. That he will not …u…n away his …a…e from us, … doing of us good; and that he will put his fear into our hearts. 5. That he will cle…ſe us from all our …ilthineſs, and f…om all our Idols. 6. That he will r…j…yce ouer us, to do us good. The ſecond thing conſiderable in the Covenant of Grace, p. 35is the Covenant which God doth make for us, to himſelf; which conſiſts mainly in theſe things: 1. That we ſhall Jer. 32. 38, 40. Ezek. 36. 27. Job 17. 9. Prov. 4. 18. Pſal. 1. 3. …ſ…a 14. 5, 6, 7. Za…h. 12. 18. Mal. 4. …. Jer. 24. 5. R…m. 8. 28. Luk. 12. 3…. Rev. 2. 10. Pſal. 84. 11. John 10. 28. See the truth of this fully evidenced in 12 particular…, in my box of precious …vnt…n…nt. …. 364, 365, 366, 367Jer 32:38Jer 32:40Ezek 36:27Job 17:9Prov 4:18Ps 1:3Mal 4Jer 24:5Luke 12:3Rev 2:10Ps 84:11John 10:28be his people: 2. That we ſhall fear him for ever: 3. That we ſhall walk in his Statutes, keep his Judgments, and do them: 4. That we ſhall never depart from him: 5. That w… ſhall perſevere, and hold out to the end: 6. That we ſhall grow, and …louriſh i… gr…e: 7. A true right to the creatures: 8. That all providences, changes and conditions ſhall work for our good: 9. Ʋnion and communion with Chriſt: 10. That … ſ…all … Kingdom, a Crown, and glory at laſt; and wh… would w… have more: By theſe ſhort hints 'tis moſt evident, that the Covenant of Grace, is an entire Covenant, an everlaſting Covenant, made by God, both for himſelf, and for us. Oh ſirs! this is the glory … the Covenant of Grace; That whatſoever God r…qui…s of us, that he ſtands engaged to give unto us; whatever in the Covenant of Grace, God requires on …'s put, that he undertakes to perform for man. That this Covenant of Grace is an everl…ing Covenant, may be mad… further clear from God's denomination, who hath … ſtiled it an everlaſting Covenant. In the Old Teſtament▪ he frequently calls it, in Heb. foreign, Berith …olam, A Covenant of …ternity: In the New Teſtament, he calls it in Greek, foreign, Diatheke Aioni…s, The eternal Covenant, or the everlaſting Covenant. And thoſe whom God has taken into Covenant with himſelf, they have frequently acknowledged it to be an everlaſting Covenant, as is evident up and down the Scripture. The Covenant of works was not everlaſting, it was ſoon overthrown by Adam's ſin; but the Covenant of grace isIſ…. …5. 10. D…. 9. 24. everlaſting: The joy that is wrapped up in the Covenant, is an everlaſting joy; and the righteouſneſs that is wrapped up in the Covenant, is an everlaſting righteouſneſs; and the life that is …r…pped up in the Covenant, is an everlaſtingcap. … life; John, 3. 16. and all the … glory, and ſalvation that is wrapped up in the … …verl…ſting; the Covenant relation that is … God and his people, is everlaſting; and the … p. 36Covenant, is everlaſting, viz. Jeſus Chriſt yeſterday, and Heb. 13. 8.Heb 13:8to day, and the ſame for ever. Though the Covenant, in reſpect of our own perſonal entring into it, is made with us now in time, and hath a beginning; yet, for continuance, it is everlaſting, and without end; it ſhall remain for ever and ever. But,

Secondly, This Covenant of Grace, under which the 2Saints ſtand, is ſometimes ſtiled a Covenant of life; Mal. 2. 5. My Covenant was with him, of life, and peace; life is reſtored, and life is promiſed, and life is ſetled by the Covenant: There is no ſafe life, no comfortable life, no eaſieOmnis vita …ſt pr… p…d …e…ation…m Philoſophers ſay that a fly is more excellent than the hea…ens, becauſe the fly has life, which the heavens have not. life, no happy life, no honourable life, no glorious life, for any ſinner, that is not under the bond of this Covenant. All mankind had been eternally loſt, and God had loſt all the glory of his mercy for ever, had he not, of his own free grace and mercy, made a Covenant of life with poor ſinners. A man, in the Covenant of Grace, hath three degrees of life: The firſt, in this life, when Chriſt lives in him: The ſecond, when his body returns to the earth, and his ſoul to God that gave it: The third, at the end of the world, when body and ſoul reunited, ſhall enjoy heaven.

Thirdly, This Covenant of Grace, under which, the 3Saints, or faithful people of Chriſt ſtand, is ſometimes … a holy Covenant: Daniel, deſcribing the wickedneſs of Antiochus Epiphanes, ſaith, His heart ſhall be againſt the Da…. 11. 2…, 30.holy Covenant; He ſhall have indignation againſt the holy Covenant▪ And have intelligence with them that forſake the holy Covenant: So the Pſalmiſt, For he remembred his …ſal. …5. 42, 43. Heb. … of his …lineſs, that is, … ſacred and … Covenant, that …e had …ade with Abraham and …is poſterity.holy promiſe, and Abraham his ſervant; Pro…iſe her… being put for Covenant, by a Synechdoche, Luk. 1. 72. To perf…rm the mercy promiſed to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. The parties intereſted in this Covenant, are holy; here you have a holy God, and a holy people, in Covenant together: Holineſs is one of the principal things that is promiſed in the Covenant; the Covenant commands holineſs, and encourages … holineſs, and works ſouls up to a higher degree of holineſs, and ſences and p. 37arms gracious ſouls, againſt all external and internal unholineſs:See my Tre…tiſe of holineſs. Pſal. …0. 5. Heb. 3. 1. 1 Theſ. 5. 27. 2 P…t. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 3. 5. 1 C…r. 3. 17. … Pet. 2. 9, &c.Heb 3:11 Thess 5:271 Thess 5:21 Pet 3:51 Pet 3:1 The Author of this Covenant is holy, the Mediator of this Covenant, is holy; the great bleſſings contained in this Covenant, are holy bleſſings; and the people taken into this Covenant, are ſometimes ſtiled, holy brethren, holy men, holy women; An holy Temple, an holy Prieſtood, an holy Nation, an holy People; as you may ſee, by comparing the Scriptures in the margent together: When ever God brings a poor ſoul under the bond of the Covenant, he makes him holy, and he makes him love holineſs, and prize holineſs, and delight in holineſs, andJ…b 8. Pſal. 20.Ps 20 preſs and follow hard after holineſs. A holy God will not take an unholy perſon by the hand, as Joh ſpeaks; neither will he allow of ſuch, to take his Covenant into their mouths, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks.

Fourthly, This Covenant of Grace, under which the 4Saints ſtand, is ſometimes ſtiled a Covenant of peace; Numb. 25. 12. Behold, I give unto him, my covenant of peace: Peace is the comprehenſion of all bleſſings and proſperity.Mat. 2. 5.Matt 2:5 All ſorts of peace, viz. peace with God, and peace with conſcience, and peace with the creatures flows from the Covenant of Grace. There is 1. An external peace, and that is with men: 2. There is a ſupernatural peace, and that is with God: 3. There is an internal peace, and that is with conſcience: 4. There is an eternal peace, and that is in heaven: Now, all theſe ſorts of peace flow in upon us, through the Covenant of Grace. The Hebrew word for peace, comes from a root, which denotes perfection; the end of the upright man, is perfection of… happineſs: Hence the Rabbins ſay, that the holy bleſſed God finds not any veſſel that will contain enough of bleſſin… f… Iſrael, but the veſſel of peace: Peace is a very comprehenſive word; it carries in the womb of it, all outward bleſſings; it was the common greeting of the Jews, … be unto you: And thus David, by his proxy, ſalutes Nab…l▪ Peace be to thee▪ and thy houſe. The Ancients were wo… to paint Peace in the form of a woman, with a ho…n of plenty in her hand; The Covenant of Grace is that hand, p. 38by which God gives out all ſorts of peace unto us; Iſa. 54. 10. Neither ſhall the Covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord that hath mercy on thee: The Covenant is here called the Covenant of peace, becauſe the Lord therein offers us all thoſe things, that may make us compleatly happy; for under this word peace, the Hebrew comprehend all happineſs and felicity, Ezek. 34. 25. And I will make with them a covenant of peace; the Hebrew is, I will cut with them a covenant of peace: This expre…ion of cutting a Covenant, is taken from the cuſtom of the Jews, in their making of Covenants: The manner of this ceremony or ſolemnity, Jeremy declares, ſaying, I will give Je…. 34. 18.the men that have tranſ…reſſed my Covenant, which have not performed the words of the Covenant, which they had ſtruck before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and paſſed between the parts thereof: Their manner was to kill Sacrifices, to cutThis Ceremony, or Solemnity of co…enanting. The Romans, and other Nations uſed, ſome Ju…ge: T…e Heat…ns borrowed this cuſtom … the Jews. But of this before. theſe Sacrifices in twain, to lay the two parts thus divided in the midſt, piece againſt piece, exactly one over againſt another, to anſwer each other: Then the parties Covenanting, paſſed betwixt the parts of the Sacrifices ſo ſlit in twain, and laid anſwerably to one another: The meaning of which ceremonies and ſolemnities, is conceived to be this, viz. as part anſwered to part, ſo there was an harmonious correſpondency, and anſwerableneſs of their minds and hearts, that ſtruck Covenant: And as part was ſevered from part, ſo the Covenanters implyed (if not expreſſed) an imprecation or curſe; wiſhing the like diſſection and deſtruction to the parties covenanting, as moſt deſerved, if they ſhould break the Covenant, or deal falſely therein. To this cuſtom God alludes, when he ſaith, I will cut with them a covenant of peace: And this he did, by making Chriſt a ſacrifice, by ſhedding his blood, and dividing his ſoul and body; who is ſaid to be givenIſ…. 42 6. for a Covenant of the people; that is, to be the med…tor of the Covenant between God and his people. So Ezek. 37. 26. Moreover, I will make a Covenant of peace with them, it ſhall be an everlaſting Covenant with them, &c. The word for peace, is Shalom; by which, the Heb… … derſtand p. 39not only outward quietneſs, but all kind of outward happineſs: Others, by the Covenant of peace here, do underſtand the Goſpel, wherein we ſee Chriſt, hath pacified all things, by the blood of his croſs. And Lavater Col. 1. 20.Col 1:20ſaith, it's called a Covenant of peace; Quia Chriſti merito, pax inter Deum & nos conſtituta eſt: Not only outward, but inward peace, between God and us, is merited by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. But,

Fifthly, This Covenant of Grace, under which the 5Saints ſtand, is ſometimes ſtiled a New Covenant, Jer. Heb. 8. 8, 13. Heb. 9. 15.Heb 8:8Heb 8:13Heb 9:1531. 31. Behold, the days come, ſaith the Lord, that I will make a new Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, and with the houſe of Judah: Heb. 12. 24. And to Jeſus, the Mediatour of the new covenant, &c. Now the Covenant of grace is ſtiled a New Covenant, in ſeveral reſpects: Firſt, in oppoſition to the former Covenant, that was old, and being old, vaniſhed away; Heb. 8. 13. It is called a New Covenant, in oppoſition to the Covenant that was made with Adam, in the ſtate of innocency; and in oppoſition to the Covenant that was made with the Jews, in the time of the Old Teſtament: 2. To ſhew the excellency of the Covenant of Grace, new things are rare and excellent… things; In the bleſſed Scriptures, excellent things are frequently called new: As a New Teſtament, a New Jeruſalem, New Heavens, and New Earth, A new name, that is, an excellent name; A new Commandment, that is, an excellent commandment; a new way, that is, an excellent way; a new heart, i… an excellent heart; a new ſpirit, is an excellent ſpirit; and a new ſ…ng, is an excellent ſong. 3. In re…rd of the ſucceſſion of it, in …he room of the former. 4. … of the …ation and enlargement of it, i… being in the days of old, confi…ed to the Jewiſh Nation and S…te▪ and ſome …ew Proſ…lytes that adjoyned themſelves thereunto; whereas, now it i… propounded and extended, without reſpect of perſons or places, unto all indifferently, of all people and nations that ſhall embrace the ſaith … Chriſt. 5. Sometimes that is ſtiled new, which is … from what it was before; p. 402 Cor. 5. 17. If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature, A new creature has a new light, a new judgment, a new will, new a…tions, new t…ght…, new …pany, new choice▪ new L…d, …ew law, new way, new work, … A new creature is a cha…ed … …t. 1 … 5. 23.that is, he is not ſuch a man, as he was before; a man muſt be either a new man, or no man in Chriſt. The ſubſtance of the ſoul is not changed, but the qualities and operations of it are altered; in regeneration, our natures are changed, not deſtroyed: This word New, in Scripture, ſignifieth as much as another; not that it is eſſentially new, but new only in regard of qualities; a new creature is a changed creature, 2 Cor. 3. 17. But we all with open face, beh…lding, as in a glaſs, the glory of the Lord; are changed into the ſ…me image, from glory to glory (that is, from grace to grace.) In this reſpect alſo, is the Covenant ſtiled new, not only becauſe it is divers from the Covenant of works, but alſo becauſe it is divers from it ſelf, in reſpect of the adminiſtration of it; after that Chriſt was manifeſted in the fleſh, and died, and roſe again; from the different adminiſtration, it is called old and new: This New Covenant hath not thoſe ſeals of Circumciſion and the Paſſover; nor thoſe manifold ſacrifices, ceremonies, types and ſhadows, &c. to the obſervation whereof, the Jews were ſtrictly obliged; but now, all theſe things are taken away, upon the coming of Chriſt; and a ſervice of God, much more ſpiritual, ſubſtituted in the room of them: Upon which accounts, the Covenant of Grace is called a New Covenant, 6. It is ſtiled new, becauſe it is… freſh, and green, and flouriſhing, it is like unto Aaron's Rod, which continued new, freſh and flouriſhing: All the choice bleſſings, all the great bleſſings, all the internal and all the eternal bleſſings of the New Covenant, are as new, freſh and flouriſhing, as they were, when God brought your ſouls firſt under the bond of the New Covenant. But Seventhly, Such things are ſometimes …iled new, which are ſtrange, rare, wonderful, marvell…us, and unuſual, the like not heard of before: So Jer. 31. 22. The Lord hath created a new thing in the …arth, a woman ſhall compaſs a man: As the n…t encloſeth the …, not receiving ought from without, but conceiving and breeding of her ſ…lf, by the power of the Almighty, from within. p. 41That a virgin ſhould conceive and bring forth a manchild, this was indeed a new thing, a ſtrange thing, a wonderful thing, a thing that was never thought of, never heard of, never read of, from the creation of the world, to that very day: So Iſa. 43. 19. Behold, I will do The word new, doth intimate ſome more excellent mercies, than God had formerly conferred upon his people.a new thing, I will make a way in the wilderneſs, and rivers in the deſert. This was a new work (that is) a wonderful and unuſual work, for God to make a plain or free way in the wilderneſs, where the ways are wont to be uneven, with hills and dales, and obſtructed with thickets, and overgrown with brambles and briars, is a ſtrange and marvelous work indeed: In this reſpect alſo, the Covenant of grace is ſtiled new (that is) it is a wonderful Covenant. O ſirs! what a wonder is this, that the great God, who was ſo tranſcendently diſhonoured, deſpiſed, provoked, incenſed and injured by poor baſe ſinners, ſhould yet ſo freely, ſo readily, ſo graciouſly condeſcend to vile forlorn ſinners, as to treat with them, as to own them, as to love them, and as to enter into a Covenant of grace and mercy with them! this may well be the wonder of Angels, and the aſtoniſhment of men. Eighthly and laſtly, it is called a New Covenant, becauſe it is never to be antiquated, as the Apoſtle explains himſelf; Heb. 8. 13. But,