The Difference Between the Old and New Covenants, To the reader 2 – Errata
Chriſtian Reader,
THE enſuing Diſcourſe containeth a ſober endeavour for the declaration and true ſtating of the nature and difference of the two Covenants of Works and of Grace. A ſubject this is which, by reaſon of the weight and uſe of it in the whole buſineſs of Religious Obedience, hath been attempted by many, and wherein, by reaſon of the difficulty of it, in conjunction with their own Prejudices, not a few have miſcarried. Neither do I know of any who have yet handled it with that fulneſs and perſpicuity as to ſhut up the way unto the diligence of others in the inveſtigation and declaration of the Truth, or to render Labour in the ſame kind either uſeleſs or ſuperfluous. The ſtores of heavenly wiſdom, grace and truth which are treaſured up in the Divine Revelations concerning Gods Covenants, are far from being fully exhauſted or drawn forth by the labours of any in this kind, although very many have already brought to light excellent and uſeful inſtructions in the mind of God and the duty of them who do believe. But the thing it ſelf is ſo excellent, the myſtery of it ſo great, the declaration of it in the Scripture ſo extenſive and diffuſed throughout the whole body of it from the firſt to the laſt, as alſo in its concernment unto the whole courſe of our faith and obedience, that there is a ſufficient ground whereon to juſtifie a renewed ſearch into the mind of God therein as revealed in his word. There is no doubt, but the greateſt product of Divine Grace, Goodneſs and condeſcenſion, next unto the ſending of the only Son of God to take our Nature on him, with the direct effect and conſequence thereof, is this of his entring into Covenant with the Children of men; nor hath any thing a greater tendency unto the advancement of his own glory. God might have dealt with mankind in a way of ſoveraignty or meer dominion, as he doth with the remainder of the creatures here below; but then it muſt be acknowledged that in ſuch a way of rule and procedure there would not have been that evident demonſtration of the divine excellencies, his goodneſs, righteouſneſs and faithfulneſs, as enſues upon the ſuppoſition of his condeſcenſion to take mankind into covenant with himſelf. And thence it is that he never did nor ever would treat with any of that race any otherwiſe or on any other terms. Wherefore when the firſt Covenant was broken by the entrance of ſin, God had no other relation unto mankind but that of a ſupreme Ruler and Judge, to reward them according to the penalty threatned, and eſtabliſhed in the Covenant. But as for any advantage in a way of Love, Peace and Goodneſs there was none remaining until he had made and eſtabliſhed a New Covenant to that end and purpoſe. And this fully diſcovers how great a concern there is of the glory of God in the Covenant which he made with us and propoſeth unto us, ſeeing he never declared or intimated any other way of gracious or acceptable intercourſe in him; and the effects of i… do iſſue in eternity. Moreover this diſpenſation of God in making a Covenant with our firſt Parents, was the greateſt evidence of the preheminence of that nature where with in time we were endowed, and only demonſtration of our being capable to be brought unto eternal enjoyment of him. For God herein admitting us into an intercourſe with him by a declared Rule of his own Goodneſs and faithfulneſs manifeſted that we were capable of eternal rewards which he propoſed unto us in himſelf. And theſe things make the inveſtigation of the true nature of the Covenant with God firſt made with Adam, and the terms whereby it was made, both neceſſary and profitable. For although that Covenant is ceaſed by the entrance of ſin, as unto any ſpiritual or eternal advantage unto us; yet is it as revealed, ſtill inſtructive in the wiſdom and goodneſs of God, as alſo in the excellency of that ſtate and condition in which we were created, with the honour that God put upon our Nature, whence directions unto due apprehenſions of God, and our ſelves may be taken or derived. But as to the New Covenant which is in and with us in Chriſt, and ſo is comprehenſive of the whole work of his Mediation, it is the only inſtrument of our preſent relation unto God, of his communicating of himſelf in a way of Grace, Love and Mercy unto us, of our fixing faith, truſt and affiance on him, and yielding obedience unto him, as alſo of the bringing of our ſouls unto the eternal enjoyment of him. The knowledge hereof therefore is neceſſary to every one who thinks it neceſſary for him to endeavour an acquaintance with God or Chriſt, the preſent ſtate or future condition of his own ſoul. It is therefore doubtleſs a labour worthy of acceptance in any whom God hath given light unto in this Myſterie of his Wiſdom and Grace, and ability for the declaration thereof, to endeavour the direction and inſtruction of others in the Truth and Doctrine hereof, where in all our faith, obedience, preſent comfort, and future happineſs do depend. But yet further, beſides theſe two ſolemn ſtated Covenants, the one ſuited unto the preſervation of the ſtate of integrity wherein we were created, and the other to the renovation of the Image of God in us through Jeſus Chriſt which we had loſt by ſin, there is mention in the Scripture of ſundry particular intervening Covenants that God made with his Church, or ſingle perſons, at ſeveral ſeaſons. Now whereas they did all partake of the Nature of a Divine Covenant in general, ſo were they emanations from and particular expreſſions or limitations of one or other of the two ſolemn Covenants mentioned; for a Covenant of another kind abſolutely, or more Covenants God never made with mankind. But yet under the Old Teſtament, while the wiſdom of God was to be hid in its own myſteries; and not clearly brought forth to light, there was ſuch a mixt diſpenſation, revealing for certain ends, the Notion, Senſe and Power of the firſt Covenant and preparative for the introduction of the full revelation and declaration of the latter by Jeſus Chriſt, who was in all things to have the preheminence, as that it is not eaſie to diſcern and diſtinguiſh what belongs unto the one in them and what to the other, or from whether of them they are to be denominated. Here therefore is a bleſſed field of ſacred Truth, wherein humble, ſober and judicious perſons may exerciſe themſelves, to the great benefit and advantage of the Church of God. To ſtate I ſay a right the Nature of a Divine Covenant in general, with its Eſſential Properties, which muſt be in every one that is ſo, to manifeſt the true difference that is between the firſt and ſecond Covenant which God hath made with us, in themſelves, and their Nature, with their different effects and ends, to declare what Properties, Doctrines and Ends of the firſt Covenant or Covenant of Works, with what of the Nature, Power and Efficacy of the ſecond Covenant or the Covenant of Grace God brought in and declared in that diſpenſation under the Old Teſtament, wherein there was a mixture of both, though one only eſtabliſhed in power, to manifeſt what there was of Chriſt in the Law, and how the whole power and ſanction of the firſt Covenant was through the Law conferred upon Chriſt, and in him fulfilled and ended, is a work deſerving the moſt diligent travel of thoſe who are called unto the teaching of the Myſteries of the Goſpel. And in theſe things with ſundry other of an alike importance hath this Worthy Author laboured, if I am not much miſtaken, unto good ſucceſs. And as his deſign is to extricate things which ſeem perplexed, to give light into the whole doctrine of the Covenants by declaring the proper Order and Method of the things contained in them, with their reſpect one unto another, that the grace of God in the Covenant of Grace may be exalted, and his faithfulneſs with his holineſs in the Covenant of Works both in and by Jeſus Chriſt, the end of the one and the life of the other; ſo the Reader will find I hope that ſatisfaction in theſe great and deep inquiries which he will have occaſion to return praiſe and thanks to God for.
John Owne.
THE CONTENTS.
Chap. 1. OF a Covenant in general and the diſtribution of the Covenant into that of works and of grace. pag. 1…
Chap. 2. Of the Oneneſs of the Covenant with Jeſus Chriſt and us. p. 1…
Chap. 3. Of Chriſt as the Summ of the Covenant. p. 36.
Chap. 4. Of the date of Covenant mercies. p. 48.
Chap. 5. General Inferences from the whole p. 53
Chap. 6. Of the Old and New Covenant what they are, and how diſtinct. p. 6…
Chap. 7. Of the Nature of the Mount Sinai Covenant. p. 10…
Chap. 8. Of the Sinai Covenant, whether ceaſed or continuing? p. 170
Chap. 9. Of the good that was in the Sinai Covenant. p. 189
Chap. 10. Of the Differences between the Old and New Covenant, and the excellency of the later above the former. p. 195
Chap. 11. Of the time of firſt coming into Covenant. p. 262
Chap. 12. Of the evidences of intereſt in the New Covenant. p. 288
Chap. 13. Of the Uſe of Abſolute Promiſes. p. 299
Chap. 14. Of thoſe that are called Conditional Promiſes. p. 312
ERRATA.
Page 1. Line 7. Read vouchſafing: p. 3. l. 14. and p. 36. l. 11. add the: p. 17. l. 10. for [door,] … [doer] p. 34. l. 30. r. fail: p. 59. l. 24. for attended, r. attending: p. 69. l. 29. and 70. l. 1. r. worſer p. 91. l. 6. r betterneſs: p. 97. l. 27. for this, r. thus p. 104. l. 27. r. 2 Tim. 1. 9. p. 155. for courſe, r. curſes p. 171. l. 14. r. Mal. 4. 4. p. 222. l. 12. r. by his: p. 224. l. 10. r. Tact. Sacr. p. 226 l. 26. add [4] p. 230. l. 24. for it, r. in: p. 245. l. 23. blot out [to be]: