Gods Love to Man and Mans Duty Towards God, Part 2 · Section 15 – Section 16
Sect. 15. PROP. XV. There is a two-fold manner of being in Covenant with God, viz. A being only Externally in Covenant, and a being alſo Internally in Covenant with him.
IGnorance of, or not attending to this Diſtinction, is a cauſe of very groſſe Miſtakes; as may be ſeen in that Pitiful, Looſe Diſcourſe of Mr. Patients, and others.
Some Diſtinguiſh betwixt an Outward, and an Inward Covenant; but that ſeemeth to be attended with great Inconveniencies. Neither may we think, that God hath made with Men a Covenant, which containeth only outward Priviledges, upon the condition of an outward viſible Profeſſion; that he hath made any ſuch Covenant, distinct from that which is called the Inward Covenant, that holds forth Pardon, Juſtification, and Salvation, upo… Souls return to God, and hearty acceptance of Jeſus Chriſt. One that ſometime uſeth this diſtinction, Blakes Covenant ſealed. p. 125.yet expreſſeth his meaning thus The Covenant is but one and th… ſame, but all are not in the Covenant after one and the ſame manner. Some ar… only in it by outward Profeſſion, to the preſen… participation of outward Priviledges; but ſom… by cordial acceptance, to the enjoyment of ſavin… Benefits. Therefore it is much ſafer and cleare… to diſtinguiſh of the manner of mens being in Covenant, which is different; as ſome are only outwardly in Covenant, others alſo inwardly. Then to diſtinguiſh of the Covenant as either outward, or inward. As Mr. Ball, Of the Covenant, p. 24. where you may ſee more to this purpoſe. As alſo, p. 202, 203.Externally this Covenant is made with every Member of the Church,— but Savingly, Effectually, and Special manner it is made only with them, who are partakers of the Benefits promiſed.
They that are only Externally in Covenant, barely enter into Covenant, and do not ſtand to, or continue in it, Heb. 8.9. They continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not. Which yet (by the way) implieth, that the Covenant before made with the Jews, was a Covenant of Grace; which if they had obſerved according to the true Tenour of …, God would then have accepted them, and would …ave had a Gracious regard to them. They that …re Inwardly in Covenant, are ſuch as heartily cloſe …ith Gods Terms, and have his Laws written in …heir hearts, and have a right to the Inward, Spi…itual, Saving Benefits; and Bleſſings of the Co…enant.
That there are theſe two wayes of being in Cove…ant with God, is a thing ſo plain, as methinks I …eed not ſpend many words to prove it.
1. There is a Two-fold manner of being in Chriſt, …d therefore a twofold manner of being in Cove…nt. For all that are in Chriſt, are in Covenant. …ow ſome are in Chriſt only Externally, ſuch as …e to be taken away: Others alſo Internally, ſuch ſhall for ever abide in him. There are Fruitleſs branches, and there are Fruit-bearing branches, John 15.2.6.
2. All that are called, are within the Church, and within the Covenant. Now ſome are called only Externally, others are alſo called Effectually: Many more are called Externally than are choſen ones, called Internally and Effectually, Mat. 20.16. and 22.14.
3. They that are Sanctified by the Blood of the Covenant, muſt needs be ſuppoſed in ſome ſence within the Covenant. Now the Apoſtle ſuppoſeth of ſome, who were Sanctified by the Blood of the Covenant, that they may be guilty of treading under foot the Son of God, and doing deſpite to the Spirit of Grace, Heb. 10.29. Now ſuch as he there ſpeaks of, were never real Saints, never Internally in Covenant. They were Sanctified: How? Not Internally, but Externally, in being ſeperated from the world of Heathens, viſible Saints; called out of the World, and devoted to God, and his Service.
4. All that are within the Viſible Church, are in Covenant, as Epheſ. 2.12. Aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers to the Covenant of Promiſe, were all one; ſo Vice verſâ, within the Church, and within the Covenant. But all within the Viſible Church are not Internally in Covenant. Otherwiſe you muſt hold, there are no Hypocrites, no Graceleſs, Unconverted perſons within the Church. Certainly, we have no ground to think, that all within the Church of Corinth, or other Churches, we read of in the New Teſtament, were true Believers, real Saints. No doubt, with many of them, as of the Iſraelites of Old, God was not well pleaſed. They would be in Heaven before the time, that look for a Church conſiſting of …one but real Saints. I wonder how or when that Scripture was, or will be fulfilled, [Iſa. 19.25. Bleſſed be Egypt my People, and Aſſyria the work of …y Hands, and Iſrael mine Inheritance.] If there are not ſome outwardly in Covenant, and the People of God by an outward Profeſſion, who yet are …ot Gods People by a real and hearty Reſignation of of themſelves to him. If the Church admit not of ſome, who are Chriſtians only outwardly, and the People of God by External profeſſion, then Egypt, Aſſyria, Iſrael; yea, all the Kingdoms of …e World at ſome time or other, have been, or …all be, all true Believers, and real Saints, ſee …ev. 11.15. For the Scripture cannot be broken, John 10.35. The Word of God cannot fail.
Object. Rom. 9.6, 7, 8. They are not all Iſrael, which are of Iſrael.— Theſe which are the children of Fleſh, theſe are not the Children of God: … the Children of the Promiſe are counted for the …ed.
Anſw. 1. Some urge this againſt the Children … profeſſing Chriſtians, being in the Covenant. …ence they conclude, that the Natural Seed, as …ch, hath no priviledge under the Goſpel.
But, 2. If it determines againſt the Children of …lievers being in Covenant, it determines againſt …y being within the Covenant, but ſuch as are the …ildren of God by Faith; the Children of the Pro…ſe.
3. But indeed, both theſe are quite beſides the …e of the place, which is this: The Apoſtle be…g to ſpeake of the Rejection of the Jews, for their open Rejection of Chriſt and the Goſpel, ſhews how ſuch a thing might ſtand with Gods truth. Though he had promiſed to be the God of Abraham, and of his Seed; yet his Seed were either his Natural ſeed, or his Spiritual ſeed, or Seed by Analogy. Such as were meerly his Natural ſeed, might be caſt off: They continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not, ſaith the Lord, Heb. 8.9. This we ſee verified in Iſhmael, and Eſau: But as for ſuch as were alſo his Spiritual ſeed, Children of the Promiſe, not only in that larger ſence, Acts 3.25. But in a ſtricter ſence, as here, Rom. 8.9. Gods Covenant ſtood faſt with them. And that Grace which others had offered to them, but wickedly rejected, theſe willingly embraced, and were bleſſed in. Beſides that common Election of the Jewiſh Nation, whereby they were choſen and ſeparated from among other Nations; there was alſo a Special Election of ſome of them from among the reſt. And theſe God did not caſt away, Rom. 11.1, 2, 5. Theſe obtained that Grace and Mercy, which the reſt miſſed of. So the Apoſtle ſheweth, that while the generality of the Jewiſh Nation for their Infidelity, were to be Rejected, God would yet continue his Covenant with the Elect among them; and with the believing Gentiles, the Children of Abraham by Analogy, who were to be graffed into the like Covenant-ſtate from whence the other were broken off, Rom. 11.17, 19. So the Apoſtles intent is to deny to the Natural ſeed of Abraham, that which was the Priviledge of the Spiritual ſeed only, (not to deny to the Spiritual ſeed ſuch Priviledge as was even common to the Natural ſeed,) ſo likewiſe in Rom. 2.28, 29. the Queſtion the Apoſtle ſpeaks to here, is not whether only true Believers are in Covenant, or whether the Parents being in Covenant, their Children are not in Covenant with them; but rather, whether they that are only Externally in Covenant, may not be broken off.
Now to ſhew the Uſe of this Diſtinction of a being Externally in Covenant, and of a being alſo Internally in Covenant:
1. Hold to this Diſtinction, and you will eaſily Anſwer what ſome urge with great Vehemence, and Confidence againſt the Jews, having been under a Covenant of Grace. Becauſe it is ſaid, Deut. 19.4. The Lord had not given them an heart to perceive, and eyes to ſee, and ears to hear. But this was neceſſary only to their being Internally in Covenant, not to their being Externally in Covenant. Whereas ſome ſuppoſe it a ſtrange abſurdity, to ſay, God entered into a Covenant of Grace with …hem, to whom he had not given an heart to perceive, &c. It is no more than to ſay, All who are Externally in Covenant, have not an heart to be…ve, an heart to Repent, do not come up to Covenant-terms. It is no more than to ſay, that all …ho are called Externally, are not called Inwardly …d Effectually. No more than to ſay, that there …aints now by an External ſeparation, and Viſible …ofeſſion, who are not Saints by a Spiritual Reno…tion▪ And as heretofore there was a Seed, after … Fleſh, and a Seed after the Spirit, even ſo …ow.
Again, whereas the ſame Perſons tell us, that … the Children of Believers be in the ſame Covenant …ith Believers, then they muſt all certainly be Saved, as he that believeth, ſhall be Saved. This will not follow. Though indeed I ſee no reaſon, or ground to doubt of the Salvation o… the Children of Believers; ſuch as die in their Infancy, while they are pure Appendices of their Parents, when actual Faith and Repentance, is not required of them, while they have no will of their own, the Parents will and act, ſtands for their will and act. It would ſeem that in what ſence God hath promiſed to be the God of believers, he hath alſo promiſed to be the God of their Seed, while they are to be looked on purely as their Seed; for ſo they are Intereſted in the Covenant upon the Parents account, without any thing more required of them, But now the Covenant made with believers and their ſeed, hath ſuch and ſuch Conditions, required of all that are of Age, and not naturally uncapable of performing the ſame. Now ſuppoſing a true believer to fall from the condition, i. e. That he ceaſeth to be a believer; it would certainly follow, that the Covenant of Grace would ceaſe to juſtifie him, that he ſhould not be ſaved. So the Children of believers, if as they grow up, they do not come up to Covenant-Terms; that Covenant that would have juſtified them, dying Infants, requiring no more of them at that Age, than what might have been pleaded for them; yet that ſame Covenant will condemn them as Violaters of it. And if when they are of capacity, they do not perform the condition which is then required of them in their own perſons, with prophane Eſau, they Sell their birth-right, and cut off all claim to the ſpecial benefits and bleſſings of the Covenant, by their own Act and Deed.
If I have been miſtaken in what is here ſaid of the ſalvation of believers Children, that die in their Infancy; yet I can ſay, I deſire to Learn, and am willing to ſee my miſtakes. But though I know not, that the Scripture, which affirmeth, Epheſ. 3.2. That we are all Children of wrath by Nature, doth any where hold forth the Salvation of all that die in Infancy; which to aſsert, would ſeem to imply, that Gods deſtroying the old World, and Sodom, &c. were eminent Acts of Mercy, rather than of Juſtice, where in ſuch multitudes of ſouls were ſent to Heaven together; who if they had lived, had probably (at leaſt, for the greateſt part of them) gone to Hell. And how it may be Reconciled with that Reaſon, God giveth the angry Prophet, for his ſparing Nineveh, Jon. 4.11. That there were more than Sixſcore Thouſand perſons that could not diſcern betwixt the Right hand and the Left, I am not able to diſcern; if theſe (ſuppoſing Ninevehs Deſtruction, and their Fall in the Ruine of it) had all then been certainly ſaved, and not one of many of them (probably) ſaved, their Lives (with the reſt of the City) being ſpared. Yet methinks it ſhould be granted, that there is more hope of the Salvation of the Infants of believers, than of Pagans. Now that there is ſo, it muſt be becauſe of their Intereſt in the Covenant, There were no more hope of the Salvation of the one, than of the other, if they were both alike Intereſted in it.
2. That there is a being only Externally in Covenant, as well as a being Internally: This would teach us not to expect a Church upon Earth, wholly Conſtituted, or conſiſting only of Real Saints. Certainly, all whom the Apoſtles themſelves Baptized, and admitted into Chriſtian Fellowſhip, and Communion, were not true Converts, or real Saints. And when Three Thouſand were admitted, all in one day (as in Acts 2.) how was it probable, or indeed poſſible, to take a particular account of each one, touching a work of Grace, and to enquire after the ſoundneſs of their Converſion. The Viſible Church is a Field that hath Tares, as well as Wheat. It's not to be expected, that all the Tares, ſhould be gathered out, till the end of the World. Then it is, that the Son of man ſhould ſend forth his Angels, and they ſhall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do Iniquity, Mat. 13.40, 41. That ſuch are ſaid to be gathered out of his Kingdom then, it implieth there are, and will be ſuch in his Kingdom till then. Again, ver. 47. The Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a Draw-net, which here encloſeth Fiſh, both good and bad; and I would fain know, what Church we may find in all the New Teſtament, that was conſtituted by the Apoſtles themſelves, all whoſe Members were to have been accounted real Saints, ſuch as had true ſaving Grace.
3. That there are ſome only Externally in Covenant with God, and not Internally; this ſhould teach and warn us, not to reſt in the former. As John Baptiſt ſaid to them. Mat. 3.9. Think not within your ſelves, we have Abraham to our Father: So, think it not enough, to have been born of believing Parents, or that you have been Baptized, or that you are Gods People by External profeſſion; but walk in the ſteps of the Faithful, and as you have given up your Names, ſo give up your ſelves …o Chriſt. As I may allude to that of the Apoſtle, Rom. 2.28, 29. He is not a Chriſtian, who is ſo only outwardly, neither is that Baptiſm, which is only an outward waſhing of the Fleſh: But he is a Chriſtian indeed, who is ſo inwardly, and that is Baptiſm indeed, where the heart is cleanſed, and where there is the anſwer of a good Conſcience towards God. And the Covenant of Grace may well be compared to Noahs Ark; as it was not hanging on the outſide of the Ark, that would have ſaved any of the Old World, but getting within the Ark, as Noah did. So our being Externally in Covenant with God will not avail to our Salvation, unleſs we are alſo Internally in Covenant, coming up to Covenant-Terms. There are Children of the Kingdom, that ſhall be caſt out.
Rom. 3.1, 2.
What Advantage then hath the Jew? Much every way: Chiefly, becauſe that unto them were Committed the Oracles of God.
Sect. 16. PROP. XVI. They that are only Externally in Covenant, yet are priviledged far above thoſe who are ſtrangers as to the Covenant.
COvenant-Priviledges are not like the Common benefits of the Sun and Rain; but are Special and Diſtinguiſhing Favours. As was ſaid of Iſrael of Old, Deut. 4.7. What Nation ſo great, who hath God ſo nigh unto them? It muſt needs be a great Dignity and priviledge to be a People near unto the Lord. A great priviledge for People to have the Tabernacle of God with them. The Ark, where were the Tables of the Covenant, was Iſraels glory. The Apoſtle makes this, the chief priviledge of the Jews, that unto them were committed the Oracles of God. The Word is a Treaſure to be choſen before thouſands of Gold and Silver: This is a Treaſure highly to be valued, though brought to us in earthen Veſſels. The Word and Ordinances are choice Priviledges, belonging to thoſe who are in Covenant, Rom. 9.4. It's a greater mercy to have thy ſpiritual Manna, than to have the greateſt abundance of Corn and Wine. Better is the Fatneſs of Gods Houſe than the precious Fruits of the Earth. How much better are the Rivers of pleaſure that run there, than Rivers of Oyl? Yea, the gleanings of Gods holy Hill, is better than the Earths Vintage. As the Soul is of more worth than the Body, ſo are means of Crace to be prized above Means of outward Subſiſtence.
As Gods Oracles and Ordinances belong to thoſe that are in Covenant, ſo that choyce part of the Word, The Promiſes. Children of the Covenant, are Children of the Promiſes, Rom. 9.4. To all within the Covenant the Promiſe of Salvation is offered, though but conditionally, yet ſincerely. And if we fall ſhort, the fault is onelyonly in our ſelves.
But the greatneſs of theſe Covenant-priviledges will appear in the ſad and deplorable Eſtate of thoſe that want, or are deprived of them. See what it is for men to be ſtrangers to the Covenant, Eph. 2.12. Such are ſaid to be without Chriſt, without hope, and without God in the World. How dolefull is their condition, who can never hear the joyfull ſound. To want the ordinary Means of Salvation, is a want indeed: Ordinarily, Extra Eccleſiam non eſt ſalus, Acts 2.47. Where no Viſion is, there the people periſh. Such ſit in Darkneſs, and in the Region and ſhadow of Death.
How miſerable was the ſtate of the Jews, when they were unchurched, when God called them Lo-ammi, would no longer own them as a people in Covenant with him. Then wrath is ſaid to have come upon them to the uttermoſt. It made the Apoſtle ſad at heart to think of it, Rom. 9.1, 2, 3, 4.
Now what is ſaid of the Priviledges of thoſe who are but ſo much as externally in Covenant with God, ſhould quicken us to Duty, not breed, or nouriſh ſecurity. The greater our Mercies, the greater our Engagements. The higher our Priviledges, the greater Gods Expectations. Iſa. 5.4. What could have been done more to my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it ſhould bring forth Grapes, brought it forth wild Grapes? To be lifted up to Heaven (with Capernaum) and not into Heaven, will occaſion our greater down-fall, and ſink us deeper into Hell.