Gods Love to Man and Mans Duty Towards God, Part 2 · Section 21
Heb. 8.6. and Chap. 7.22.
Mediator of a better Covenant.
Sect. 21. PROP. XXI. The New Covenant of Grace, is the beſt Diſpenſation of the Covenant of Grace.
THe Goſpel-Diſpenſation, this laſt Edition of the Covenant is the beſt: And it was meet, that the beſt Diſpenſation ſhould come in with Chriſt, the Mediator of the Covenant. It was fit, he ſhould have the Honour of bringing in the beſt Form, and Adminiſtration of it.
Now this is the beſt Diſpenſation of the Covenant.
(1.) In regard of Plaineſs and Perſpicuity. As Mr. Of the Covenant. p. 33.Ball obſerves: From the firſt giving forth of the Promiſe, until the Coming of Chriſt in the Fleſh, the Revelation was more Clear, Diſtinct, Ample, as the Coming of the Meſſiah did approach nearer and nearer. So it was Cleareſt, and Fulleſt, when Chriſt Came. And ſo much it ſeemeth was expected: As the Samaritan woman could ſay, John 4.25. I know that Meſſias cometh, when he is come, he will tell us all things. No wonder that the Church of Chriſt under the Goſpel hath more ſight, ſince the Sun is Riſen. Chriſt was darkly ſhadowed out under the Old Teſtament, but is clearly Revealed in the New. Moſes was vailed, and an hard thing it was for the Jews to look to the end of that which is Aboliſhed, (2 Cor. 3.13.) Chriſtians have the Advantage clear of thoſe that Lived before Chriſt. So that what the Prophets foretold, we may have a clearer underſtanding of, than they had themſelves. As we read, 1 Pet. 1.12. That not unto themſelves, but unto us, they did Miniſter the things that are now reported. We may ſee thoſe things that many Prophets, and Kings, and Righteous men heretofore could not ſee, (Mat. 13.17. Luke 10.24.) We may know Chriſt in his Offices, and ſpecial Undertaking, and his ſaving Benefits, of which they knew very little. Types are beſt apprehended by the preſence, and coming of the Antitype. So Chriſtians may underſtand the ſcope and meaning of the Legal ſacrifices, and other Types of Chriſt, better than the Jews themſelves did. Yea, it is a wonder, if any of us now ſhould be Ignorant of Chriſt, and the Way of Salvation by him, 2 Cor. 4.3.4. If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt; ſuch whoſe eyes the God of this World hath blinded.
What ſhould we think of ſuch as enjoy the Goſpel, and yet are Ignorant of Chriſt, and the way of Salvation by him? Muſt it not needs be affected Ignorance? Muſt it not be wilful Blindneſs, if not judicial too? Indeed, they that like not to receive the Truth in Love, that they might be ſaved, may juſtly be given up to Satan, to be further blinded, and deceived by him. That as the Philiſtines dealt with Sampſon, ſo ſhould he deal with them, even put out their eyes, blind their minds, leſt the Light of the Glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould ſhine into them. Do not ſuch forfeit their eyes, who will not ſee the things that belong unto their peace? As it is Iſa. 6.9, 10. (A Text that is Cited no leſs than ſix times in the New Teſtament.) Hear ye in hearing, (hear as much as ye will) but underſtand not: q.d. In ſummâ rerum abundantia peribitis ſame. (As Occolump.)
The New Covenant of Grace holdeth forth Eternal Life and Happineſs more clearly than the Old. What was more darkly propounded, and promiſed in the Old Teſtament, is brought to Light, and more plainly diſcovered, and offered in the New. 2 Tim. 1.10. Life and Immortality, is brought to Light, through the Goſpel. Thus New Teſtament-promiſes are better Promiſes: Though not better for the Matter of them, yet better for the manner of propounding them. The Church of God of old, for a long time (even from Adam to Abraham) had but one noted Promiſe, that we read of, to Live upon; and that very Dark and Myſterious too, [The Seed of the Woman, ſhall break the Serpents head] And the Church of the Jews had Spiritual, and Heavenly things promiſed more Darkly, ſhadowed out under Earthly things; as Heaven was ſhadowed out under Canaan, the Land of Promiſe. The way unto the Holieſt was not ſo manifeſt, while as the firſt Tabernacle was yet ſtanding, Heb. 9.8. But we have He…ven opened in the Goſpel, and the Vail taken away.
(2.) The Goſpel-Diſpenſation of the Covenant is the beſt Diſpenſation, in regard of the Eaſineſs of Services enjoyned. Our Goſpel-Service is far more eaſie, than the Legal-ſervices appointed to the Jews.
Under the Old Teſtament, God required a multitude of Outward ſervices. Many Carnal Ordinances the Jews had, which ſtood in Meats and Drinks, and diverſe Waſhings, Heb. 9.10. And many of thoſe Services were Coſtly, as the ſacrificing of Sheep, and Oxen, &c. And ſome of them painful, as Circumciſion, and going up from the Remoteſt parts of the Land, to make their appearance at Jeruſalem thrice a Year, Exod. 23.17. The poſitive Inſtitutions under the Goſpel are very few, and thoſe very plain, and eaſie. Chriſts Yoke is very eaſie, compared with Moſes yoke.
(3.) The Goſpel-Diſpenſation is the beſt Diſpenſation of the Covenant of Grace, in regard of its Extenſiveneſs: Bonum quò Communius, eò melius. The Old Covenant was made with one Nation, the Nation of the Jews, the Gentile Nations being ſtrangers to it. Though a ſcattering of Gentile Proſelytes were taken in, yet they were Incorporated into the Jewiſh Church, ſhewing that Ordinarily ſalvation was not to be had, but among the Jews. It was foreign, the Preheminence of the Jew, that unto them were committed the Oracles of God, Rom. 3.1, 2. Before they were the Children of the Covenant. But the Goſpel-Covenant is not ſo Confined to any Nation, excluding orhers, Mark 16. Go, Preach the Goſpel to every Creature. He that Believeth ſhall be ſaved. Here's good tidings of great Joy to all People.
(4.) The Goſpel-Diſpenſation of the Covenant is the beſt Diſpenſation, in regard of Power and Efficacy accompanying it, Heb. 8.8, 9, 10, 11. The Spirit was given more ſparingly to thoſe under the Old Teſtament, but is poured out more plentifully in the Times of the Goſpel. Thoſe appointments which the Apoſtle is not afraid to call Carnal Ordinances, had leſs of the Spirit accompanying them than Goſpel Ordinances have, 2 Cor. 10.4. The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal, but Mighty through God.
The Goſpel-Miniſtration is the Miniſtration of the Spirit, Signantèr, Emphatically, and Eſpecially, 2 Cor. 3.8. And is not that the beſt Diſpenſation, that hath more of God, more of his Grace and Spirit in it? Of the Covenant. p. 35.It is true, as Mr. Ball hath well obſerved, (which preventeth an Objection ſome might make here) If we ſpeak of ſome particular Perſons under the Firſt Covenant, they were endued with greater Gifts of the Spirit, than many under the New: But more Light of Knowledge, and greater Plenty and Abundance of Grace, is beſtowed upon the Church in the time of the Goſpel, if we reſpect the Body of the Church, and Faithful in General.
(5.) The Goſpel-Diſpenſation is the beſt in regard of Duration, and Continuance. Indeed as the Old and New Covenant are the fame for Subſiance, ſo that for ſubſtance was an everlaſting Covenant, 2 Sam. 23.5. Yet as to the Outward Form, and Seals of it, it is changed: So as the New Covenant is not to be changed. The New Covenant ſhall never wax Old, but remain every way the ſame to the End of the World. The Old Covenant was to prepare, and make way for the New, and ſo to give way to it: But the New Covenant is not to give way to any other. There is no Third Diſpenſation to be expected here upon Earth. They are Idle Dreamers, that Talk, or Think of ſuch a thing. The Goſpel-Miniſtry, Ordinances, and Seals are to continue, till we all come in the Ʋnity of the Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the Stature of the Fulneſs of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13. Till the Lord come, 1 Cor. 11.26. Till the end of the World, Mat. 28.19, 20. Till the End, when Chriſt ſhall deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be All in All. As for Saltmarſh, his Conceit, that underſtandeth [Till the end of the World, Mat. 28.20.] thus: Till the end of that Age, after which a Third Diſpenſation of the Spirit ſhould take place, and Miniſtry, and Ordinances, ceaſe: It is very groſs.
1. How well does this Interpretation agree with the fore-going words, [Go Teach (or Diſciple) all Nations, teaching them to do obſerve all things, whatſoever I have commanded you.] Were all Nations Diſcipled, and Taught to obſerve all things whatſoever Chriſt commanded in that Age?
2. Though foreign ſometimes be put for an Age; yet ſo it is as well uſed for foreign, World, as we have it Tranſlated, (Heb. 1.2. and 11.3.) And foreign, again, and again uſed for the end of the World, Mat. 13.39. The Harveſt is the end of the World, foreign. And v. 40. So ſhall it be in the end of this World, foreign, not in the end of this Age. So again, ver. 49. So let the Evangeliſt Matthew, Interpret this [foreign.] And who may better do it? And we ſee plainly according to him, it muſt be [Ʋntil the end of the World,] in a proper ſence. See Gerhard. Har. Cap. 160. p. 467. c. 1. As for that Text, Heb. 9.26. But now in the end of the World, foreign, it favoureth not Saltm. at all. Eadem eſt hoc loco foreign, quae eſt Apoſtolo alibi plenitudo temporum. Camero. praelect. p. 237. c. 1. In conſummatione ſeculorum. id eſt, diebus noviſſimis. Beza.
3. Saltmarſh, his Conceit is plainly againſt the Goſpel, and therefore (ſure) is not Goſpel. He oppoſeth the Goſpel-Miniſtration, to the Miniſtration of the Spirit; which is directly contrary to the Apoſtle, who calls the Goſpel-Miniſtration foreign, the Miniſtration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.8. We are ſure, the Apoſtle was in the Right, and therefore Saltmarſh muſt be in a very great Error here.
Others have the like Pretence for caſting off Goſpel-Ordinances, as when we urge, 1 Cor. 11.26. to prove, that the Lords Supper, is to continue in the Church: (And if that, why not other Ordinances Inſtituted by the ſame Author?) Till he come. To this ſome ſay, He is come to them in the Spirit; and being come in the Spirit, ſuch Ordinances are out of Date. But what Ground or VVarrant have they to underſtand it of his coming in the Spirit? Will it not hence follow, that the Lords Supper was Inſtituted for none but Unbelievers, Carnal, unregenerate Perſons, ſuch as have not the Spirit? If they that have the Spirit, have no more to do with this Ordinance, then we muſt ſay, it was never intended, as a Feaſt for Chriſt Friends: But for ſuch as are none of his, (as, if any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his.)
Again it is manifeſt, that the Apoſtles and others, to whom Chriſt was come in the Spirit, did yet continue to hold Communion in this, and other Ordinances. As we read, Acts 2.42. They continued ſtedfastly in the Apoſtles Doctrine and Fellowſhip, and in breaking of Bread, and Prayers. The Apoſtles Practice, with other Primitive Chriſtians, who had the Spirit in an Eminent Degree and Meaſure, and yet kept cloſe to this, and other Goſpel-Ordinances, plainly Condemns their VVay, and Overthrows their Conceit, who under Pretence of having the Spirit, caſt off Ordinances, and think themſelves above them.
Therefore we are to underſtand another coming of Chriſt, to be meant in 1 Cor. 11.26. Then his coming in the Spirit, even his Second coming, his coming in Glory, Luke 9.26. His coming at the end of the VVorld, Mat. 24.3.37, 39. Rev. 22.20. The Goſpel-VVay being to Continue from His Firſt to His Second coming.
The Times of the Goſpel are oft called the Laſt dayes, *As the ends of the World, foreign, 1 Cor. 10.11. Fines, Idcirco hi dies vocantur noviſſimi, & aetas Chriſti adventum conſecutae verè dici poteſt Seculorum perfectio ac complementum. Beza.Iſa. 2.2. Heb. 1.2. God hath in theſe Laſt days ſpoken to us by his Son; the Goſpel being to ſucceed, and put and end to the Old Teſtament-Diſpenſation, and ſo being it ſelf to Continue to the end of the Time. So the ancient Hebrews, called the Kingdom of the Meſſiah, The World to come; which Expreſſion the Apoſtle uſeth, Heb. 2.5. In theſe Laſt days of the Goſpel, God hath poured out of his Spirit, as we ſee Acts 2.16, 17. Then judge whether they ſpeak according to Scripture, who would make the Goſpel-Diſpenſation a middle Diſpenſation, and to give way to a Diſpenſation of the Spirit. If Goſpel-Times be the Laſt times, and if that pouring out of the Spirit which was promiſed, was to be in and under the Goſpel; then there is no ſuch Diſpenſation of the Spirit to be expected here on Earth, as Quakers and Enthuſiasts talk of.
Now how does it concern us all to ſee, Ʋſe. that we receive not this Grace in vain? If we are ſtrangers to God, and Grace, who Live under the beſt Diſpenſation of the Covenant of Grace, How Inexcuſable are we? And how can we think to Eſcape, if we Neglect Goſpel-ſalvation? This is the Everlaſting Goſpel. No other Goſpel to come after it. Lud. Tena. in Heb. 1.2. p. 28. b.Evangelium dicitur Lex nova, non tantum quia ſucceſſit veteri, ſed quia poſt illam non eſt alia futura. God will never Treat with men upon other Terms, then are ſet down here. Theſe are the laſt offers he will ever make, Mark 16. Go, Preach the Goſpel to every Creature: He that Believes, ſhall be Saved: But he that Believes not ſhall be Damned. If you reject theſe Terms, God will reject you. You that have not only Moſes, and the Prophets, but the Doctrine of Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, if you do not Believe, and if you are not this way brought in, your Caſe is deſperate. If any bring any other Goſpel than this unto you, let him be accurſed, ſays the Apoſtle, Gal. 1.9. And that Doctrine which would lay the Publiſhers under a Curſe, is no way likely to bring the Hearers on to true Bleſſedneſs.
And then, that the Lord hath kept the beſt to the last for us, that we have been brought forth under the laſt and best Diſpenſation of the Covenant, it ſhould teach us to acknowledge his Exceeding abundant Grace to Us-ward. It was not becauſe we were better than others that went before, that we have been thus Priviledged above others. No, we were by Nature the Children of Wrath, even as others: Our Father as an Amorite, our Mother as an Hittite, and We as the Children of the Ethiopian before God. Yet the Myſtery which was hid from Ages, and Generations, is made manifeſt unto us, to whom God would make known the Riches of his glorious Grace. And thus the last come to be first, (to allude to that, Mat. 19.30.) VVe that Live under the Goſpel-Diſpenſation, are Priviledged far above thoſe that went before; not only ſuch as were altogether ſtrangers to the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and to the Covenants of Promiſe, but even ſuch as were taken into Covenant under the Old Teſtament-Diſpenſation, ſee Mat. 11.11. with Luke 7.28. John's Miniſtry is preferred to that of the Prophets, as clearer; and the Goſpel-Ministry preſerred unto Johns, as clearer ſtill. So it is a greater Priviledge and advantage (if men would Improve it) to enjoy a Goſpel-Miniſtry, than to have ſat at Moſes feet, or to have heard of any of the Prophets of Old.
But a word more: As we Live under a better Diſpenſation, ſhould not we indeavour to be better? As we have greater means, ſhould we not abound more in Grace and Knowledge? As we enjoy more, ſhould we not do more than others? Now let our Converſation be as becometh the Goſpel.
I ſhall not Enlarge further upon the Doctrine of the Covenants. Though many things are Pretermitted, yet I hope I may Conclude, as Cunaeus, Diximus autem neque omnia, neque Nihil. I have not ſaid all (but far ſhort of all indeed) yet I hope what hath been ſaid, it is not as Nothing.
THE END.