The Doctrine of the Covenant of Redemption, Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2. The right Notion of the Covenant of Redemption Stated,
THere are two enquiries apt to be made about a matter of Diſcourſe, viz. Anſit, and Quidſit, whether the thing be, and what it is. If the thing it ſelf be taken for granted to be, the former is Superſeded; but it it be Suſpected, it muſt be Cleared: and either of theſe ſeems to claim the Precedency: for, though words be to ſignify things, yet they are often Dark, Ambiguous Aequivial; and till we know what they Indigitate, how ſhall we determine whether the thing be? And yet on the other hand, till we are ſatisfied that the thing is, it is ſuperfluous to enquire into the nature of it, leſt our diſpute ſhould prove to be about a non entity. To avoid both of theſe, I ſhall here only give ſome brief general account of the thing intended by the Covenant of Redemption, in order to the proof of the Aſſertion that there is ſuch a thing; leaving the full explanation of it till afterwards.
Let it then be here obſerved. It is certain that the whole concern of Mans Redemption and Salvation, had it conſideration and determination in Gods eternal Decree. It is a ſure rule, That whatſoever God doth in time, he purpoſed to do it before time: for he worketh all things according to the counſel of his will, Eph. 1. 11. God is a wiſe Agent; he muſt therefore know his own works; and this knowledge muſt be eternal, or elſe it could not be Divine, Acts 15. 18. Known unto God are his works from the foundation of the world. He is a free Agent, and ſo he doth nothing but what he will do: And that will had no beginning, being Immutable, Job 23, 13. he is of one mind and who can turn him? Now although the Decree of God, be with reſpect to him Decreeing, but one ſimple and undivided act; yet, in reference to the things Decreed, it is various, or hath many parts, in it: for which reaſon the ſcripture ſpeaks of many thoughts and many purpoſes of his.
Among theſe Decrees, Thoſe of Predeſtination deſerve to be peculiarly remarked by us; becauſe they contein in them the Idea of that ſpecial government by which God leads all reaſonable creatures to an everlaſting ſtate of happineſs or miſery. And among theſe, that of Election carries in it matter of ſingular and eminent comfort to all true believers, who by the knowledge of their Faith, come to be acquainted with their Intereſt in, and Title to it. In which Decree of Election, there was not only the deſignation of the end, unto which the Creature was appointed, but alſo the laying out of the whole way in which they were to be brought unto the Attainment of that end. The end to which men are appointed by Election, is Eternal Life. That which is the end of our Faith, is the Deſign of Gods Election, and that is our Salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 9. Among the means, that which ſhines forth moſt illuſtriouſly, is mans deliverance from Sin and Wrath by the Obedience of Christ, who is the Eternal Son of God, and in fulneſs of Time was made man, in order to his Redeeming of us. This way of mans Redemption, had a room in Gods Eternal Purpoſe: Our Election therefore was in him, and that before the Creation, Eph. 1. 4. Not that Chriſt as Mediator was the Meritorious procuring Cauſe of our Election; but becauſe in and by him we were to be made partakers of all the benefits which were to be the Fruits of this Electing Love to us. Hence then the Son of God was appointed to do thoſe things for us, which were to procure all theſe benefits to be beſtowed on us; and for this reaſon is he ſaid to be Slain from the Foundation of the World, Rev. 13. 8. not that he was actually ſo, but becauſe of the Deſignation of it; and ſo the Apoſtle expounds it, 1 Pet. 1. 20. who was verily Foreordained before the Foundation of the World.
This Article in the Decree, is in the Scripture repreſented unto us, under the notion of a Covenant between God the Father, and God the Son; as will appear afterwards, together with the reaſon why it is exhibited under ſuch a notion. So that by the Covenant of Redemption, under our conſideration, we are to underſtand, An Everlaſting Compact clearly made, and firmly Ratified, between God the Father, and God the Son, about the Redemption and Salvation of a number of the Children of Men; and this is a Covenant diſtinct from that which we call the Covenant of Works, which paſt between God and Man at the firſt in Adam; as alſo from the New Covenant, or that of Grace, which is Indented between God and Man, in Chriſt as the Mediator of it. This is the thing about which our Enquiry is, and which may be laid open in the Sequel.