Goodwill Towards Men, Part 2
OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE. Part II.
2 Sam. 23.5.
Although 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.
I Come now (according to my promise) to give you an account of my Apprehensions, Introduction.concerning the Covenant of Grace. An excellent subject, yet attended with difficulties. Some things I confess would discourage me from adventuring on it, and particularly the variety of apprehensions, and the multitude of controversies concerning it. But that the nobleness and necessity of the Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace, together with the great danger of Mens mistaking, and the dreadful consequence of many mistakes (too common about it) do on the other hand press and engage me to it.
Indeed I cannot expect to find you all concurring in the same apprehensions with me; yet sure I am, in the main we must agree, and hold together here, or the error will be very gross and dangerous.
As for any points more disputable (I am not of an imposing spirit) I shall not desire your assent or giving Sentence with me, beyond the merits of the cause, and strength of the proof you shall see produced. Touching what hath been delivered concerning the Covenant of Works; (that first Covenant God made with Man) this is the sum, viz. That God having made Man, had a right to rule and command him; and might only have enforced his commands with threatning of severest penalties. Yet to shew forth his infinite Goodness, as well as his Soveraign Greatness, to his Laws he annexed a free and large promise of endless life and happiness. Now Man being created a reasonable and innocent creature, could not but consent to the terms God propounded. Thus God promised life and happiness to Man upon condition of perfect obedience, and Man engaged to obey God in all things.
Adam notwithstanding soon transgressed God's Command, violated his Covenant, utterly disabled himself from performing that obedience the first Covenant required, and so deprived himself of all right and title to that happiness there promised. Lastly, Adam, being the root of Mankind, and having by his sinful fall corrupted his Nature, and begetting Children like himself, unclean, fleshly, corrupt, and guilty before God, it became utterly impossible that any of his posterity should attain to happiness by the Covenant of Works. Thus in discoursing of the Covenant of Works I have shewed you.
1. What was Man's estate by Creation, viz. holy and happy.
2. What it was by the Fall, viz. Sinful and miserable.
Now 3. I am coming to shew, what it may be by Grace, in and through Jesus Christ.
This is declared and made known in the Covenant of Grace.
Thus the Covenant of Grace is our last and best refuge. It is like a plank after a Shipwrack, or like a fair haven in a storm.
Sinners, who are exposed to all wo and wrath by the breach of the Covenant of Works, may find shelter; yet in and under the Covenant of Grace. Sinners, whom a deluge of miseries doth threaten to overwhelm, may yet be safe and happy, getting into this Ark.
The Gospel holds forth a pardon to sinners sentenced and condemned by the Law. If we look into the Covenant of Works, there we shall only see matter of terrour and ground of despair: but coming to the Covenant of Grace, here we may find opened a Door of hope. Hither must we come, here must we rest, as ever we would be happy, of which we should every one say as holy David here, This is all my salvation, and all my desire.
These are the last words of David, Verse 1. viz. That David spake as being divinely inspired. The last words of a dying man are oft worthy of a speciall remark: how much more are the last words of a dying Prophet to be regarded!
When persons are ready to faint away, then they would call for their strong waters, or make use of the best Cordial they had. Gods gracious promise and Covenant was the choicest Cordial to this holy man of God; he desired no other. Here he had strong consolation, whether his troubles arose from within, or from without; still he could fetch in relief and comfort from this Covenant. Although my house be not so with God] q. d. Though I and mine are not so as we should be, so exact and even in our walking before God, so stedfast in his Covenant; yet he abideth faithful, though I am too inconstant. He hath made with me an everlasting Covenant. Though I cannot but see sad disorders both in my self and others, both at home and abroad, yet his Covenant is well ordered in all things. Though I am subject to change, though my outward condition be oft changing, though I be at great uncertainty in respect of any worldly prosperity; yet God's Covenant with me that is sure, and there are sure mercies (Isa. 55.3.) contained in it. I can be satisfied with that provision the Lord hath made for me in this his Covenant, however things go with me and mine here in the world. Though my house here should not grow and flourish; yet I can chear up my heart with the thoughts and hopes of those better things, God hath promised in his Covenant. O this is all my Salvation, and all my desire. This by way of Preface.
Now in speaking of the Covenant of Grace, the saving Covenant, the everlasting Covenant, the better to open the nature, tenor, and use of it, I shall take the same liberty I did before, in setting forth the Covenant of works, viz. lay down such propositions, as seem to be especially needful, and that as plainly and distinctly as the Lord shall enable me, to clear your apprehensions concerning this weighty and excellent subject.