Goodwill Towards Men, 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. Ball observes: Of the Covenant. p. 33.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 fame. (As Oecolump.)
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 Testamentpromises 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 Heaven opened in the Gospel, and the Vail taken away.
(2.) The Gospel-Dispensation of the Covenant is the best Dispeasation, 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 Dispeasation 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 same for Substance, 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 Ord inances 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 consecuta 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 Commonwealth 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.