II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works", wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the Covenant of Grace whereby he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe %. IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the scripture by the name of a Testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed ". I'sal. c. 2. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Ver. 3. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Job xxii. 2. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Ver. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Job XXXV. 7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Ver. 8. Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. Luke xvii. 10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Acts xvii. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands: Ver. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. 1. Gal. iii. 12. And the law is not of faith: but, 1 he man that doeth them shall live in them. e Rom. x. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom. v. 12. to 20. [See Chap. vi. Sect. 3. letter f.] d Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. III. e Gal. iii. 21. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Rom. viii. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Ver. 21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Gen. iii. 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shalruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isa. xlii. 6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. f Mark xvi. 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Rom. x. 6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above.) Ver. 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Gal. iii. 11. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. g Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man there. fore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. IV. Heb. ix. 15. And for this cause he V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices. circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come, which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah', by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament m. VI. Under the gospel, when Christ the substance" was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; which, though fewer in number, and ad is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Ver. 16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Ver. 17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Heb. vii. 22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Luke xxii. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 1 Cor. xi. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. V. i 2 Cor. iii. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Ver. 7. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: Ver. 8. How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? Ver. 9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (Heb. Chapters viii. ix. x.) Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Col. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the boiy of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. 11 Cor. x. 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; Ver. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Ver. 3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; Ver. 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink; (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ.) Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. John viii. 56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. m Gal. iii. 7. Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Ver. 8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Ver. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. VI. n Col. ii. 17. Which are a shadow of things to come: but the body is of Christ. o Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lu, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: Ver. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25, After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, Ibis ministered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy P, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament". There are not therefore two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations". IT CHAP. VIII. Of Christ the Mediator. T pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. P Heb. xii. 22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Ver. 23. To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Ver. 24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Ver. 25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven; Ver. 26. Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Ver. 27. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Jer. xxxi. 33. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Ver. 34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. q Mat. xxviii. 19. [See letter o immediately foregoing.] Eph. ii. 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace: Ver. 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; Ver. 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ver. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ver. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. r Luke xxii. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. s Gal. iii. 14. That the blessing of Abra ham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ver. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Acts xv. 11. But we believe that, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they. Rom. iii. 21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Ver. 22. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference: Ver. 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Ver. 30. Seeing it is one God which shall justify the cir cumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Psal. xxxii. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. With Rom. iv. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Ver. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Ver. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Ver. 17. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Ver. 23. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Ver. 24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Heb. xiii. 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. God and mana; the Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Saviour of his Church; the Heir of all things; and Judge of the world unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did. when the fulness of time was come, take upon him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin1; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance". So that two whole, I. a Isa. xlii. 1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 1 Pet. i. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Ver. 20. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 Tim. íi. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. b Acts iii. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Heb. v. 5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. Ver. 6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. d Psal. ii. 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Luke i. 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. e Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body. f Heb. i. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also be made the worlds. g Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. a John xvii. 6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Psal. xxii. 30. A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. Isa. liii. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hathi put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. i 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Isa. Iv. 4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Ver. 5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. II. k John i. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Ver. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 1 John v. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Phil. ii. 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 1 Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Ver. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Ver. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in we are, yet all points tempted like as without sin. m Luke i. 27. To a virgin espoused to perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion". Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and mano. III. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure P; having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell: to the end, that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety. Which office he took not unto himself, but was thereunto called by his Father"; who put all power and judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same. IV. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Ver. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Gal. iv. 4. [See letter immediately foregoing.] n Luke i. 35. [See the foregoing Verse.] Col. ii. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 1 l'et. iii. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Tim. iii. 16. And, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. o Rom. i. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, Ver. 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. III. P Psal. xlv. 7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. John iii. 34. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. q Col. ii. 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. i. 19. For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell > Heb. vii. 26. For such an high priest 1ecame us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sincs, and made higher than the heavens. John i. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheid his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. t Acts x. 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him. Heb. xii. 24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb. vii. 22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. u Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Ver. 5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. x John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Ver. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Mat. xxviii. 18. And Jesus came and spake vato them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Acts ii. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. IV. y Psal. xl. 7. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, Ver. 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. With Heb. x. 5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Ver. 6. In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: Ver. 7. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Ver. 8. Above, when he said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin, thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; (which are offered by the law;) Ver. 9. Then said he, Lo, I come to |