Jesus was made a surety of a better Covenant 8. 6. He is the Mediatour of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises There is you know the first Covenant the Covenant of Works and there is the second Covenant the Covenant of Grace which is divided into the Old Covenant and into the New Covenant Now here I shall briefly open two things unto you 1. That the Covenant of grace which is the second Covenant is a better Covenant than the Covenant of Workes which was the first Covenant 2. That the New Covenant under which we live is a better Covenant then the Old Covenant under which the Fathers did live 1. The Covenant of grace is a better Covenant then the Covenant of Works This will appear if you do consider ten particulars The Covenant of grace is a betâ—er Covenant then that of works It hath a better foundation 1. The Covenant of Grace hath a better foundation than the Covenant of Works The foundation of the Covenant of works was that power of will and righteousness wherewith Adam was created he stood upon his own bottom and was left unto his own sufficiency like the Prodigal child Luke 15. he had all his goods in his own hand But the foundation of the Covenant of Grace is Jesus Christ he is the sure foundation-stone laid in this building Isa 28. 16. and our salvation is laid upon one that is might upon one who is able to keep and to save to the utmost Not our strength but Christs strength not our undertaking but Christs undertaking not our will but Christs Mediatorship and Suretyship is the foundation of the Covenant of grace 2. The Covenant of grace hath better terms All the Articles of it are promises nothing is there required of us which is not promised unto us by God yea that It hath better terms which was required in the first Covenant as a condition is in this Covenant turned into a promise viz. Obedience to Gods Commandements Heb. 8. 10. I will put my Law into their minds and write them in their hearts And I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people And that which is required in this Covenant as a condition it is likewise promised Joh. 6. 45. They shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me 3. The Covenant of Grace hath better admissions I speak in respect of us thn It hath better admissions the Covenant of Works The Covenant of works would not admit any person unlesse he were righteous and inherently righteous and perfectly righeous The Covenant of works was never made with the sinner but with the righteous it condemns and casts out the sinner but never doth accept of him or let him in But the Covenant of grace doth admit sinners if any sinner be rightly sensible of his sins and of hâ—s wants and imperfections God calls out unto him Hearken It hath more favourable proceedings with the parties brought into Covenant unto me and your souls shall live And he that hath no mony come buy and eat Isa 55. 1 3. 4. The Covenant of grace hath more favourable proceedings with the parties brought into Covenant than the Covenant of Works The Covenant of work is very sharp and quick the least transgression therein doth undo the party whether of Omission or of Commission Cursed is every one that doth not continue in every thing that is written in the law to do it Gal. 3. 10. That one sin of the Angels hath undone them for ever That one sin of Adam brought him under the sentence of death The Covenant of Works had no mercy to shew it proceeded only in a way of justice But the Covenant of grace is not so strict and quick it is a very favourable Covenant I will be merciful to their unrighteousness saith God Heb. 8. 12. And if any man sin we have â—n Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes Then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin 2 Chron. 7. 14. 5. The Covenant of grace hath better promises the Covenant of works so far as yet I do understand it had but one grand promise annexed unto it and that It hath the better promises promise also was but conditional viz. A promise of life upon the condition of fixed Obedience life should be continued as long as obedience was continued Do this and live But the Covenant of grace contains better promises and more promises it doth contain a promise of life upon better conditions than that of working Life is promised upon believing Believe and thou shalt be saved and besides that it contains promises of all the things that shall bring us unto that life promises of holinesse promises of strength promises of perseverance in grace And promises against all the things which might break us off from the Covenant and from the fruition of promised life and salvation 6. The Covenant of grace is more indulgent than the Covenant of works Those services which will not be accepted in a Covenant of works will yet It is more indulgent be accepted in a Covenant of Grace The Covenant of works doth so insist upon works that the least mixture of diminution or imperfection renders the work uncapable and distastful the work must be in every regard perfect for matter and manner and measure or else as to that Covenant it was faulty and rejected But this is not in the Covenant of Grace weaknesse in working and imperfection of service shall not be rejected The day of small things is not despised The bruised Reed shall not be broken The smoaking flax shall not be quenched I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him saith God in Mal. 3. 17. If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. Vnto this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word I have seen thy tears said God of Hezekiah Isa 38. 5. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee Psal 38. 9. 7. The Covenant of grace affords better pleas than the Covenant of works If a person offend against the Covenant of works his mouth is stopt and he can It affords better pleas plead nothing on his own behalf nothing at all to stay the hand of justice against him But if one sins against the Covenant of Grace he hath yet something to plead for himself why God should not reject and destroy him There are four things which he can plead One is his Relation yet thou art
for God to have There cannot be a New Covenant without a Mediatour set up a Covenant a New Covenant if he had not set forth a Mediatour for that Covenant Because neither can a sinner come into a New Covenant without a Mediatour the sinners accesse to God and union with him requires one Nor can there be any acceptance of the person or of the services of any sinner without a Mediatour who must bear his name before God and take away the iniquity of his holy offerings Nor can he continue in that Covenant without the presence and help of a Mediatour For if Adam who had a perfect righteousness suitable to his created condition could not make good the Covenant with him much lesse can the sinner by his own strength either perform the duties or persevere in the performance of them against so many inward oppositions of his own sinful nature and so many outward temptations of Satan without the power and sufficiency of a Mediatour SECT II. 2. THat Jesus Christ is the Mediatour and he only There are two Branches Jesus Christ and he only is the Mediatour Jesus Christ is tâ—e Mediatour proved by the 〈…〉 God in this Assertion 1. One that Jesus Christ is the Mediatour which will appear to be a truth whether you consider six things 1. The counsel and purpose of God to save sinners by Christ as Mediatour Ye were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. Whose names are written in the book of Life of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world Rev. 13. 8. Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and for eknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Acts 2. 23. 2. The voluntary consent and compact between God the Father and Christ The The voluntary consent and compact betwixt God and Christ Father was willing to give Christ his Son to be the Head and to be the Ransome of the Elect and Christ the Son of God presented himself most willing to procure that salvation for them The Father agreed with him for an obedience even to the death to bring this about and promised him a Spiritual Kingdom and seed upon the performance And the Son came up to this Then said I Loe I come in the volume of thy Book it is written of me I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy Law is within my heart 3. The promise of this unto Adam Gen. 3. 15. It shall bruise thy head and thou The promise of this to Adam shalt bruise his heele This is directly meant of Christ who as our Mediatour should suffer death for us c. And unto Abraham in Gen. 18. 18. In thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed 4. The Legal figures and shadows in Sacrifices and Offerings all which Typified The Legal figures and shadows of it Jesus Christ the Mediatour who offered himself shed his blood took away sinne and made peace as in the Hebrews is a bundantly expressed 5. The actual exhibition and presentation of Christ unto the world and for this The actual exhibition of Christ purpose to be a Mediatour Gal. 4. 4. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law verse 5. To redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons 6. The real executing of that Office of Mediatour in fulfilling all Righteousness The real execution of that Office and in giving himself for a Ramsome and by his blood reconciling and making Peace 2. And as Christ is that Mediatour so he only is that Mediatour 1 Tim. 2. 5. Christ only is that Mediatour There is one God and one Mediatour between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus but one God and but one Mediatour Acts 4. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other Name under heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved None was ever called to that Office but Christ and none was ever fitted for that Office but Christ and none were ever able to discharge that Office but Christ Him the Father sent and gave and sealed and on him was laid our iniquities c. Read you of Man or Angel called by God to be a Mediatour 'twixt him and sinners Was ever any so fitted for that work but Christ He who is a Mediatour at least three conditions must lie upon him 1. He must not be of the number of those who are to be reconciled Therefore Three conditions in a Mediator agree only to Christ no simple man can be a Mediatour 2. He must partake of the nature of them who are to be redeemed and reconciled He must be of the same seed with them Heb. 2. 16. and therefore no Angel can be a Mediatour 3. He must be more than a meere Creature For a meere creature cannot satisfie nor can his righteousness be imputed to any but himself and he must be able to overcome sin and death and raise himself which no creature can do therefore neither men nor Angels can be Mediatours SECT III. 3. NOw let me speak unto the third particular viz. How Jesus Christ is to How Christ is to be considered as being-Mediatour As God Man be considered or look't upon as being a Mediatour I answer not as God only not as the second Person in the Trinity only not as man only but as Theanthropos as God-Man As God manifested in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. As the Word made flesh which dwelt amongst us and we beheld his glory as the only begotten of the Father Joh. 1. 14. As the second Person of the Trinity incarnated as Immanuel God with us A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son and thou shalt call his Name Immanuel Isa 7. 14. with Matth. 1. 23. and so the Angel to Mary in Luke 1. 31. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus verse 32. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David verse 33. And he shall raign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end So Gal. 4. 4. When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. to redeem them that were under the Law And Christ is said to bear our sins in his own body 1 Pet. 2. 24. And to make his soule an offering for sin Isa 53. And by his death and blood to reconcile us Rom. 5. 9. Col. 2. 22. As Christ was God from all eternity so in time he was made Man True God he was Joh. 1. 1. The Word was God and true Man also be was
but unto our merits and deserts of forgiveness God forgives sins freely and graciously i. e. without any merit or desert of ours Isa 43. 25. I even I am be that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine name sake but God doth not forgive sins freely i. e. without our repenting and believing for these he doth require of us that we may receive the forgiveness of our sins Secondly When God is said to forgive sins freely the meaning is not that he forgives every sinner in the world freeness notes the means not the extent of forgiveness with such a free unlimited largeness he doth not forgive but the meaning is that all those sinners who are forgiven they are freely forgiven God doth not put them upon any personal satisfactions nor doth he agree with them for any work of theirs as a cause or desert of the forgiveness of their sins Jer. 3. 12. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon thee for I am merciful saith the Lord. Ver 13. Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God c. Therefore take heed that you deceive not your selves with a confidence that your sins are forgiven because God is gracious and forgives freely for God is gracious to whom he will be gracious and they whom he graciously forgives are only the people of his Covenant even believers and penitents The death of Christ for all Thirdly A third false ground upon which some do absolutely conclude the forgiveness of their sins is the death of Christ that he shed his blood for the remission of sins and that he dyed as to that purpose for all and every one therefore their sins amongst the rest are unquestionably forgiven Answered Sol. That Jesus Christ did shed his blood for the remission of sins is most true he himself hath delivered it Matth. 26. 28. This is my blood which is shed for the remission of sins but that his blood did procure an actual remission of sins for every sinner in the world this is most false for Christ himself hath said Mark 16. 16. He that believes shall be saved and he that believes not shall be damned Joh. 10. 15. I lay down my life for the sheep Joh. 8. 24. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins and the Angel to Mary Mat. 1. 21. Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins But for your help and direction in this point take my mind in these three conclusions 1. That there was a necessity for Christ to shed his blood that so our sins might be forgiven Hebr. 9. 22. Without shedding of blood there is no remission 2. His death did purchase the forgiveness of sins Ephes 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins 3. This remission purchased though illimited as to the sins forgiven yet it is limited as to the persons forgiven 1. By the Decree of God to the Elect. 2. By the Covenant 3. And by the intention of Christ 4. And by the Gospel to whosoever believes that the shedding of his blood for the remission of sins did so illimitedly procure the same That every sinner in the world enjoys the fruit thereof whether he believes or not or whether he repents or not as I know no man living of so wicked an opinion so the Scripture delivers no such matter but the quite contrary Luke 24. 47. That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations Acts 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Acts 13. 38. Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins Ver. 39. Then Peter said Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins Rom. 3. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past It is true that remission of sins hath foundation in the blood of Christ as in a meritorious cause but our enjoyment of that merited and purchased remission takes in faith and repentance for neither God nor Christ ever intended nor promised the application thereof unto any but such as believe and repent therefore do not venture absolutely upon this that Christ dyed for the remission of sins therefore your sins are forgiven for as God did ordain the death of Christ as the meritorious cause of forgiveness of sins so did he ordain that all who have the benefit thereof should repent and believe Fourthly A fourth false ground from which some do absolutely conclude that their sins are forgiven is this their sins are but small and little sins which The smalness of sin God marks and regards not and will never take notice of but will pass them by indeed if they were guilty of great transgressions then they had reason to doubt whether they were within the compass of forgiveness promised but alas their sins are small c. Answered Sol. For answer unto this deceit remember these four particulars 1. No sin is simply little or small 2. Those sins are not little or small which people do ordinarily count so 3. God hath severely expressed himself against persons for those sins which we look on as small sins 4. This very conceit that sins are little and are past by in course may lose a man the forgiveness of his sins First No sin is simply or absolutely little or small though comparatively when we set on sin by another we find them to be of different magnitude some to be great abominations and others to be lesser transgressions yet absolutely no sin is little but as there is a greatness in the least mercy so there is a greatness in the least sin for every sin whatsoever is a transgression of the royal Law and it is committed against a great God sin is to be considered as to the object as well as to the act how were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses Every sin doth expose to a great curse even the curse of the Law Cursed is every one who continues not in every thing that is written to do it Is that a small offence which may cost a man his life nay it cannot be taken off but by the death and blood of Christ there is an infinite offence and merit in any sin you read in the Mosaical Law that the blood of the beast was to be shed for the expiation of sins of ignorance and inadvertency which did signifie the shedding of the blood of Christ for the expiation of the least sins and surely that offence may not be reputed little or small which cannot be put away but by the death of the Son of God Secondly Those sins are not little or small which people
possesseth and he is poor and dreams that Christ is his and died for his sins and made his peace but he is deceived there is no such matter at all Now there are foure things which do manifestly declare that the confidence That confidence is but a delusion Which is contrary to the Word which some men have that Christ dyed for them is but a delusion 1. When that confidence is contrary to the Word Every true and sound perswasion of our interest in Christ and in the benefits of his death is conformable to the testimony of the Word and every false perswasion or confidence is contrary to the Word as it hath no word of God to bottom upon so it hath the Word of God to unbottom and contradict it You are confident that Christ dyed to save you and to purchase the pardon of sins c. And yet you remain an ignorant and impenitent a disobedient and unbelieving sinner you still love your sins and will not forsake them your heart is hardened in sin and you mourn not for sin you despise the Gospel of Christ and truth of Christ and calls of Christ and paths of Christ and subjection to Christ and communion with Christ And yet you are confident that Christ died effectually 〈◊〉 for your salvation And what warrant have you thus to lay claim to him and to his benefits The Word saith Whosoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3. 16 36. And he that believeth not shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him And you believe not on him where is now your confidence the Word saith be converted and repent that your sins may be blotted out Acts 3. 19. And Christ saith that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name Luke 24. 47. But you repent not you do not you will not forsake your sins The Word saith that Christ is the Author of salvation to all that obey him Hebr. 5. 9. But you will not obey him he calls you off from your sins and he calls you off from the world and he calls you to fellowship with himself and he calls you unto holinesse but you will not obey him in any of these calls therefore your confidence in the benefits of his death is a meer presumption and delusion it is not warranted by the Word nay the Word is expressely contrary unto it 2. When that confidence is but natural and easily believed The right confidence Which is but natural and easily believed that Christ dyed for us it is supernatural and difficult we cannot give it to our selves it is a perswasion given unto us and it costs us many prayings and many tears and many bearings and many waitings upon God before we can attain unto it But a deluding confidence that is natural and easie the person never gets it by prayer never wrestled with God for it never attended the Word for it never conflicted with doubts and fears was never at any cost for it but was confident all his days no antecedent conflict no present conflict presumption is a work of our own a meer fancy of our own and a meer delusion of our own Thirdly When that confidence is fruitlesse and loose it produceth no love Which is fruitlesse at all to Christ nor fear to offend Christ nor care to please Christ nay instead of these there is a boldnesse to sin the more and to continue impenitent because Christ dyed for sinners and his death is sufficient to expiate the greatest transgressions whereas a right confidence of the benefits of the death of Christ makes men more holy and obedient 1 John 2. 3. We know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Ver. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Fourthly When that confidence or assurance is easily swept away in time of Which is easily swept away in time of tryal tryal either by conscience or by afflictions or by sicknesse or by the approachings of death His confidence shall be rooted out of his Tabernacle and shall bring him to the King of terrors said Bildad in Job 18. 14. A deluding confidence usually ends in a despairing diffidence but so doth not a right and well-grounded confidence it will hold out in all afflictions and tryals whatsoever Rom. 8. 38 39. I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yea it will hold out in death it self when all the hopes of the hypocrite shall perish 2 Tim. 4. 6. I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand Ver. 7. I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Ver. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day From all this let us learn carefully to try our very confidences of our interest in Christ and in the benefits of his death remember but three things 1. Your interest is never the more for all your confidence confidence gives no propriety though sometimes it follows it 2. Your interest is the lesse if your confidence be false A troubled and doubting Christian may be brought in to Christ and partake of him and of his benefits when the bold confident presumptuous sinner keeps off and hides himself even because he is boistrously confident 3. You will certainly be lost if you rest in this confident delusion it is a broken bottome and a dream which will destroy you Case 2. What a person should do who as yet cannot certainly affirme What a person should do who as yet cannot certainly affirme that Christ dyed for him that Christ dyed for him and that he hath any interest in the benefits of his death Sol. This is the case of many troubled souls and their exceeding burden and fear unto whom I would commend 1. A few Cautions 2. A few Directions 1. Cautions Cautions to such Do not cashiere your title 1. Do not cashiere your title Though all this while you cannot clear your interest although you cannot conclude for it yet do not conclude against it nor yet despair for 1. This dark condition is incident to most if not all weak believers who are baptized in a cloud though they drink of the rock i. e. Christ indeed is theirs although they do not see him to be theirs and the blood of Christ was shed for them although the assurance thereof be not shed abroad in their hearts yea and pardon of their sins is sealed although as yet it be not revealed to them they do not finde this in a sensible experience but yet they
ways of worldly advancements and advantages But the rule which a renewed heart sets up to guide and prescribe him is none other but that which God himself sets up for his people to walk by and that is his written Word Psal 119. 105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Ver. 133. Order my steps in thy Word This rule he sets up for all matters of faith and for all matters of fact this I must believe because God reveals it and commands me to believe it this I receive for truth because God delivers it for truth and that I reject as erroneous because the Word of God condemns it as contrary to the truth And this work I do and that way I walk in because God sets it out in his Word for me and that I do not do and so and so I dare not walk for I have no Word of God for it nay the Word of God is against it why mans heart is right indeed it is renewed by grace but if a man will walk contrary to this rule if he will not speak and live according to this Word it is because there is no light in him Isa 8. 20. SECT V. Vse 4. DOth God promise to give unto all his people in Covenant with him a new heart and a new spirit then there is comfort and joy to Comfort to those that have a new heart all those who finde the new heart given unto them it is true that when the Lord doth renew the heart of any by his grace and separate them from the world unto himself that 1. They shall meet with many troubles and scoffs and reproaches and persecutions from the world All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions 2 Tim. 3. 2. They shall meet with many temptations and oppositions from Satan if he cannot hinder grace and conquer grace yet he will molest and disquiet grace 3. They shall meet with many conflicts and warrings within their own hearts and with many weaknesses and failings and tryals nevertheless their condition is a very happy and comfortable condition and there are eight Eight comforts proper to them choice comforts which are proper to every renewed person and which may cheer up his heart all his days v. g. 1. Newness of heart is a sure and infallible testimony of the best and of the greatest matters which can concern the soul 2. This newness of heart is an unquestionable effect of our union with Christ 3. It is the noblest and highest elevation of the soul here on earth and the clear evidence of the presence of the Spirit of Christ 4. It enables you for all heavenly communion and serviceableness to Divine glory 5. God will own and accept of it and the fruits of it though but little and weak 6. He will strengthen and uphold and perfect it unto the day of Christ 7. He will poure upon every person who enjoys it all necessary blessings for this life and will take special notice of him and care for him in the days of adversity 8. Renewing grace shall without all doubt bring us at the last to eternal happiness First Newness of heart is a sure and infallible testimony of the best and of It is a clear testimony of the greatest matters which can concern the soul the greatest matters which can concern the soul There are six things which do concern the soul as nearly I think as any can and of every one of them is renewing grace a sure testimony 1. The love of God 2. The election of God 3. A relation to God 4. A change from death to life 5. The pardon of sin 6. The hope of glory 1. Of the love of God that the Lord doth indeed set his special love A testimony of the love of God his very heart upon a person 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God Psal 146. 8. The Lord loveth the righteous for any to be made the sons of God this is an effect or fruit of the love of God now all the sons of God are new born they are born again of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. Ephes 2. 4. But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us Ver. 5. even when we were dead in sins and trespasses hath quicked us together with Christ As it is one of the greatest testimonies of Gods hatred and wrath for any to be left to his old sinful heart and lusts and ways so it is one of the greatest testimonies of Gods love when he pities them in their sinful condition and delivers them out of it and gives his Spirit to enliven and renew them by grace 2. Of the Election of God for this see two places 1 Thes 1. 4. Knowing Of election Brethren Beloved your Election of God Ver. 5. For our Gospel came unto you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost Eph. 1. 4. He hath chosen us in him that we should be holy Holiness or renewing grace it is as one speaketh the counterpane of Gods decree of Election God by his own eternal prescience knows whom he intends for salvation and we by that work of renewing grace in our hearts come to know that eternal purpose of his grace concerning us it being given unto us an effect flowing from his Election and in order unto that happiness unto which he hath chosen us 3. Of our Relation to God as our God and our Father as none but his Of our relation to God people and children are holy so all his people and his children are holy Isa 63. 18. The people of thy holiness they are 1 Pet. 2. 9. an holy Nation and a peculiar people 2 Cor. 6. 17. Come out from among them and be ye separate and touch no unclean thing Ver. 18. And I will be a father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty 4. Of our translation from life to death See Isa 4. 3. He that is left in Of our translation from death to life Zion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem Ezek. 16. 6. When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Luk. 15. 32. This my son was dead and is alive again Rom 6. 11. Likewise reckon ye your selves to be dead unto sin but alive unto God Renewing grace is one of the strictest differences between men of death and men of life not any man hath it but he who is made alive by Christ and is in the state of life no profane person hath it nor doth any hypocrite partake of it 5. Of the pardon of our sins if any
the Covenant-advantages 105 A sinner that hath no worthiness at all may be taken into Covenant 107 A personal worthiness is not expected for admission into this Covenant ibid. It is a giving Covenant 120 God will refuse none from this Covenant who are willing to have him for their God 109 Directions what course a sinner should take to be brought into this Covenant 110 Exhortation to them that are not in Covenant with God ibid. Get into Covenant-relation 104 It is a new Covenant 116 It is a free and gracious Covenant 123 This Covenant is a well-ordered Covenant 128 Its a perfect and plentiful Covenant 118 It is a holy Covenant 131 It is a sure and stedfast Covenant 138 It is the last Covenant 148 It is an everlasting Covenant ibid. All the things of the Covenant are stiled everlasting 149 The certainty of the Covenant is the glory of it 141 It is the best Covenant 166 Whether faith only be the condition of the Covenant p. 187 Why faith is the only condition ib. The condition of the Covenant 181 How any condition can be allowed in the Covenant of grace 182 There is a Covenant betwixt God and believers 2 Of a Covenant in general ibid. Some Covenants are sinful ibid. That there is a Covenant betwixt God and Believers 3 There is a Covenant betwixt God the Father and Jesus Christ ibid. Differences betwixt the conflicts in a regenerate and unregenerate man 514 How to know whether we act upon Gods command alone 672 Parallels betwixt Gods commands and his precepts 701 Twelve things in respect of God to remove our cares 98 D. Duties GOd Commands not duties that we should be justified thereby 660 We must not perform duties to still our consciences 663 We must not perform duties to self-ends ibid. How we may so perform duties as to please God 664 E. Eternity Every work is a step to Eternity 667 What is Evangelical obedience 652 F. Faith WHat is to be done to obtain the Faith which brings us into Covenant 201 Consider the Author of this faith ibid. God and God only is the Author of Faith 202 Consider the means of working this faith ib. The Gospel is the means of Faith ibid. Four things to be done to get Faith 203 Faith is possible and probable to be had 207 No sinner to whom the Gospel is preached can conclude that God never intended to give him Faith ib. God will never deny Faith to them that cordially ask it 208 Improve your Faith to a dependence upon God 216 Improve your Faith to a keeping Covenant with God 220 A necessity of the use and exercise of Faith 405 All men have not Faith 406 All Faith doth not bring us in remission of sins ibid. What the Faith is that will certainly bring in remission of sins 408 Who strives with God for Faith 464 The necessity of Faith is we will walk in Gods wayes 657 Three degrees of Faith necessary 114 How we may know whether our faith be a faith of union 190 Walk without inordinate care before your faithful God 97 Walk without inordinate fears 98 What is meant by Filthiness 437 Upon forgiveness all displeasure ceaseth 364 Get a capacity of forgiveness 380 Some put themselves out of a capacity of of forgiveness 385 Gods Promise of forgiveness extends to all the sins of all his people 422 Whose sins God forgives he becomes their friend 424 The blood of Christ is the cause and the only Meritorious cause of Forgiveness 458 G. Glorying A twofold Glorying 12 The misery of such who have not God for their God 22 The answerable and reciprocal acts betwixt God and us 23 Of the Loving-kindness of God 27 Comfort in this that God is our God 26 The more or less you enjoy of God the more or less perfect 27 In all other enjoyments our condition is low without God ibid. God and he only is our rest 28 God is the most desirable good ibid. God unites himself to us by way of donation ibid. Every one who hath God for his God doth enjoy all things 29 If God be our God we are the Objects of Gods Eternal Love 30 All the glorious Attributes of God are engaged for their good 31 God is a merciful God 33 Six Comforts to those who have God for their merciful God he will forgive you though not others ibid. Comforts from this that God will be a holy God to you he will make you holy 34 God is an omniscient God 35 The Omniscience of God is comfort against all our enemies 36 God is a wise God 37 Your wise God will give you wisdom 38 God is an infinite essence and therefore of infinite power ibid. What comfort is this that our God is omnipotent 39 When God will do you good none can hinder him 40 Gods faithfulness is engaged for you 41 Four things in the faithfulness of God 42 God is a gracious God 43 What comfort from hence that our God is gracious 44 The immutability or unchangeableness of God 45 Six comforts from hence the unchangeable God will never cast you off 46 Gods Omnipresence 47 God is at once and wholly present every-where with his Essence and Attributes 48 If God be ours then all the promises are ours 76 Comfort from this that Gods promises are ours ibid. The promises are sufficient encouragements to pray to God to depend on him p. 78 If God be ours then all the immunities and priviledges annexed to the Covenant are ours 79 Ten immunities by the Covenant with God ib. Priviledges by being in Covenant with God 83 The priviledges of the children of God are yours ibid. Your Communions with God are by the Mediator 84 You may go to your God when you will ib. You may with confidence wrestle with God ibid. You may expect help from God in all your works 85 The Angels of God are ministring Spirits for you ibid. God will be your God in life and death 86 If God be ours all is ours ibid. God makes a Covenant with the creature to be serviceable for your good 87 All creatures are in a subordination to the will of your God ib. As God hath command of all good in the creatures so he hath engaged to settle it upon you 88 Instructions for the people of God in Covenant Thankfully bless your God for bringing you into Covenant ibid. Make use of your God in all your occasions wants troubles 89 Encourage your selves in the Lord your God ibid. There is a near relation betwixt God and you 218 Make out to your God for all your souls do need 271 God the Father did never intend this latitude of Redemption for all when he sent Christ into the world 289 Why God gives spiritual blessings as well as temporal 337 God will do more for his people in Covenant then for any 338 Gods soveraignty engag'd for our good p. 49 You can never be brought into any straits but God is able to help you 50