by the death of the Testator Heb. 12. 22 23. Heb. 10. Mat. 26. Heb. 8. 6. Q. Who is this Jesus Christ A. The man Gods-fellow the Sonne of the Father but found in fashion as a man in which estate he humbled himselfe and became obedient to the death even to the death of the Crosse Zach. 13. 7. Phil. 2. Q. What followed upon his humbling himselfe and being obedient to the death of the Crosse A. His glorious exaltation which is to be considered in his resurrection ascension and sitting at Gods right hand Rom. 8. 34 35. 1 Cor. 15 11. Q. What did be ingage himselfe to as Mediator of this Covenant A. He ingaged himselfe to a three-fold office Propheticall Priestly and Kingly Act. 7. Psal 110. Q. What belongs to him to doe as a Prophet A. To reveale and make knowne the Covenant therefore is he called the Angel and Messenger of the Covenant Ephes 2. 17. Mal. 3. 1. Q. What was his businesse as a Priest A. To make his Soule an offering for sin and by the sacrifice of himselfe to God to merit for us and make sure unto us all the blessings of the Covenant Esa 53. Heb. 10. Q. What belongs to him to doe as a King A. To triumph over all guiltinesse by the application of his bloud to the consciences of his people and to subdue all iniquitie by the efficacy of his grace and so to erect and administer a Kingdome in their hearts standing in righteousnesse peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Heb. 9. 10. 18. Esa 52. Mich. 7. 15. Rom. 14. 17. Q. What provision is there made for the application of this Covenant to the sonnes of men A. There is mercifull provision of means and that of two sorts first outward secondly inward Q. What are the outward means A. First The ministration of the Word secondly The holy Sacraments 2 Cor. 5. Q. What is done to the purpose of applying this Covenant in the ministery A. The name of God and of the Lord Jesus is proclaimed and as an oyntment powred forth Christ with his bloud and merits and all the benefits of his death are openly shewed and signification made that whosoever will may come and drinke of the waters of life freely Exod. 34. Cant. 1. Joh. 3. 14. Esa 55. 1. Rev. 22. Q. What are the Sacraments that belong to this Covenant A. They are two Baptisme and the Lords Supper wherein there are visible Elements of Water in the one and Bread and Wine in the other all Sacramentally holding forth Christ and serving to promote the application of him and all spirituall mercies through him Mat. 28. Mat. 26. Q. What doe these Sacraments especially hold forth concerning Christ A. His sacrifice and death and so they hold proportion with the Gospel which is a doctrine concerning Christ and him crucified Rom. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 11. 26. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Q. How doe they serve to promote the application of Christ and spirituall blessings by him A. They serve hereunto not onely by way of signification but also by way of obsignation and so are to be considered as Seales of the Covenant Rom. 4. 11. Q. What is signified and sealed in Baptisme A. The death of Jesus Christ our union with him and interest in all the benefits by him particularly remission of sinnes and sanctification Rom. 6. 4. Acts 2. 38. Q. What is signified and sealed in the Lords Supper A. Our continuance in the fellowship of Christ our living upon him growing and increasing in him who as he became a sacrifice to satisfie for sinne so is he become spirituall meate for the nourishment of our soules Titus 2. 5. Ephes 5. 2. John 6. 55. Q. Doe not the Sacraments serve to promote the obedience that is to be performed under the Covenant as well as the application of the mercies thereof A. They serve strongly to both purposes for as the application of the mercies is furthered by way of signification and obsignation so is the performance of dutie furthered by way of profession and obligation Rom. 6. 23. Col. 3. 2 3. Q. What doe we make profession of and binde our selves unto in Baptisme A. Wee professe our selves to be such as belong to Christ beare his name have fellowship with him in his death and resurrection and binde our selves to walke sutably her unto in dying to sinne and rising to newnesse of life Mat. 28. 19. Colos 2. 12. Q. What doe wee make profession of and binde our selves unto in the Lords Supper A. Wee professe our continuance in that holy fellowship and binde our selves to walk worthy of it denying to have any fellowship in the unfruitfull workes of darknesse 1 Cor. 10. 16. Q. What are the inward means of applying this Covenant A. Two The one principall the other instrumentall Q. What is the principall A. The Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ which is sent into the hearts of such as are the children of the Covenant and heires of promise to convince them of their owne sinfulnesse and of Gods righteousnesse making them willing to submit to it and able to close with it Gal. 4. 6. Joh. 16. 8 9. Psal 110. 13. Q. What is the instrument all means of applying this Covenant A. Faith which is the gift of God and therefore given that the soule may be made able to take hold of the Covenant and be actually possessed of the blessings of it to justification and life Ephes 2. 8. Acts 13. 28. 15. 11. Joh. 1. 12. Q. What are men required to beleeve that they may be made partakers of Christ and the blessings of the Covenant A. They are to beleeve that Christ came into the world to save sinners and such as are lost and perceiving themselves to be such to looke up unto him and to relie upon him for salvation 1 Tim. 1. 15. Esa 45. 22. Q. Are not men bound to beleeve that Christ died for them in particular A. They are bound to labour after such a particular perswasion but they are justified by a faith of adherence although they have not attained unto the faith of evidence and assurance Heb. 6. 11. Mat. 15. 1. Q. What is the chiefest end tbat God aimes at in making this Covenant and admitting sinners into it A. The praise of the glory of his grace and that Jesus Christ may in all things have the preheminence Ephes 1. 6. 12. Col. 1. 18. Q. How is this end attained A. By Gods enabling men to beleeve and so to submit to his righteousnesse in Jesus Christ which beleeving as it is the instrument of applying the Covenant so is it the maine and principall part of that obedience which is required and performed under this Covenant Rom. 10. 3 4. Rom. 16 26. Q. Doth not love to God and our neighbour belong to that obedience which is to be performed under the new Covenant A. Vndoubtedly it doth But then wee are to consider the commandement that binds to it as a new
THE TWO COVENANTS From Sinai and Sion drawn up Catechetically and plainly Together with a briefe Appendix directing about the use of the New Covenant in a practicall way Published for the benefit especially of the Inhabitants of Eastham Essex BY SAMUEL SLATER Hebrews 12. 18 19 22 23. Yee are not come unto the Mount that might be touched and that burned with fire nor unto blacknesse and darknesse and tempest and the sound of a Trumpet c. But yee are come unto Mount Sion and to the Citie of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the generall assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant LONDON Printed by M. S. for Henry Overton in Popes head Alley 1644. Mount Sinai Mount Sion Was scituate in the Wildernesse where the Israelites were sojourners Exod. 19. 1. Was scituate in Canaan where the Isâ—aelites were inheritors and at Jâ—rusalem where God placed his Name 2 Sam. 7. Here Moses stood as a Typicall Mediator Exod. 24. 12. Heâ—e Christ stands as the Mediator of the New Testament Rev. 14 1. Heb 12. Here a fiery Law was published and given in charge Deut. 33. 2. Here the joyfull sound of the Gospel is heard Psal 89. Isa 40. 9. Here the Law was written in Tables of stone by the finger of God Exod. 31. 18. Here the Law is written in the fleshly Tables of the heart by the Spirit of the living God 2 Cor. 3 3. Here was blacknesse and darknesse and Tempest Heb. 12 18. Here is brightnesse and perfect on of beautie Psal 50. 2. Here matters were mannaged visibly and to the outward sences Exod. 10. 18. Here mâ—tters are mannaged after a more spirituall manner 2 Cor. 3. 8. Here Moses and the people did exceedâ—ngly feare and quake Exod. 20. Heb. 12. 21. Here mâ—n have boldnesse and confidence towards God Heb. 10. 19. Here was a gendring to Bondagâ— Gal. 4. 24. Here men are called to a glorious libertie Gal. 5. 13. Here was the ministration of condemnation 2 Cor. 3. Hâ—re is the ministration of râ—ghteousnesse and life 2 Cor. 3. PSAL. 87. 5. Of Sion it shall be said this and that man was borne in her and the Highest himselfe shall establish her IT hath pleased the Father of lights out of tender compassion to the forelorne posteritie of Adam over which the Prince of darknesse hath drawne a black vaile of ignorance to ingage the promise for the destroying of that Vaile and removing the face of the covering spread over all Nations Isa 25. 7. That so Men may with open face behold as in a Glasse the glory of God and be transformed into his Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. Which promise as it is to be applyed by Faith and sued out by prayer so it is to be served in order to its accomplishment by the faithfull endâ—avours of all Christs sâ—rvants in the Ministery that so poore soules that have lived long under shadows and walked in darknesse may be brought into marveilous light and not goe to bed in the darke and so lie downe in eternall sorrow For which cause the Author hath been mooved to present these few pages to publique view in hope that some may make advantage of them for the nnderstanding of the mysteries of God Which if any shall he hath his aime who counts it one of the greatest comforts of his life to be any way usefull to the Church of God and Children of the Covenant Some select Scriptures propunded to promote an endeavour in people after Knowledge I Desired knowledge of God more than burnt offerings Hosea 6. 6. The Lord hath a controversie with the Inhabitants of the Land because there is no knowledge of God Hosea 4. 1. Some have not the knowledge of God I speake this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. My people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge Hosea 4. 6. How long yee simple ones will yee love simplicitie and fooles hate knowledge Pro. 1. 22. When Wisdome entreth into thy heart and knowledge is pleasant to thy soule discretion shall preserve thee understanding shall keepe thee Pro. 2. 16. Therefore be yee not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is Ephes 5. 17. Some generall Propositions comprehending the summe of that Doctrine which is necessary to be knowne to Salvation GOD is an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit having his beeing of himselfe and all perfections in himselfe in the unitie of whose essence wee are to acknowledge a Trinitie of persons viz. the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Joh. 4. 24. 1 Kings 8. 17. 1 Joh. 5. 7. God in relation to man as his creature is to be acknowledged of us as a most wise powerfull and glorious Creator Gen. 1. Psal 8. God with respect to man as a sinner is to be acknowledged as a most wise just mercifull and gracious Redeemer Exod. 34. 6. Esa 43. 14. Man before his fall was a creature of admirable excellencies and singular priviledges but not priviledged from falling Gen. 1. 31. Col. 3. 10. Eccles 7. 29. Man since the fall is a creature extreamely miserable but yet standing under a possibilitie of rising Rom. 7. 24. Hosea 13. 9. 14. That helpe which is provided for man in order to his rising is laid upon one that is mightie even Jesus Christ who is both God and man a person chosen of his Father to doe him service in working mans Salvation and is for that purpose made unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Psal 89. 19. Esa 9. 6. 7. Esa 42. 1. 1 Cor. 1 30. Jesus Christ and all blessings in and through him are ours by beleeving wherein first there is a looking to Jesus secondly a leaning upon him thirdly an imbracing of him fourthly a kissing of him fiftly a feeding upon him sixtly a taking hold of him seventhly a receiving of him eightly a comming to him all which are to be spiritually understood and spiritually to be performed Ephes 3. 17. Heb. 12. 2. Cant. 1. Heb. 11. 13. Psal 2. 12. Joh. 6. Esa 27. 5. Joh. 1. 12. The soule is brought to beleeve and so to the fellowship of Christ and blessings through him by the hearing of the Gospel which is a doctrine of free grace declaring unto us that God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe Joh. 6. Rom. 10. 14 15. 17. 2 Cor. 5. 19. That Gospel which is the grace of God bringing salvation to such as beleeve doth likewise teach men to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live oberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 11 12. Such as doe beleeve and shew forth their beleeving by walking in newnesse of life are justified from sinne passed from death to life and shall have after death a resurrection to eternall glory Rom. 5. 1. Joh.
6. 36. Joh. 11. 26. Joh. 6. 44. Such as continue in sinne neglecting Christ and Gospel mercies shew themselves to be children of wrath in bondage to Satan and so continuing shall after death be raised up to eternall shame Joh. 3. 36. Ephes 2. 2 Tim. 2. ult It is mens dutie not to take matters delivered unto them upon trust but to search the Scriptures whether the things which they reade or heare be so Joh. 5. 39. The two COVENANTS from Sinai and Sion Question IN what way hath it seemed good to the wisdome of God to deale with the sonnes of men in order to his glory and their happinesse Answer Gods dealing with them both before and since the fall hath been ordered out in a way of Covenanting Gen. 2. 16. Jere. 31 32. Ezek. 20. 37. Q. What Covenant did God make with man before his fall A. A Covenant of Workes the summe whereof is contained in the ten Commandements Levit. 18. 5. Gal. 3. 12. Q. What did this Covenant binde man unto A. To the performance of perfect obedience and that perpetually Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. Q. Had man abilitie to performe what this Covenant bound him to A. Sufficient abilitie there was given to him to performe whatsoever the Law required Eccles 7. 29. Q. What did that Covenant leade man to expect from God as the reward of his obedience A. A blessed life in constant fellowship with him and sweet fruition of him Gal. 3. 12. Q. Was man stedfast in this Covenant A. Nothing lesse for he disobeyed Gods expresse command in eating the forbidden fruit and so became guiltie of breach of Covenant Gen. 3. Eccles 7. 29. Q. What condition hath man now brought himselfe into through this breach of Covenant A. Into a most miserable condition of sinfulnesse impotency guilt and wrath and lyes open to the curse of the Law and eternall condemnation Joh 15. 16. Q. Is there no helpe for man now lying under this woefull condition A. No helpe at all by the Covenant he hath broken which doth strictly require either obedience or satisfaction in case of transgression without giving any power or shewing any mercy Gal. 3 Q. Hath man no power to helpe himselfe A. He is altogether without strength either to performe obedience or make satisfaction either to repaire the wrong he hath done to God or the losse he hath sustained from himselfe 2 Cor. 3. 5. Q. Is man then a creature altogether hopelesse A. Not so for God hath proclaimed his Name to be mercifull and gracious Exod. 34. 6 7. Q. How hath God shewed himselfe so to be in order to mans recovery A. By revealing a new Covenant and so bringing in a better and more blessed hope Jere. 31. 32. Heb. 8. Q. What is that Covenant A. A Covenant of free grace and reconciliation between himselfe and poore sinners before alienated from him and enemies to him 2 Cor. 5. 18 19. Col. 1. Q. Vpon what foundation is this Covenant layd A. Not upon any abilitie in man but upon Jesus Christ and his sufficiency upon whom the Covenant is founded and in whose bloud it is established Esa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Mat. 26. 28. Luk. 22. 20. Q. Why doe you call it a new Covenant A. In two respects first in respect of the Covenant of works under which man was at first planted Secondly In respect of that difference which is between the gracious administrations under the old Testament and those now undew the New Q. Wherein doth that difference of administrations consist A. In sundry particulars whereof we will mention but two or three First under the old Testament the Covenant was administred with a more rigorous exacting of obedience to the morall Law under the Gospel men are drawne to their dutie with more sweetnesse Secondly Christ was then held forth as one that was to come but now as being alreadie come Thirdly Christ and the blessing of the Covenant through him were then dispensed under carnall ordinances and cloudy Ceremonies whereas now the dispensations are more cleare and spirituall so that wee may with open face behold as in a glasse the glory of God in Jesus Christ Deut. 8. 1. 27. 26. Mat. 11. 28 29. Rom. 12. 1. Mal. 3. 1 2. Heb. 9. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 9. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Q. Was it not the same salvation which was then dispensed that now the Gospel brings notwithstanding the difference of administration A. Vndoubtedly it was Christ being the same yesterday and to day and for ever secondly It being the same Spirit and the same faith by which beleevers then were and now are made partakers of him and of all spirituall blessings in and thorough him Heb. 13. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 13. Heb. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 3 4. Q. When did this Covenant take place A. Immediately after the fall and it was signified by that promise made to our first parents the seed of the woman shall breake the Serpents head being afterward confirmed to Abraham and to his seed Gen. 3. 15. Gen. 15. 1. 17. 1 2. Q. Why then was the Law published after upon mount Sinai A. Not as the standing Covenant nor to disanull the Covenant made and confirmed before of God in Christ but it was for mercifull purposes and the more to indeare the promise of Grace to the heires thereof Gal. 3. 17 18 19. Q. What is the matter of this new Covenant under the Gospel A. Sure mercies and sweet promises which are all in Christ yea and in him Amen Esa 55. 3. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Q. What are those promises and the mercies conveyed by them A. That God will give a new heart a heart to know him that he will write his law within us put his feare into us cause us to walke in his statutes forgive our iniquities cleanse us from our filthinesse be our God and make us his people Ezek. 36. Jere. 31. Q. What is required of such as are taken into this Covenant A. Nothing is required of them but what is given to them It is required that men beleeve and repent but it is freely given to them 〈…〉 Mans dutie is the matter of promise as well as Gods mercy 1 Cor. 2. 12. Ephes 2. 8. Phil. 1. 29. Act. 5. 31. Q. How then are men to deale with such precepts as require that they beleeve repent and turne to God A. They are not to seeke strength from themselves but to search into the Covenant and see what they can finde in the promise and so turne the promise into prayer The Appendix fully proves this Q. How will it stand with the justice of God so highly offended and requiring satisfaction to make such a Covenant of grace and mercy A. Wee are to consider this Covenant in a reference of it to Jesus Christ as Mediator thereof undertaking to satisfie Gods strictest justice and to estate man in his richest mercy in regard of whom as also of Gods free donation it is a Testament confirmed