by_o god_n and_o unalterable_a by_o man_n but_o in_o other_o thing_n their_o paction_n be_v effectual_a as_o in_o other_o case_n so_o also_o in_o civil_a government_n the_o form_n of_o government_n the_o person_n govern_v the_o extension_n of_o their_o power_n more_o than_o what_o be_v requsite_a for_o order_n and_o determination_n of_o controversy_n be_v by_o the_o express_a and_o tacit_n paction_n of_o the_o party_n except_o what_o god_n do_v immediate_o determine_v in_o the_o government_n of_o israel_n god_n do_v also_o institute_v a_o distinct_a government_n for_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o separate_v it_o from_o the_o paternal_a and_o civil_a authority_n both_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n which_o be_v propagate_v by_o imitation_n to_o most_o other_o nation_n and_o among_o christian_n a_o church_n become_v a_o distinct_a society_n from_o a_o state_n and_o have_v its_o proper_a ecclesiastic_a government_n though_o both_o society_n may_v concur_v in_o the_o same_o person_n the_o civil_a government_n be_v for_o the_o outward_a state_n of_o their_o society_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o government_n be_v outward_a by_o extrinsic_a reward_n and_o forcible_a punishment_n the_o ecclesiastic_a government_n be_v about_o the_o inward_a state_n of_o those_o of_o their_o society_n in_o so_o far_o as_o man_n knowledge_n can_v reach_v to_o promote_v holiness_n and_o internal_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o about_o their_o outward_a act_n only_o as_o they_o signify_v their_o inward_a condition_n and_o their_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v only_o by_o application_n of_o the_o divine_a ordinance_n in_o exciting_a joy_n or_o grief_n fear_v or_o hope_n as_o be_v conducible_a for_o the_o inward_a state_n but_o without_o temporal_a reward_n and_o forcible_a punishment_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o more_o inward_a and_o secret_a dominion_n of_o god_n exercise_v by_o the_o conscience_n which_o be_v his_o deputy_n by_o which_o he_o distribute_v the_o most_o powerful_a and_o important_a reward_n and_o punishment_n not_o only_o in_o this_o life_n but_o chief_o after_o death_n the_o most_o eminent_a and_o important_a dispensation_n of_o god_n dominion_n be_v by_o the_o covenant_n he_o make_v with_o man_n which_o therefore_o require_v a_o particular_a consideration_n especial_o the_o general_a covenant_n relate_v to_o all_o mankind_n it_o be_v a_o high_a honour_n put_v upon_o man_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o enter_v into_o mutual_a engagement_n with_o they_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n whereby_o god_n promise_v some_o favour_n to_o they_o beside_o those_o which_o arise_v from_o their_o creation_n which_o favour_n they_o can_v not_o warrantable_o believe_v nor_o expect_v by_o his_o justice_n bounty_n mercy_n or_o even_o by_o his_o faithfulness_n but_o only_o by_o his_o promise_n in_o these_o covenant_n and_o on_o the_o other_o part_n there_o be_v not_o ground_n to_o expect_v they_o even_o from_o the_o promise_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o voluntary_a engagement_n on_o man_n part_n by_o enter_v into_o these_o covenant_n god_n dispensation_n may_v have_v be_v without_o any_o covenant_n either_o by_o command_a man_n to_o do_v that_o which_o he_o propose_v to_o they_o to_o do_v whereby_o the_o not_o performance_n become_v a_o transgression_n of_o his_o command_n and_o sin_n or_o he_o may_v have_v make_v promise_v conditional_a without_o require_v man_n engagement_n i_o see_v very_o many_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n in_o scripture_n but_o the_o pure_o celestial_a and_o eternal_a covenant_n be_v only_o two_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o chief_a concern_v of_o mankind_n and_o it_o run_v through_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v publish_v to_o our_o first_o parent_n immediate_o after_o their_o fall_n and_o though_o the_o record_n of_o it_o in_o scripture_n at_o first_o be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o be_v more_o full_o manifest_v to_o and_o understand_v by_o the_o first_o parent_n it_o be_v more_o full_o manifest_v to_o abraham_n to_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v it_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o revelation_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o their_o sin_n and_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o sacrifice_n institute_v by_o god_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o by_o the_o sacrament_n and_o ceremony_n institute_v thereafter_o though_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o latter_a time_n be_v whole_o pervert_v believe_v their_o messiah_n to_o be_v a_o temporal_a monarch_n to_o raise_v their_o nation_n to_o great_a glory_n wherein_o christ_n the_o messiah_n himself_o do_v full_o confute_v they_o from_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_v in_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o it_o remain_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v break_v and_o become_v void_a there_o be_v but_o little_a of_o it_o express_v in_o scripture_n in_o which_o that_o name_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v no_o where_o mention_v and_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o needless_a curiosity_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o term_n of_o it_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v not_o unprofitable_a but_o very_o useful_a to_o manifest_v the_o glory_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o all_o his_o dispensation_n with_o mankind_n and_o for_o the_o understanding_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o come_v in_o its_o place_n which_o will_v appear_v by_o that_o excellent_a parallel_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n betwixt_o the_o first_o and_o second_o adam_n it_o have_v be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o adam_n upon_o solid_a ground_n it_o be_v certain_o a_o great_a condescension_n and_o kindness_n in_o god_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o creature_n but_o see_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o have_v so_o often_o admit_v sinful_a creature_n to_o covenant_n with_o he_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o doubt_v that_o he_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o innocent_a adam_n which_o be_v yet_o more_o clear_a from_o the_o parallel_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o adam_n whereby_o both_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o represent_v and_o undertake_v for_o the_o whole_a or_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n that_o through_o adam_n failure_n sin_n enter_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o christ_n have_v obtain_v a_o better_a covenant_n it_o be_v therefore_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v a_o prior_n covenant_n as_o to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o first_o covenant_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o god_n promise_v adam_n immortality_n see_v the_o penalty_n express_v by_o moses_n for_o the_o breach_n in_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit_n be_v death_n not_o only_o temporal_a by_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o body_n but_o eternal_a by_o the_o separation_n from_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n therefore_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v imply_v which_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v be_v preserve_v in_o adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n by_o the_o continuance_n of_o adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n upon_o earth_n live_v a_o animal_n life_n but_o this_o earth_n can_v not_o have_v suffice_v for_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o adam_n if_o none_o have_v die_v or_o be_v remove_v yea_o immortality_n can_v not_o have_v be_v continue_v in_o that_o state_n wherein_o the_o body_n be_v perpetual_o wear_v with_o its_o food_n and_o exercise_n if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v extraordinary_a mean_n to_o have_v preserve_v or_o restore_v it_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o conceive_v that_o immortality_n be_v competent_a to_o innocent_a man_n by_o his_o nature_n and_o be_v take_v from_o he_o as_o his_o punishment_n against_o his_o nature_n but_o that_o it_o be_v only_o promise_v to_o be_v give_v as_o a_o part_n of_o that_o covenant_n the_o loss_n of_o which_o be_v a_o great_a penalty_n it_o be_v true_a the_o soul_n be_v natural_o immortal_a and_o can_v not_o cease_v to_o exist_v but_o by_o take_v away_o that_o which_o be_v give_v in_o its_o nature_n but_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o man_n the_o complex_fw-la of_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v so_o immortal_a the_o parallel_n do_v also_o give_v ground_n to_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o god_n promise_n in_o the_o first_o covenant_n that_o adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n shall_v be_v exalt_v from_o a_o animal_n life_n on_o earth_n to_o a_o angelical_a life_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v evident_o a_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o be_v frequent_o express_v by_o restitution_n and_o redemption_n import_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o mankind_n before_o but_o
upon_o the_o omniscience_n of_o god_n for_o if_o he_o do_v foreknow_v all_o that_o every_o creature_n will_v do_v though_o his_o benevolence_n do_v arise_v from_o their_o act_n yet_o it_o can_v not_o be_v from_o the_o singular_a act_n but_o from_o the_o prevalence_n be_v it_o then_o possible_a that_o from_o eternity_n he_o shall_v have_v goodwill_n and_o hatred_n to_o the_o same_o person_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v so_o many_o change_n of_o it_o if_o he_o do_v foreknow_v that_o after_o the_o attainment_n of_o grace_n that_o creature_n will_v final_o forsake_v he_o can_v it_o consist_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o love_n of_o benevolence_n to_o that_o creature_n the_o lord_n have_v say_v i_o be_o god_n and_o change_v not_o and_o therefore_o the_o son_n of_o jacob_n be_v not_o consume_v and_o who_o he_o love_v he_o love_v to_o the_o end_n which_o can_v only_o be_v understand_v of_o his_o love_n of_o benevolence_n not_o of_o his_o complacence_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n be_v manifest_a because_o his_o benevolence_n be_v anterior_a in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o any_o moral_a goodness_n in_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o but_o his_o beneplacence_n presuppose_v goodness_n give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o creature_n this_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n be_v further_o illustrate_v by_o his_o omniscience_n for_o from_o eternity_n know_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o can_v no_o unexpected_a case_n arise_v that_o may_v give_v occasion_n to_o he_o to_o change_v and_o therefore_o this_o unchangeableness_n be_v a_o incommunicable_a perfection_n of_o god_n creature_n can_v not_o act_v suitable_o to_o their_o nature_n and_o to_o their_o duty_n if_o in_o many_o of_o their_o purpose_n they_o shall_v not_o change_v if_o matter_n of_o moment_n that_o they_o expect_v not_o shall_v occur_v their_o constancy_n reach_v no_o further_o than_o that_o upon_o small_a and_o light_a occasion_n which_o they_o may_v neglect_v or_o contemn_v they_o will_v not_o change_v their_o profess_a resolution_n in_o matter_n of_o moment_n the_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n import_v not_o that_o he_o be_v inexorable_a and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pray_v to_o he_o because_o he_o have_v from_o eternity_n immutable_o decree_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o too_o hard_a objection_n if_o god_n do_v not_o determine_v with_o foresight_n and_o consideration_n of_o the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o fervent_a supplication_n of_o his_o creature_n as_o the_o object_n of_o his_o decree_n and_o not_o as_o the_o mere_a antecedent_n of_o it_o but_o see_v he_o do_v so_o decree_n we_o may_v with_o as_o good_a warrant_n and_o confidence_n supplicate_v as_o if_o he_o be_v undetermined_a when_o we_o pray_v whence_o only_o there_o can_v a_o rational_a account_n be_v give_v why_o we_o shall_v pray_v with_o divine_a approbation_n even_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o change_n of_o inscient_a nature_n as_o against_o drought_n barrenness_n inundation_n etc._n etc._n be_v we_o thereby_o allow_v to_o implore_v of_o god_n a_o miracle_n that_o by_o his_o omnipotence_n he_o shall_v alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n no_o but_o because_o he_o have_v so_o order_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n upon_o his_o foresight_n of_o the_o necessity_n and_o of_o the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o supplication_n of_o his_o creature_n so_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v correspondent_a to_o their_o desire_n it_o do_v not_o import_v a_o changeableness_n in_o god_n that_o he_o do_v not_o inflict_v the_o judgement_n he_o denounce_v against_o sinner_n general_o or_o particular_o and_o when_o he_o say_v to_o adam_n of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v or_o when_o isaiah_n from_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o hezekiah_n set_v thy_o house_n in_o order_n for_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o not_o live_v and_o yet_o by_o the_o same_o prophet_n he_o say_v i_o have_v hear_v thy_o prayer_n i_o have_v see_v thy_o tear_n behold_v i_o will_v heal_v thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v go_v up_o to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n on_o the_o three_o day_n and_o i_o will_v add_v unto_o thy_o day_n fifteen_o year_n and_o when_o by_o jonah_n he_o prophesy_v to_o the_o ninevite_n yet_o forty_o day_n and_o nineveh_n shall_v be_v overthrow_v which_o doubtless_o have_v be_v upon_o a_o particular_a atrocious_a sin_n for_o which_o they_o humble_v themselves_o with_o fast_v and_o mourn_v in_o sackcloth_n and_o though_o their_o mourn_a be_v not_o repentance_n unto_o eternal_a life_n yet_o thereupon_o god_n forgive_v their_o overthrow_n which_o he_o have_v threaten_v these_o and_o like_a place_n signify_v not_o god_n will_n which_o be_v never_o without_o effect_n but_o the_o sanction_n of_o his_o justice_n intimate_v what_o be_v deserve_v or_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o his_o pleasure_n i_o know_v some_o man_n have_v consider_v the_o intimation_n of_o hezekiah_n death_n and_o nineveh_n overthrow_n as_o prediction_n wherein_o not_o only_o the_o unchangeableness_n but_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v and_o there_o be_v a_o whole_a treatise_n write_v on_o that_o subject_a whether_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v determine_v and_o fix_v and_o different_a judgement_n thereon_o which_o i_o think_v strange_a that_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v suppose_v undetermined_a by_o the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n to_o do_v or_o permit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v see_v it_o be_v express_o say_v know_v unto_o god_n be_v all_o his_o work_n from_o the_o beginning_n but_o the_o addition_n to_o hezekiah_n life_n import_v no_o more_o than_o god_n not_o inflict_v his_o threaten_a judgement_n against_o hezekiah_n for_o his_o confidence_n in_o his_o own_o strength_n by_o his_o armour_n and_o treasury_n which_o he_o show_v to_o the_o messenger_n of_o babylon_n nor_o be_v it_o congruous_a to_o say_v that_o the_o prophet_n design_n be_v to_o show_v when_o hezekiah_n by_o the_o course_n of_o his_o nature_n will_v die_v for_o it_o be_v evident_o a_o threaten_n for_o his_o pride_n and_o selfconfidence_n which_o appear_v more_o after_o his_o recovery_n but_o it_o be_v lurk_v before_o for_o before_o his_o sickness_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v magnify_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o nation_n there_o be_v no_o example_n where_o god_n do_v ever_o use_v such_o expression_n but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o threaten_v for_o sin_n neither_o do_v i_o like_o that_o interpretation_n of_o jonah_n denunciation_n that_o there_o be_v ever_o a_o secret_a exception_n of_o repentance_n in_o the_o denunciation_n of_o all_o judgement_n which_o the_o ninevite_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n know_v see_v jonah_n do_v not_o know_v it_o but_o be_v angry_a that_o god_n spare_v nineveh_n lest_o he_o may_v be_v think_v a_o false_a prophet_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o frequent_a in_o scripture_n that_o when_o god_n denounce_v evil_a for_o sin_n it_o be_v no_o prediction_n but_o a_o threaten_v import_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v just_a to_o be_v inflict_v if_o there_o be_v no_o redress_n meditation_n xii_o upon_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n i_o do_v conceive_v that_o the_o first_o divine_a perfection_n in_o the_o natural_a order_n arise_v from_o god_n unchangeableness_n godlikeness_n or_o holiness_n in_o relation_n to_o creature_n be_v his_o goodness_n for_o the_o act_n of_o his_o goodness_n behove_v to_o be_v before_o the_o act_n of_o his_o justice_n mercy_n and_o faithfulness_n all_o which_o presuppose_v the_o existence_n of_o creature_n but_o the_o give_v or_o design_v to_o give_v they_o existence_n and_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o god_n give_v they_o be_v act_n of_o mere_a goodness_n which_o no_o meritmonger_n can_v pretend_v to_o arise_v from_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o creature_n and_o therefore_o the_o clear_a way_n to_o a_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n be_v to_o follow_v their_o natural_a order_n goodness_n be_v in_o ordinary_a use_n of_o very_o different_a signification_n sometime_o it_o comprehend_v all_o perfection_n natural_a and_o moral_a for_o all_o that_o be_v moral_o good_a or_o that_o be_v profitable_a and_o pleasant_a be_v comprehend_v in_o that_o kind_n of_o goodness_n to_o which_o all_o the_o act_n of_o reason_n be_v bound_v and_o it_o be_v not_o within_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o large_a freedom_n to_o choose_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o in_o some_o of_o these_o way_n be_v or_o appear_v to_o be_v good_a but_o goodness_n in_o this_o latitude_n be_v not_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n who_o never_o act_v upon_o mere_a appearance_n but_o all_o his_o act_n towards_o creature_n be_v moral_o good_a even_o then_o when_o the_o effect_n be_v natural_o evil_a as_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v no_o evil_a in_o the_o city_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o
have_v promise_v he_o be_v not_o indifferent_a as_o to_o performance_n the_o performance_n of_o god_n promise_n be_v attribute_v ofttimes_o to_o his_o faithfulness_n or_o to_o his_o bounty_n but_o to_o speak_v accurate_o it_o be_v only_o to_o be_v refer_v to_o his_o justice_n for_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n be_v faithful_a who_o have_v promise_v where_o both_o faithfulness_n and_o a_o promise_n be_v join_v so_o god_n may_v promise_v that_o which_o his_o justice_n will_v require_v without_o a_o promise_n as_o he_o do_v also_o to_o confirm_v man_n not_o only_o promise_v but_o sometime_o swear_v to_o perform_v commutative_a justice_n be_v not_o competent_a to_o god_n for_o who_o have_v give_v to_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v repay_v yet_o such_o be_v his_o gracious_a condescension_n to_o man_n that_o he_o have_v frequent_o enter_v with_o they_o in_o covenant_n the_o most_o excellent_a of_o which_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o yet_o can_v 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of_o child_n from_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v one_o for_o all_o the_o son_n have_v covenant_v from_o eternity_n for_o all_o the_o elect_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n by_o regeneration_n exert_v according_a to_o their_o capacity_n by_o actual_a believe_v of_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a so_o to_o act_v which_o also_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o save_v by_o any_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a in_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o free_a choice_n and_o institution_n of_o god_n the_o three_o point_n propose_v be_v what_o act_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v by_o which_o man_n enter_v into_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o which_o be_v their_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n many_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o covenant_a person_n that_o christ_n die_v for_o he_o whereby_o it_o must_v be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n but_o i_o see_v not_o how_o that_o can_v hold_v 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especial_o which_o do_v most_o easy_o beset_v they_o do_v cease_v and_o that_o the_o love_n to_o and_o delight_n in_o god_n do_v in_o some_o measure_n take_v place_n but_o to_o think_v to_o reach_v the_o high_a step_n of_o the_o scale_n per_fw-la saltum_fw-la be_v altogether_o without_o warrant_n unless_o it_o be_v extraordinary_a as_o in_o paul_n conversion_n paul_n to_o the_o roman_n give_v the_o true_a warrant_n of_o that_o persuasion_n as_o many_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n itself_o bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o if_o child_n than_o heir_n heir_n of_o god_n and_o joint-heir_n with_o christ._n hence_o it_o be_v evident_a how_o little_a moment_n be_v in_o that_o arminian_n quibble_n so_o much_o magnify_v by_o they_o that_o christ_n must_v have_v die_v for_o all_o man_n because_o all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o die_v for_o they_o we_o must_v therefore_o yet_o 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