our_o hope_n and_o expectation_n in_o reference_n to_o all_o our_o own_o covenant_n will_v soon_o fail_v we_o and_o expose_v we_o to_o the_o great_a of_o disappointment_n at_o last_o thus_o i_o have_v at_o length_n go_v through_o your_o discourse_n concern_v the_o covenant_n and_o in_o particular_a i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n which_o god_n make_v with_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o 7._o which_o you_o tell_v i_o be_v the_o foundation_n on_o which_o our_o divine_n have_v build_v the_o right_n of_o infant_n be_v baptism_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o gospel_n covenant_n reach_v gentile_a believer_n and_o their_o seed_n that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o that_o at_o sinai_n be_v which_o be_v build_v thereon_o and_o consequent_o both_o now_o repeal_v from_o hence_o therefore_o as_o i_o have_v already_o tell_v you_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o argument_n for_o the_o support_n of_o infant_n be_v 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to_o what_o concern_v mr._n whiston_n reflection_n on_o my_o forementioned_a discourse_n in_o his_o late_a forementioned_a tract_n after_o he_o have_v deal_v with_o mr._n grantham_n he_o thus_o bespeak_v the_o world_n i_o think_v say_v he_o i_o may_v just_o expect_v something_o extraordinary_a 22._o in_o mr._n cary_n book_n be_v recommend_v as_o it_o be_v and_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v but_o my_o expectation_n be_v somewhat_o high_a but_o if_o ever_o that_o proverb_n partur_fw-la montes_n be_v verify_v it_o be_v here_o alas_o what_o do_v i_o meet_v with_o but_o ridiculus_fw-la must_n for_o i_o have_v yet_o observe_v but_o two_o argument_n syllogistical_o frame_v by_o which_o he_o attempt_v the_o confirmation_n of_o that_o notion_n of_o he_o that_o the_o covenant_n gen._n 17._o 7._o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o very_a recital_n of_o they_o may_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unbiased_a person_n be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o they_o thus_o mr._n whiston_n begin_v but_o how_o he_o make_v good_a these_o taunt_a flourish_v and_o scornful_a reflection_n will_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n in_o the_o mean_a season_n i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o argument_n syllogistical_o frame_v in_o my_o forementioned_a discourse_n by_o which_o i_o attempt_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o forementioned_a proposition_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o covenant_n gen._n 17._o 7._o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n though_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o i_o can_v soon_o have_v dress_v up_o many_o more_o in_o the_o same_o form_n out_o of_o the_o substance_n of_o my_o discourse_n upon_o that_o subject_a and_o shall_v so_o have_v do_v but_o that_o i_o think_v plain_a reason_n from_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v sufficient_a however_o since_o nothing_o will_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o be_v argumentative_a in_o my_o discourse_n but_o what_o be_v dress_v up_o in_o mood_n and_o figure_n let_v we_o attend_v to_o what_o he_o say_v to_o these_o two_o my_o first_o argument_n be_v this_o if_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n record_v gen._n 17._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10._o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o that_o at_o mount_n sinai_n and_o that_o mention_v deut._n 29._o 9_o nay_o as_o much_o as_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o adam_n before_o his_o fall_n than_o it_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o either_o of_o the_o covenant_n before_o mention_v be_v therefore_o etc._n etc._n let_v pass_n mr._n whiston_n scornful_a reflection_n on_o this_o as_o a_o lusty_a argument_n if_o it_o will_v stand_v let_v we_o try_v the_o strength_n of_o it_o by_o the_o opposition_n he_o have_v make_v thereunto_o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o mr._n whiston_n have_v think_v fit_a positive_o to_o deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n as_o that_o concern_v the_o covenant_n make_v with_o adam_n and_o that_o enter_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n at_o mount_n sinai_n mr._n cary_n say_v he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v his_o minor_a thus_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o much_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o that_o enter_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n at_o mount_n sinai_n yea_o as_o that_o make_v with_o adam_n in_o innocency_n because_o although_o god_n promise_v to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o abraham_n and_o to_o his_o seed_n yet_o it_o be_v upon_o condition_n of_o obedience_n with_o a_o answerable_a threaten_v but_o say_v he_o can_v mr._n cary_n or_o any_o other_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n think_v that_o the_o bare_a require_v of_o obedience_n in_o any_o covenant_n or_o threaten_v of_o judgement_n in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n make_v it_o present_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n well_o suppose_v it_o do_v not_o what_o then_o not_o to_o waste_v time_n say_v he_o mr._n cary_n must_v know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a require_v of_o obedience_n nor_o yet_o the_o denounce_v threaten_n that_o make_v a_o covenant_n a_o covenant_n of_o work_n but_o the_o command_v a_o perfect_a sinless_a obedience_n to_o all_o that_o be_v write_v therein_o and_o threaten_a death_n unto_o all_o in_o case_n of_o the_o least_o failure_n in_o such_o a_o obedience_n well_o then_o say_v i_o if_o this_o be_v that_o that_o true_o denominate_v a_o covenant_n to_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n do_v not_o mr._n whiston_n know_v that_o thus_o stand_v the_o case_n in_o respect_n of_o adam_n covenant_n yea_o that_o thus_o stand_v the_o case_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n when_o god_n pronounce_v a_o curse_n upon_o every_o one_o that_o continue_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v therein_o to_o do_v they_o which_o i_o do_v upon_o this_o occasion_n express_o prove_v from_o gal._n 3._o 10_o 12_o and_o do_v i_o not_o also_o upon_o this_o very_a occasion_n and_o in_o the_o selfsame_a place_n express_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n from_o gal._n 5._o 3._o for_o i_o testify_v to_o every_o man_n that_o be_v circumcise_a that_o he_o be_v a_o debtor_n to_o do_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o do_v i_o not_o observe_v from_o thence_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o circumcision_n indispensable_o oblige_v all_o that_o be_v under_o it_o to_o a_o perfect_a universal_a obedience_n to_o the_o whole_a reveal_v will_n and_o law_n of_o god_n and_o do_v i_o not_o also_o eupres_o prove_v unto_o you_o that_o the_o breach_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v attend_v with_o a_o answerable_a threaten_v from_o gen._n 17._o 14._o the_o uncircumcised_a manchild_n who_o flesh_n of_o his_o foreskin_n be_v not_o circumcise_a that_o soul_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o his_o people_n he_o have_v break_v my_o covenant_n and_o what_o will_v mr._n whiston_n have_v more_o according_a to_o his_o own_o concession_n to_o prove_v a_o covenant_n to_o
temple_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v open_v in_o heaven_n wherein_o shall_v be_v see_v the_o ark_n of_o his_o testament_n and_o whatever_o lightning_n and_o voice_n thundering_n or_o earthquake_n may_v be_v coucomitant_a herewith_o to_o be_v sure_o the_o issue_n must_v needs_o be_v comfortable_a and_o glorious_a to_o all_o that_o be_v upright_o in_o heart_n final_o when_o the_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a doctrine_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v be_v universal_o preach_v and_o all_o corrupt_a mixture_n in_o god_n worship_n shall_v be_v total_o abolish_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o may_v we_o expect_v the_o holy_a city_n new_a jerusalem_n come_v down_o from_o god_n out_o of_o heaven_n prepare_v as_o a_o bride_n adorn_v for_o her_o husband_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o her_o light_n most_o precious_a clear_a as_o crystal_n when_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o curse_n but_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o lamb_n shall_v be_v in_o it_o and_o his_o servant_n shall_v serve_v he_o in_o the_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o which_o day_n and_o state_n of_o blessedness_n i_o take_v leave_n to_o subscribe_v myself_o christian_n reader_n thy_o servant_n for_o christ_n sake_n philip_n cary._n part_n i._n contain_v a_o just_a and_o a_o sober_a reply_n to_o mr._n flavell_n argument_n by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o the_o forementioned_a discourse_n sect_n i._o mr._n flavell_n tell_v i_o in_o the_o manuscript_n copy_n he_o send_v i_o of_o his_o present_a reply_n now_o in_o print_n that_o his_o proper_a province_n at_o this_o time_n be_v to_o examine_v and_o defend_v the_o foundation_n on_o which_o our_o divine_n have_v build_v the_o right_n of_o infant_n baptism_n viz._n god_n covenant_n with_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o which_o say_v he_o be_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o same_o we_o be_v now_o under_o the_o question_n hereon_o be_v the_o articulus_fw-la stantis_fw-la vel_fw-la cadentis_fw-la paedobaptismi_fw-la and_o that_o if_o i_o can_v make_v good_a my_o thesis_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o gospel_n covenant_n but_o now_o abolish_v i_o have_v certain_o destroy_v the_o principal_a fort_n which_o defend_v the_o claim_n of_o our_o infant_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n he_o now_o tell_v i_o in_o his_o print_a reply_n that_o his_o proper_a province_n be_v to_o discover_v 7._o that_o part_n of_o the_o foundation_n meaning_n abraham_n covenant_n whence_o our_o divine_n deduce_v the_o right_n of_o infant_n baptism_n so_o that_o i_o perceive_v he_o be_v not_o fix_v in_o his_o mind_n whether_o abraham_n covenant_n be_v a_o entire_a or_o partial_a foundation_n only_o sometime_o it_o seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v the_o sole_a foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o infant_n sprinkle_v else_o the_o question_n thereon_o can_v be_v the_o articulus_fw-la stantis_fw-la vel_fw-la cadentis_fw-la paedobaptismi_fw-la otherwhile_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o venture_v it_o single_o upon_o that_o bottom_n however_o it_o be_v of_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a every_o plant_n which_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v not_o plant_v shall_v in_o due_a season_n be_v root_v up_o and_o i_o suppose_v a_o little_a time_n will_v show_v whether_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o infant_n sprinkle_v be_v not_o to_o be_v deserve_o reckon_v among_o that_o number_n that_o no_o small_a stress_n be_v and_o have_v be_v lay_v upon_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o that_o covenant_n by_o the_o assertor_n of_o infant_n baptism_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o that_o practice_n can_v be_v deny_v how_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n come_v to_o be_v hook_v into_o the_o question_n mr._n flavell_n himself_o have_v account_v for_o p._n 133._o of_o his_o forementioned_a print_a reply_n as_o be_v occasion_v by_o himself_o according_o he_o tell_v i_o in_o his_o manuscript_n copy_n that_o he_o be_v now_o to_o give_v his_o reason_n why_o he_o think_v i_o have_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o also_o why_o he_o think_v i_o have_v not_o prove_v abraham_n covenant_n gen._n 17._o to_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n nor_o that_o the_o new_a covenant_n be_v absolute_a and_o without_o condition_n in_o his_o print_a reply_n the_o expression_n be_v a_o little_a vary_v for_o there_o he_o say_v that_o that_o which_o i_o affirm_v and_o he_o be_v to_o disprove_v be_v that_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n and_o abraham_n covenant_n be_v no_o gospel_n covenant_n which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n with_o the_o other_o for_o if_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v gospel_n covenant_n they_o must_v needs_o be_v both_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n he_o begin_v p._n 10._o of_o his_o print_a reply_n with_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o very_a same_o for_o substance_n with_o that_o make_v with_o adam_n in_o innocency_n for_o the_o clear_n up_o of_o which_o proposition_n and_o to_o prevent_v any_o further_a dispute_n thereon_o as_o to_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n by_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n i_o understand_v the_o whole_a complex_n body_n of_o the_o law_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v on_o mount_n sinai_n the_o moral_a part_n whereof_o contain_v a_o clear_a and_o plain_a manifestation_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n at_o the_o first_o the_o addition_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a precept_n whereunto_o make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o true_a nature_n or_o essence_n of_o that_o covenant_n for_o so_o long_o as_o this_o rule_n be_v retain_v do_v this_o and_o live_v as_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o law_n it_o be_v still_o the_o same_o covenant_n with_o adam_n for_o the_o substance_n or_o essence_n of_o it_o and_o be_v according_o represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n under_o the_o denomination_n of_o the_o first_o or_o old_a covenant_n the_o whole_a complex_n body_n of_o the_o sinai_n covenant_n therefore_o be_v that_o which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o very_a same_o for_o substance_n with_o that_o make_v with_o adam_n in_o paradise_n now_o this_o assertion_n of_o i_o you_o tell_v i_o be_v attend_v with_o many_o gross_a absurdity_n for_o first_o say_v you_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o either_o moses_n and_o all_o israel_n be_v damn_v there_o be_v no_o salvation_n possible_a to_o be_v attain_v by_o that_o first_o covenant_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n at_o the_o same_o time_n run_v parallel_n with_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o so_o the_o elect_a people_n of_o god_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n under_o the_o first_o as_o a_o covenant_n of_o death_n and_o condemnation_n and_o under_o the_o second_o as_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o justification_n and_o this_o latter_a you_o tell_v i_o i_o be_o force_v upon_o which_o you_o say_v be_v attend_v with_o many_o false_a and_o absurd_a conclusion_n for_o during_o life_n they_o must_v hang_v midway_n betwixt_o justification_n and_o condemnation_n and_o after_o death_n they_o must_v necessary_o hang_v between_o heaven_n and_o hell_n and_o so_o at_o last_o say_v you_o we_o have_v find_v the_o limbus_n patrum_fw-la which_o the_o papist_n so_o earnest_o contend_v for_o and_o must_v send_v moses_n and_o all_o god_n people_n to_o purgatory_n so_o your_o manuscript_n copyruns_n how_o to_o avoid_v these_o absurdity_n you_o say_v you_o see_v not_o according_a to_o my_o dangerous_a concession_n reply_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n hereunto_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o sir_n that_o i_o shall_v great_o admire_v if_o you_o yourself_o be_v not_o sensible_a that_o the_o same_o pretend_a absurdity_n do_v attend_v and_o fall_v full_a as_o heavy_o and_o indeed_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o on_o your_o doctrine_n than_o on_o i_o since_o that_o which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v two_o distinct_a and_o essential_o different_a covenant_n to_o wit_n perfect_a do_v with_o the_o consequent_a curse_n upon_o the_o non-performance_n and_o believe_v in_o christ_n unto_o life_n and_o salvation_n you_o be_v force_v according_a to_o your_o doctrine_n to_o comprise_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o covenant_n and_o then_o i_o will_v willing_o know_v if_o you_o or_o any_o other_o man_n can_v free_v the_o present_a point_n as_o it_o be_v thus_o state_v by_o yourselves_o from_o the_o very_a self_n same_o absurdity_n you_o will_v fasten_v on_o i_o if_o you_o can_v you_o will_v with_o the_o same_o breath_n discharge_v i_o and_o that_o far_o more_o effectual_o than_o you_o can_v with_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n do_v it_o for_o yourselves_o for_o your_o conviction_n therefore_o in_o this_o respect_n in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o scripture_n do_v plain_o inform_v we_o that_o both_o moses_n and_o all_o god_n people_n during_o the_o former_a administration_n be_v all_o of_o
absolute_o free_a and_o sovereign_n be_v receive_v there_o be_v a_o order_n it_o be_v true_a which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n god_n observe_v in_o the_o communication_n of_o ensue_a grace_n and_o privilege_n namely_o that_o faith_n and_o obedience_n shall_v precede_v the_o increase_n and_o enlargement_n of_o they_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o abraham_n in_o the_o instance_n before_o we_o who_o receive_v this_o last_o great_a signal_n promise_v and_o privilege_n gen._n 22._o upon_o that_o signal_n act_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o obedience_n in_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n upon_o god_n command_n but_o yet_o nevertheless_o in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n in_o the_o first_o discovery_n thereof_o be_v whole_o free_a and_o absolute_a so_o it_o be_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 12._o 2_o 3._o where_o there_o be_v no_o such_o obligation_n lay_v upon_o abraham_n to_o walk_v before_o god_n and_o to_o be_v perfect_a as_o you_o affirm_v there_o be_v which_o nevertheless_o you_o insinuate_v be_v the_o condition_n or_o qualification_n then_o require_v of_o he_o in_o order_n to_o his_o participation_n of_o the_o gospel_n mercy_n there_o promise_v he_o if_o god_n have_v indeed_o there_o tell_v abraham_n as_o you_o suggest_v he_o do_v that_o he_o will_v bless_v he_o and_o make_v he_o a_o blessing_n etc._n etc._n provide_v he_o walk_v before_o god_n and_o be_v perfect_a then_o it_o have_v be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n as_o much_o as_o the_o covenant_n of_o circumcision_n be_v which_o oblige_v both_o he_o and_o he_o to_o do_v the_o whole_a law_n but_o as_o i_o have_v already_o tell_v you_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o that_o nature_n there_o to_o be_v find_v god_n only_o tell_v he_o vers._n 1._o get_v thou_o out_o of_o thy_o country_n and_o from_o thy_o kindred_n and_o from_o thy_o father_n house_n unto_o a_o land_n that_o i_o will_v show_v thou_o and_o i_o will_v make_v of_o thou_o a_o great_a nation_n and_o i_o will_v bless_v thou_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v far_o from_o that_o perfection_n which_o you_o say_v god_n there_o oblige_v he_o to_o it_o be_v true_a afterward_o this_o charge_n be_v lay_v upon_o he_o gen._n 17._o 1._o i_o be_o the_o almighty_a god_n walk_v before_o i_o and_o be_v thou_o perfect_a for_o god_n require_v many_o thing_n of_o they_o who_o he_o actual_o take_v into_o covenant_n and_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o benefit_n of_o it_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v that_o whole_a obedience_n which_o be_v prescribe_v unto_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n in_o our_o walk_n before_o god_n in_o uprightness_n there_o be_v a_o order_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v hereunto_o some_o act_n duty_n and_o part_n of_o our_o gracious_a obedience_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v mean_n of_o the_o further_a additional_a supply_v of_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v that_o general_n obligation_n here_o lay_v upon_o abraham_n gen._n 17._o 1._o walk_v before_o i_o and_o be_v thou_o perfect_a and_o hereunto_o also_o appertain_v that_o famous_a act_n of_o his_o obedience_n mention_v gen._n 22._o 16_o 17._o but_o than_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v a_o conditional_a covenant_n for_o as_o it_o be_v whole_o free_a and_o absolute_a in_o the_o first_o discovery_n thereof_o so_o it_o be_v as_o free_a and_o absolute_a still_o from_o the_o foundation_n to_o the_o topstone_n thereof_o it_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o piece_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o whatever_o duty_n god_n require_v of_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o full_a end_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o glory_n yet_o even_o those_o duty_n or_o act_n of_o obedience_n which_o god_n thus_o require_v of_o we_o must_v be_v perform_v by_o we_o if_o they_o be_v perform_v aright_o in_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o first_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n already_o receive_v col._n 2._o 6_o 7._o as_o you_o have_v therefore_o receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n so_o walk_v you_o in_o he_o root_v and_o build_v up_o in_o he_o and_o establish_v in_o the_o faith_n as_o you_o have_v be_v teach_v so_o likewise_o gal._n 3._o 2_o 3._o this_o only_a will_v i_o learn_v of_o you_o receive_v you_o the_o spirit_n by_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n or_o by_o the_o hear_n of_o faith_n be_v you_o so_o foolish_a have_v begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n be_v you_o now_o make_v perfect_a by_o the_o flesh_n which_o first_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n must_v therefore_o also_o be_v continue_v and_o renew_a upon_o we_o day_n by_o day_n else_o we_o shall_v certain_o faint_a and_o perish_v in_o our_o own_o corruption_n at_o last_o 2_o cor._n 4._o 16._o psal._n 36._o 10._o in_o this_o respect_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o conditional_a that_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o form_n of_o a_o promise_n throughout_o the_o scripture_n thus_o it_o be_v to_o our_o first_o parent_n soon_o after_o the_o fall_n a_o promise_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v overcome_v the_o devil_n and_o his_o seed_n no_o term_n no_o condition_n add_v but_o a_o bare_a declaration_n of_o a_o way_n of_o mercy_n to_o their_o deject_a self-condemned_n conscience_n next_o when_o the_o covenant_n be_v reveal_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 12._o 2_o 3._o it_o be_v a_o formal_a absolute_a promise_n that_o god_n will_v bless_v he_o and_o all_o nation_n in_o his_o seed_n and_o ever_o after_o it_o be_v call_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n which_o israel_n wait_v to_o see_v accomplish_v and_o so_o the_o apostle_n style_v it_o in_o the_o forementioned_a heb._n 6._o 13._o when_o god_n make_v promise_n to_o abraham_n say_v sure_o in_o blessing_n i_o will_v bless_v thou_o etc._n etc._n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n gal._n 3._o 18._o affirm_v that_o the_o inheritance_n be_v give_v to_o abraham_n by_o promise_n and_o not_o by_o law_n for_o say_v he_o if_o the_o inheritance_n be_v of_o the_o law_n it_o be_v no_o more_o of_o promise_n but_o god_n give_v it_o to_o abraham_n by_o promise_n which_o clear_o argue_v the_o absoluteness_n of_o this_o gospel_n covenant_n for_o wherein_o differ_v the_o law_n from_o a_o free_a promise_n but_o that_o the_o one_o be_v conditional_a the_o other_o absolute_a the_o one_o promise_v life_n upon_o condition_n of_o obedience_n the_o other_o without_o money_n and_o without_o price_n the_o like_a do_v the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v we_o rom._n 4._o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o for_o the_o promise_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o to_o abraham_n or_o to_o his_o seed_n through_o the_o law_n but_o through_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o they_o which_o be_v of_o the_o law_n be_v heir_n faith_n be_v make_v void_a and_o the_o promise_v make_v of_o none_o effect_v and_o why_o because_o the_o law_n work_v wrath._n and_o how_o do_v the_o law_n work_n wrath_n why_o as_o it_o be_v a_o conditional_a covenant_n wherein_o alone_o it_o be_v oppose_v unto_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v free_a and_o absolute_a for_o as_o the_o apostle_n right_o add_v where_o no_o law_n be_v there_o be_v no_o transgression_n that_o be_v where_o no_o condition_n be_v add_v there_o can_v be_v no_o violation_n or_o breach_n of_o covenant_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v therefore_o of_o faith_n that_o it_o may_v be_v by_o grace_n to_o the_o end_n the_o promise_n may_v be_v sure_a to_o all_o the_o seed_n which_o else_o it_o can_v not_o be_v for_o if_o any_o condition_n be_v add_v though_o never_o so_o mild_a and_o gentle_a we_o be_v still_o in_o hazard_n nay_o have_v it_o be_v so_o it_o will_v have_v render_v the_o gospel_n covenant_n worse_o than_o that_o make_v with_o adam_n himself_n since_o we_o have_v now_o no_o strength_n to_o obey_v nor_o power_n to_o fulfil_v these_o condition_n though_o in_o the_o least_o or_o low_a degree_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o a_o thought_n so_o paul_n acknowledge_v of_o himself_o and_o that_o even_o after_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o new_a covenant_n mercy_n 2_o cor._n 3._o 5._o not_o say_v he_o that_o we_o be_v sufficient_a of_o ourselves_o to_o think_v any_o thing_n as_o of_o ourselves_o whereas_o adam_n be_v furnish_v with_o a_o capacity_n sufficient_a for_o the_o discharge_n of_o the_o most_o perfect_a obedience_n and_o if_o you_o say_v that_o god_n require_v nothing_o of_o we_o but_o what_o he_o give_v strength_n and_o grace_n to_o perform_v have_v promise_v to_o put_v his_o law_n in_o our_o heart_n etc._n etc._n this_o do_v but_o so_o much_o the_o more_o clear_o evince_v the_o absoluteness_n of_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n since_o the_o gospel_n promise_n can_v depend_v on_o no_o condition_n on_o our_o part_n for_o as_o i_o