be touched and that burned with fire which clearly alludes to mount Sinai the fiery giving of the law and Gal. 4. 24 25. Paul tells us expresly that the old covenant of which Hagar the bondwoman was a type was from Mount Sinai now what covenant was it that was given by Moses when God brought them out of the Land of Egypt It was the Law and what covenant was it that was given from Mount Sinai but the Law which we call Moral and in it and with it the ceremonial and judicial Further the old covenant was made in substance with Abraham Gen. 17. 9 10 11. Circumcision was the sum of the old covenant and Abridgement of it distinct from the covenant of grace that God made with Abraham as I shall prove in its time and place But first to prove it to be the substance of the old covenant which is the work in hand I shall present clear and convincing grounds 1. It s called in Scripture A covenant frequently Gen. 17. 9 10. and 13. It s called a covenant three times vers 9. Thou shilt keep my covenant therefore vers 10. This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man child among you shall be circumcised vers 13. My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant Acts 7. 8. And he gave them the covenant of circumcision Object Circumcision is called a token of the covenant therefore not the covenant it self Gen. 17. 11. It shall be a token of the covenant between me and you Rom. 4. 11. Abraham received it a sign and a seal c. Answ It s true it s called a token a sign and seal yet that proves not but that it is a covenant as wel as a sign and seal for I do understand that it s called a covenant as it was the sum and substance of the old covenant which was inlarged on Mount Sinai And it was a sign or token and seal too to Abraham but to none else as to Abraham viz. a token of the covenant of grace God made with Abraham before This is plain Rom. 4. 11. Abraham received the sign of ciriumcision a seal of the righteousness of the faith he had before he was circumcised that he might be the father of all them that believe Note this It was given a sign and seal of the faith of Abraham that he might be the father of all that believe So that it was a sign and seal of his faith in the Gospel covenant and the whole old covenant in its largest extent was a sign or token of the Gospel covenant as I shall more fully clear in its place so that it is a covenant and a sign and a seal of another covenant viz. the covenant of grace God made with Abraham 2. To prove circumcision to be the sum of the old covenant it was established upon the Old Testament promise the promise of the old covenant was annexed to it viz. the promise of the Land of Canaan The New Testament is established upon better promises The sum of the Old Testament covenant on Gods part was that he would be their God and give them the Land of Canaan on this condition that they keep the other part of the covenant on their part viz. To be circumcised this is plain was the old covenant both on Gods part and on theirs and circumcision was a covenant established on the promise of the Land of Canaan 3. That it was an usher to the covenant from Mount Sinai as John was to Christ is plain in that it binds to the doing of the whole Law Gal. 5. 2 3. Behold I Paul say unto you that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit ye nothing at all vers 3. For I testifie again to every one that is circumcised that he is a debtor to the whole Law And doubtless for this cause the Apostle calls it a yoke which neither they nor their Fathers were able to bear â—â—ts 15. 10. Not the act of circumcision that would be weak to suppose that to be such a yoke but the bondage of it as it was the old covenant Rom. 2. 25. Circumcision verâ—â—y proâ—â—â—eth if thou keep the Law c. 4. Because circumcision and the law stands and falls together keep up circumcision and keep up the Law the yoke the bondage what not all that was in the law Therefore circumcision is not the new covenant but the old even a sign of the new and must fall when the substance was come of which it was a sign 5. It must be the same in substance as that from Mount Sinai else God kept not his covenant with Abraham viz. The promise of the Land of Canaan on his and his posterities being circumcised and after to enumerate such multitudes of laws and statutes which were by his posterity to be performed without which they might not inherit the Land Nay God cast them out of it for transgression of those Laws which had been contrary to the covenant God made with Abraham his friend in behalf of his posterity where he required nothing but circumcision and on that promised the Land of Canaan had not the whole law been involved and included in circumcision So that the covenant from Mount Sanai was the drawing out of the covenant of circumcision at length and branching it in-into its parts but not an adding to it for that could not be without wrong to the covenant God made to and with Abraham as hath been minded which would be blasphemy against God so to think Object It s said Deut. 5. 3. That God made not that covenant from Mount Sinai with the Fathers c. Answ It s true that God made not the covenant from Sinai with the fathers in its length bredth as it was made from Mount Sinai there were many things added that was not exprest iâ—â—hat covenant so the new covenant was from the beginning yet it was not said to be made and to be in force as a ministration in all its parts till the death of the Testator Heb. 9. 16 17. though virtually it was in force to all believers so was this of circumcision made with Abraham but not explained and in force in all its parts till given from Mount Sinai Before I proceed any further give me leave to mind you from hence the great mistake of those who claim Church-membership for Infants from their Church-membership in the old covenant supposing it to be the same as now seeing no repeal Note this Infants were never Church-members by virtue of the new covenant but by this of circumcision which was the old and done away when the new was come in force as a ministration Gal. 5. 2 3. but of this by the way c. 2 I come to state the new or second covenant called in Scripture a new covenant a second covenant an everlasting covenant Isa 55. 3. and 61. 8. Jer. 32. 40. and 37. 26. Heb. 13.
20. A covenant of peace Ezek. 37. 26. a Holy covenant Luke 1. 72. This covenant we shall consider 1. as it lay in promises so it was from the beginning Gen. 3. 15. the Lord speaking of the enmity that he would put between the seed of the woman and the seed of the Serpent said It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel In these few words is held forth the suffering of Christ and his conquest over the serpent and his seed the substance of the covenant of grace This covenant we finde again renewed in promise to Abraham Gen. 12. 3. In thee shall all the Families of the earth be blessed chap. 22. 18. and in thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed This seed to whom the promises were made was Christ Gal. 5. 16. And this is the covenant the Apostle saith God made with Abraham in Christ Gal. 3. 17. which the Law could not disanul where you may note by the way that this covenant is mentioned by the Apostle as distinct from the law that was another covenant yet such a one as could not disanual this Again this covenant we have in promise Jer. 31. 31. 32 33. Heb. 8. 8 9. I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God c. And chap. 32. 40. I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart away from me In sum This is the Covenant of Grace that God now owns his people in a Covenant of Grace and Peace in Jesus the blessing of Abraham writing the Law of faith love and the fear of his name in their souls by his singer the holy spirit interesting them in grace here and assurance of glory hereafter by vertue of which they are made willing faithfully to live to him here and patiently to wait for the glory that shall be revealed And in this covenant are none of God owned but the true seed viz. Christ and such as are in him Gal. 3. 29. If you are Christs then are you Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise And this covenant as it s written in the hearts of believers without which in the Gospel account they are none of his so is it written in the scriptures of truth by the same spirit and the spirit in believers works them and guides them to the truth of God in scripture for by this means viz. the scripture it is all first received and afterwards by degrees increased so that it s none of the spirit of Christ that leads a way from and besides the law of Christ in Scripture so that the law written in the heart guides to the law of Christ in scripture and makes souls willing to walk according thereunto Isay 8. 20. This is the covenant that gives grace and peace faith and love strength and perseverance even blessedness comes in with this covenant both as to grace and glory This is the everlasting Covenant that is by blood by vertue of which poor Prisoners are delivered out of the pit wherein was no water Zach. 9. 11. The second particular I minded was Why they are called first and second old and new covenants Answ 1. Because they are distinct covenants as hath been proved 2. Because the old covenant as it relates to matter of work in the ministration of it was first we leave things as in the eternal counsel of God there being no first or last there in respect of time but as it s brought forth to us so its first and second first and last old and new now the first or old covenant was first promulgated after the creation to Adam in Paradice before his fall In the day thou eatest thou shalt die Here was the first covenant wherein was no discovery of Christ and grace but do and live transgress and die And although the old covenant in Scripture is taken from Mount Sinai yet here is the beginning of the work And it was there added because of transgression that sin might appear out of measure sinfull Gal. 3. 19. Rom. 7. 13. chap. 5. 20. The law entred that the offence might abound c. viz. The offence that came in by the breach of that covenant in Paradice See vers 13. 17 18. Yet secondly as it was given from Mount Sinai as a ministration so it was first or the old covenant the other lay full in promises and virtually was in being yet not given forth as a ministration nor could it be till the death of the testator so that on this account that from Sinai was the old and first and this from Mount Sion the perfection of beauty the new and second even the new covenant of everlasting love peace and life as the old and natural man was first so the old covenant sutable to that estate was first and as the spiritual man is second so is the spiritual covenant second so then that was not first which was spiritual but that which was natural and afterward that which was spiritual 1 Cor. 15. 46. So that the first covenant had relation to the old estate of man and gathered in the natural seed the second to the new estate of man in Christ and gathers in onely the spiritual seed Here is a mystery too high for the carnal heart the old and natural man blessed are those that are truly interested in this grace Oh the heighth and depth of the unsearchable wisdom of God how are his judgements unsearchable and his wayes past finding out Well I hope you will remember this that the old man and the old covenant was first and the new covenant and the new man is second and the carnal seed were in the first and the spiritual seed are in the second 3. What is or wherein lieth the difference between the first and second covenant Answ 1. Negatively not as hath been and is commonly understood by many good men onely in the administration so making the old and the new to be one and the same covenant by reason of which a cloud of darkness hath been cast upon the Gospel and covenant of grace by reason of which many precious souls have laid short of the consolation of the Gospel Covenant and have erred from the rules thereof But the difference between the two Covenants lieth mainly in these ten things 1. In the matter of them 2. In the manner of Administring 3. In the Righteousness 4. In the seed 5. In the Mediator 6. In the Promises 7. In the ministry and Priesthood 8. In the Tabernacle and Ordinance 9. In the ends 10. In that the one is the type the other the substance 1. In the matter as hath been minded already and this difference lieth either first in the matter as it was first given to Adam in Paradice wich was one and the same in nature with
in promise Gen. 3. 15. and 12. 3. brought forth into an oath chap. 22. 18. Yet the new and old covenants kept clearly distinct throughout all the time of that ministration insomuch that few of them in the old understood the new God made the new covenant first with Abraham Gen. 12. 3. but the old came first into a ministration as an additional covenant till the seed was come to which the new was made It s said Gal. 4. 24. That Sarah and Hagar were an allegory of the two Covenants they were both in Abrahams house at once and the free woman was there before the bond but the bondwoman bare seed first So it was in the Covenants And the new covenant was ministred through the old as it typed out Jesus Christ and required righteousness and made Promises and virtually it was doubtless to the salvation of all Gods elect for as the elect obtained it when Christ came and the rest were blinded Rom. 11. so it was before in the Typical covenant they had Christ and the new Covenant held forth especially 1. In Types 2. In Promises 3. In Prophecies Quest 3. Was not Jesus Christ the mediator of the covenant then could any one be saved by a covenant of which Jesus Christ was not the mediator Answ Doubtless he was as to come for so the covenant though made yet lay in Promise and they were to look for the seed to whom the Promise was made And so the Covenant Mediator and all lay in Promise and they were saved by that Covenant as Jesus was considered to be the Mediator of it Hence they must have a typicall Mediator as well as covenant in both to lead to a Covenant and Mediator viz. Christ to come Quest 4. Was the Covenant made with Christ onely or with him and all the elect or are we to understand that Gal. 3. 16. the Promises to Abraham and his seed was to Christ Personal or to Christ Mystical viz. Christ and all his mystical body Answ The Covenant was made first and chiefly with Christ personally as the head of the body the Church and in him with all his body and every member thereof Isay 59. 21. but especially and first with Christ personally So the Covenant and Promises to Abraham in his seed was Christ Personally he was the seed to whom the Promises were made Gal. 3. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the Promises made he saith not to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ The covenant and Promises was to Christ and indeed it would be improper to understand it otherwise for the Promise to Abrahams seed was that in thy seed shall all the nations be blessed Gen. 22. 18. If we understand by seed in this place the seed mysticall viz. all the elect then we must read it thus that in Christ and all the elect the nations shall be blessed then who wil there be in the nations to be blessed by thus seed the understood for the wicked though they live an hundred years yet they must be accursed Isay 65. 20. Therefore the seed is Christ and the blessing by him came forth to us Gentiles and all nations viz. All that believe in him are blessed and none else Hence it is said Gal. 3. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that is the blessing that God promised to Abraham should come on the Nations that is the Gentiles in his seed viz. in Jesus Christ That we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through faith It s said further vers 17. that this covenant was confirmed before of God in Christ and therefore could not be disanulled by the law viz. the law or covenant from mount Sinai could not prevent the coming forth of Christ and so make void the covenant and blessing promised to the Nations in Christ the true seed so that we are to distinguish though not divide between Christ the true seed as the head and his body the Church as members They are in Scripture called the seed or children of Christ Isay 59. 21. Psal 22. 30. 89. 29 30. Gal. 3. 29. Heb. 2. 13. So that in a word the covenant is made with Christ and in him the blessing of the covenant comes forth to all his People and by faith they come to claim their interest in this covenant of free and rich grace wrought forth and brought to light in and by Jesus Christ in whom all the Promises are yea and Amen to the Praise and Glory of God 2 Cor. 1. 20. Quest 5. Is the morall law which you say was the substance of the old covenant from mount Sinai done away to believers under the new covenant as it was a rule of life c. Answ Doubtless it is done away to believers and that 1 as it was a covenant from mount Sinai and secondly as a ministration by Moses 1 That it was and is done away to believers is evident Rom. 7. 4 6. where the Apostle saith ver 4. Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the Law c. And ver 6. But now we are delivered from the law that being dead wherein we were held c. T 〈…〉 was the moral law for it was that law that discovered sin ver 7. even that sin forbidden in the moral law Thou shalt not covet chap. 6. 14. Ye are not under the law but under grace 2 Cor. 3. 7. 11. That very law written in Tables of stone is said to be done away and ver 13. to be abolished and if any will say its the ministration that 's done away and not the rule I say it must be done away as it was then a rule without which the ministration could not cease it was its being given as a rule that made it a ministration Therefore I say that it is done away first as it was a covenant from mount Sinai so it is clear turned out and hath no place in the Gospel even as Hagar the old covenant in an Allegory must out of Abrahams house Gen. 21. 10. Gal. 4. 22 23 24 25 30. Cast out the Bondwoman and her son for the son of the Bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the Free woman So that when the free woman is come to be fruitful the bond woman with her son must be cast out So likewise Heb. 12. 18. to 24. We are not come to the mount that might not be touched c. viz. to mount Sinai but ver 22. Ye are come unto mount Zion and ver 24. To Jesus the mediator of the new covenant c. all which evidently demonstrates that the law as it was a covenant from mount Sinai is done away to believers And secondly as it was a ministration by Moses so it s done away and abolished and is not to be preached or received as in the hand of Moses as it was ministred forth received and obeyed in the old
singly upon the account of believing because the covenant was not onely in Gods purpose but brought forth and made manifest in promise and oath long before the most of believers were either of Jew or Gentile Therefore Thirdly the truth lyeth here by the house of Israel we are to understand the elect and chosen of God in Christ before the world was according to the Scripture whether Jew or Gentile 1 Of the Jew consider and compare the Scripture and it will appear that although God hath made many promises unto the natural seed of Abraham to do them good and they are all branches of this covenant yet they are to them not as natural but spiritual even the elect of God Therefore not general to all the seed but to a remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2. 32. in Rom. 9. 27. a Remnant shall be saved and explains this remnant Chap. 11. 5. So then there is a remnant at this present time according to the election of grace ver 7. the election obtained it and the rest were blinded So that as there was a remnant at that time even so there shall be a remnant in a time yet to come that God will bring in of that people but not by their Covenant viz. as a nation from mount Sinai but by the covenant of grace where the elect obtains it according to the word of the Lord. Object It is said Rom. 11. 26. That all Israel shall be saved c. Answ That is all Israel the elect out of all the tribes which are the Remnant whom the Lord will call It can be no other For 1 It is so minded in relation to the Remnant then called of the two tribes but there is a time yet to come that God will gather in out of all the tribes And 2 We must so understand this as concording with other Scriptures which saith it shall be but a Remnant even a tenth the holy feed the substance thereof Isay 6. 13. And so among the Gentiles great are the Promises to the Gentiles and the grace revealed yet the elect obtains it and the sheep in Gods councel and Christs knowledge must be brought in Rom. 9. 23 24. Joh. 10. 16. So that in a word the covenant is made to the elect in Christ and effected in and with believers whether Jew or Gentile which is the Fourth particular with whom the covenant is established and that is with Jesus Christ and in him with all the elect and by him established for the elect and accomplished in and with them in his times 1 It is with Jesus Christ as the head he being the foundation of Gods election and choice Isay 42. 1. The first born among many brethren Rom. 8. 29. That in all things he might have the preheminence That this covenant was first made with Christ is clear from the Scripture If we take it as given to Abraham the covenant was with his seed personally that is Christ as hath been before proved Gal. 3 16. The promise was made to Abraham and his seed he saith not seeds as of many but as of one to thy seed which is Christ so that the covenant is clearly stated to and with Jesus Christ and is with and in him hence it is that the Apostle saith that all the promises are in him yea and amen c. 2 Cor. 1. 20. now all the promises are branches of the covenant and the covenant being with and in him all the promises must be in him and in him sure yea and Amen to the praise and glory of God And farther if we consider David as personating Christ the covenant was with him God hath sworn by his holiness he will not lye to David viz. to Christ but his covenant shall stand fast for ever So that Christ stands head in this Covenant to his body the Church And as this covenant is made with Christ it is in behalf of all the elect Christ hath covenanted here in behalf of all the elect note this And that 1 For bringing in 2 For Preservation 3 For giving the kingdom and the glory 1 For bringing in Joh. 6. 37. All that the Father hath given me shall come to me c. Note here is a giving before coming which occasions coming they shall come a giving before believing And it is a giving by covenant as is clearly exprest ver 38. 39. For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing Here is the fathers will and Christ came to do it so that here is Christs will and the covenant and agreement between the father and the son and that before Christ came down from heaven For I came down from heaven saith Christ to do the wil of him that sent me The father purposeth the work and the termes on which it must be undertaken Christ accepts it and undertakes it The first part of it is to bring in all that the Father hath given him they shall come to me saith Christ Object All are given to Christ Answ It s true all are given to him but to differing ends See Psal 2. 8 9. Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession But the gift we are speaking of is a gift by covenant in a way of grace so a remnant are given to Christ and shall come to him Joh. 10. 16. Other sheep I have that are not of this fold them also I must bring in c. That is his elect among the Gentiles yea all that Christ was to bring to God from among the Gentiles are here included and they were his sheep before they were born and before conversion How his but by gift in way of covenant and Christ must bring them in and why to answer the will the covenant on this behalf 2 For preservation Joh. 10. 28 29. They shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of mine hand My father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my fathers hand They are in the sons hand by way of gift and covenant in the fathers hand in way of power the power of the father and the son being one and the same in working therefore the father worketh and the son worketh Christ holdeth them fast and the father holdeth them fast who is greater then all and his greatness is manifest in the son Joh. 6. 39. It is the fathers will that Christ should lose nothing of all that he had given him but that he raise it up and make it good at the last day and this is Christs will too this is the covenant 3 For the donation and giving of the kingdom and the glory this Christ hath undertaken Joh. 10. 28. and I give them eternal life and
they shall never perish and chap. 17. 2. as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him This is the fathers will in the covenant and Christ accepts it it is his will too and so Christ comes into the world about the work and establisheth this covenant for the elect that they might be brought into it and have their share in it in his times And this is the truth we are upon That Christ hath established this covenant for his elect and doth manifest it to them in his times in the work of faith and now the covenant is said to be made with them for two Reasons 1 Because now they give consent to it and resign up themselves to the Lord in what he hath done for them and believe the grace and the covenant of grace now there is their acceptation of what Christ hath done and justifying him in the work together with their resignation of themselves up to him as their head and Lord in this blessed and holy covenant 2 They come now to claim a right in the covenant which before they could not do though God and Christ had a speciall right in them yet they could claim no right by covenant in the father and the son before or without believing and this is Christs work to work faith in all his elect He is the author and finisher of it I come now to the fifth particular namely the way by which Christ hath established this covenant and that is by his blood Oh friends in this undertaking of Jesus Christ for poor sinners this covenant must be by blood there must of necessity be the death of the Testator Hence it is called a Covenant that is by blood Zach. 9. 11. And the blood of Christ is called the blood of the covenant Heb. 10. 29. And Christ saith This is the Cup of the New Testament in my blood Luke 22. 20. And you will finde that the blood of Christ viz. Christ crucified his body and blood broken and shed hath its place in the whole work justification and remission of sins must be by the blood of Christ reconciliation and peace must be through his blood purging of the conscience must be by blood redemption must be by his blood Mediatorship Purchase of the Kingdom all by blood therefore it is called the blood of the everlasting covenant Heb. 13. 20. And by the shedding of his blood hath he established this covenant Oh learn hence to prize Christ crucified more have a high esteem of the blood of Christ and tremble in the thoughts of such horrid principles as tend to the trampling under foot the blood of the covenant counting ing it an unholy thing But 6th To proceed to the reasons or grounds why Christ hath taken away the first and established the second covenant Reason 1. That the Scripture might be fullfilled the many Promises of God in Scripture to this purpose to establish the new and make the first old as hath been already proved And this you will find to be the great end of Jesus Christ in his coming and work to fulfil Scripture So this covenant must be established by blood to fulfil Scripture Zach. 9. 11. See Acts 3. 19 21. The covenant made to Abraham that in his seed all nations should be blessed could not have been fulfilled if Christ had not established it Hence it is that Christ suffered himself to be betrayed and apprehended in order to his passion and would not make resistance Matth. 26. 52 53 54. How then shall the Scripture be fulfilled that thus it must be He makes the fulfilling of the Scriptures the ground of his yielding himself into the hands of sinful men Reason 2. Christ hath done this that so Gods special love might be made manifest unto the sons of men and that his grace even the blessing of the Gospel might come forth to us Gentiles through the establishment of this covenant In thy seed shall all the Nations be blessed Oh then let not us Gentiles argue out this covenant for assuredly there is no blessing to the Nations by that of the Law but by this of grace therefore let us learn to prize this special grace of this everlasting covenant of Gods special and everlasting love in his dear Son Reason 3. That salvation might be sure to all the seed therefore must this sure and unchangeable covenant be established for eternal salvation was not sure to any in the old covenant but in this covenant it is sure Rom. 4. 16. Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed c. Therefore it is that this covenant is called the sure mercies of David Isa 55. 3. This is the onely sure covenant here is grace and the truth of grace John 1. 17. The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Reason 4. Because it was the great design of God so to do viz. the sending of Jesus Christ into the world to effect this work the taking away of the old and establishing of the new covenant If this had not been done there had been nothing in order to the accomplishing of Gods design in the great and good work of salvation done The design of God in sending Christ was that men through him might be saved he came into the world to save sinners and there could be no salvation but in this covenant so that had not Christ done this work he had not been the Christ for he must answer Gods design for he came to do his wil. And this was one great part of his will the establishing of this free powerful holy rich and everlasting covenant of grace and glory I come now to Application I shall pass by that of information let the doctrine and proof thereof serve for information of the judgement in this matter But Use 1. Here it is a strong ground of consolation for all true believers Jesus Christ hath taken away the first the old and established the second the new covenant of grace and peace Here lyeth the grace the love the peace the glory all blessedness in this covenant and it is sure to all the seed and God hath made it to the end it might be sure that the comers thereunto might have strong consolation Heb. 16 17 18. This is a covenant in which it is impossible for God to lie He hath covenanted and sworn to it that we might have strong consolation therein Oh therefore my beloved friends you I mean that are interested in this sure everlasting covenant let it be your work to be much in the meditation and consideration of the grace the love the glory of this covenant All true believers may truly say with the Apostle Gal. 4. 31. So then brethren we are not children of the bond-woman but of the free Not of the covenant from Mount Sinai which gendreth to
that from Mount Sinai as hath been already minded though differing in terms being both conditional viz. life promised on terms of doing Or secondly as it was renewed to Abraham in Circumcision Or Thirdly as it was given forth more at large from Mount Sinai to the body of Israel 2. And more especially in the matter of the old Govenant as it was conditional in the first second and third place It was conditional a Covenant of works with Promises to it on condition of being performed But the Covenant of the Gospel was absolute without condition on Gods part so that notwithstanding the terms or words might be the same yet it being absolute and without condition it differs in the very matter as for Instance suppose a man condition with a servant and promise him reward for his service and require the service he conditioned for but gives nothing to enable him to the performance of it not having promised but every way enables his son for service and then requires it of him This quite changes the matter of the Covenant the first saith do this and live the second gives life first and then saith do John 11. 26. He that liveth and believeth shall never die The first saith Make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die Oh house of Israel Ezek. 18. 31. The second saith I will take away the heart of stone and I will give you a heart of flesh and I will put my spirit in you and cause you to walk in my statutes c. Ezek. 36. 26 27. This is the distinct language of the new Covenant from the old I will write my law in their heart and I will put my fear in them that they shall not depart away from me And in thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed In a word that was a Covenant that might be broken that was broken This is a Covenant that cannot nor shall not be broken This is the first difference in the matter of them The first commands to do but gives no power The second gives power in and with the command John 5. 25. The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and live c. Hence it is that the first is called a voice of words Heb. 12. 19. The second is the power of God unto salvation Rom. 5. 16. The second difference between the two covenants was in the manner of administring and this difference lieth especially in these two things 1. In the manner of the giving 2. In the manner of the execution The first was given not onely as hath been minded with condition but also with a great deal of fear and dread Sounding of Trumpets burning of fire Blackness and Darkness and Tempest which made the people to tremble Exod. 19. 16. So dreadful was the giving of this covenant that Moses the mediator thereof said at the sight of it I exceedingly fear and quake Heb. 12. 21. thereby to present its nature a dreadful covenant hence it s called Deut. 33. 2. a fierie Law or a law of fire But the new covenant from Mount Sion was and is administred in all sweetness and love It preacheth forth grace and peace there is never a word of dread and darkness in it but to those that reject it Hence it is so ordinarily called the Gospel That is Glad tidings or good tidings of good things Tidings of Peace and Rcconciliation tidings of Pardon and Remission of sins in a word tidings of Grace and Glory this is the manner of the ministry of the new covenant 2 In the manner of execution and that in its power 1. the Law as hath been minded commanded obedience while it continued but gave no power to obey but this in its ministration begets life love and obedience it accomplisheth the birth from above it begets to a lively hope c. for it is the ministration of the Spirit There is never a soul actually in this covenant but by the virtue of it self Hence it is that persons come not visibly into it by natural generation as into the old but by regeneration and the work of the holy spirit Believe it friends this is a great Gospel truth that whosoever cannot set seal unto it will one day know that they are strangers to it notwithstanding the great cheats and deceits that are in the world about this matter Some carrying on the covenant in way of generation and others suppose they come to it of their own will both will find it first or last that they are no further then the first covenant that of Nature and short of that of Grace 2. That executed the curse wrath and vengeance on the Transgressors of it but this mercy and forgiveness healing of back-slidings the voice of the first was Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them But the voice of the second is if they sin I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and remember their sins no more If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins c. This is a covenant in which justice and faithfulness is ingaged to forgive the sins of those that are in it In a word that covenant in its administration brought first to duty and from thence some few even a remnant were brought to Christ This brings first to Christ and Grace and then to duty 3. They differ in the righteousness The righteousness of that covenant was a righteousness of works to be done by them If you observe and do these things this shall be your righteousness Deut. 6. 25. No longer work no longer righteous the righteousness of the law speaketh on this wise The man that doth them shall even live in them Rom. 10. 5. But the righteousness of this covenant is the righteousness of faith even the righteousness of Jesus Christ which comes on all that believe this is the name by which he shall be called The Lord our righteousness Jer. 23. 6. and in him shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45. 25. For by him viz. Jesus Christ all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Acts 13. 39. Note believers in this covenant are justified from that which the Law of Moses could not justifie from What is that from sin the law could not justifie from sin That could curse and condemn for sin but could not justifie from sin but this covenant justifieth from sin because the blood of this covenant taketh away sin and that out of the conscience as well as out of the conversation so that in a word as the righteousness of that covenant was a righteousness of works and so was their own righteousness so saith the Apostle Phil. 3. 9. Not having mine
bondage but of the covenant from Mount Sion which is free which is the mother of us all Let it be therefore your work by faith and hope and meditation about the grace and glory of this covenant to suck the sweetness and feed on the marrow and fatness that is freely from the father given to you in Jesus I am perswaded nay I am very much assured that the Lords poor people very often go without the comfort of the Covenant of the grace of the Gospel for want of feeding their souls thereon there is bread enough in the fathers house but there wants a will or skill to feed thereon Either want of sight of its worth or an appetite to it or else a supposition of unfitness and unworthyness occasions many a soul truly interested in the grace of the Covenant to lye short of a right improvement of their interest there and so lose the comfort and sweetness they might otherwise enjoy Here is a ground for and matter of consolation in all conditions and under all temptations be it sins and infirmities there is grace in the covenant to pardon If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness If it be sence of weakness and fear of holding out to the end here is all the Attributes of God himself engaged for thy support the Promise is in Christ thou shalt be blessed See the great and Precious Promises of the new covenant to this purpose Jer. 32. 40. Isay 40. 28 29 31. 41. 10. 43. 1 2. Heb. 13 5. These with many more are the Promises of the new Covenant If it be reproach and persecution for the name of Christ or poverty or any affliction whatsoever here is Peace and spiritual content and assured Promises of the kingdom and the glory in the end If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together with him Rom. 8. 17. For those light afflictions which are but for a moment will work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at things that are seen but at things that are not seen c. And that your souls may live upon the goodness of God in this covenant of grace let it be your care to make much of the Scripture in which the Covenant is stated and held forth And acquaint your selves with the Promises of the covenant which are all but branches thereof and they are suitable to all estates and will afford assured comfort to thy soul if rightly and sutably applied And in the Promises of the Covenant if saith be rightly set on work thou wilt gather in all the Attributes of God for thy comfort goodness and love in engaging himself and interesting thee in such a Covenant Power wisdom faithfulness and justice in performing Oh here is a stable a sure Covenant Saints may draw stable and sure consolation to their own souls herein yet notwithstanding they may say with David although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me a sure Covenant 2 Sam. 23. 5. although I am weak and frail and in my flesh dwelletb no good thing and I have cause to loath my self in mine own eyes yet God hath made with me or rather with Christ for me a sure Covenant Quest But some may say here is ground of strong consolation indeed for those that are interested in it and have a right unto it but how may I know that I have a right to this covenant that I may improve it to my comfort Answ Notwithstanding that God and Christ hath an interest in persons and that by virtue of this Covenant before they believe yet we cannot claim any interest or right before and without faith Therefore we may truly say as the Prophet Psal 41. 11. By this I know thou favourest me because mine enemies triumph not over me So I say we come to know our interest the incovenant by the work he hath wrought in us therefore hath the Lord wrought the work of faith and hope in God through Jesus Christ and this attended with self loathing and a sence of spiritual poverty and adhering to and depending upon the rich grace of God in Christ crucified and this attended with a true desire and endevour of living to God and answering of his goodness I say if this law of God be thus written by the Spirit in your hearts you may comfortably conclude your interest in the covenant For I say you must come to conclude your interest in the covenant from the work of the Spirit in you that answers the terms of the Covenant and holds harmony to what God hath promised in the covenant I say not that this work within is the ground of our being in the covenant nor the cause nor the ground of our faith but a demonstration of our interest there all is grounded upon the free and everlasting love of God in Christ Use 2. But I shall proceed to a second word of Application to the Saints interested in this covenant And that is a word of exhortation to be faithful to God in living the life of the new covenant and performing the duties thereof not onely to rejoyce in the sweetness and comfort of the covenant but likewise to be as willing to be found faithful in performing the duties of the Covenant for we are to know that God hath annexed duties to the covenant and doth as positively require and expect the performance thereof in the life of the covenant as he hath and doth work his people into a capacity thereof Therefore remember this that Gods goodness and absoluteness in the covenant no whit diminisheth the Saints duty but rather supporteth and engageth thereunto In this place I shall not come to state the particular duties but refer it till afterwards onely some general heads in which all particulars are included 1 Then to live the life of the covenant is to live the life of faith and hope in God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 21. Heb. 10 38. now the just shall live by faith c. now that is on this side the possession of the kingdom and the glory The just shall live by faith that is in the Promises of God that relate to the kingdom and in the power strength and faithfulness of God in the covenant of his grace by which his people are preserved and kept untill that day 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation c. note that the Saints are kept by the Power of God unto salvation but it is through faith that is through their living by faith in his faithful word Hence it is that the Apostle saith Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth The Gospel is the Covenant made sure and effecting its work but it is through
A DISCOURSE Of the true Gospel Blessedness IN THE NEW COVENANT OR The distinction of the two Covenants New and Old First and Second With the doing away of the first and the establishment of the second and likewise the Mediatorship of Christ in the New Covenant with some Principles Duties Promises and Priviledges of the New Covenant A useful companion for all Saints at all times Written by Tho. Collier Gen. 22. 18. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed Gal. 3. 29. And if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise 2 Cor. 1. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God LONDON Printed by H. Hills for the Author and are to be so 〈…〉 by Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-eagle at the west end of Pauls and Tho. Brewster at the sign of the Three Bibles in Pauls Church-yard 1659. The Preface To the Churches of Christ and to all that call on the name of the Lord in truth and sincerity in all places grace and peace be multiplyed through the knowledge of God our father and our Lord Jesus in the New Covenant of his Grace HOly brethren partakers of the heavenly calling whose hearts are Sion-ward how much doth it concern us in this our day to be much inquiring into and after the things that belong to our Peace and the peace of Sion e. i. of all the Churches of Christ my brethren to whom these may come I intend not to retain you long in this Preface but to minde you with some necessary things relating to the ensuing discourse that you may read it with the more profit and advantage to your souls I can say it was of weight upon my heart and now at last it is burst out I have been for sometime of late prevented having been fighting and contending with beasts after the manner of men e. i. men of beastly principles and spirits not at Ephesus but in England but now I do perceive their resolutions are to continue so and grow worse and worse deceiving being deceived 2 Tim. 3. 13. I am therefore turned from them according to the word of Christ Matth. 7. 6. as from dogs that trample all under feet and turn again and rent and tear and have been redeeming and improving time in winters cold for the bringing forth this small Treatise and probably it may and likely it must expect to meet with some judgings and contradictions from men it may be from some Saints at first sight before consideration but I trust that the heavenly hand hath been so made manifest in assisting and guiding the heart and hand in this work that it will pass the scorns censures and contradictions of this world without just cause of fear or shame My friends I can truly say I have aimed chiefly at the good of Saints believers not onely in but out of the Churches likewise for I doubt not but that there are many that are precious that are not yet come to walk in the way of the New Covenant e. i. in the order and ordinances thereof I desire the Reader to read with patience and suspend judging that so he may be kept from sinning in stead of profitting until he is passed through the work I have here presented you having nothing at present that I could think better with the Covenants First and Second with their distinctions and administrations the taking away of the first and establishing of the second with the Mediatorship of Christ in the New Covenant and many Principles of the faith and the Duties of the New Covenant particularly stated with the Promises and Priviledges in which is wrapt up the sum of the Gospel and marrow of Christianity My method in the stating and distinctions of the Covenants is first to prove the distinction and that they are two distinctly stating them and wherein they differ and after by it self I have endeavoured to answer such Queries and objections as are or may be made against the truth herein presented Therefore my desire is that the Reader would suspend judging till he come to the end and probably he may finde his objections answered and his scruples removed and as I can say that for Saints for Sions sake I have written it so my desire and prayer is that it may come to you in the blessing of the Lord that you would read and desire the Lord to help you to understand that you would take heed of your own wisdom and submit your selves to the wisdom that is from above see James 3. 14 15 16 17 18. I do judge the things contained in this discourse to be so necessary and useful for all Saints of all states and cises and of all Nations that it would be a meet companion at all times If you desire information in the Covenant of Gods grace in Christ the true life of Saints something you may finde of this nature here and likewise of Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant or if you would acquaint your selves with the Principles of the faith and the Duties and the great and precious Promises and Priviledges of the New Covenant something of light and direction may you find herein although much weakness and imperfection may appear in the writer in this great mystery for we know but in part and he acknowledgeth that he sees so much of wonder in this dispensation of grace in the New Covenant that he rather admires then expects to bring it forth in its own glory yet something is done though brief though short of the matter in every particular yet he hath made an Essay an entrance If God please to help any of his servants to make a further progress herein I shall rejoyce or help his people to imbrace and profit by this mite I have my desire and this is the prayer of him who is the Lord and his peoples in the service of the New Covenant Tho. Collier Of the Covenants A Discourse of the true Gospel blessedness in the New Covenant or the distinction of the two Covenants Text. HEB. 10. 9. The latter part of the Verse He taketh away the first that he may establish the second THe Apostle or Author of this Epistle mainly and chiefly treats of the excellency of Christ and the Gospel Covenant or ministration above that of the Law 1. Of the excellencie of Jesus a truth of very great concernment and as it is the duty so it should be the care of every Gospel Minister and Christian to keep up the dignity and excellency of Jesus Christ in his person work and offices I mean the true Messiah Jesus that was born of Mary the Virgin according to promise Matth. 1. 20 21. Luke 1. 31. and 2. 7. Isay 7. 14. Behold a Virgin shall conceive c. Who was and is truly the the Son of God and the Son of man Of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 3
4. Acts 2. 30. made of a Woman and declared to be the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead I say it concerns us to know and have faith in this Jesus thus Promised and Born and Crucified and Raised and Ascended into Heaven who is at the right hand of God Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject unto him A principle of truth it is being truly believed and lived in will preserve souls in life and truth and root out and vanquish the new Notions and imaginary fancies about Christ making Heaven and Christ and the right hand of God and all to be within them a bottomless fancy an imaginary Christ and salvation But to our work which is to exalt the true Christ whom God hath exalted and to honour him whom God the Father hath honoured John 5. 22 23. 2 Pet. 1. 16 17 18. In this Epistle our Apostle or Authour exalts Christ or rather discovers his exaltation by the father 1. Above Angels chap. 1 4. not onely above bad Angels but also good Angels 2. Above Moses chap. 3. 5 6. Moses a servant Christ a Son over his own house 3. Above the Priests or Priesthood under the Law chap. 5. and 7. and so consequently above the old Testament-Ministry and Ministration viz. in Authority Dignity and Excellency Hence he came to take away or put an end to that Ministry or Priesthood and Covenant which is the second special work of the Apostle in this Epistle and should be of all good men to exalt the New Covenant above the Old which is the truth declared in the Scripture read unto you viz. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second viz. The first or old Covenant or Testament that he might establish the second Now that it is the two Covenants that is here intended is clear for the word He and first and second are Relatives The word He relates to Christ chap. 9. v. 24. and 28. first and second relates to the first and second Covenants chap. 8. 6 7 8. called also the old and the new Covenants chap. 8. 13. So that the true sense and meaning of the words is this That God sent Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ came to take away the first the old Covenant that he might establish the second the new Covenant which we usually call the Covenant of grace because its the ministration of grace and all is grace from first to last in it So that the words afford us two lessons Doct. 1. That there is in Scripture held forth two Covenants the first and second or the old and new Covenant Doct. 2. That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and established the second Covenant Or thus That it was the will of God that Jesus Christ should come to take away the first covenant and â—stablish the second 1. That there is in Scripture held forth two Covenants the first and second or the old and new c. And my beloved friends this is a truth of very great and special concernment for every Christian to be acquainted with the distinction of the Covenants â—hat there are two covenants is clearly evident old and new first and second Jer. 31. 31 32. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judâ—h not according to the covenant I made with their Fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the Land of Egypt c. Mark you beloved it s a new covenant another covenant not such a covenant but a covenant distinct from that covenant where you have the first and and second the old and new in sense and substance So Heb. 8. 7. It s called the first and second for finding fault with the first he established the second where the Apostle makes application of Jer. 31. ver 8 9. For finding fault with them he saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant c. And vers 13 in that he saith a new he hath made the first old So that its a new covenant and not such a covenant a first and second a new covenant that hath made the first old And vers 6. the new covenant in opposition to the old is called A better covenant established upon better Promises But further Gal. 4. this truth is cleared by the Apostle in Sarah and Hager the free and Bond-women vers 22. which things are an allegory or these are the two covenants vers 24. And they are here held both to be two distinct covenants even as Hagar the Bond maid and Sarab the Free-woman were two And must be separated when the time was come so that the covenants of the Old and New Testament are not one as some imagine but two old and new first and second and that clearly to be distinguished and not confounded together no more then light and darkness The truth being thus cleared and proved by the Scritures of truth in my further proceeding I shall propose this method 1. To state the covenants as they are distinct both the old and new 2. Why they are called first and second old and â—â—w 3. To hold forth the difference between them 4. To answer such objections and queries as are or may be raised against or made concerning the truth in hand 5 The application To state the covenants as they are distinct both the old and new 1. Confirming the first or old covenant the quaere may be What we are to understand to be the first or old covenant In this I understand the Scripture to be clear that by the old covenant we understand the covenant that God made with the house of Israel when be brought them out of the Land of Egypt Jer. 31. 31 32. Where God promiseth to make a new covenant not such a covenant as he made with their Fathers when he took them by the hand to bring them out of the Land of Egypt So that the old covenant is that which God made with Israel when he brought them out of Egypt which was the covenant from Mount Sinai the Moral ceremonial and judicial Law The Moral Law being laid as the foundation of the whole for indeed that was the covenant in sum and substance the other was grounded on it the first table relating to God on which the ceremonial was built and was included the second to man on both which the judicial or political part of the Law was bottomed and so the whole indeed was moral in that ministration or Covenant And the moral Law viz. the ten commands or precepts are called the covenant answerable to Jer. 31. 31. in Deut. 5. 2. So that by the first covenant we are to understand the covenant or Law made with the children of Israel from Mount Sinai Exod. 19. and 20. chapters And this the Apostle clears Heb. 12. 18. We are not come to the mount that might not
own righteousness which is of the law But the righteousness of this covenant is the righteousness of Jesus Christ apprehended applied by faith even the righteousness that is of God by faith A blessed word to believers they stand to God not in their own righteousness but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ wrought for them revealed to and in them and applied The fourth difference between the two covenants is in the seed with whom the covenants were made and here lyeth a truth of very great concernment to distinguish between the distinct seeds of the covenants The seed with whom the old covenant was made were the natural seed of Abraham Viz. Such as came of Isaac the fleshly seed were the subjects of that covenant Take it first as made with Abraham in circumcision or after as it was inlarged from Mount Sinai it was given to the body of Israel to the fleshly seed and so it continued till Christ came Gen. 17. 7 8. But this new covenant is made with Christ and all the spiritual seed in him The new covenant knows no fleshly seed though old covenant spirited men are loath to know any other seed now then the fleshly seed yet account themselves instructed in the new covenant but the new covenant knowes no man after the flesh But if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away c. the new covenant knows none nor owns none to be the seed but such as are Christs If ye are Christs then are ye Arahams seed and heirs according to the Promise Gal. 3. 26. Be they Jew or Gentile there is no difference by nature all alike and by grace are the true seed of the covenant The elect obtains it and the rest are blinded Rom. 11. 7. Oh beloved it highly concerns every Christian to come to a right distinction in this matter the want whereof occasions the generality of the sons and daughters of men to content themselvs in the old nature under the covenant only the name of christian satisfieth or at best a little reformation old covenant zeal filled with pharisaical pride and self conceit of their own good estate making Christians by generation being strangers to the great new covenant work of regeneration and the birth from above I leave this with you my friends as an undoubted truth and true distinction between the covenants The one was with the fleshly seed the other with the spiritual even with Christ and in him with all the spiritual seed The fifth difference between the two covenants is in their Mediator that covenant had a mediator Gal. 3. 19. and that mediator was Moses he was the mediator of that covenant Deut. 5. 4 5. vers 4. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb vers 5. I stood between the Lord and you at that time See Exod. 19. But Jesus Christ is the mediator of this covenant Heb. 8. 6. But now hath he viz. Jesus Christ obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant A more excellent mediator a better covenant Sixthly The old and new covenants differ in their promises for they both had promises Hence it is that the Apostle speaking of the natural state of the Gentiles saith They were strangers to the covenants of promise Ephes 2. 12. Both had promises but distinct promises sutable to the nature of the covenants and the people with whom they were made Now the difference lay mainly in two things 1. In the matter promised 2. In the manner of the promise 1. In the matter the subject matter of the Old Testament promises consisted in outward things temporal worldly blessings so in circumcision Gen. 17. 8. I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the Land wherein thou art a stranger even all the Land of Canaan And Deut. 28. you may take a view of it at your leisure and clearly discern the promises and blessings of that covenant from vers 3. to vers 14. Blessed in the City and in the Field and in the fruit of the Body and of the Cattel c. so that they were all outward blessings So likewise Isa 1. 19. If you will be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land c. These and the like were the old Testament promises But the New Testament promises are of another nature not so much of outward blessings for God hath chosen the poor of this World rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom But they are spiritual and eternal blessings John 6. 40. This is the Will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the son and believeth on him may have everlasting life Luke 12. 32. Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Jam. 1. 12. The crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him Matth. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom and the like precious promises of the new covenant that relate to life and glory Hence it is that Gospel believers look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen 2 Cor. 4. 18. 2. In the manner of the promises The first were conditional as hath been proved Exod. 19. 5 6. Now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then shall ye be a peculiar treasure unto me c. Deut. 28. 1. But the promises of the Gospel-covenant are absolute as hath also been proved The Dead shall bear the voice of the Son of God c. And I will be their God and they shall be my People and they shall not depart away from me c. Thus they differ very much in the promises in which respect the new covenant is said to be established vpon better promises Heb. 8. 6. The promises of the old covenant were on condition of performance but gave no power but the new covenant promises make partakers of the Divine nature 2 Peter 1. 4. 7. They differ in their ministry and priesthood the ministry and priesthood of the old covenant was the tribe of Levie In particular the Sons of Aaron were for the priesthood and the rest of the tribe were the Levites to do other service and to minister before the Lord Exod. 28. Numb 1. 50 51. and chap. 8. 15. 19. But the Minister and High-priest of the new covenant is Jesus Christ himself who differs from the ministry and priesthood of the old covenant or Testament not onely 1 in his person being much more excellent and that on several accounts Heb. 5. 5. But 2. He was made a Priest with an oath which the Levitical priests were not Heb. 7. 20 21. And in as much as not without an oath he was made Priest for these were made without an oath but this with an oath by him that said unto him The Lord sware and will not repent c. 3 Christ was made
a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedeck Heb. 5. 6. and chap. 7. 21. but they of the Old Testament were not so Heb. 7. 8 23 24. And they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of Death But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood a great ground of consolation for the Lords poor people See vers 27 28. 4. Christ differs from the Old Testament Priesthood in his ability to save They were not able to save themselves or others But Jesus Christ the Minister of the new covenant is able to save all those to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them A great ground for encouragement of poor sinners to come to him and believe in him and likewise of consolation to those who already are truly come unto God by him A fifth difference was in the Sacrifice They offered Bulls and Goats Heb. 9. 12. But Jesus Christ offered up himself a Sacrifice for sin Oh precious High-priest to give himself a sacrifice for sin that not as these high priests did offer their Sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of others But he that was without sin Holy Harmless Undefiled there was no guile found in him even he offered himself for sinners Heb. 7. 27. and 9. 12 13. 8. The difference between the old and new covenants is in the Tabernacle and Ordinances 1. They were Ministers to the Typical Tabernacle Temple and Altar but Jesus Christ is the Minister of the true Tabernacle and Temple Heb. 8. 1 2. We have such an High Priest who is sate down at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens A mininister of the Sanctuary and true Tabernacle which God hath pitched and not men chap. 9. 24. For Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Note this friends That Jesus Christ the Minister of the New covenant and of the true Tabernacle is entred into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for his People A blessed ground of comfort and encouragement to every truly gracious soul to come with boldness to the Throne of grace Jesus Christ is there for them A second difference is in the ordinances that covenant had ordinances also and a Sanctuary but comparatively they were but wordly carnal ordinances to the ordinances of the new covenant Heb. 9. 1. The first covenant had also ordinances of Divine service and a wordly Sanctuary Their ordinances made not the comers thereunto perfect vers 9. were but a figure for the time being and are called carnal ordinances imposed on them till the time of reformation vers 10. But the Ordinances of the New Testament are more spiritual sutable to the Minister and ministration and likewise because our Minister ministers by his Spirit in and through all which that ministry could not do 9. They differ in their ends The ends of the first covenants were 1. To make sin become exceeding sinfull Rom. 7. 13. and chap. 3. 20. 2. To stop every month and to make all guilty before God Rom. 3. 19. And so it became a Killing Covenant A ministration of Death and not of life 2 Cor. 3. 6 7. A covenant that could not give life for if that covenant could have given life then verily righteousness had been by it even by the Law Gal. 3. 21. But Gods end in the new covenant is to give life by it Hence it s called a covenant of life and peace Isa 54. 10. Mal. 2. 5. It was to recover poor lost sinners out of their perishing state and condition it was to make the comers thereunto perfect which the other could not do Heb. 10. 1. It was to justifie believers from all those things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Acts 13. 39. viz. The first covenant In a word the end of Gâ—â—â—n the new covenant was to save from the curse and condemnation of the old covenant without which there is no salvation Gal. 3. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us c. 10. And finally the difference between the old and new covenant is as much as is between the type the shadow and the substance it was but a shadow and representation of the new covenant a typical covenant from first to last Hence it is that they had types and resemblances of every thing in the Gospel covenant but they were but shadows but resemblances 1. They had a righteousness commanded which was a righteousness of doing which they could not attain a representation of the righteousness of Christ who was to fulfill all and so become the end of the law for Righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 10. 4 5. Secondly they had an election and Son-ship but it was of the natural seed the new covenant is of the spiritual seed Rom. 9. 7. 8. Gal. 3. 26 29. Thirdly they had Priest Sacrifice Tabernacle and Temple but all Typical Fourthly They had promises likewise but Typical as well as conditional so that it is as evident as the sun that shines at noon to all whose eyes are open that the differences between the covenants are clear and very great And therefore it much concerns you not to mistake in this matter least you live under the old in stead of the new for the old will prove a covenant of death to those who live and die in it But there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 8. 1. viz. not after the law or old covenant but after the Gospel or new covenant which is called the ministration of the spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Objections answered Fourthly I come now to answer such Objections and Queries as are or may be raised against or made concerning the truth in hand Obj. 1. That the old and new covenants may be one and the same and are by many if not most taken so to be notwithstanding they are called Old and New First and Second because they differ in the manner of Ministration So that the difference lieth in the differing manner of administring and not in the covenants The Scripture speaking the same of the Commandments which may serve to clear those terms about the covenants John 13. 34. A new Commandment give I unto you c. And 1 Epist John 2. 7 8. Brethren I write no new Commandment unto you but an old Commandment which ye had from the beginning c. Again a new Commandment write I unto you c. The Commandment is old yet new and the same which they had from the beginning c. So may the Covenant likewise be taken Answ The covenants differ not onely in the
manner of administring but in the matter likewise as hath been already proved as also in all those other particulars wherein the differences have been discovered But to the Scriptures mentioned I answer 1. I grant it to be true if we take the Scriptures in the largest sence in the words old and from the beginning that the commandmenr was old as I shall more fully clear before I have done and so was the new Covenant too but yet distinguished from the old But Secondly I answer that the words old and from the begnning are diversly to be understood in Scripture Sometimes they intend the beginning of the world Sometimes they intend the beginning of the old Testament ministration Psalm 119. 166. Thy word O Lord is true from the beginning Sometimes the beginning of the Gospel ministration John 8. 25. and 15. 27. And sometimes from the beginning of a peoples hearing and receiving of the truth and so it is in this place 1 John 2. 7 8. being compared with vers 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye heard from the beginning If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father What was it they heard from the beginning It was the doctrine of the Gospel by which through believing they came into the Son and the Father which cannot be understood That which they heard from the beginning of the old Covenant They had not then received the new but it was that which made them one in the Son and in the Father Therefore The doctrine of the Gospel It s the very same words vers 7. An old Commandment which ye had from the beginning The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning So that the truth in this scripture is this That John did write no new commandment unto them but the same that he had given to them when they first heard and received the Gospel which if it did abide in them they should continue in the Son and in the Father It is in substance no more then what Peter saith 2 Pet. 1. 12. and the same 2 Epist John 2. 21. I have not written to you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it c. viz. They knew it of old from the beginning of their reception and believing of it And as for the terms of old and new they are not equivalent to the distinct terms about the covenants not onely old and new covenants as hath been minded but first and second the new hath made the first old Heb. 8. 13. The new is called a better Testament Heb. 7. 22. and 8. 6. All which plainly proveth two Covenants unless we dare give the lie to the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures of truth Obj. 2. The Covenant mentioned Gen. 17. is the Covenant of grace for it is applied to the Gospel by the Apostle Rom. 5. 17. compared with Gen. 17. 5. Therefore it appears that Circumcision was the Covenant of grace for it immediately follows Answ In this chapter are both Covenants 1. That of grace and the Gospel covenant promised And second that of circumcision made and established under which Abrahams natural seed was and therefore it much behoves us to be diligently enquiring after a right understanding of the will of God in Scripture that so we may rightly distinguish and not confound Truth together The want of distinction hath been and is the great cause of confusion We are to know that both covenants as hath been minded are stated in this 17. chapter The first or new covenant is vers 4 5. Behold my covenant is with thee and thou shalt be a father of many Nations c. And vers 5. For a father of many Nations have I made thee This is the new covenant in which Abrams name was changed from Abram to Abraham and answers to ch 12. 3. and 15. 5. and 22. 18. And the old covenant viz. that of circumcision with the natural seed follows from v. 6. to v. 14. That it is so is clear for circumcision as hath been already proved was the old covenant and that verse 4 5. is the new therefore it must be thus distinguished And further It s usual in the Scripture to have both covenants mentioned together and set side by side as it were sometimes one first and sometimes the other as not onely in this place but in chap. 22. 16 17 18. there is both covenants sworn to that is to the natural and spiritual seed the old and the new covenants And Deut. 32. 33. The last words of Moses in which he not onely confirms them in the old covenant and prophesieth their breach thereof viz. their sin and their judgement but likewise clearly states the new chap. 33. 26 27 28 29. compared with Jer. 23. 6. c. Object 3 The old covenant was also called an everlasting covenant as well as the new Gen. 17. 13. Psal 105. 10 11 12. 1 Chron. 16. 16 17 18 19. Therefore the same though differingly administred Answ It s true It was so called yet these three things must be considered for the right understanding of it 1. The terms of everlasting are given to the Priesthood as well as to the covenant Exod. 40. 15. Numb 25. 13. And none that understand any thing of the Gospel but will acknowledge that that priesthood is ended and that this of the Gospel is not the same therefore it is everlasting viz. during the continuance of that covenant and ministration 2 The term everlasting as well as the old covenant and all other promises in the old covenant were conditional and God did not promise to perform either covenant or promise without the condition was performed so that it was everlasting viz. while they performed the condition 3 The old covenant priesthood and promises were no other ways everlasting then as they led to Christ the new covenant and the everlasting rest so they were everlasting viz. represented and typed out everlasting things but when the substance was come the shadow did vanish away Object 4. The Gospel covenant is conditional as well as that of the law as at the first entring into it there is the condition of believing He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 16. and persons continue in it on condition of continuing in the faith and obedience and persevering in a way of well-doing unto the end Heb. 3. 6. 14. Matth. 10. 22. Mark 13. 13. And the Gospel promises of life and glory are on condition Rom. 2. 7. 10. and chap. 8. 17. Answ It s true on one account it may be said to be so That as God never intended to save any but by Jesus Christ and that through faith in him and obedience to him in persevering in a way of well doing all these conditions God had in his eternal councel and therefore he is said
in the new Covenant in which the fleshly seed of believers are included as well as the fleshly seed under the law else how comes it to pass that there may be in the purest Church here on earth Hypocrites and such as are not in the covenant of grace on the most spiritual account Answ Doubtless the new Covenant is one and the same and none should be owned in the visible profession but such as have in deed and truth the grace of the covenant There is no outward part in the covenant but an outward profession of the invisible grace Hence it is that persons must believe and that with all their heart before they are by the new covenant called to the outward profession and the Church is to judge of their faith and if any profess it and not in the truth they must give account for it in the Day of Accounts and that the Church may be kept pure from the fleshly seed and be acquitted of unprofitable branches which the Heavenly Father Planted not Christ hath left a rule for excluding such when manifest in the Church so that in sum the truth stands clear that the new covenant knows not nor owns the fleshly seed though it hath left a room to the Lords servants for the exercise of charity in receiving members into the visible Church-fellowship because they are failable and imperfect yet not without a rule and so a ground for their charity in reception viz. the declaration of true repentance and the work of faith in power and also a rule for rejection in case of sinful and disorderly walking either in principle or practice impenitently persisted in Quest 8. But lastly if the old Covenant be done away of what use then are the Old Testament Scriptures to us seeing the Apostle saith Rom. 15. 4. That whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning c. Answ 1. We are to understand that all that is usually called the Old Testament is not so but there is very much Gospel in Types Prophecies and Promises There is the Birth Death and resurrection of Christ held forth in the Law Psalms and Prophets and the glory that should follow Luke 24. 44. John 5. 39. 46. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. 2. The types and prophecies of Christ in the writings of that usually called the Old Testament are useful 1. To shew the way of Gods opening the Gospel to them 2. To discover the abounding riches of Gods grace to us that we should have the substance of what they enjoyed in types and promises I mean as to the covenant and ministration as stated in Christ who is come c. But as to the glory we have it in promise likewise Col. 2. 16 17. 1 Pet. 1. 12. 3. The precepts of that covenant are useful to us First to shew that God in all Ages condemned sin and required duty therefore was the covenant given that Sin might become exceeding sinful so that God did never own sin nor had any fellowship with it in any Age or People And secondly as they are brought forth in the new covenant of the Gospel so they are duties to believers and no otherwise And note this that the old Covenant in the substance was commands and duties the new absolute promises of grace â—â—d blessedness the New Testament grace was couched in the Old Testament duties and the Old Testament duties as far as they are required in the New are couched in the New Testament grace and so are become Rulers to us as stated there and so are useful 4. The promises of that covenant are useful as typical presenting us with spiritual things viz. Eternal life Spiritual riches a Heavenly Land c. And secondly to discover to us clearly the excellency of the Gospel state beyond that of the Law of the new covenant beyond the old 5. The judgements of God on the breach of that covenant are written for our learning 1 Cor. 10 11. now all these things happened to them for examples are written for our admonition on whom the ends of the world are come Thus is the old covenant useful to believers yea very useful and in the whole its all useful as it leads to the new and as without which the new could not so appear in its clearness and beauty as now it doth the new being the unvailing revealing and fulfilling of the old the new being that without which there could be no eternal life in the old Now I come to Application Use 1. This truth serves for a word of information and that on several accounts not onely to inform us 1 That there are indeed and in truth two covenants old and new first and sccond which hath been clearly proved And 2 That the old is done away and the new remains the first is abolished the second established But also thirdly It may fully inform us of the great mistakes that have been in the world and are at this day amongst most about the covenants judging them to be but one and the same differing onely in manner of administring And doubtless this grand mistake hath been an in let to many dangerous mistakes in matters of Religion and the things of God but you will say Quest What are the mistakes that have been and yet remain in this matter Answ The first I shall mention is about the seed of the covenant from the mistake about the covenant taking the new to be the same with the old men have brought in the old Testament seed viz. The seed of the flesh the natural seed of supposed Believers into as they call it the Church So that here hath been a very great mistake and errour in this very thing Quest What is the danger of this mistake and errour Answ 1. It altogether makes void the new covenant and the Gospel keeps up the old in stead of the new It s a principle and practise that doth as much as in men lies in act flatly deny the new covenant and bids defiance to it for that is with the spiritual seed See what Paul saith in this matter and let him that hears or reads lay it to heart Rom. 4. 14. For if they which are of the law be heirs faith is made void and the Promise made of none effect Hear and tremble ye that fear God that have through mistake made the seed of the law to be heirs viz. the fleshly seed that is the seed of the law It is to make saith void and the promise of none effect It makes void faith and the covenant for it brings into the covenant by natural generation that is the seed of the law of the flesh and the way of coming into that covenant and who ever pretends to bring into the new covenant by natural generation destroys faith and the covenant for the new covenant owns not the natural seed Jew or Gentile but the spiritual and they enter into it by faith viz. as to the right of claiming interest this the
other makes void this is the first danger 2 It hath been an occasion of turning aside from Gods way in receiving members into the supposed Church of Christ Whereas Christs Rule is by faith and Baptism this hath brought in by natural birth and sprinkling and hath brought a generall odium and contempt upon Christs ordinance of dipping or baptizing believers in his name after the manifestation of faith and repentance a sin which many that arc otherwise precious have cause enough to repent of and bewail that their hand should be chief in such a trespass as this is 3. It hath been an instrumental means of deceiving millions of poor souls brought into the name of Christian on the old covenant account and so being deluded perish under the name of Christian without the Power Doubtless there will be a sad account for some one day for this very thing and its one among many of the greatest grounds of lamentation I know of this day in the world And as the Nominal Clergy have had and yet have the greatest hand in this trespass yet if God open their eyes to see into this great truth and their great miscariage herein certainly they will forbear their harsh censures for my plainness and zeal in this matter The Lord knows I do judge many among them in the main to be godly But it s my great grief and burden that godly men through mistake should have a hand in such a work as this is the Lord help them to lay it to heart in time In a word here lyeth the foundation of all mistakes Rightly to understand the covenant would rectifie all differences among all sorts of Professing people This is it hath brought in carnal seed carnal ministery carnal means of attaining to it and all to keep up carnal ends and interests Use 2. Of exhortation and oh that it might prevail to exhort and stirre you up to a more diligent search and enquirie into the covenants that you may be able to distinguish between law and Gospel For 1 Without the knowledge of the difference or at least some clear insight into the Gospel covenant you can never live clearly the life of faith but at best it will be with you as with the godly before Christ came a mixing of old and new together you can never be able ministers of the new covenant unless you are able to distinguish between new and old that so you may be ministers of the new 2 Without this you will never come clearly off the Babylonish apostacy Want of being cleared in this leaves you behinde at least in part come clear in this one truth and come away clear come to the clearness of the new covenant and keep in the carnal seed if you can and the sprinkling of Infants and the carnal ministry and maintenance I mean out of Christs way that he hath appointed come to the new covenant and be a free willer if thou canst nay or a Quaker either I say again its such a truth and of such concernment that it behooves you as you love God your own souls would be delivered from errour live to God here give up your account with joy in the day of accounts I say it behooves you to be deeply and diligently enquiring into the knowledge of the new covenant I do not intend that there is such a necessity for every believer to be able to give so exact an account of the difference but that it concerns every believer to know that they are two and distinct and to be inquiring into the new covenant as much as may be and let men of learning and natural parts take heed how they do endeavour any longer to darken this truth Object Some may object and say If the covenant be of such power as you speak of as to effect what it commands whence then comes it that godly people should be ignorant of it and what need is there so earnestly to exhort to the enquiring into it Answ The covenant is free and full of power and effects what it requires it is so in the first work of grace and converting sinners 1 hence it is that the Lord saith Isay 65. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not c. and Joh. 5. 25. The dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live Yet after God in the new Covenant hath communicated life to dead souls he expects that they should know from whence their life comes and seek him and wait upon him in the way that he hath appointed diligently enquiring after his will that they may know it and do it Ezek. 36. God having in the former part of the chapter promised what great and good things he would do for his People according to the new covenant yet ver 37. Thus saith the Lord God I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them And Prov. 2. 3 4 5. If thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Seeking is a great and special duty of Saints in the new covenant and God will be found in this way of seeking and doing his will yet notwithstanding the ignorance and miscariage of the Lords people those that are in the new covenant indeed shall not destroy and damne them yet it may bring them under judgement and afflictions and will prove their loss in the great day of account 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged but when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world Chap. 3. 11 12 13 14 15. If any man build upon the true foundation Jesus Christ gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble if his work abide he shall receive a reward If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire So that notwithstanding the covenant is a sure covenant to those in it and full of power yet it requires diligence and seeking in Gods way and doing his will without which God may let his own people miscarry and in so doing they will be sure to suffer loss in the judgement although they may be saved I come now to the second lesson from the Text. The first truth being cleared that the Scripture doth present us with two covenants the second follows Doct. 2. That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and hath established the second covenant And indeed it was the great design of God in sending Christ to effect the work the ending of the first covenant and the establishing of the second 1 That it is so viz. That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and established the
second covenant the truth consists of two parts 1 That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first the old covenant enough hath been said in this matter for confirmation already The many sayings in the Scripture to this purpose as that speaking of the old covenant It is abolished and done away that believers are not under it but under grace that they are dead to the law by the body of Christ And Heb. 8. 13. In that he saith a new he bath made the first old and in my text He taketh away the first that he might establish the second which is The second and special part of the truth I shall at present be improving the time about the establishing of the second covenant And the method I shall follow in the handling and opening of this great truth will be 1 To prove the truth from Scripture 2 To shew what this second covenant is in the matter of it as it s stated in the Scripture 3 Shew the nature of this covenant as it is in Christ and by him established 4 With whom this second covenant is established 5 The way by which Christ hath established this covenant 6 The grounds or reasons why Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and established the second covenant 7 The Application of the whole I shall begin with the first namely to prove the truth from Scripture that Christ hath taken away the first and established the second covenant My grounds to prove it are these 1 The Scripture witnesseth it the text is clear and full He taketh away the first that he might establish the second See Heb. 8. 13. In that he saith a new he hath made the fist old now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away And 2 Cor. 3. 6 7. 11. 13. The Apostle clearly states the two covenants the one he calls the Letter the other he calls the Spirit The old that was written in tables of stone and done away and abolished The new that of the Spirit which remains as most glorious and abiding in all which Scriptures the truth presented is fully and plainly proved 2 The Apostle applieth the new covenant to the present time and state Heb. 8. 8. to 13. chap. 9. 15. all which prove it to be established 3 The death of the Testator proves it Heb. 9. 16 17. For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator ver 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead This the Apostle urgeth to prove the new Testament to be of force because Christ is dead And therefore it concerns men to take heed how they deny this covenant to be in force for to deny the covenant is to deny the death of the Testator and to deny that is to deny the Gospel Oh therefore let men take heed how they deny the establishment of this covenant 4 Christ is the mediator of this covenant Heb. 9. 15. and he is not a mediator of a covenant not in force so that indeed to deny this new covenant to be established is no less then to deny the mediatorship of Christ for a mediator must be a mediator of some covenant or other and the old is done away that was not of grace but of works And the new is established of which Christ is the mediator So that Christ must be the mediator of this new covenant or of no covenant which I believe none that fear the Lord dare to deny 2 What this second or new covenant is and although I have already in the distinguishing of the covenants spoken to this I shall more distinctly in this place come to speak of the new covenant what it is And for my more clear handling of this great Gospel truth I shall 1. Distinctly state the covenant by it self 2. In its parts That so every true believer may not onely come rightly to understand the covenant but likewise to draw such consolation from it as God hath intended in it for his people for I do believe that darkness in this mystery hath occasioned many precious souls to lose very much of the precious consolation of the Gospel The Covenant then is Gods engagement and promise in Jesus Christ in way of covenant and â—â—th freely to do for work in and give to his people all things that may tend to make them truly and eternally happy and blessed To prove this to be the new and Gospel Covenant I must have recourse unto Gen. 12. 3. and chap. 22. 18. where is the covenant most lively stated and made to and with Abraham in Promise as it was to be promulgated when the fulness of time was come viz. In thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed and ch 22. 18. God upon Abrahams obedience in offering his son Isaac a lively type of Christ the true seed that was to be offered brings up his covenant into an oath and sware to Abraham that he would performe it that in thy seed shall all nations be blessed that is truly and eternally blessed Hence it is that in the new covenant the blessing is eternal life not onely life as in the old but eternal life And doubtless there is no blessing spiritual or eternal that the Saints are interested in but it is the blessing of this covenant and as God freely gives blessedness in this covenant so he works all things in his people in order to do it without which they could not be blessed and that is evident in the promise of this covenant Jer. 31. 31 32 33. I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts c. That is I will work a willing mind in them to what ever I do require of them in order to their true and eternal blessedness This is the new covenant that God in Christ the true seed hath interested all his people in Hence it is said that God made this covenant in Christ Gal. 3. 17. But second I shall come to open the covenant in its parts that so by faith we may such the sweetness of this honey and feed upon the marrow and fatness of the new covenant blessings for I do believe that there is not one promise I mean Gospel promise to a Christian but it is either a branch of or is stated in or upon the new covenant The branches or parts of the new covenant lie mainly as hath been minded in these three heads 1. Doing for his people all things that might tend to make them truly and eternally happy and blessed 2. Working in 3. Giving to 1. What he hath done for his people on the new covenant account consists especially in these two things 1. He loved them freely and that while they were enemies a wonderful mercy indeed He loved them before they were and so before they had any love to him Ephes 2. 4 5. But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were
dead in sins bath quickned us together with Christ Note Gods love was a great love to his people even when they were dead in sin Hence it is that God saith Jerem. 31. 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love Object Some may say this was spoken of old Israel under the old covenant Answ 1. It s clear that God is discovering in chap. 30. and 31. what he will do for them by virtue of the new covenant which is not yet performed and 2. we may truly reason thus that if Gods love were from everlasting to them in that covenant much more is it in the new covenant we may reason in this as the Apostle doth about the old 2. He gave Jesus Christ freely for them this is a new covenant mercy Jesus Christ given for us Isa 9. 6. Unto us a Son is given and Jesus Christ is the gift of God for and to his people John 3. 16. God so loved the World that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Jesus Christ was not onely a gift but a great gift a new covenant gift such a new covenant gift as without which the new covenant could not have been established for the covenant is established in him and with him and by him for us and God having given him for us He hath freely given himself his life and blood for us and that upon the new covenant account for his blood is the blood of that covenant and the covenant is established in his blood Matth. 26. 28. Luke 22. 20. Ephes 5. 2. As Christ also hath loved us and given himself for us c. vers 25. As Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it c. This God hath done and Christ hath done for the Church Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himself for us that be might redeem â—â— from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar People zealous of good works And God having given us his Son how shall he not with him freely give us all things Rom. 8. 32. Here is the exceeding riches of Gods grace to his Sons and Daughters that he hath given his own onely beloved Son for them that they might have life through him And this is the great grace of God in the new covenant God hath not onely given Christ for his people but he hath also wrought faith in them by the word and so hath applied Christ to them This is the rich grace of our God and all upon the account of the new or second covenant For the word of the Gospel publisheth these Glad Tidings and the Lord by that word worketh faith which believeth and applieth the truth of the Doctrine of the Gospel For faith is the law that God in the covenant did promise to write in the hearts of his people Jer. 31. 32. with Rom. 3. 27. Hence it is that faith is said to be the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Ye are saved by grace through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Object But some will say that its grace that 's the gift of God in that place and not faith Answ It is Faith that is the gift of God in this place for though it be true that grace is the gift of God yet in this place its faith that is intended to be the gift for to understand it to be grace is contrary to all reason Divine or Humane and it must needs be much folly and wrong to the Spirit so to understand it for then it must be thus read and understood Ye are saved by grace and that not of your selves it is the gift of God But so to read and understand it these three absurdities will necessarily follow 1. Faith must be left out and so the word which is clearly the relative to the conclusion taken away It s clear that the conclusion relates to faith Through faith and that not of your selves c. Faith being that which immediately precedes and likewise is brought forth as in clear conjunction to and with that word guilt of God by a copulative Conjunction 2. It was a common known truth that grace was of God and not of our selves and the very word Grace imports the exclusion of self so that it would have been a Tautology to have added not of your selves it is the gift of God to grace and its contrary to the usual way of the Spirits bringing forth of truth by his servants but when he speaks of grace he sets it in direct opposition to works when ever we finde salvation by grace minded It carrieth so much in it that it is of God not of self It is a word that in it self doth absolutely separate the work of salvation from self and placeth it in God and therefore it cannot be reasonably imagined that the Apostle intends in this place grace to be the gift of God but faith 3. So to understand it must not onely argue the Apostle weak in speaking Tautologies but the Church of Ephesus exceeding weak and ignorant that they need to be informed that grace was not of themselves viz. That grace by which they must be saved which I do judge that there is never a carnal man that comes under the sound of grace but understands that it is not of themselves for the word grace imports as much as the love and favour of God and this must be of God and not of our selves but many selfish men think that it is of themselves to attain this grace through faith And many believing men I fear are too much tainted with this mistake and this is it the Apostle either rectifieth or endeavoureth to prevent in this place Ye are saved by grace through faith and this faith is not of your selves it is the gift of God for he is the authour and finisher of it Heb. 12. 2. So that God hath not only undertaken to work faith but to preserve and keep his people in the new covenant he is the finisher of their faith as well as the authour of it but to proceed 3. God hath greatly enriched this new covenant with all blessings and greatly enriched his people in this covenant for he hath with Christ and faith and interest given to them all things 1. Remission of sins this is to be preached and is freely given in the new covenant This is one special part of the Gospel and branch of the covenant of grace remission of sins by Jesus Christ Luke 24. 47. Repentance and remission of sins was to be preached in his name among all nations And as it is to be preached in the name of Christ so it is administred and applied to all true believers and this is such grace that we do not onely need it in our first conversion and work of faith for the remission of sins that are past Rom. 3 25. but all the time we live here as sin remains and cleaves to us so
we need remission and in the new covenant it is administred to us according to the tenour therein exprest Heb. 8. 12. 1 Epist John 2. 12. and chap. 1. 9. In all which this blessing or blessed gift is clearly stated see Rom. 4. 6 7. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sin is covered Secondly Peace and reconciliation with himself is another blessing of the new covenant which the Lord gives to all his people and this peace is likewise first preached in the doctrine of the Gospel Hence it is that God saith Isa 57. 19. I create the fruit of the lips Peace Peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord. And Christ sent his Disciples with the message of peace Luke 10 5. and the Apostles came preaching peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. and this peace and reconciliation is applied and injoyed by faith Ephes 2. 13 14. Ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for he is our peace Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God c. Thirdly The blessing of the Spirit is another blessing of the new covenant and truly included in that blessing promised to Abraham for there is nothing that tends to make the Saints truly and eternally blessed but it must be included in that blessing promised to Abraham without which persons could not be blessed therefore this of the spirit is reckoned as one of the blessings promised to Abraham and not the least neither Gal. 3. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith This is the great Gospel blessing and promise of Christ when he was to leave this world and go to the Father that he would send the holy spirit the comforter which promise believers now have a share in Isa 59. 21. As for me this is my covenant c. The refore let the Saints be encouraged to expect such a portion of his promised Spirit as may concur to the effecting of Gods covenant 4. The adoption of sons by the same spirit is another blessing of the new covenant for out of Christ men are strangers enemies but in Christ friends Sons and daughters to the Lord God Almighty Oh friends here is a blessing and a blessed priviledge the Lord hath given to his people in this new covenant John 1. 12. To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to as many as believe in his name 1 John 3. 1. Behold what manner of love is this which the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God and if Sons then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Oh learn to improve this priviledge and this interest in and relation to the Lord. 5. An interest in great and precious promises both of grace and glory This the Lord gives in this covenant to all his people 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises c. Oh the great and precious promises relating both to grace and glory that God hath interested his people in in this covenant every New Testament Promise is a branch of the Covenant and must be performed Promises of pardoning and purging and supporting and preserving grace Promises of the kingdom and the glory that is yet to come this hath God promised in the new Covenant and given his people an interest in the godly have the promises of this life and of that which is to come Oh Therefore let them learn to acquaint themselves more with the promises and more to prize them and to live by faith in the expectation of Gods faithfulness in performing of them for they are his peoples portion till they come to enjoy the Promised possession 6. Free access to the throne of grace as Sons and Daughters in the name of Christ a great and precious favour too little prized and improved by the Lords people God delights to have his children come to him and call upon him in the spirit and faith of sons this is the Lords gift and it is marvellous that he should admit such worthless worms to come to him with acceptance Oh let us learn to prize it and improve it it s a new Covenant mercy that which none can claim a right in but believers It s their priviledge it s their duty let them therefore know it and be incouraged to come with boldness to the throne of grace Never a carnal man in the World can claim a right to this as a new Covenant mercy Psalm 50. 16. To the wicked God said What hast thou to do to take my covenant into thy mouth c. Let not the Lords people be found negligent in this work nor undervaluing it as a low and legal thing but know it is a high and precious priviledge be ye therefore faithful in the improving of it 7 Outward comforts of this life are given in as new covenant mercies although the great promises on which the covenant is established are spiritual and eternal and not such on which the old covenant was established yet the new covenant is not altogether without the promises of this life Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come See Matth. 6. 33. and Luke 12. 31. your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things and all these things shall be added viz. added in with and to the kingdom It s true our Lord hath not promised great things in this life to his people but food and cloathing Therefore having that which God hath promised let us be therewith content for we brought nothing with us into this world and it is certain we shall carry nothing out And let us learn to enjoy all our mercies as handed to us in the new covenant upon the account of Christ and improve all for God not bestow it upon our Iusts but be faithfull in answering Gods precious ends in imbracing such worthless worms in such an inriching covenant as this is in which both grace and glory are included 3 I shall come to shew you the nature of this new covenant which is thus established by Christ 1 It is a free covenant Oh the freeness of Gods love in this covenant this covenant is free 1 Either as relating to God the Author or 2 Relating to man the receiver First relating to God it was free his own councel and purpose of grace freely conceived it in himself and brought forth by and of himself Such was the freeness of the love of God in this covenant that nothing could put a stop to him notwithstanding he foresaw what man would be and do yet this put no stop to the free coming forth of this covenant all the parts of it are free His doing for working
in and giving to are all free Christ a free gift so is the work of faith Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth Jam. 1. 18. So is the kingdom and the glory Luke 12. 32. It is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom 2 It is free in relation to man there being nothing in us to procure it neither of desert or desire after it which puts a very great lustre and beauty in the grace of the covenant that is extended to such worthless creatures and not desiring their own good but would rather have chosen the way of sin and death then the way of righteousness and life if mercy had not prevented The Lord meets with poor souls in a way of mercy when they are posting headlong to hell and destruction 2 It is a powerful covenant it effecteth what it requireth in point of power it requireth faith and gives power to believe it requireth obedience and gives power to obey viz. God in it and by it doth effect it for God is the power of this covenant as the grace of making so the power of effecting belongs to God Hence it is that the language of God is as hath been â—lready minded when he speaks of the work of conversion I will take away the stony heart and give them a heart of flesh and will put my spirit in them c. and the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and live c. and when he speaks of the state of Saints in the covenant I will keep them that none shall pluck them out of my hands none shall be able to pluck them out of my fathers hands and I will put my fear in them that they shall not depart away from me Thus it appears that the covenant of grace is a powerful covenant Oh let the Saints learn to live by faith more in the Gospel power and strength which is able to keep them unto that day See Isay 40. 29 30. 3 It s an holy covenant Luke 1. 72. To remember his holy covenant And that not onely in the matter of it so was the old a holy covenant The commandement is holy just and good but this is holy as it effects and works holiness in those who are gathered into it and this the other did not But this is an holy covenant It makes holy as well as it requires to be holy 1 Thes 5. 23. Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout c. the God of peace sanctifieth in this covenant 4 It is a gracious covenant a covenant of mercy and a covenant of Peace hence it is that we call it a Covenant of Grace because its free and effecteth what it requireth and pardoneth the defects of those that are in it Hence it is that God hath made known himself to be a God of mercy indeed a God pardoning iniquity transgression and sin Oh my beloved friends in whose hearts God hath written this covenant look up and be comforted It is a covenant of grace mercy and preace from God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ 5 It is a rich covenant Oh the riches of this covenant It s filled full of Precious Pearls So that it greatly inricheth those that are in it Prov. 8. 18 19. Riches and honour are with me yea durable Riches anâ— Righteousness My fruit is better then gold yea the fine gold and my revenue then choice silver I lead in 〈◊〉 way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgement that I may cause them that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures Oh my beloved friends here is a rich covenant filled with riches and honour better then gold and silver that is not to be compared with it but its spiritual riches not outward worldly riches but it s so much the better for that is it indeed that it so much exceeds gold and silver c. because it is spiritual and eternal above and beyond the sight of carnal men Oh the blessed state of those that are in this covenant they are greatly inriched in all spiritual wisdom and knowledge they are interessed in a covenant filled with great and precious promises of grace and glory an inheritance a kingdom an everlasting kingdome that shall never be taken from them Here is riches indeed riches of substance that will fill all the Saints treasures remember this it is a rich covenant Hearken my beloved brethren God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom Jam. 2. 5. This covenant gives an interest in God and Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2 3. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath the heart of man conceived what riches God hath prepared and will bestow upon those that love him 6 It is an everlasting covenant in the councel of God it was from everlasting and in the execution of it it shall be to everlasting Isay 55. 3. Incline thine ear and come to me and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Jer. 32. 40. I will make an everlasting covenant with them c. It is a covenant that shall never fail Object The old covenant is said to be everlasting Answ It is so but that relates to the time of that ministration for so is the priesthood said to be everlasting yet that is ended as all who know and acknowledge the Gospel will confess But this is said to be everlasting because it shall endure for ever in heaven it shall stand to eternity For if we might suppose any time when this covenant might be broken we might suppose a possibility of falling from God even from the state of glory But the ground of assurance for the Saints eternal standing and not falling after they come to the perfect glory as the Angels fell is in this everlasting covenant where the eternal blessedness is contained and promised to the Saints God hath promised and sworn that he will not lye to David viz. to Christ in this covenant Object This covenant is said to be made with the house of Israel viz. with believers after they believe and not before believing Therefore it doth not so clearly appear that God doth work all in and for the Saints by virtue of the covenant but they are first to believe and then God enters into covenant with them Answ It s true on one account it is so but not on the account supposed for the house of Israel must be considered either 1 As the natural Israel or 2 As believers or 3 The elect in Christ considered in Gods councell and purpose to whom the Promise and Covenant did indeed belong The first viz. natural Israel as natural to wit all the seed of Abraham cannot be understood because the covenant is to the spiritual seed The second viz. all believers of Jew and Gentile cannot be properly understood
faith As God by it works faith so he supporteth and powerfully effecteth the work of salvation by the exercise imploying or working of the same faith for faith is of a working nature it worketh by love Gal. 5. 6. Therefore as it is your duty so let it be your work to live by faith and remember that word Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God And that word Rom. 11. 20. Because of unbelief they were broken off thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear Remember thy duty as well as Gods Covenant and be faithful A second new Covenant duty is to live the life of love and that to God to his name to his word to his ordinances to his people and to all men enemies as well as friends this is the duty of the new Covenant And this faith and love where it is in truth worketh over the soul to a universal obedience to the whole will of Christ in the new covenant it saith Amen to eve y part thereof it dares not entertain thoughts of taking one part and leave another no that is carnal and too low for a new covenant spirited Christian It dares not change the ordinances of the everlasting covenant no nor trample the blood thereof underfoot But I forbear in this place because you will finde a more exact stating of the duties of the covenant in the end of this Treatise to which I refer you I shall close up the point in hand in answering two weighty Queries Q. 1. What should be the Causes or Reasons that God should adde a conditional ministry and several conditional Promises with positive duties to an absolute Covenant Answ 1. That therein he might hold forth as in the one the riches of his grace and absoluteness of his purpose concerning the salvation of his people so in the other he keeps up his authority as a father and the authority of Christ as our Lord and king That although the new covenant on Gods part be absolute yet had he not stated conditions on mans part his authority over his people must have fallen and they left without duty to God as a Father or to Christ as their Lord and King Joh. 5. 22 23. Mat. 7. 21. Luke 6. 46. Therefore it is conditional as to them that they might know their duty and have conscience of it And it is absolute on Gods part that so they might look to him and be comforted and live by faith in the stabillity and unchangeableness that is in the Father and the Son So that by this means the Saints are kept clear and conscientious of and to their duties in the covenant and comforted in looking up to the Lord from whence their strength comes 2 Because persons must be judged by the duties of the Covenant on mans part and condemned too for transgression of the conditions and duties of the covenant The absoluteness of Gods covenant shall not be the rule of judging Though that be the ground of all true happiness to the Saints yet the Saints themselves must be judged in the great day of the Lord and the conditions and duties of the Covenant shall be the rule by which they shall be judged See 2 Cor. 5. 10. Mat. 25. 34 35 36. we must not onely all appear before the judgement seat there to give an account but we must expect to give an account according to the things done in the body c. and the Lords own people many of them are like to have such an account to give as in which they may must suffer loss 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. and the eternal judgement of the wicked will be for the transgression of the rules conditions and duties of the covenant I mean such as have come under the sound of the doctrine of the covenant Mark 16. 15 16. Rom. 2. 7 8 9 10. So that by this means all the world shall stand guilty before God at that day Sutable to the preaching forth of the grace of the Gospel Whether in the works of creation and the daily good the world enjoys upon that account or the communications of God through the law or in the plain ministration of the Gospel And true believers shall then be acquitted and eternally pardoned by the grace of the covenant for then shall be the perfect and compleat administration of the grace of the covenant and in this manner and at this time it shall make the comers thereunto perfect Isay 33. 24. Heb. 8. 12. Then the inhabitant shall not say I am sick for the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity 3 That the Saints being justified and eternally saved by the grace of the covenant might have the reward of the kingdom promised dispensed to them sutable to their faithfulness in the performance of the conditions and duties of the covenant for thus it shall be Let none through ignorance account it Popish but keep clear in this That justification and a state of salvation is clear by the blood of the covenant our interest and claimed by faith and hope which faith if true is the faith of the operation of God Col. 2. 12. That is of the work of God but the reward so much spoken of shall be given sutable to the work either active in doing or Passive in suffering else what means those Scriptures Luke 19 17 18 19. with 1 Tim. 6. 17 18 19. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. and the condemnation of the wicked shall be given to them sutable to the nature of their sin against Christ c. Luke 12. 47 48. Thus hath God stated conditions and duties in an absolute covenant that his own name and honour as a Father and Christs authority as a head and Lord might be preserved that he might be just and righteous when he judgeth and condemneth Fourthly That the persons who through faith come to profess an interest in this covenant might be manifest by their performance of the duties of the covenant The truth of faith in Christ and love to him is manifest by obedience to him and the people that have no heart to the duties of the covenant may justly suspect themselves to have no share in the grace in that Covenant Joh. 14. 15. If you love me keep my commandements ver 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings c. 5 That believers might be kept humble and heedful Rom. 11. 20. Thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear Ver. 21. Take heed lest he spare not thee Heb. 4. 1. Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it God would that his peoples confidence and watchfulness should go hand in hand till they are fully possest of the promised rest Psal 2. 11. Serve the Lord with fear rejoyce with trembling Saints must rejoyce and yet tremble
believe and yet be watchful and therefore the absolute Covenant hath conditions annext to it in the ministration of it 6 And finally that there might be a Probable and righteous means of calling out and separating the elect from among others they being by nature children of wrath even as others Ephes 2. 3. Of the same lump Rom. 9 21. Christ comes with a general and conditional ministry works effectually with it and by it on the elect and leaves others to the ministry who one way or other first or last fall short of answering the terms and conditions of the ministry and so obtain not the mercy promised in the covenant Thus The election obtains and the rest are blinded Rom. 11. 7. and this conditional ministry added to the absolute covenant becomes unto God a sweet savour of Christ both in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life c. 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. Hence it is that the Gospel must be preached to every creature yet the believer onely is saved by it and the unbeliever damned Mark 16. 15 16. And the Persons for whom Paul suffered affliction in the fulfilling of his ministry were the elect That they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 2 Tim. 2. 10. He served Gods design and end in Preaching the Gospel every where testifying to Jew and Gentile repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Act. 20. 21. which first and chiefly was the conversion and consolation of the elect in order to their obtaining salvation in the day of Christ with eternal glory Therefore a conditional ministry is added to an absolute covenant that the elect might be called out of the world to partake of the grace and glory of the covenant Thus much to the first Quaerie the second follows Q. 2. If the case be so What are the means by which the Lord exerciseth his Power in carrying on his work in his People engaging their hearts to the duties of the covenant Answ Besides a sanctified use of the holy Scriptures which it concerns the Saints to improve 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17. a faithful use of all his ordinances and constant way of obedience for in this will the Lord be found Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright c. I say beside these things 1 A true sence of the duty and this it concerns the Lords People to have upon their hearts daily and in all their divine services to perform them as duty to their Lord. This is it will put an end to indifferency in the work keep up the authority of Christ It s no wonder if persons grow empty in duty and the Lord leaves them if they do it but as priviledge only and not also as duty I do believe much might be enjoyed of God and recieved from him if there were more conscience of duty to him Doubtless if a son would submit to his father onely upon the account of Priviledge and liberty and not of duty and own this as his principle he would justly deserve frowning and reproof from his father And in this case would doubtless be often found in neglect of duty Whence is it that professing men and women can so easily and ordinarily slip by and pass over duties but because they suppose it not to be duty but liberty and at best and most but priviledge My friends I desire you seriously to lay this to heart and consider these Scriptures Luke 17. 10. So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Joh. 15. 14. Acts 3. 22 23. 1 Cor. 14. 37. 2 Love is that which carrieth to duty The love of Christ begets love in the hearts of Christians to Christ and this enlargeth the heart to serve this is the oyl that makes the wheel to run pleasantly Where the love of Christ is shed abroad in the heart by the holy spirit Rom. 5. 5. it constraineth souls to a willing and chearful obedience and performance of duty 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us c. Love where it is in truth is of a constraining nature and that is it Christ so often speaks to this purpose Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me keep my commandements and ver 21. he that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and ver 23. If any man love me he will keep my sayings c. ver 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings c. 3 The glory of the great and good name of God is another means by which his people should be and are carried on in a way of well doing that their fathers name may be glorified Oh friends it concerns the children of God to have a tender respect to his name and to say as sometimes Joshua in another case Josh 7. 9. And what wilt thou do unto thy great name So let the Saints reason with themselves shall I walk like the world shall I neglect duty or turne aside from the truth what will become of the great name of God then The Canaanites and enemies of truth will hear of it and reproach the great name of God Oh think on this friends and remember that this was it that kept those in an evil time when others said it was in vain to serve God c. Mal. 3. 14. They that feared God and thought upon his name were preserved in that Apostacy ver 16. and God will think on them in the needful day See ver 17 18. And this is the prayer of the Apostle for the Church 2 Thes 1. 11 12. Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you c. 4 The good of poor sinners that is another thing the Lord would have his people to be laying to heart and to know that professing people by evil works do what in them lyeth to keep souls from Christ Miscarriages of professing people through the devils improvement of it becomes stumbling blocks to poor sinners to harden them but a good conversation tends to win them or it may through the Lords blessing working by it We may say truly in this matter as the Apostle speaks of and to the believing wife and husband 1 Cor. 7. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 1. its the will of God that at least his people should by well doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. 5 The great and precious Promises is another way by which the Lord carrieth his on in the performance of the duties of the covenant and
these Promises are of three sorts 1 Of Acceptance 2 Of Assistance 3 Of Reward 1 Of acceptance in the work being well pleased with his people in their obedience to him on the account of grace received from him being made accepted in the beloved Ephes 1. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 3. Ezek. 20. 40. 41. Rom. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Of assistance in the work When the Saints are faithful in their duty to the Lord he will be with them to assist them 1 in their active service in doing Isay 40. 29 31. with Phil 4. 13. Therefore let us commit the keeping of our souls to him in well doing as to a faithful creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. z in their passive service in suffering Isay 41. 10. 43. 2. 3 Of reward Promises of life and salvation thus we shall finde the Saints helpt along in all ages They had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11. 13. 14 16 26. and doubtless the Lord hath not promised it but to the end his people might be comforted in it and incouraged in their duties to him Luke 12. 32 33. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. Although this be not the first moving cause of duty of God but conscience of the duty and the life and love we receive from him yet it is the duty of Christians to have this upon their hearts else they cannot glorifie God in the riches of his glory as well as his grace See Rev. 22. 12 13 14. The sixth and last I shall at present minde is affliction and judgement and this is clear God will afflict his people Heb. 12. from 5 to 10 verse and judge them too that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. God dealeth with his children as a father if love will not do it then the rod must So dealeth the Lord with his children and that not onely here but in the great day of accounts they must be judged according to their works and it may be suffer blame shame and loss too at that great day of the Lord 1 Thess 3. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 3. 13 14 15. Therefore let the Lords people be exercising themselves in these things and they shall finde them to be of singular use to help them forward in their Christian race and to enlarge their hearts and strengthen their hands in the Lords work sutable to his will in the new covenant of his grace But I shall at present proceed no further in this matter but come to speak something more distinct to the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ who is the Mediator of the New Covenant A truth it is of great and special concernment for the Saints to be acquainted with that they may be exercising their faith therein and thereby be drawing such sutable consolation to their souls there from as God hath intended in it and as doth concern them to their comfortable walking with God Christ the Mediator Of The New Covenant Heb. 12. The beginning part of the 24. verse And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. HAving gone through the stating and distinctions of the first and second covenants and the establishing of the second the new covenant and doing away the old I shall now come to treate more distinctly of the Mediatorship of the new covenant and the Scripture presented to you leads us clearly to the Mediator of the new covenant that is Jesus Christ To Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant The apostle or author of this Epistle as his work is to exalt Christ and the new covenant above Angels and Moses and that of the old as hath been already mentioned So in this chapter especially from verse 18. to the end of the 24. he presents both the Hebrews to whom he wrote and us with the excellency of what believers are come to in the new covenant beyond what they were come to in the old and so the excellent state of believers in the new covenant above what it was in the old And this is stated in two particulars 1 Negatively what they are not come to from ver 18. to 22. wherein one great part of the blessing of the Gospel consists that we are not come to that which the people in the old covenant came to in that covenant to wit in the ministry thereof although that was glorious 2 Cor. 3. 7. 2 Affirmatively what they are come to ver 22 23 24. wherein another great part of the Gospel consists That we are come to that which the people of the old covenant came not to in that covenant even to that which exceeds in glory 2 Cor. 3. 8 9 10. of which that I have read to you is a part And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. In which words are three truths or doctrines included 1. That Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant 2. That true believers are come to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant 3. That to be truly come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old but because I desire brevity I shall gather up the sum of the whole in this one conclusion Doct. That true believers are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant which is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old covenant This truth hath three parts in it 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 2. That believers are come to him as he is Mediator 3. That this is a high and glorious attainment c. Part. 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant In the opening and handling of which I shall follow this method 1. Shew what a Mediator is or what the word Mediator signifies 2 To prove the truth of the doctrine that Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 3. The persons for whom he is a Mediator and the matter for what he mediates 4. The place where he mediates for them 5. The manner how he is in the performance of this work 6. The priviledges and advantage that come to Saints by the mediatorship of Christ 7. The reasons why the new covenant that is all grace and absolute must have Christ to be the Mediator of it 1. What a Mediator is The word Mediator signifieth a middle person or one between It s taken from an Umpire or middle person that is chosen between two at difference to make up the breach between them And this is it I understand Job intends in his complaint Job 9. 33. Neither is there any dayes-man or Umpire betwixt us that might lay his hands upon us both Under his affliction he saw the want of such a one between God and him and doubtless he relates to Christ being low in his faith in this matter under his pressing affliction But now Jesus Christ is the dayes-man the middle person that is come between God and his people which is the second
particular proposed namely 2. To prove that Jesus Christ is the middle person between God and man or the Mediator of the new covenant for proof see not onely the text which is full and clear but likewise chap. 8. 6. he is said to be the Mediator of a better Covenant that is of the new covenant which is established upon better promises c. and chap. 9. 15. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament c. and 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus Thus you see the truth lieth clear That Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant a truth of very great and special concernment for the Lords people to be acquainted with and established in it being the enemies design and great endeavour to ruine faith in this truth and hath gon very far in the work with many at this day 3. The persons for whom he is a Mediator and the matter for what and that not onely 1. Generally for men There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. But secondly and more particularly and especially he is a Mediator of the new covenant so that then he is a Mediator for those included in the covenant between the Father and Christ I have before shewed that the covenant is made with Christ and in him with and for all the elect and chosen of the Father so that he mediates 1. For and in behalf of those given to him by the Father in order to the work of conversion and coming in to own the grace of the covenant My beloved friends I do believe that there is never a sinner converted from the evil of his way but it is by vertue of the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ at the right hand of God John 3. 3. Christ saith Except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God So the word in the Greek from above and Jam. 1. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights And truly the work of conversion and faith in Jesus is a good work Therefore it s added ver 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth It is such a gift as he that hath it not must be damned it is a fruit of the spirit that is the earnest of our iâ—â—eritance the evidence of things not seen I suppose that none of knowledge and conscience dare deny but that all good is by vertue of Christ God gives it by him and that in way of Mediatorship It s true some there are who are so bold as to deny faith and conversion to be the gift of God that they would have to be beaten out of their own brains But as it is a gift from â—eaven so it is by vertue of Christs being there To deny this is to deny salvation by Jesus Christ for if saith and salvation be not by vertue of Christ his Mediatorship with the Father then salvation may be obtained without a Mediator and this absolutely destroys the Gospel and salvation by Jesus Christ But the new birth is a heavenly birth that is a birth from above Hence it is the Apostle saith Gal. 4. 26. Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all and Psalm 87. speaking prophetically of the new covenant and of Jerusalem that City which is above and the flowing in of the Gentiles saith ver 4. 5. Of Zion it shall be said This and that man was born in her that is Jerusalem which is above from thence is the work wrought thence is the spirit given If I go away saith Christ I will send the spirit and he wil convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgement John 16. 7 8. It s the spirits work to convince of sin c. that is to effect by the doctrine of the Gospel the whole work of conversion And the sending of the spirit is a fruit of Christs Mediatorship If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go away I will send him and I will pray the Father and he will send you another comforter c. The Mediatorship of Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel concurs together and the spirit that is a fruit of Christs Mediatorship as well as the doctrine of salvation and is given to conversion in the preaching of the doctrine of the Gospel This I would learn of you received ye the spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith Gal. 3. 2. So that it is evident that Jesus Christ is a Mediator of the new covenant in behalf of unconverted ones for their conversion and work of faith that they might come to know the grace given to them in Christ and so come to receive the grace prepared for them Luke 23. 34. Then said Jesus Father forgive them they know not what they do 2 He is a Mediator for all his people believers to whom the covenant is revealed or made known he is with the Father for them He is between God and man viz. His people That is it the Apostle saith 1 John 2. 1. If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous c. Heb. 9. 24. He is now in the presence of God for us that is for his people believers if they sin he is their Mediator and Advocate Quest But what doth he mediate for for his people Answ In brief he is all to his Father for his people and brings down all good from the Father to his people he makes both the persons and services of his people acceptable with the Father and makes the Fathers goodness and will acceptable to and with his people This is the sum of all from whence every branch flows But more particularly as he mediates to the Father for his people so 1. He presents their persons and makes them accepted though they are poor and wretched in themselves yet to the Father they are lovely in his son a word of singular consolation for poor Saints who live in the sight and sence of their own poverty Matth. 3. 17. And lo a voyce from heaven saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased God is not onely well pleased with Christ but he is well pleased in him with all his poor people and that is it Christ saith Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matth. 5. 3. Jesus Christ is a Mediator for such and they are made accepted in the beloved Ephes 1. 6. Thus through the Mediatorship of Christ the persons of his people are accepted of the Father and so they stand in an acceptable justified state with God 2 Their services are by virtue of the Mediatorship of Christ accepted with God he is not onely well pleased with their persons but he is likewise
well pleased with their services their obedience in every duty done in faith according to his will and their Praises and Prayers that is made acceptable with the Father by Jesus Christ He it is that bears the iniquity of their holy things obtaining the pardon of all their defects 1 Joâ— 1. 9. with chap. 2. 1 2. He mixes much incense with their prayers or adds it to their Prayers Rev. 8. 3 4. even the incense of the precious worth of his death and suffering being offered up in his Mediatorship a sweet smelling favour to God Eph. 5. 2. Thus the services of the Saints are presented to God acceptable by Jesus Oh then let the Saints learn to know where in whom their acceptation is not in themselves but in another even in Jesus Christ who is with the Father for them But thirdly Christ doth not onely make the services of Saints acceptable but he himself who knows their wants better then they presents their wants for them which I shall more distinctly speak unto when I come to shew you the manner how he mediates for his People And as he is all to the father for his people so 2 He is all from the Father to his people that is He mediates for and brings down all from the Father to his people 1 He mediates for the spirit and the holy Spirit is the fruit of Christs mediatorship a special word to direct us to the right way of obtaining a greater measure of the spirit of promise it must be by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ if ever we have it Joh. 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he will give you another comforter even the spirit of truth c. But the comforter the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name c. Mark you friends the Father will send the holy Spirit the comforter in the name of Christ in his authority by virtue of his mediatorship Chap. 16. 7. if I go not away the comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you You heard chap. 14. 26. The Father will send the holy Spirit c. Chap. 15. 26. He is said to proceed from the Father but here Christ will send the Spirit and what doth this teach us but first the unity of the Father and Son in the work of sending the holy Spirit The Father the head and fountain from whence he proceeds and is originally sent the Son in way of mediatorship by virtue of office and so both Father and Son sends the Spirit So likewise it s the same Ephes 4. 8. Wherefore he saith When he ascended up on high he laid captivity captive and gave gifts unto men He ascended up on high that he might do it that is by virtue of his mediatorship So that Jesus Christ brings down the holy Spirit to his people 2 He mediates for and brings down peace to his people from the God of peace that so he may perform his legacy and promise when he went away Joh. 14. 27. Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you c. and chap. 16. 33. These things have I spoken to you that in me you might have peace c. And this he doth by sending down the Spirit of Peace working in the Gospel of Peace 2 Cor. 1. 2. Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Peace comes from God and Christ from God as the Father and fountain of Peace from Christ the mediator for peace 3 He mediates and brings down comfort and consolation for and to his people according to his Promise Joh. 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortless c. and the way by which he comforts his People is by sending the comforter the holy Spirit a fruit of his mediatorship to lead them into truth and apply it to them for their comfort 4 He mediates and brings down the grace of sanctification for and to his people It is the work of the Father by degrees to work a through sanctification in his people that they may be holy in body and in spirit and meet to Possess their holy inheritance Hence is that prayer of the Apostle 1 Thes 5. 23. And the very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly c. Now Christ prays that his Father would do it Joh. 17. 15 16 17. I pray that thou shouldest keep them from the evil of the world Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth So that the Lords peoples sanctification and universal conformity to his minde and will is a blessed fruit and effect of the Mediatory office of Jesus Christ 5 He mediates for and brings down the power and strength of upholding and persevering grace of performing duty of overcoming sin and temptations of holding on in the Lords way and holding out unto the end notwithstanding afflictions tribulations and persecutions that Saints meet with because of the word The Lord Jesus mediates for the strength of grace Joh. 17. 11. and now I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own name those that thou hast given me v. 15. Luke 22. 31. 32. And the Lord said Simon Simon Satan bath desired to have you that he might sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Oh friends look to God for supporting sustaining supplying and renewing grace to be given down unto you through the mediation of Jesus Christ it s by him your strength is renewed continued and increased whereby you run and are not weary walk and are not faint 6 He mediates for and brings down the answers of all the Saints Prayers and a supply of all their necessities Joh. 14. 13. Whatsoever ye shall aske in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son Christ will do it that the Father may be glorified in the Son viz. the father will glorifie himself in and by the son in giving answers to his people by Jesus Christ Chap. 15. 16. that whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name he may give it you and 16. 23. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you Phil. 4. 19. But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ Mark freinds God will supply the needs of his People but it must be by Jesus Christ as he is the Mediator of the New Covenant 7 And finally not to multiply any more particulars of this nature in this place Jesus Christ mediates for and brings down to his people all the blessings of the New Covenant of which he is the Mediator for on that account it is that he is the Mediator of the Covenant for the bringing down all the blessings of grace and glory that are contained in the Covenant and that is as hath been before proved all things which may tend to make them truely and eternally blessed
weakness and ignorance it may be they desire health and he gives sickness they desire riches and he gives Poverty c. why your Lord your Mediator knows sickness to be best and poverty to be best Therefore be content man with what the Lord gives down Paul prayes thrice that the thorne in the flesh might be taken away or depart from him c. God answers him in that which was best for him gives him another thing for the present and that is strength of grace to encounter with it resist and bear it till it should be removed My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. And that was as good or better then the sudden removal of the tentation c. 4 Advantage is the preparation of the kingdom and the glory for them Christ is with his Father in heaven not onely mediating for present supplies and supports and giving a present acceptation to the persons and prayers of the Saints but he is preparing the kingdom for them that the Father giveth to them Joh. 14. 2. I go to prepare a place for you Hark you friends Jesus Christ is gone to prepare a Place for you a heavenly a glorious Place an inheritance that is incorruptible and uâ—â—efiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you 1 Pet. 1. 4. An house not made with hands but eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. and this is done by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ it s purchased by virtue of his death Hence it s called the purchased Possession Ephes 1. 14. But it shall be prepared and given to them by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory c. 7 I come to the Reasons why the New Covenant which is free and absolute and all glorious must have Christ to be the Mediator of it The reasons are 1 Why it must be so 2 Why it is so 1 Why it must be so First because it was the Fathers eternal councel and will that although the fountain of love and all good was and is in God from all eternity yet he never intended to bring it forth to the sons of men any other way but by the death and mediatorship of Jesus Hence the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 1. 20. He was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you who do by him believe in God c. 2 It being so there is a necessity that Christ should be the Mediator of this covenant without which it is impossible that his people should have the grace of the Covenant This being the way ordained by the Father for the conveyance of grace and glory to his people and the way for his people to come up to him Joh. 14. 6. Heb. 10. 19 20. So that here is a necessity for Christ to be the Mediator of the New Covenant 3 There was and is a necessity in respect of the fallen miserable state of man by nature and the weak poor state of believers through the remainders of the corruption of nature that without it there was no way of redemption from wrath nor of standing and persevering nor boldness to come to God but alone by and through the Mediator of the New Covenant So that it appears here was a necessity for Christ to be the Mediator of the New Covenant to wit for and in behalf of his people interested in the covenant for the giving forth of the good things of the covenant unto them 2 Why it is so First because he was thereunto appointed of God and it is his office and his work to be mediating in behalf of his People and therefore in it Christ answers the Fathers will and performs his office he is appointed unto And secondly it is so 1 because Christ hath accepted of and taken the office upon him and undertaken too for and in the behalf of all his poor people Loe I come to do thy will O God Christ came to undertake the office and to do the work for those that could not do it themselves 2 Christ was appointed by the Father and accepted of the office and work of Mediator That so salvation might be sure to all the seed this is the way of assurance that God hath given to his people that Christ hath undertaken he work for them and takes the care of them He is become their Good shepherd and Bishop to wit overseer of their souls He hath undertaken according to the Fathers will to take the care of all the sheep and to see that they do not perish and he is enabled to it by the very power of the Father that he might be able to accomplish it it is that salvation might be sure sure mercy Isay 55. 3. Sure support and preservation from enemies that they might be surely and safely kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Quest If Christ hath undertaken the work of Mediatorship that is the bringing forth to his people and accomplishing all the blessings of the New Covenant why then do the Saints pray for it and endeavour after it as if it was their work to get every blessing c. Answ I must in my answer to this Question say as I have said before touching the Covenant it self viz. That although the Covenant be absolute yet there is the duty of the Covenant So I say although Jesus Christ be the Mediator of the New Covenant yet it is the duty of the Lords people to seek after every good thing they stand in need of what ever Christ hath undertaken to mediate for as far as they are enlightned in it they are to seek after it And indeed it is by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ that they have that liberty and priviledge and may have that boldness So that Christ is a Mediator to procure for the Saints whatever they pray for in faith according to the will of God to right ends and to procure all good for them even what they through ignorance pray not for The Saints prayers cannot be available but as in Christ their Mediator for out of him God is a consuming fire but in him and in him alone is he full of love and grace a God pardoning iniquity transgression and sinne Before I come to application I shall speak something briefly unto the two other Parts or Branches of the doctrine The second Part of which is That believers are come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and this is a happy state indeed to come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant Quest What are we to understand by coming or being come to Jesus Answ 1. To come to Jesus is to believe in him He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. To come to Christ by faith and to own him in all his offices to look
to him and rest upon him for salvation to come to him as to the Mediator of the New Covenant to come to him as your Lord and King to submit to him in all things To come to him so as to expect all good from God by him both in respect of grace and glory Thus are believers come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant The third Part or Branch is that this is a high and glorious attainment To be come to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant is a high and glorious attainment it is so However Satan hath prevailed over many poor souls of late to make them slight this heavenly attainment and to trample underfoot the man Christ Jesus and the blood of this Covenant yet know friends that you that are come to Jesus have attained to a high degree of favour with God Quest Wherein doth the heigth of this attainment appear Answ 1. It is high in comparison of what they came to in the old Testament and that is it which is particularly mentioned in this place We are not come to mount Sinai c. But to mount Sion to Jesus c. A more blessed Covenant a better Mediator a better Priesthood better Promises all is better in this day of grace in this covenant of Reformation 2 It s high being compared with the state of all others that are not come to Jesus They are low they must perish and be damned The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it But he that believeth on the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved There is no other name given under heaven among men whereby they must be saved but by the name of Jesus Acts 4. 12. 3 It is high in it self For first it hath given them â—n interest in and relation to a high God Who ever are come to Jesus they are come to God as a father and stand related to him as children They are come to great and precious priviledges and interested in great and precious Promises They are Come to the spirits of just men made perfect and to an innumerable company of Angels and to God the judge of all They are come to fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit to fellowship with Saints and Angels Here is the high attainment indeed of those that are come to Jesus 4 It is an high Attainment in that they are come into the way that will undoubtedly bring them to the kingdom to the everlasting life glory and blessedness promised in the covenant and mediated for by Jesus Christ This is the high attainment that all that are truly come to Jesus have attained Here is the standing and state of believers that are come to Jesus whatever the world thinks of them what ever Pharisees and Hypocrites think of them what ever the devil endeavours to perswade them to think of themselves yet they are come to Jesus c. Now I shall come to speak a few words in way of application to the whole and I shall have done Use 1. A word of trial whether you are indeed come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant As its a truth of very great concernment so it very much concerns you to take a view of your own souls and spiritual states whether you are come to Jesus yea or nay I know every one will be ready to say yea I am come to Jesus I make no question of that when the truth is there are but few in comparison that are truly and savingly come to him Quest How shall we know may some say whether we are come to him or no Answ Those that have come to Jesus have seen a need of him and a worth in him above all the world besides They have left all for him and do account their own righteousness as a filthy cloath as dung and dross all their own wisdom to be foolishness and their own strength to be but weakness they loath themselves in their own eyes in the sight and sence of their own vileness and they are made willing to have all in Christ and to follow him apart from all their vanities and beloved lusts through all difficulties they meet withal Oh! how few are there that are thus come to Jesus Christ It s true the world is come to him in their own fancies and imaginations but it is but a cheat and delusion They are ignorant of him and strangers to him and enemies in their minds by wicked works and indeed and truth will none of him They will steal murder and commit adultery c. and yet come and stand before God as if they were his rebell against him and trample his blood and ordinances under their feet and yet pretend themselves Christians This is the common state and cheat of most in the world Use 2. Of consolation to believers The comfort is they are come to Jesus The consolation lieth mainly in these two things 1. They are come to the Mediator of the new Covenant 2. They are come to a high and glorious attainment 1 They are come to the mediator of the new Covenant A ground of sound and assured comfort for all true believers Quest But some will say wherein lieth the consolation of this estate that we may improve it for our comfort Answ It lieth in many things but I shall at present mention these two 1. Assured acceptation with the Father 2. Assured application of pardon of sin and all that is good for them 1 Assured acceptation with the Father and that both in respect of Christ himself and of his people in him Here is a ground of comfort indeed for all that in truth come unto God by him They may come with boldness there is assured acceptance persons services in him accepted as hath been before proved onely let the saints now improve it and apply it for their comfort Your persons accepted though in your own eyes poor wretched creatures your Mediator he is pure and perfect a fit Mediator for such poor impure creatures as we are See Heb. 7. 26. For such an High-priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heavens And here is the Christians comfort that their High-priest their Mediator is holy and he is accepted for them into heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for them 2. Their Prayers granted and whatsoever their Mediator sees good shall be given them Be encouraged to believe this God will nay he must keep nothing back from his people that may be for their good for they have a faithfull tender powerfull prevalent and holy Mediator with the Father for them Quest Wherein lies the prevalency of Christs Mediatorship Answ Not onely in his near relation to the Saints and so his love and faithfulness to them but in the excellent worth of his blood that pleads prevailingly and must have no denial Ephes 5 2. and likewise his near relation to him to whom he mediates that is his Father He
Joh. 1. 2 3. Ephes 3. 9. Col. 1. 15 16. Heb. 1. 2. That this word was made or manifest in flesh Joh. 1. 14. 1 Tim. 3. 16. And so was truly man of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 3. Act. 2. 30. Rom. 9. 5. The true Messiah promised in the Old Testament Gen. 3. 15. Gal. 4. 4. Joh. 1. 45. Gen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 16. That he humbled himself and became obdient even to the death of the Cross for our sins Phil. 2. 7 8 9. 1 Cor. 15. 3. was raised from the dead Luke 24. 6 7. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. and is ascended into heaven to the Father Joh. 20. 17. Acts 1. 10 11. and made Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. head over all to and for the Church Ephes 1. 20 21 22 23. 3 Concerning the holy Spirit That the holy Spirit is of God Gen. 1. 2. Isay 61. 1. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Numb 24. 2. 1 Sam. 10. 10. 11. 6. 19. 20 23. Job 27. 3. Matth. 3. 16. Proceeds from him Joh. 15. 26. And is eternal Heb. 9. 14. present in all places Psal 139. 7 8 9. and admits of no cessation from the Father and the Son though of distinction in which he is one of the Three which distinction is safe enough to be retained and all that are to be baptized are first to be taught the knowledge of and faith in Father Son and holy Spirit Matth. 28. 18 19. 4 Concerning man That God made man upright Gen. 1. 26 27. Ecles 7. 29. but he fell from that estate into an estate of sin and death Gen. 3. 6 7. Rom. 10. 12. 5 Concerning mans recovery That is by faith in Iesus Christ crucified raised and ascended and not by any fancy whatsoever Joh. 6. 39. Acts 13. 38 39. Rom. 3. 22 23 24 25 26. Ephes 1. 6 7. Col. 1. 21 22. Rev. 1. 5. 6 Concerning faith Faith is to believe the truth and faithfulness of God in his word Rom. 4. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. and that he is able and will perform it Joh. 10. 28 29. Rom. 4. 20 21. Ephes 3. 10. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Thes 5. 24. 2 Thes 3. 3. 7 Of the object of justifying faith Jesus Christ crucified as the gift of God to and for sinners is the object of faith Joh. 3. 16 36. 6. 29 47. Acts 26. 18. Rom. 3. 24. 1 Joh. 3. 23. And in and by Christ the Father is likewise the object of faith Joh. 5. 24. 12. 44. Rom. 8. 33 34. 1 Pet. 1. 21. and not the light within or any other fancy whatsoever 8 Concerning the ground of faith The goodness power wisdom and will of God made manifest in Christ and declared in the Scriptures of truth is the ground of faith Exod. 34. 6. Psal 34. 8. 36. 7. Gen. 17. 1. 2 Chro. 20. 6. 14. 11. Dan. 3. 17. Rom. 4 20 21. Ephes 3. 20. 2 Tim. 1. 12. Joh. 20. 31. 14. 6. Heb. 10. 19 20 21. 9 Of hope That hope is an unseparable companion of faith 1 Cor. 13. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 21. and when faith believes the truth of God declared in his word and the life that is in Jesus then comes in hope hoping for an interest in that grace and glory Acts 24. 15. Rom. 8. 24. 15. 4. Col. 1. 5. 23. Tit. 3. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 13. This of hope is an acceptable grace Psal 33. 18. 149. 11. It is the applying part of faith Heb. 6. 11. 1 Thes 5. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 1. Tit. 2. 13. So that the justifying faith of the New Covenant is when a soul truly believes the truth of God in his word and the life that is in Iesus Christ crucified hopes for an interest in this grace and cleavs to and trusts in the Lord. 10 Concerning works That works do undoubtedly accompany faith and that true faith is of a working purifying nature and that faith which is without works is a dead faith Acts 15. 9. Gal. 5. 6. Ephes 2. 10. 4. 17. to 32. Tit. 3. 8. Jam. 2. 17. 22. and that those works should be according to the mind of God in Scripture and not mens own fancies which leads to the 11. 11 Concerning the Scriptures That the Scripture is the true and faithfull word of God and is so to be believed Psal 93. 5. 111. 7. 119. 138. Joh. 5. 39. 1 Cor. 14. 37. Rom. 1. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 19 20 21. And that all believers actions are or ought to be ordered according to the Scriptures Isay 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 12 Concerning the Mediatorship of Christ That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the performance of his great office and work of mediatorship for and in behalf of all his people Rom. 8. 34. Ephes 1. 20. Col. 3. 1. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 1. 3. 7. 25. 8 1 6. 9. 15. 24. 10. 12. 12. 2 24. 1 Pet. 3. 22. 13. That Jesus Christ shall assuredly come again from heaven at the time appointed Acts 1. 11. 3. 20 21. and shall raise the dead and judge the quick and dead 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. Joh. 5. 28. 1 Thes 4. 16. 2 Tim. 4. 1. Matth. 24. 30. and take to himself his great power and reign Rev. 11. 17. 14. That the Saints shall live and reign with Christ in eternal life Matth. 19. 29. 25. 34 46. Luke 12. 32. Isay 35. 10. Rev. 20. 4. 21. 4. and the wicked shall live in eternal misery Matth. 25. 41. Rev. 6. 15 16 17. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. 15. That the Covenant God made made with Abraham through faith in which he became the father of many nations viz. all belivers Gentiles as well as Jews was the Gospel Covenant Gen. 15. 5 6. 12. 3. 17. 4 5. 22. 18. 18. 18. Acts 3. 25. Rom. 4. 11 13 14 16 17 18. Gal. 3. 8 14 17 18. 16. That the Covenant by virtue of which infants in the Old Testament ministration had a right to be Church members or to ordinances was not this Covenant but that of circumcision which was one and the same with the law from mount Sinai the Covenant made with the children of Israel when God brought them by Moses out of Egypt and was a subservient Covenant added for that ministration till the seed was come to which the Gospel Covenant was made and is done away Gen. 17. 10. to 14. with Joh. 7. 22. Gal. 5. 2 3. 3. 19. Rom. 2. 25. 17. That who ever brings in Church members on the Old Testament membership makes null and void the Gospel covenant Rom. 4. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 16 17. Gal. 4. 21 to 31. 3. 19 29. 18. That Gods foreknowledge and choice in electing some men and women to salvation in Christ was before the beginning of the world Ephes 1. 4. Rom. 8. 29. 2 Tim. 1. 9.
19. That the effectual work of conversion and faith is a special work of grace wrought by the Spirit of Christ in the ministration of the Gospel Joh. 5. 21. 25. Rom. 9. 15. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Ephes 2. 5 6 8. Heb. 8. 8. 10. 10. 16. 12. 2. 20. That God hath a people that he owns in his unchangeable covenant that shall be kept by him and never fall away for this we have 1 The word of God Joh. 10. 28 29. 13. 1. Rom. 8. 29 30. Phil. 1. 6. Col. 3. 3 4. Heb. 12. 2. 1 Joh. 3. 9. 2 The Covenant of God Psal 89. 33 34. Jer. 31. 31 32 33. 32. 40. Heb. 8. 8. 3 The oath of God Psal 89. 35. Gen. 22. 16 17 18. Isay 44. 9 10. Heb. 6. 17 18. 21. That the Saints are to expect manifold tribulations while they are here in the spiritual warfare both within and without and through many tribulations to enter into the kingdom Jam. 1. 2. 12. John 16. 33. Acts 14. 22. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 22. That perfection is by the New Covenant of Gods grace in Christ Heb. 7. 19. 10. 1. 23. That this perfection is of two degrees the first is a perfection of justification and sanctification in way of imputation obtained by faith in Christ Rom. 5. 1. Acts 13. 39. Rom. 4. 5 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 1. 2. The second is personal righteousness holiness and glory begun here and shall be perfected at the coming of Christ and the resurrection and not before 1 Cor. 13. 9 10 11 12. Phil. 3. 20. Col. 3. 4. 24. That Jesus Christ is faithful in his house as a Son and hath left absolute rules for his people to walk by in the new Testament in their imperfect state till his coming again from heaven and that there is no need for the Saints to go back to the old Testament as from mount Sinai or to mens inventions or their own imaginations for Gospel rules to walk by Matth. 28. 19 20. Acts 3. 22 23. Heb. 3. 5 6. and whoever so doth dishonors Christ and commits a dangerous sin Job 5. 22 23 Acts 3. 22 23. Luke 19. 14 27. 25. That the Church of Christ according to the Scripture will admit of a two fold distinction 1 All the elect of God the first born whose names are written in heaven unto which all true believers are come and out of which there is no salvation Heb. 12. 22 23. Ephes 5. 25 26. 2 Particular congregations constituted according to Gospel order i. e. united to Christ their head by faith and each to other by love agreeing together to walk in all the ordinances of Jesus Christ in the new Covenant of his grace Acts 2. 41 42. 1 Cor. 11. 2. 2 Thes 2. 11. and it s the duty of all believers thus to walk Job 15. 14. New Covenant Duties I come now to the more particular and distinct stating of the duties of the Covenant and rules left by Christ for his people to walk by till his second coming as they are exprest and implyed in the new Testament 1 Of general Gospel duties for all Saints as believers 1. REpentance from dead works and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is a special duty of the New Covenant Heb. 6. 1. Matth. 3. 2. 4. 17. Mark 1. 15. 16. 16. Luke 24 47. Joh. 3. 16. 36. 6. 29 47. 8. 24. 20. 31. Acts 2. 38. 10. 47 48. 8. 36 37. 16. 33 34. 2. Baptism with water in the name of Father Son and Spirit or in the name of the Lord Jesus after believing Matth. 28. 18 19. Mark 16. 16. Acts 2. 38. 41. and 8. 22 37 38. and 10. 47 48. and 16. 33 34. 3. To walk holyly in all manner of conversation and godliness being thereunto called 1 Pet. 1. 15. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Levit. 20. 7 26. Psalm 93. 5. Luke 1. 75. Rom. 6. 19 22. 2 Cor. 7. 1. 1 Thes 3. 13. and 4. 3. 7. 4. To shine as lights in the world Luke 12. 35. Phil. 2. 15. Prov. 4. 18. 5. To cast away and depart from the most profitable and the most beloved sin or lust Matth. 5. 29 30. and 18. 8 9. Mark 9. 43. Isai 30. 22. Hose 14. 8. 6. To be humble and self denying a special new covenant frame of spirit and desireable duty to be prest after by every new man in Christ Matth. 5. 3. and 16. 24. and 18. 3 4. Luke 14. 10 11. and 9. 23. and 17. 10. Rom. 12 16. Psalm 34. 18. Isai 57. 15. and 66. 2. 7. To take Christ for our pattern 1 In meekness and humility Matth. 11. 28. Phil. 2. 5 6. 2 In love and services Ephes 5. 2. John 13. 13 14 15. Matth. 20. 26 27 28. 3 In obedience John 4. 34. and 15. 10. 1 John 2. 6. 4 In purity and holiness 1 Pet. 1. 15. 1 John 3. 3. Heb. 7. 26. 5 In patient suffering for him when called to it Acts 14. 22. Heb. 12. 2 3. 1 Pet. 2. 21. to 25. and 4. 1. 8. To walk worthy of that high and holy calling wherewith and whereunto we are called Ephes 4. 1 17. Phil. 1. 17. Col. 1. 10. Tit. 3. 14. 9. To be instant in prayer 1 Thes 5. 17. Matth. 7. 7 8. Luke 18. 1. and 22. 40. Rom. 12. 12. and this to be performed 1 Private Matth. 6. 46 2. with other believers Matth. 18. 17 20 3. without vain repetitions or much speaking Matth. 6. 6 8. and is to be made first for all Saints Ephes 6. 18 2. for all men 1 Tim. 2. 1. 10. To love God and Christ above all Matth. 10. 37. Luke 10. 27. Psalm 18. 1. and 116. 1. Cant. 1. 2 7. and 3. 1 2. To fear God with a son-like scar above all Luke 12. 5. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 12. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Nehe. 5. 15. Psalm 5. 7. and 34. 11. and 111. 10. Isai 8. 13. Jer. 10. 7. 12. To love the Saints with a true love for the sake of Christ Rom. 12. 9 10. John 13. 34. and 15. 12 17. 1 Thes 4. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 22. and 4. 8. 1 John 2. 10. and 3. 11 14 16 17 18 23. and 4. 7 8 11 16 20 21. 2 epist 5. 13. To love enemies and pray for them and not to hate them Matth. 5. 44. Luke 6. 27 28 33. Rom. 12. 14 20. 14. To take heed and beware of coveteousness Matth 6. 19 20. Psalm 10. 3. Luke 12. 15. and 16. 9 10 14. Acts 20. 33. 1 Cor. 5. 10 11. and 6. 10. Ephes 5. 5. Col. 3. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 10 2 Tim. 3. 2. and not to lay up treasure in earth but in heaven Mat. 6. 19. 20. 15. To be watchful A great Gospel duty much neglected Mat. 24. 42. 25. 13. 26. 41. Mark 16. 33. 35. Luke 21. 36. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Col. 4. 2. 1 Thes 5. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 7. Rev. 3. 3. 16. 15. 16. To seek
justifying sanctifying preserving comforting and glorifying grace Grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from his People 4 I come now to the fourth particular proposed to wit the place where Jesus Christ mediates for his people and that is in heaven whither he ascended when he was taken up Act. 1. 10 11. A truth of special concernment for Saints to be established in for lose the place and lose the person and work and all at once A great cheat of the adversary at this day that perswades poor People of such a heaven and Christ within them as to deny and gain-say Christ and heaven above and pretend a supposition that if Christ be personally in heaven and by his Spirit in his people it must necessarily make two Christs But this is a truth and it concerns all true believers that expect salvation by Jesus Christ to believe and know That according to the Scriptures Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the work of mediatorship Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. â—2 Heb. 4. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest who is passed into the beavens Jesus the Son of God c. chap. 9. 24. Christ is entred into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Rom. 8. 33 34. It is God that justifieth c. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Thus you see its clear from the word of truth which I believe above all the fancies of men on earth That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the great work of mediatorship He is said to be ascended up far above all heavens Ephes 4. 10. that is above all the known heavens that are seen with the eye or understood in their motions by skill and Art of natural wise men called therefore the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. but I shall conclude this with Heb. 8. 1. We have such an high Priest who is sate on the right hand of the Throne of the majesty in the heavens And there it is he mediates and thither let the Saints look and there let their hearts and affections be Col. 3. 1. 2. 5 I shall pass to the fifth particular proposed viz. the manner how Jesus Christ performs this work of mediatorship and that is 1 By his bloud as he was a sacrifice 2 Vocally by word as he is a Priest and Son 3 Faithfully and tenderly 4 Powerfully and prevailingly 5 Particularly and distinctly for all Saints for all wants 6 Constantly to the end 1 Christ mediates with his bloud as he was a sacrifice for when he was on earth he offered up himself a sacrifice for the sin of sinners He then performed the Priestly work in offering himself but having offered up himself a sacrifice he is gone into heaven and makes good that sacrifice there The high Priest was a type of this in entring into the holy place and that not without bloud Christ is entred with his own bloud into heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 23. 24. And by his blood he mediates that is clear by the words immediately following my Text. Heb. 12. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel The blood of Christ pleads for the Lords people it was shed for them and therefore it pleads for them better things then that of Abel Abels blood cried for venvengeance but the blood of Christ crieth for mercy for poor sinners for the giving down the good things of the Covenant for which it was shed 2. He mediates vocally in behalf of his people He prayes for them as a son as a high priest that is the son of God consecrated for evermore And that Christ doth so will appear 1. From scripture 2. From reasons grounded upon Scripture 1. From Scripture the words of Christ are full and plain in this matter John 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter c. Here is Christs promise at his departure that he will pray c. And this is further clear chap. 16. 7. If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go I will send him c. that is I will pray the Father and he shall send him Obj. Christ saith chap. 16. 26. And I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you c. by this it seems that Christ will not pray vocally for his people in heaven Answ This being rightly understood no whit derogates from the truth in hand or the former promise of Christ that he would pray the Father for his people when he came to heaven but rather confirms the truth thereof it being usual in the holy Scriptures that when any thing of special concernment follows that which goes before is exprest with a not not to deny the thing but to confirm the truth and excellency of that which in that saying is most especially intended and yet that which is brought in with a not is as fully true as the other Instances are John 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to eternal life Doth Christ in this place forbid labour for the meat which perisheth no doubtless for it was given as a law afterwards that such as would not work should not eat and idleness is forbidden in all therefore that we are to understand is Labor not onely or chiefly for the meat which perisheth So 1 Cor. 1. 17. Paul saith I was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely or chiefâ—ly sent to baptize 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression Was not Adam deceived yea doubtless and in other places it is laid all upon him death came in by him but Adam sinned not alone nor was first in the transgression now the Apostle speaks of women and applieth the womans sin to women and saith Adam was not deceived Women should know that not onely Adam sinned but the woman sinned and was first in the transgression too so that these instances may serve to clear up our understanding of the words of Christ I say not that I will pray for you that is I say not onely that I will pray for you but as a farther ground of strong consolation The Father himself loveth you by which I am sure to prevail in what I pray for and this is evident for he had promised it before 2. I shall prove this from reasons grounded on the Scriptures Reason 1. From his praying for them when he was in this world in some sence more remote from the Father and less exercised in the work of mediation gives us strong and undoubted grounds to