Righteousness for us I took flesh O my Father I suffered death according to thy good Pleasure in their stead I gave my Soul a Ransome for them I was made a Curse for them wounded to heal their Wounds I bore their Sins and carried their Sorrows O condemn them not for their Iniquities which met in me they are my Purchase my Members I have paid their Debts and brought in everlasting Righteousness for them he is heard all ways O! pray in his Name and all your wants shall be supplyed 2. let the Fruits of God's Grace shine forth in your Lives what shall we render to God for all his Covenant-Blessings You are bought with a price and are not your own therefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit which is the Lord's 1 Cor. 1.19 20. Quest. But methinks I hear some poor sinner crying out How may I come to be in this Covenant Answ. Soul it is by thy being united to Christ or by Union with him through the Spirit 't is by Faith O close with Christ cry to God for his Spirit attend on the means of Grace see if thou canst find in thy heart to love Christ to espouse him enter into an Holy Contract with him to this end he sends his Ministers O that thou didst but see the wâ—â—t of him and behold the Beauty that is in him he that has the Son has Life he is actually in this Covenant but know this is the Work of Christ 't is he must make thy heart willing and dissolve those Bonds thou hast ty'd with other Lovers Thou art not first to enter into a Covenant with God or offer thy Terms of Gospel-Faith and Holiness so as on that Condition to oblige God to enter into a Covenant with thee no Christ is first given and then God gives us to him nay himself with him Christ's Love is first set on us before we can love him and when we were in our blood not washed that was the time of his Love and then he entered into a Covenant with us Ezek. 16. Reverend Mr. Cotton saith The Lord is the first thing that he giveth by his Covenant and with himself all things else Rom 8.32 and there is the Precedency Christ is given and in him all spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 and this for the Order of Nature in giving in the Covenant not Obedience first nor Faith first nor any thing else first but himself Donum primum primarium and in him all his Goodness p 14. on the Covenant Art thou weary dost thou thirst art a wretched sinner then take Christ go to him and drink Thou art not O sinner first to wash thy self from thy Wickedness and get a clean heart and then come to the Fountain of Christ's Blood but as a poor vile lost sinner to come unto him believe in him that justifies the ungodly Rom. 4.5 Also 't is Christ who is thy Physician 't is he that has undertaken thy Cure and must apply the Remedy and none can do it but he and tho' thou hast no money yet this Physician is to be had and his Medicines too and all freely Isa. 55.1 2. But to close Let us reflect a little on the Deceased my Brethren whose Corps is it we are to follow to the Grave this Evening Sirs 't is the Corps of a godly Man nay a Minister an ancient Minister one who long and faithfully served Jesus Christ under many Afflictions great Tryals and Sufferings O how many of late have we lost and how few raised up in their stead the harvest is great but the labourers are few one drops here and another there some by Distempers of Body made unable to labour before death comes as it was with our honoured Brother deceased while others are taken away in their full strength have we not cause to fear what is coming on See that in Isa. 57.1 2. God calls home his Ambssadours a-pace what may we expect O look for approaching Judgments God hath given us divers ways warning before Wrath breaks out upon us the sins of the Nation are near fully ripe and the sins of God's people tend to fill up the measure But tho' we must all die as well our painful Ministers as the people yet in this Covenant death is ours 1 Cor. 3.22 't is a Blessing it is Gain the Sting is taken away by the Lord Jesus so that we ought not to mourn for our godly Friends that die as such who have no hope for the righteous in this Covenant have hope in their death This God is our God and he will be our Guide even unto death Thus is the Covenant of Grace all the Desire Hope and Consolation of Relievers both in Life and Death Our honour'd Brother is fall'n asleep in the Lord i. e. in Union with Christ and as Death has put an end to all his Sorrows so now his Spirit possesses all eternal Joy and Comfort for tho' he as well as we was attended with weakness and many Infirmities yet he could say God had made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure and this is all my Salvation and all my Desire altho' he makes it not to grow FINIS AN ELEGY Upon the Death of That Reverend and Faithful Minister of the Gospel M r. Henry Forty Late Pastor of a Church of Christ at Abingdon in the County of Berks who departed this Life in the 67 th Year of his Age and was Interred in Southwark Jan. 27 th 1692 3. MOurn mourn O Sion thou hast Forty lost Wave upon wave with Tempest thou art tost Our Sorrow's great and worser things draw near Sad Symptoms of most dismal Days appear Christ's blest Ambassadors are call'd away And few these things unto their hearts do lay Many we lost before for which we mourn And shall we Forty lose without a Groan Shall we not sigh for him who lately fell Or not deem him a Prince in Israel Say if you can what cause gave he to fear He was not ev'ry way a Man sincere How many years did he his Master serve And never from Christ's Truth did start or swerve Shall Envy then his Name or Glory stain Or Prejudice wound him to death again O let his Name his precious Name still live And to his Ashes no Abuses give Near Twelve long Years he did in Prison lie As Exeter can fully testifie For witnessing unto God's holy Truth Which he most dearly loved from his Youth An Instrument was he in Jesus Hand In his Converting many in this Land Nay his own Father and his Mother were Ev'n both Converted by him I do hear I think without offence I may declare Few godly Preachers gone more spotless were Or with more Clearness did the Gospel Preach And in his Life shone forth what he did teach He was no flasâ— he lik'd no upstart Strains New Schemes he loath'd which now our glory stains By the Text he left to be insisted on And opened when
Just. p. 13.14 Quest. Dost thou believe that thou canst not be saved but by the Death of Jesus Christ The sick and distressed person answered yes Then let it be said unto thee go to then and whilst thy Soul abideth in thee put all thy Confidence in this Death alone place all thy Trust in no other thing commit thy self wholly to this Death cover thy self wholly with this alone cast thy self wholly on this Death wrap thy self wholly in this Death and if God would judge thee say Lord I place the Death of our Lord Jesus between me and thy Judgment and other ways I will not contend with thee And if he shall say unto thee that thou art a sinner say I place the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and my sins if he should say unto thee that thou deservest Damnation say Lord I put the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ between thee and all my sins and I offer his Merits for my own which I should have and have not if he say that he is angry with thee say Lord I place the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and thine Anger O Soul here 's thy Relief even in the Blood of this Covenant in Christ's Death under all thy Fears and Temptations of Satan and under the sad Accusations of thy own Conscience O! at the hour of Death how canst thou lift up thy Hands to plead thy own sincere Obedience when thou art just going to stand before the Tribunal of God thy Hands will be weak and thy Heart faint and thy Confidence will deceive thee and fail thee if thy Hope and Desire thy Faith and Dependance be on any thing else then on Christ in this Covenant but here is Succour in his Covenant here is a Salve for every Sore what tho' thou hast sinned what says God in this Covenant I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more Heb. 8. If thy Conscience say thou hast backsliden from God he says I will heal all their backslidings and love them freely Hos. 14.4 If thou wants Righteousness and Strength say Christ is thy Righteousness in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength thus there is Relief in this Covenant for poor doubting and desponding Souls in all their Troubles and Temptations APPLICATION First by way of Reprehension First THIS reproves those and may serve to convince them of their horrid Blindness and Unbelief that look on Sin as a trivial thing a small matter and so go on in a wicked and ungodly course of life who add Drunkenness to Thrist and yet say they shall have Peace O Souls do you not tremble to think of the evil of sin When you hear nothing but the Blood of the Son of God can atone for it nor satisfie God's offended Justice and injured Law do you think God will spare you pardon you while you live in your sins and make Provision for the flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof did he not spare his own Son when he stood in our place charged with our Iniquities but let out his Wrath upon him and will he spare you that have your own sins and horrid guilt and pollution charged upon your own Souls if you refuse the Lord Jesus Christ and the Merits of his â—lood and do not fly to him cleave to him imbrace him and the tender â—f God's Grace in and by him but do neglect so great Salvation and the means of it down to Hell you will be brought every Soul of you with vengeance Nothing shews the evil of sin more than the bleeding Sides bleeding Heart and bleeding Hands and bleeding Feet of the Son of God and did he suffer thus to satisfie for our sins for your sins and shall any Soul alive think if they slight him believe not in him he shall escape Divine Wrath how can your hands be strong in any way of Wickedness whilst you look up and see Jesus Christ hang languishing on the Cross and crying out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 2. This reproves all those and may tend to convince them of their Folâ—y and Ignorance whose hopes lies in something else and not in this Covenant Those whose hope lies in their sober and civil Lives they conclude all is well with them because they are not guilty of those immoral Impieties and greatest Wickedness which others are defiled with Alas what good will this do you when one evil Thought is a breach of that Holy Law that lays you under Wrath and the fearful Curse thereof will you trust to your honest moral Lives and sober Conversations and so slight and neglect the Grace of God offer'd by Jesus Christ in this Covenant Why Sirs do you think God sent his Son into the World if by leading a moral and sober Life Men might be saved 3. This reproves also those who mixt their own Inherent Holiness and Evangelical Obedience with Christ's Righteousness in point of Justification and Acceptation with God who make Faith in the large Extent i. e. Faith withal the Concomitants of it a Condition of Justification who distinguish between Christ doing for us as a Redeemer in the Flesh by dying and render that more extensive than what he does by the Spirit as if he was the Head of all Mankind in dying and all as so consisidered have Union with him but that many of those he dyed for shall never be saved by his Life because they do not answer the Condition of Faith and sincere Obedience intimating that Faith is not a Fruit of Christ's Death but is wrought out by the Creature through the help of the Spirit tho' we have Faith for Christ's sake for Christ's Merits in a remote sense as we have fair weather Pacifick paper p. 5. For had not Christ atoned an satisfied for sin and the breach of the Law of Works we could not have had any Blessings either temporal or spiritual but if it were only thus then the Covenant of Grace is not so well ordered and sure as we believe it is but how do they understand that Text Rom. 5.10 for if when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being now reconciled we shall be saved by his Life VVere not all the Elect or all Christ dyed for vertually as in our Head reconciled to God by the Death of Christ and doth not the Apostle assure us that we shall much more be saved by Christ's Life if he reconciled us to God by his Death was not the Gift of Christ in his death for us a greater gift than the gift of the Spirit to us Did not we all rise from the dead with Christ vertually when he was raised And doth not that give us Assurance that we shall be actually quickned and raised First from a death in sin respecting our souls and also be all raised to Eternal Life and Glory at the last day respecting our
set up as Mediator from Everlasting Was not then the Covenant of Grace as Ancient We were consider'd in him because chosen in him tho' Christ's Redemption was not the cause of our Election yet we were chosen in him as our Head and Redeemer therefore I say the Stipulation of the Covenant of Grace was from Eternity and the Revelation of it was in time and not till Man had sinned and broke the Covenant of Works so that it was more then by Decree and Purpose the Covenant of Grace in my Text is called an Everlasting Covenant and it may referr before time as well as after all time even from Eternity to Eternity For none can doubt but David was a Type of Christ and so represented in my Text the Covenant here spoken of is that they call the Covenant of Grace and tho it was Primarily made with the True David yet so as in him with David the Son of Jesse also the very same thing we may see in Psal. 89. I have found David my Servant with my Holy Oyl have I anointed him v. 20. he is said to be one chosen out of the People and one that is Mighty v. 19. and with him this Covenant is said to be made My Mercy will I keep with him for evermore and my Covenant shall stand fast with him his Seed also will I make to endure for ever and his Throne as the days of Heaven ver 26 29. Now this they confess chiefly respecteth Christ of whom David was a Figure and also referreth to that which they call the Covenant of Redemption if so then say I this Covenant must be the Covenant of Grace because it was made with David the Son of Jesse I mean it refers to him in Christ and the like with all Believers also as all their Salvation and Desire it cannot rationally be supposed but that David in my Text doth allude to the Covenant mention'd in this Psalm although none are actually brought into it until they Believe or have actual Union with Christ yet made with all Believers in Christ from Eternity I cannot think they will deny that the Covenant of Grace that Well-ordered Covenant in all things and sure was primarily made with Christ and with us in him as our Head and if so then say I if that which they call the Covenant of Redemption be distinct and not this when was the Covenant of Grace made with him for us It must either be made before Time or after Time Besides 't is evident that 't is by the Blood of Christ's Covenant that we are Redeemed The Father sends out the Prisoners by the Blood of Christ's Covenant that is according to the Sacred Terms and Conditions agreed upon between them both and sure I am the Blood of Christ's Covenant is the Blood of the New-Covenant therefore I cannot see that that which they call the Covenant of Redemption is a distinct Covenant from the Covenant of Grace Object 3. The Conditions are different Death and Satisfaction for Sin was the Condition of the Covenant of Redemption Faith is the Condition of the Covenant of Grace Death required on Christ's Part Faith required on Man's Part the giving Christ a Seed and Eternal Life to that Seed is the Condition on God's Part to Christ the giving Eternal Life only to the Party Believeing is the Condition on God's Part in the other So that the Reward in that Covenant is larger than the Reward promised to us in the Covenant of Grace In the Covenant of Grace the Condition runneth thus Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved in the Covenant of Redemption the Condition runs thus Make thy Soul an Offering for Sin and thou shalt see thy Seed Answ. I wonder at the Learned Author who makes these Distinctions I cannot be of his Mind I rather judge the difference in the Covenant of Grace or Covenant of Redemption lies here viz. Christ had some great Work to do as the Condition of this Blessed Compact with the Father on and in the behalf of his Elect which was Peculiar to him i. e. he was to die and make Satisfaction to offended Justice he in the Covenant of Grace or Gospel-Covenant merited all for us so that we might have all freely given to us through the Redemption of his Blood c. 1. Christ work'd for Life but we work not but believe on him that justifies the ungodly 2. Christ hath not what he hath by Grace but by Desert but tho' our Saviour had his Reward in the Covenant on meriting Conditions viz. upon his Perfect Obedience to the Law of Works and being made a Curse for us and so made a plenary Satisfaction to God's Justice for our Sins yet pray what was his Reward Was he sure or certain of any one Soul as the Reward of all this hard Work and Sufferings c. Why this Author tells us he shall see his Seed or have a Seed that is he shall have all the Elect brought in and united to him viz. be sure of them or have this certain Reward and not left on uncertain Conditions of Faith and Obedience to be performed by the miserable depraved and wretched Creature which Condition we could not perform and if this be so then the Father must bring us in or draw us to Christ for except he does that no one Soul can come to him as Christ himself positively affirms Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him and from hence I ask whether Power to perform that which they call the Condition of the Covenant of Grace was not included or comprehended in the Covenant of Redemption And if so how could they be Two distinct Covenants certainly in it there was infinite Grace shewed towards us 3. As to the other Condition in the Covenant of Redemption it being larger to Christ than that in the Covenant of Grace I answer as the Covenant was primarily made with Christ it was made with him for all the Elect as their Head and Surety and therefore it must needs be larger as well as it was a meriting Reward but as we are concerned in the same Covenant we have nothing as a Reward because we work not and as considered as particular Persons 't is enough our own particular Souls and Bodies shall be eternally saved who are united to him as the Reward of his Work the Condition therefore being made to him as the Head of the whole Body it must needs be so large and extensive but as to the particular Members that can't comprehend more than he or she that believes as a part of the Seed which he was to see 't is enough therefore that we are the Saved the Redeemed and not the Saviours or Redemers of others But if by Vertue of the Covenant of Redemption we are not Redeemed call it no more the Covenant of Redemption therefore 1 st I would know whether Faith which is called the Condition
which the Purity of his Holy Nature and Honour of his Sovereign Majesty required as rightful Judge and Governour had not the Father chosen accepted and approved of him for doing of this great Work his undertakings could not have availed us to the Salvation of our Souls besides the Glory of God the Father must not be eclipsed while we exalt the eternal Son in our Redemption all the Benefit therefore we receive by the Blood and Merits of Christ are ascribed to the free Grace of God the Father after that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour appeared Tit. 3.4 the Father chose us in Christ as well as gave him for us and commanded him to lay down his Life to redeem us 2dly This Covenant is so well ordered that the Glory of Jesus Christ is magnified herein wonderfully 1. In that herein he is proclaimed the Only True God by whom the World was made the Brightness of the Father's Glory and express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 and when he brought him into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God Worship him Now Divine Worship appertains to none but to him that is God by Nature 2 Christ's Love shines forth in this Covenant as well as his Deity or Godhead in his ready gracious and voluntary Acceptation of that glorious Design of saving us miserable Creatures it was Christ who wrought out the Garment or Robe of Righteousness for us tho' the Father prepared him a Body to do it Christ kept the Law of the first Covenant for us and overcome all our Enemies hence he said Be of good chear I have overcome the World Joh. 16.33 why should we be of good chear upon his overcoming the World if it was not for us and to assure us that we shall overcome it Nay and we did overcome it in him he overcame Sin made an end of Sin as to its killing and Soul-condemning Power Dan. 9.24 he shed his Blood to make our Peace with God the Father he received the Spirit without Measure to communicate it to us Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in his own Blood Rev. 1.5 He makes Intercession for us who is he that Condemneth it is Christ that dyed yea or rather that is risen again who is even at the Right Hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8.34 He pleads his own Sacrifices with the Father for us he presents our Persons as the High-Priest under the Law did the Names of the Children of Israel when he appeared before the Lord on the Breast-Plate of Judgment before the Father and in him also our spiritual Services are accepted we are justified in him he is the Lord our Righteousness we have pardon of sin through his Blood he is our Bridegroom he came from Heaven to offer his Love to us and to espouse us for himself he that has the Bride is the Bridegroom 't is he that offers up our Prayers as sweet Insense to the Father he is the Author and Finisher of our Faith he is the Covenant it self our Head our Mediator our Priest our King our Prophet our Surety our Shepherd our Captain he is made of God unto us wisdom and righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Christ is all and in all in this Covenant so that his Glory shines forth admirably in it 3dly The Glory of the Holy Ghost the Third Person in the Blessed Trinity shines forth in this Covenant also 1. The Holy Ghost is positively declared in the Gospel to be God St. Peter told Annanias He had not lyed unto Men but to God Act. 5.3 His Sin was against the Holy Spirit and to aggravate it the Apostle told him the Holy Spirit was God to whom he had lyed Ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and again Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God All acknowledge God in these places referrs to the Holy Ghost moreover we are Baptised in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and so we Dedicate and Devote our selves in Baptism to serve and worship the Holy Ghost as well as the Father and the Son Doth not Paul close his Epistles with a sort of Prayer to the Holy Spirit as well to the Father and to the Son The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen 2. Cor. 14.14 2. As touching his Work and Operations the Holy Spirit convinceth of Sin this is his Office in this Covenant He shall convince the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment John 16.8 9. The Spirit convinces our Souls of the great Evil of Sin as 't is against a Holy Gracious and Good God he convinces the Soul of all Sin of Secret and Heart Sins and particularly of the Sin of Unbelief He shall convince the World of Sin because they believe not in me The Law cannot do this nor the Light within also the Spirit convinceth us of that great Enmity that is in our Hearts naturally against God Rom. 8.7 He convinceth us of the guilt of Sin and of the pollution of Sin the Holy Spirit convinces Sinners of the want of God's Image and shews them how unlike God they are naturally and how much like the Devil the Holy Spirit convinceth Sinners of the Prevalency of Sin His Servants you are to whom you yield your selves up to Obey he convinces of the Danger of Sin of the Soul-killing and damning Power thereof Also The Holy Spirit convinceth us of the want of Righteousness in our selves to justifie us in God's sight and also convinceth us That Christ's Righteousness is able to justifie and save us because Christ thereby went to the Father his Righteousness carryed him to the Father as our Representative and that Righteousness that carried him to the Father as Mediator will bring us thither Who believe in him or are of his Seed 3. The Work and Office of the Spirit in this Covenant is to quicken all that the Father hath given to Christ. 4. The Spirit renews regenerates or renovates our Souls 't is the Spirit that works God's Image in us we are Changed from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 5. The Glory of the Holy Ghost shines forth in the Covenant of Grace â—s our Sanctifier for it is the Spirit that infuses new Habits divine and gracious Qualities in our Souls new Thoughts new Desires new and holy Affections new Delights Joy Peace and Consolation the Spirit is an Earnest of future Glory 't is the Spirit that is our Comforter 't is he that strengthens us and bears up our Souls in Trouble 6. The Holy Spirit puts on the Robe of Righteousness upon us by uniting of our Souls to Jesus Christ. 7. The Holy Ghost works all Grace in us Faith is called the Faith of the Operation of God the
Christ stept in and undertook for us and put his Name into our Bond and Obligation Jesus Christ was made a surety of a better covenant Heb 7.22 Reverend Dr. Owen most excellently resolves this Doubt viz. Whether Christ be a Surety to God for us or of us to God and shews God needs no Surety nor is he capable of having any Surety properly so called neither do we need any on his part to confirm our Faith in him But we on all Accounts stand in need of a Surety for us or on our behalf neither without the interposition of such a Surety saith he could any Covenant between God and us be firm and stable or an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure Dr. Owen on the Hebr. 7.22 p. 223. God never broke at first with Man therefore needs to give us now no Surety but we broke and failed in our Covenant with him The First Adam had indeed no Surety and hence it was that he failed therefore God hath found out a way to prevent the like danger of Miscarriage on our part any more And evident it is that God entered into this Covenant with us in Christ before the World began and substituted Christ then in the Covenant our Surety and Mediator c. The Assembly in their Catechism confirm this blessed Doctrine Take their Words Quest. With whom was the Covenant of Grace made Answ. The Covenant of Grace was made with Christ the second Adam and in him with all the Elect. Thus Christ and his Seed are but one Party in the Covenant of Grace as it was primarily made between the Father and Son who was set up from everlasting as our Head And thus in Christ Grace was gave to us before the World began as the Apostle saith 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose which was given to us in Christ before the world began Christ therefore became Surety for us to make firm and sure all Covenant Blessing to us indeed if Man could not did not stand but break Covenant with God when he had no Sin no depraved Nature when he had Power to have performed his Covenant with his Maker How unlikely was it that we who are so corrupted so weak and feeble so depraved in every Faculty no Power to do that which is spiritual Good that are attended with such a Body of Sin and Death Rom. 4.24 to undertake to enter into Covenant with God any more or What Reason is there for us to think God would trust us without Security and the Suretyship of another Person whom he knew well could not fail He said That he would lose nothing that was given him none of his Sheep shall perish Joh. 10.38 and ver 28. 2. This Covenant is made upon the unchangeable Decree and Council of God and his Decrees are compared to Mountains of Brass Psal. 89.28 to the 34 My mercy will I keep with him for ever and my covenant shall stand fast with him his seed shall endure for ever c. ver 28 29. My covenant I will not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth ver 34. If you can break my covenant of the day and night then may also my covenant be broken with David Jer. 33.20 21. 'T is the free Promise of God like the Covenant of Day and Night and this stands upon the Pass of God's eternal Counsel therefore 't is sure 3. 'T is confirmed by the highest Witnesses in Heaven and Earth 1. God the Father is a Witness to it himself he bore Witness to Christ in the Gospel and to every Precept and Promise therefore the Father himself which hath sent me hath born witness of me Joh. 5.37 2. The Son also though the Surety of the Covenant yet he is a Witness to this Gospel-Covenant also tho' this is not so cannot be so among Men i. e. The Surety can be no Witness but 't is otherwise here To this end was I born and to this end came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth Joh. 18.37 That he is a King and Head of his Church that he is Mediator and Surety that he is our Saviour and that the Covenant of Salvation is made with him and established in him This he is a Witness of and to these and other great Truths of the Covenant he was Born and came into the World to bear Witness to and he is called The Faithful and True Witness Rev. 1.5 And Jesus said Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go 3. The Holy Apostles were also Witnesses to this New Covenant touching the Truth thereof in the execution declaration and publication of it And we are witnesses of all things that he did Act. 1.39 and again they are called chosen witnesses ver 41. Whatsoever Precept or Promise is made in the Gospel or Threatning they Witnessed to the Truth thereof as well as to the sufferings and resurrection of Christ God speaking of Paul saith he shall be a witness unto me Act. 26.16 4. All those wonderful Miracles our Saviour wrought bear Witness to Christ and the Truth of the Gospel and in them the Holy Spirit is a Witness also as well as many other ways The works that I do they bear witness of me Joh. 5.36 4 thly 'T is a sure Covenant because it was confirmed by Blood even ratified and confirmed by the Blood of the Testator Jesus Christ Certainly that Covenant that is ratified by the Blood of Christ must needs be sure to all the Seed Hence we have for a Sign and Token of this Confirmation the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper This is the Blood of the New Covenant that is shed for you to make Peace for you to procure Justification Reconciliation Pardon of Sin and eternal Life for you and 't is Sealed to you by my Blood This is a Sign or Token of it as if he should so say There is no altering a Covenant that is confirmed by the death of the Testator all the Legacies bequeathed in this Covenant are sure to the Legatees as the Ordinances of Heaven by this means 5 thly The Covenant of Grace is sure and all the Blessings thereof because the Execution of Christ's last Will and Testament is put into the Hands of the Holy Spirit he is the great Executioner of this Covenant I have not time nor room to open this 6 thly The Covenant is sure by vertue of the Promise of God the Father he promised Christ That he should see his Seed This was Abraham's Title to the Blessings of the Covenant of Grace Heb. 6.13 and so to David and in them to all the true Heirs of the same Grace and Promise 't is promised by God that cannot lie to Christ and to us in him For all the Promises of God in Jesus Christ are
Justice of God and which as a King he applies by his conquering of the Power of Sin and Satan Can a Man be redeemed and saved from Slavery in Turkey by a Ransome paid or laid down and yet he abides under the power of a cruel Tyrant that holds him in strong Chains and will not let him go untill the Redeemer hath subdued his merciless Master Now sinners are in Satan's Chains and Fetters and under the power of Sin and until Christ destroys and overcomes those cruel Enemies they are not redeemed this Salvation therefore in this Covenant is compleat i. e. we are not only redeemed out of the Hands of Justice and Divine Wrath but out of Satan's Hands likewise and from the power of Sin nay redeemed from a vain Conversation by Christ's Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 for as a Priest he purchased subduing and cleansing Grace for us tho' as a King he applies that Grace to us To this very purpose Christ gave himself i. e. to redeem us from all Iniquity and purify'd to himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2.14 Sirs assure yourselves all that Christ came to redeem shall be redeemed he cannot be said to be a Redeemer of such who never were nor shall be redeemed by him not one drop of his Blood was shed in vain he will have his whole purchase Here is Grace the Holy Spirit A broken Spirit a new Heart Justification Adoption Regeneration final Perseverance and Eternal Life and all we want is in this Covenant therefore 't is a compleat and full Salvation and so all our Salvation 4 thly This Covenant is all our Desire all our Hope and Salvation because there is no Relief no Justification no Pardon no Salvation any other ways there is no Water of Life but in this Fountain no Justification but by this Righteousness nor Riches but in this Treasury no Corn but in this Garner no Light but in this Sun of Righteousness that is given to us for a Covenant and to be a Light unto the Gentiles No pardon of sin but by this Redemption no Grace but at the Throne which God hath Erected in this Covenant No Strength but by this Arm of the Lord no Cure but by the Balsom of this Covenant and Covenant Physician no Sanctification no cleansing from Sin and Pollution but by washing in this River 5 thly This Covenant is all our Desire Hope Delight Consolation and Salvation because 't is a try'd Covenant it never failed one Man that ever laid hold of it or applyed the Blood thereof by Faith to his own Soul he that believeth on Christ builds on this precious Stone this sure Foundation shall never be ashamed nor confounded he that builds on this Covenant or doth venture his Soul thereon must be saved and ever were saved Let them be never so great sinners it will not fail them this Covenant hath provided for the chiefest of Sinners and for the weak Saints here is a Pardon for all manner of Sinners and Blasphemers against both the Father and the Son O what black what guilty what filthy and what bloody sinners have been saved by the Grace of and Blood of this Covenant Such were some of you what an abominable Such were they see 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. 6 thly This Covenant is all a Believer's Desire Consolation and Salvation because of those glorious and mighty Gifts that are given to them in this Covenant nothing can the Holy God give which is greater for he hath given us himself and all he is and all he has as far forth as it is communicatable he gives himself to them by way of special Interest not as he was the God of the whole house of Israel in that legal Covenant made with them as they were the natural Seed of Abraham as such God gives himself and in himself his Son his Spirit his Ordinance his Ministers Paul Peter all is â—rap'd up in this Covenant Grace here and Glory hereafter all is yours â— Christ in this Covenant is yours you have God and Christ and God for â—â—er Christ for ever You shall not lose him again the Covenant is ordered in all things and sure and so are all the Gifts and Blessings thereof such that can't be lost they are even the sure Mercies of David 7 thly Because this Covenant is so comfortable in all States and Conditions a poor Child of God can be in 't is suited to relieve us under all outward afflictions Tryals and Calamities we meet with here in this World O this â—ur honoured Brother deceas'd found by sweet Experience this was all his Hope and all his Desire all his Comfort under all his former sore Sufferings when for more than Twelve Years he lay in Prison for Jesus Christ's sake and under all his late heart-breaking Sorrows and bodily Distempers that but a few were acquainted with had it not been for this Covenant he had â—ainted in his Afflictions This bore up the Spirit of poor David he found all his Relief and Support lay in this Covenant When Saul pursu'd him when his Friends forsook him and talk'd of stoning him here and in this Covenant and in his God given to him in this well ordered Covenant he comforted and encouraged himself 1 Sam. 30.6 8 thly And lastly all the Desire Hope Consolation and Salvation of a Believer lies in this Covenant because 't is so well ordered and suited for our Support and Comfort under all inward Trouble Fears Doubtings Temptations and spiritual Dissertions whatsoever No Cordial like what this Covenant hath provided for us to bear up and revive our drooping Spirits and whoever you are that under your Fears Doubtings Temptations or Despondings that seek Relief any where else will but deceive your own poor and deluded Souls will your own Righteousness chear your Spirits Dare you plead it at God's Bar Will you venture your Souls upon it Will you plead your sincere Obedience your fervent Prayers you have made the many good Sermons you have heard the many good Works and good Deeds you have done will not Satan shew you notwithstanding all your sincerity you have in your Hearts great Hypocrisie and for all your Faith and constant trusting in God you have much Unbelief and many Fears and Doubtings arising in your Spirits tho' you have prayed often and have not fainted yet with what Deadness with what Coolness with what Wanderings of Heart and Vanity of Thoughts and tho' you have done much good will not your Consciences tell you you might have done much more you gave a Shilling may be to this poor and that poor and distressed Object when may be you ought to have given a Pound O Sirs your Relief lies in Christ and in the Covenant of Grace in Christ's perfect and compleat Righteousness in his Death or you have none nor never will You must take the Directions that Anselm gave to a poor sick and tempted Soul as I find it quoted by Reverend Dr. Owen on
he was dead and gone You may perceive on what Foundation he Did build his Hope of bless'd Felicity Altho' my house is not ev'n so with God My Heart is dead and I under the Rod Tho' Grace in me do's greatly seem to fade And many Deaths and Sorrows me invade Tho' friends seem strange and wants do theaten me And Pain and Anguish much increased be Altho' I faint for the sweet water Streams And feel not those Soul-warming Sun-like Gleams Tho' in my Father's House I can't appear To have Communion my poor Soul to chear At the bless'd Table of my dearest Lord Which formerly did so much Strength afford Tho' I sit all-alone and weep each day And nights seem grievous rest b'ing took away Altho' my Heart is alost broke with Grief Sin so abounds and Sion wants Relief Her Sorrows still abide on ev'ry hand Her Sons divided are so is the Land Sad Wars without and Wars also within Such Wars 'mongst Saints has scarcely ever been Both Earth and Heav'n too now shaken be Plain signs of some dismal Catastrophe Altho' my Faith is small and Love is cold And am distressed by what I behold And tho' the Pillars of my house do shake My Eyes grow dim and Hands grow very weak And tho' in my own self I nothing am And for my Sins God might me justly damn Yet he a Covenant hath made with me Which is Eternal cannot broken be For it is order'd well in ev'ry thing And 't is from hence my Hope and Joy do's spring Nay this is all my Hope and my Desire 'T is this that raises up my Soul yet higher And when on this I do contemplate I neither matter Mens nor Devils Hate This Covenant affords me such Relief It strengthens me and kills my unbelief I hereby see and know God is my God And tho' I for my sins do bear his Rod Yet he his Loving-kindness won't remove Altho' he doth me fatherly reprove After this sort methinks I heard him speak Whilst he was here and lay so sick and weak But now he 's gone to that sweet place of Joy Where Sin nor Sorrow shall him more annoy He fell asleep in Jesus and shall lie In his sweet Arms unto Eternity This Covenant hath set upon his Head That glorious Crown his Saviour merited A Morning without Clouds his Soul do's see Which so shall last unto Eternity Like to the Sun 's sweet shining after Rain Or like a Captive Prince turn'd home again That has in Bondage been for many year And when Christ comes his Glory will appear Which now approaches and draws very near His Body therefore tho' Intomb'd in Earth Shall quickly rise and gloriously shine forth Awake ye Virgins then and sleep no more Prepare with speed the Bridegroom 's at the door O watch look out ye little think or know What things the mighty God's about to do EPITAPH HEre Forty lies a little while asleep 'T will not be long before he shall awake Forbear therefore his Friends and do not weep For of great Glory does his Soul partake He 's gone before see you as ready be For Joy above and bless'd Felicity ADVERTISEMENT NEanomianism Unmask'd the 1 st 2 d. and 3 d. Part being an Answer to Mr. D. William's Book Entituled Gospel-Truth Stated and Vindicated by Isa. Chauncy A Rejoynder to Mr. D. William's Reply Examen Confectionis Pacificae or a friendly Examination of the Pacifick Paper by the same Author The Banquetting-House or a Feast of Fat Things Opening many Sacred Scripture Mysteries profitable for all who would attain to the saving Knowledge of Christ. By B. Keach Sold by H. Barnard at the Bible in the Poultrey The Ax laid to the Root on Mat. 3.10 in two Parts Printed for J. Harris at the Harâ—â— in the Poultrey By B. K. Reader These Errata's that have escaped the Press thou art desired to correct with thy Pen. PAge 14. line 19. blot out the. p. 14. l. 30. for he read the. for are r. is in p. 32. l. 29. for pass r. basis p. 33. l. 38. blot out not in p. 35. l. 7. for wonderment r. wonderment in p. 35. l. 30. blot out and. l. 35. for applies r. implies p. 34. l. 28. for Everlashing r. Everlasting p. 36. l. 32. for were r. be saved p. 40. l. 27. for nor r. nay in p. 42. l. 19. add hear hear and your Souls shall live hear is left out p. 40. l. 26. for silled r. filled There are also many false Pointings that greatly spoil the Sense which Reader likewise thou art desired to correct with thy Pen. These BOOKS next following are published by Benjamin Keach SInging of Psalms proved to be a Gospel Ordinance Price Bound One shilling Six pence 2. Rector Rectified and Corrected being an Answer to Mr. William Burket's Treaty of Infant Baptism Rector of Mildin in Suffolk Price Bound One Shilling 3. Answer to the Athenian Society concerning Infant Baptism 4. The Counterfeit Christian containing Two Sermons Being an Exposition of that Parabolical Text Mat. 12.43 44. When the unclean spirit is gone out c. These Four Printed and Sold by the Author at his House near Horsly-down 5. The Everlasting Covenant A Sermon Preach'd Jan. 29 th 1692 3. at the Funeral of Mr. Henry Forty Minister of the Gospel Printed for H. Barnard at the Bible in the Poultrey 6. The Ax laid to the Root 1 st Part Containing Two Sermons by way of Exposition on Matth. 3.10 Proving That God made a Two-fold Covenant with Abraham and That Circumcision doth not appertain to the Covenant of Grace but to the Legal Covenant God made with Abraham's natural Seed as such 7. The Ax laid to the Root 2 d. Part Wherein the last Arguments of Mr. John Flavell in his Reply to Mr. Philip Cary are Answered also A brief Answer to Mr. Rothwell's Book intituled Paede-Baptismus Vindicatus as to what seems most Material To which is added some Reflections by way of Reply in confutation of a New Book called Plain Scripture Proofs That John Baptist did certainly Baptise Infants as the Adult Written by one Mr. Exell Minister of the Gospel These Two Sold by John Harris at the Harrow in the Poultrey 8. The Marrow of Justification Two Sermons on Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth c. Printed for Dorman Newman at the King's-Arms in the Poultrey These Six last in Quarto stitched may be had all bound together and sold by John Harris and H. Barnard 9. Mystery Babylon proved to be the Present Church of Rome Together with the Time of the End Price Bound 1 s. Sold by N. Crouch and the Author 10. The Old Man's Legacy to his Daughters Wherein the Hidden Mysteries of Faith and Experience are briefly discussed and laid down In a plain and familiar Dialogue in Six several Conferences betwixt the Authors Two Daughters Elizabeth and Margaret To which is added some Choice Discoveries of the Author 's most excellent Experiences In Two Parts Written by N. T. Deceased when near Ninety Years of Age for the Private Use of his Daughters aforesaid and now made Publick at the Request of many 11. Chirurgus Marinus Or The Sea-Chirurgion Being Instructions to Junior Chirurgic Practitioners who design to serve at Sea in this Imploy In Two General Parts The First Part contains Necessary Directions how the Chirurgion should furnish himself with Medicines Instruments and Necessaries fit for that Office together with a Medicinal Catalogue and an Exemplary Invoyce The Second Part contains the Surgions Practice at Sea both Chirurgical and Physical which Practical part serves as well at Land as at Sea By John Moyle Sen. One of their Majesties Superannuated Sea Chirurgions 12. The History of Madamoiselle de St. Phale Giving a Full Account of the Miraculous Conversion of a Noble French Lady and her Daughter to the Reformed Religion With the Defeat of the Intriegues of a Jesuite their Confessor Translated out of French 13. Christ alone Exalted in Dr. Crisp's Sermons Partly confirmed in Answering Mr. Daniel William's Preface to his Gospel Truth stated by alledging Testimonies from Scripture and the Doctrine of the Church of England in the Book of Homilies establish'd by Law and other Orthodox Authorities Shewing How he had wronged as well the Truth as the said Doctor in the great Point of Justification by the Neonomian Doctrine These Four last Books are to be Sold by Henry Barnard at the Bible in the Poultrey Where is to be Sold at the same place the Book Entituled Christ made Sin Reader This Head is added it was not deliver'd in the Sermon