is the onely son the beloved son and you know how far an onely beloved son may prevail with his Father and not onely so but he is our Father likewise my Father and your Father saith Christ and the Father himself loveth you and therefore there is no question of prevailing for every good thing 2. There is assured application of the pardon of sin Christs sacrifice did purchase pardon but as he liveth in heaven a Mediator he applieth pardon by the purchase I saith Christ have given my life and blood for this poor sinner and therefore oh Father let him have pardon he shall have remission of all his sins 1 John 1. 9. and 2. 12. Therefore let it be your work beloved friends whose hearts are approaching to him to be by faith applying pardon and remission to your selves dayly for I know that you dayly need it and what ever is good for you believe it shall be done for the Father loves you and is as willing to do for you as your Advocate is to ask nay as you your selves can be to receive therefore no doubt of receiving what is good for you Onely here lieth the case your Father and mediator sees that to be good sometimes which you cannot see to be so and that makes you to dislike and it may be sees that would hurt you which you are willing to have and so denies you of it 1 In a word for the improving of the consolation of this doctrine call to minde the former truths viz. 1 The persons for whom he mediates 2 For what he mediates 3 The advantages that come thereby And make application to your souls and see if it fill not your hearts with all joy and peace in believing c. 2 Remember that it is a high and glorious state you are come unto above that under the law above all hypocrites formalists or notionists that trample underfoot this precious state In a word above all people in the world there is no higher estate attainable in this world then to come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and therefore Rejoyce in the Lord and again I say rejoyce and bless his name that hath brought you hither you are come to God to Christ to Angels to Saints to grace and shall come to glory 3 Improve this precious priviledge to the utmost come to God in the name of Jesus come with boldness to the throne of grace c. Let not thy imperfections and unworthiness keep thee back remember in all thy approches to God that Jesus the mediator is with him for thee and be even liveth to make intercession for thee be encouraged therefore to improve thy interest in this Mediator who will never fail thee nor forsake thee Object Oh! But may some poor souls say I am a sinner and am affraid and oft times to look up and am much discouraged by reason of the sinfull nature and the evil that doth attend me what may I do in this case Answ So much the more need man of a Mediator and so much the more need to be looking up and improving thy interest in heaven and know he is a Mediator for those that are sinners burthened with sin therefore let not that discourage thee from looking up to Jesus but rather look the more to him Object I know not oft times how to pray nor what to pray for as I ought Answ He knows what thy wants are and will pray for thee he is thy Mediator and he gives his spirit to intercede for thee with sighs and groans which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Therefore go to God in the name of Jesus be not discouraged but seek there and what ever you pray for let it be in the name of your Mediator In truth I do believe that the Lords people have failed much in this matter and to be much looking to God in our Mediator would be the way to prevail much with God John 16. 23. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name he will give it you And above all take heed that ye be not ensnared by the adversary to turn your back upon this blessed Mediator that is in heaven for his people This I may say is the last and the great snare of the devil at this day to destroy faith in this great truth of the Gospel and to prevail on poor creatures to turn their back on Christ Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant Tremble at this abomination be it under never so glorious a pretence And lastly let this be a word to invite and engage poor sinners to come in to Jesus to this Mediator to this covenant a high and glorious estate Oh let not any poor souls content themselves in any estate short of this short of Jesus the Mediator is nothing but death Consider what your souls need is and that he invites all burdened and heavy laden sinners to come to him Oh therefore away to Jesus there is love there is life there is pardon there is peace and in a word the perfection of all good but short of him there is nothing but wo and misery and death indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish on every soul that doth evil New Covenant Principles OF Gospel or New Covenant principles of Truth necessary to be known and believed by all the Saints for their being established and standing stable and sound in the Faith 1 Concerning God THat God is in his being Heb. 11. 6. Psal 46. 10. Isay 43. 12. And that there is but one God who is the Father of all 1 Cor. 8 4. Ephes 4. 6. Deut. 6. 4. That this one God is a Spirit John 4. 24. Who made all things by Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 2 3. Heb. 1. 2. Ephes 3. 9. Col. 1. 15 16. and that he is infinite in power wisdom grace and glory Gen. 17. 1. Psal 147. 5. Exod. 34. 6. Holy just eternal by his Spirit present in all places John 24. 19. Isa 5. 16. Lev. 19. 2. 20. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. Isa 45. 21. Heb. 3. 5. Isa 40. 28. Deut. 33. 27. Rom. 1. 20. Psal 139. 7 8 9. That his glorious majesty is in heaven 1 Kings 8. 30. Psal 11. 4. Eccles 5. 2. Dan. 2. 28. Matth. 5. 16. 45. 48. 6. 1 9. 7. 11 21. 10. 32 33. 12. 50. 16 17. 18. 10 19. Mark 11. 25 26. John 20. 17. Heb. 9. 24. 1. 3. 8. 1. And this one God is distinguished into Father Word and holy Spirit which three the word being understood the divine nature the fulness of the God head that dwelt in Christ is this one eternal infinite God Job 1. 1. Joh. 15. 26. 1 Job 5. 7. 2 Concerning Jesus Christ That Jesus Christ is truly God Is 9. 6. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Jo. 3. 16. and that from eternity with God Joh. 1. 1. filled with the divine fulness Col. 1. 19. 2. 9. the eternal Word and Son by whom all things were made
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
Joh. 2. 25. 5. 11. Promises to Apostates and backsliders that turn again to the Lord Hos 14. 2. 4. Joh. 3. from ver 12. to 23. 31. 18 19. 20. Promises to such as delight themselves to walk in the ways of God in obedience to him Joh. 7. 17. 8. 51. 14. 21. 23. 15. 15. 10. Prov. 10. 29. 30. Isay 64. 5. Rom. 2. 7. 10. Jam. 1. 25. Rev. 22. 14. Promises to such as forsake all for the sake of Christ and follow him Matth. 19. 21 29. Mark 10. 29. 30. Luke 8. 22. 29. 30. with these promises see Phil. 3. 7 8 9 10. Promises that God will never forsake his people Heb. 13. 5 6. Josh 1. 5. Deut. 31. 8. 1 Sam. 12. 22. Psal 89. 31 33. Isay 41. 17. 42. 16. made good 2 Cor. 4. 9. Jer. 51. 5. Promises that the Lords people shall not forsake him Jer. 32. 40. Psal 121. 7 8. Joh. 10. 28 29. hence the Apostle concludes 2 Tim 4. 18. Isa 54 9 10. Gen. 22. 18. Promises to Saints in their separation from the worships of the world and Babylon 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Rev. 18. 4. with these consider Isay 48. 20. Jer. 50. 8. 51. 6. Promises to hear and answer the prayers of his people put up in the name of Jesus Christ according to his will in faith Matth. 18. 19. 21. 22. 7. 7 8. Joh. 16. 23 24. 14. 13 14. Mark 11. 24. Luke 11. 9. 10. Acts 2. 21. 1 Joh. 3. 21. A promise to such as lend free looking for no reward or the like curtesie again Luke 6. 35. compared with cha 14. 13 14. the first is to be understood as the second A promise of union in the New Covenant between the believing Jews and Gentiles Joh. 10. 16. performed Ephes 2. 14 15 16 19. 3. 6. Promises of being taught of God Joh. 6. 45. 14. 26. Isay 54. 13. Jer. 31. 34. the way is by and in his word Isay 8. 20. Joh. 5. 39. Luke 24. 45. Promises that the holy Spirit shall open the mystery of Jesus Christ and testifie of him a clear distinction of the spirit of Christ from all false spirits that spirit that doth not testifie of Jesus Christ is of Antichrist and not of Christ Joh. 15. 26. and 16. 13 14. See the same after the apostasie and coming out of Babylon Rev. 19. 10 both compared with Acts 5. 32. Promises of relation 2 Cor. 6. 18. Joh. 1. 12. Mal. 3. 17. Hos 2. 19. 20 Promises that will be a support and comfort to Saints in all estates besides all that hath been already mentioned 1 Cor 10. 13. Rom. 8. 28. Rev. 2. 10. Promises of the conversion of the Jews that is a remnant from amongst all the tribes Rom. 11. 25 26 27 28 29. to 32. Rev. 7. 5 6 7 8. 14 3. and 16. 12. Ezek. 37. 21 22. 39. 25. to the end Isay 49. 6. 10. 14 15 18. to the end and 5. 7. throughout and 60. throughout and chap. 11. 11. to the end chap 62. and 63. throughout are meant chap. 6. 13. and 10. 20 21. Rom. 9. 27. Promises of the coming of Christ again from heaven Acts 1. 11. and 3. 19 20 21. 1 Thes 4. 16. Heb. 9. 28. and 10 37. Rev 1. 7. and 22. 28. Mat. 24. 30. and 25. 31. Promises of the resurrection of the dead and the change at the coming of Christ and gathering of all Saints to him Joh. 5. 28. 1 Thes 4. 16. Joh. 6. 44. 1 Cor. 15. 52. Rom. 8. 11. Mat. 24. 31. Promises of the kingdome and reign of Christ on earth Psal 72. throughout and 22. 28 29. and 2. 6 7 8 9. Isay 2. 2 3 4. and 9. 6 7. and 24. 23. Jer. 23. 5 6. and 33. 15. 6. 17. Ezek. 37. 24 25. Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 14 27. Zech. 14. 9. Luke 19. 12. Rev. 11. 15. 17. Promises of the Saints reigning with Christ in glory and wiping off all tears from their eyes 1 Pet. 5. 4. Col. 3. 4. Luke 12. 32. Matth. 25. 34. 46. and 13. 43. Joh. 14 23. Isay 32. 1. Rev. 20. 4. and 5. 9 10. and 21. 4. hence the Apostle concludes 2 Cor 4. 17 18. Promises to watchfulness Luke 12. 37. Rev. 16. 15. Luke 21. 36. The Priviledges of Saints arising and flowing from these precious promises 1 Relation children heirs of God and Joynt heirs with Christ 1 Joh. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 17. 2 To know the mystery of the kingdom and word and will of God which are hid from others Luke 8. 10. Matth. 13. 11. Psal 25. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 12 14 15. 3 Acceptation of their prayers and services with the Father a great priviledge and precious Oh that Saints would improve it Ephes 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 4 Strong grounds of consolation in all estates and under all temptations in this world Heb. 6. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Rom. 15. 4. 13. and 14. 17. 5 The Spirit and word of the Lord for their guide and rule for their sure and safe walking here in their imperfect state Acts 5. 32. Rom. 8. 9. 14. 2 Tim. 3. 14. to 17. ver 6 Ground to exercise faith and to live by believing that they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. 7 That notwithstanding their corrupt nature and body of sin which is now their trouble and the manifold difficulties and temptations they pass through from enemies within and without yet they shall assuredly be supported through all and in the end be delivered from all and shall possess the kingdom and the glory promised Joh. 14. 2 3. Col. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. In a word all the promises are so many priviledges to believers for they are in Christ all yea and Amen therefore let the Saints be acquainting themselves more with the promises although the enemies of the truth dare upbraid us in saying that our literal promises will not help us let them know that there are no promises but such as are literal e. i. recorded in the letter of the Scripture and all true believers have an interest in them through faith in Jesus and God will perform his good word in them therefore take them as your riches as your interest and right of making claim both to grace and glory for you have nothing here nor are like to have hereafter but what God hath promised in his word Oh therefore I say again acquaint your selves more with the promises live by faith in God for performing of them and fetch consolation and sweetness from them My desire is that this poor labour of your poor friend who desires onely to be a helper of your faith and joy may be useful for that end and I have my desire accomplished 1 King 8. 56. Blessed be the Lord that bath given to his people according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promise that he promised 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us clense our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 1 Thes 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these word Grace mercy and peace be with your spirits Amen FINIS
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
them up in subjection Ephes 6. 4. 4. To corect them as need requireth for their good Prov. 22. 15. 23. 13. 5. Not to be bitter to them nor provoke them to wrath Ephes 6. 4. 6. To bring them up in the education of some lawful calling Gen. 3. 19. 2 Thes 3. 10 11 12. Duties of children to their parents 1. To honour them and to have a high and reverend esteem of them Ephes 6. 2. 2. To obey them and be subject to them in the Lord Ephes 6. 1. Col. 3. 20. 3. To be helpful unto them in what they may stand in need of 1 Tim. 5. 16. with Joh. 19. 26 27. Matth. 15. 5. Mark 7. 11 12. Duties of masters to their servants 1. To give unto them that which is just and equal for their services Col. 4. 1. 2. To do to them that which is just and right forbearing or moderating threatning Ephes 6. 9. 3. To know that they themselves have a master in heaven to whom they must give an account with whom there is no respect of persons Ephes 6. 9. Col. 4. 1. 4 To instruct them in the fear of God and pray for them Gen. 18. 19. Col. 4. 2. Duties of servants to their masters 1. To obey their masters and do them service with singleness of heart as to the Lord Ephes 6. 5. Col. 3. 22. 23. Tit. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 18. 2. To be faithful in all things Ephes 6. 6 7. Gen. 24. 12 13 14. 27. 56. Tit. 2. 10. 3. To be profitable for their masters advantage Philem. 11. Mattb. 25. 30. 4. To be peaceable not answering again but to endeavour to please them in all things Tit. 2. 9. 5. To suffer from their masters with patience not onely for evil doing but for well doing 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20. Several useful and precious Promises of the New Covenant sutable to the several wants and conditions of believers while they are in the mortal and imperfect state as also some promises of the work of conversion and change of the heart 2 PEt. 1. 4. Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Cor. 1. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God Rom. 4. 3. What saith the Scripture Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness Ver. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in the faith giving glory to God Promises of the work of conversion and change of the heart Joh. 25. 6. 37. 10. 16. Isay 35. 5 6 7. Ezek. 11. 19. 36. 26. Promises of remission of sin to repenting believing souls Isay 55. 7. Jer. 31. 34. Micah 7. 18. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Prov. 28. 13. Acts 10. 43. Isay 33. 24. The bloud of Christ was shed for that end Matth. 26. 28. Promises of sanctifying and purifying of the heart and subduing of iniquity Mal. 3. 3. Heb. 9. 14. Isa 4. 3 4. 27. 9. Ezek. 36. 25. Micah 7. 19. Promises to the poor humble and meek in spirit Matth. 5. 3. Isay 66. 2. 57. 15. Psal 25. 9. 37. 11. 34. 18. 22. 26. 76. 9. Isay 29. 19. Psal 9. 18. Matth. 11. 29. Luke 18. 14. Zeph. 3. 12. 2. 3. Psal 76. 9 10. Promises to such as hunger and thirst after righteousness Mat. 20. 6. Luke 6. 21. Isay 65. 13. 41. 17 18. 44. 3. 55. 1 2. Job 6. 35. 37. Promises to those whose sins are a heavy burden to them of ease and healing in their coming to Christ Matth. 11. 28. Isay 45. 22 25. 53. 4 5 6. Isay 53. 5. Isay 57. 18 19. Promises to Saints that are poor in this world Jam. 2. 5. Luke 6. 20. Prov. 28. 6. 19. 1. Psal 132. 15. 34. 10. Matt. 6. 31 32 33. Promises to such as suffer reproach and persecution for the Son of mans sake or for any truth of his Mat. 5. 10 11 12. Luke 6. 22 23. Mat. 18. 19 22. 10. 19. Isay 43. 1 2. Psal 93. 3 4. Promises of power and strength against all enemies and temptations and of preserving sustaining and persevering grace Isay 40. 29. 31. 41. 10. 40. 11. 46. 3 4. Psal 29 11. 121. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 55. 22. Joh. 10. 28 29. hence the Apostle concludes Phil. 4. 13. Promises of deliverance Psal 100. 15. Isay 45. 17. Ezek. 34. 10. Psal 9. 17 18. 125. 3. Promises to Sions mourners Isay 61. 2 3. Mat. 5. 4. Luke 6. 21. Psal 126. 5 6. Isa 35. 10. 51. 11. Rev. 21. 4. Promises to such as in faith and love are pitiful and shew mercy in the distributing to the necessities of poor Saints for the sake of Christ Prov. 14. 21. Luke 14. 13 14. Heb. 6. 10. Prov. 28. 27. Ecles 11. 1. Prov. 19. 17. Psal 41. 1 2 3. Promises of the giving down of the holy Spirit Joh. 14. 16 17. 15. 26. 16. 7. Joel 2. 28. with Act. 2. 16 17. Isay 44. 3. 59. 21. Luke 11. 13. Act. 2. 38 39. Promises of and to such as fear God Jer. 32. 40. Eccles 8. 12. Psal 25. 14. 33. 18 19. 34. 7 9. 85. 9. 103. 13. 17. 111. 5. 145. 19. 115. 13. Promises to such as are not afraid nor ashamed to profess Christ and to follow him Matth. 16. 24 25. Mark 8. 34 35 36 37 38. Luke 9. 23 24. Joh. 12. 26. 8. 12. hence the Apostle concludes Rom. 1. 16. 2 Tim. 1. 12. and of such see Heb. 11. 16. 2. 11. Promises to believing Job 5. 24. 7. 38. 3. 15. 6. 35. 40. 11. 25 26. 14. 12. Mark 16. 16. Acts 10. 43. Rom. 9 33. Gal. 3. 22. 2 Thes 1. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Promises to such as persevere in faith and good works to the end and overcome all enemies and oppositions Matth. 10. 22. 24. 13. Mark 13. 13. Heb. 3. 6. 14. Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 26. 3. 5. 12. 21. 17. 26. 3. 5. 12. 21. 21. 7. Promises to such as seek the kingdom of heaven first and above all trusting the Lord with their bodies as well as their souls that may take off believers from covetousness and the carking cares of this life Matth. 6. 33. Luke 12 31. Psal 37. 3. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Heb. 13. 50. Promises that the just shall live by faith as well as it is their duty so to do Hab. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 3. 11. Heb. 10. 38. Promises of growth and increase in the Lords house Psal 92. 12. 14. Prov. 11. 28. Hosea 14. 5. 7. Mal. 4. 2. Promises of eternal life wherein the eternal state of Saints is stated and promised Joh. 10. 28. 6. 40. Rom. 6. 23. 1