justifying sanctifying preserving comforting and glorifying grace Grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from his People 4 I come now to the fourth particular proposed to wit the place where Jesus Christ mediates for his people and that is in heaven whither he ascended when he was taken up Act. 1. 10 11. A truth of special concernment for Saints to be established in for lose the place and lose the person and work and all at once A great cheat of the adversary at this day that perswades poor People of such a heaven and Christ within them as to deny and gain-say Christ and heaven above and pretend a supposition that if Christ be personally in heaven and by his Spirit in his people it must necessarily make two Christs But this is a truth and it concerns all true believers that expect salvation by Jesus Christ to believe and know That according to the Scriptures Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the work of mediatorship Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. â—2 Heb. 4. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest who is passed into the beavens Jesus the Son of God c. chap. 9. 24. Christ is entred into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Rom. 8. 33 34. It is God that justifieth c. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Thus you see its clear from the word of truth which I believe above all the fancies of men on earth That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the great work of mediatorship He is said to be ascended up far above all heavens Ephes 4. 10. that is above all the known heavens that are seen with the eye or understood in their motions by skill and Art of natural wise men called therefore the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. but I shall conclude this with Heb. 8. 1. We have such an high Priest who is sate on the right hand of the Throne of the majesty in the heavens And there it is he mediates and thither let the Saints look and there let their hearts and affections be Col. 3. 1. 2. 5 I shall pass to the fifth particular proposed viz. the manner how Jesus Christ performs this work of mediatorship and that is 1 By his bloud as he was a sacrifice 2 Vocally by word as he is a Priest and Son 3 Faithfully and tenderly 4 Powerfully and prevailingly 5 Particularly and distinctly for all Saints for all wants 6 Constantly to the end 1 Christ mediates with his bloud as he was a sacrifice for when he was on earth he offered up himself a sacrifice for the sin of sinners He then performed the Priestly work in offering himself but having offered up himself a sacrifice he is gone into heaven and makes good that sacrifice there The high Priest was a type of this in entring into the holy place and that not without bloud Christ is entred with his own bloud into heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 23. 24. And by his blood he mediates that is clear by the words immediately following my Text. Heb. 12. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel The blood of Christ pleads for the Lords people it was shed for them and therefore it pleads for them better things then that of Abel Abels blood cried for venvengeance but the blood of Christ crieth for mercy for poor sinners for the giving down the good things of the Covenant for which it was shed 2. He mediates vocally in behalf of his people He prayes for them as a son as a high priest that is the son of God consecrated for evermore And that Christ doth so will appear 1. From scripture 2. From reasons grounded upon Scripture 1. From Scripture the words of Christ are full and plain in this matter John 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter c. Here is Christs promise at his departure that he will pray c. And this is further clear chap. 16. 7. If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go I will send him c. that is I will pray the Father and he shall send him Obj. Christ saith chap. 16. 26. And I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you c. by this it seems that Christ will not pray vocally for his people in heaven Answ This being rightly understood no whit derogates from the truth in hand or the former promise of Christ that he would pray the Father for his people when he came to heaven but rather confirms the truth thereof it being usual in the holy Scriptures that when any thing of special concernment follows that which goes before is exprest with a not not to deny the thing but to confirm the truth and excellency of that which in that saying is most especially intended and yet that which is brought in with a not is as fully true as the other Instances are John 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to eternal life Doth Christ in this place forbid labour for the meat which perisheth no doubtless for it was given as a law afterwards that such as would not work should not eat and idleness is forbidden in all therefore that we are to understand is Labor not onely or chiefly for the meat which perisheth So 1 Cor. 1. 17. Paul saith I was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely or chiefâ—ly sent to baptize 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression Was not Adam deceived yea doubtless and in other places it is laid all upon him death came in by him but Adam sinned not alone nor was first in the transgression now the Apostle speaks of women and applieth the womans sin to women and saith Adam was not deceived Women should know that not onely Adam sinned but the woman sinned and was first in the transgression too so that these instances may serve to clear up our understanding of the words of Christ I say not that I will pray for you that is I say not onely that I will pray for you but as a farther ground of strong consolation The Father himself loveth you by which I am sure to prevail in what I pray for and this is evident for he had promised it before 2. I shall prove this from reasons grounded on the Scriptures Reason 1. From his praying for them when he was in this world in some sence more remote from the Father and less exercised in the work of mediation gives us strong and undoubted grounds to
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
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
4. Acts 2. 30. made of a Woman and declared to be the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead I say it concerns us to know and have faith in this Jesus thus Promised and Born and Crucified and Raised and Ascended into Heaven who is at the right hand of God Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject unto him A principle of truth it is being truly believed and lived in will preserve souls in life and truth and root out and vanquish the new Notions and imaginary fancies about Christ making Heaven and Christ and the right hand of God and all to be within them a bottomless fancy an imaginary Christ and salvation But to our work which is to exalt the true Christ whom God hath exalted and to honour him whom God the Father hath honoured John 5. 22 23. 2 Pet. 1. 16 17 18. In this Epistle our Apostle or Authour exalts Christ or rather discovers his exaltation by the father 1. Above Angels chap. 1 4. not onely above bad Angels but also good Angels 2. Above Moses chap. 3. 5 6. Moses a servant Christ a Son over his own house 3. Above the Priests or Priesthood under the Law chap. 5. and 7. and so consequently above the old Testament-Ministry and Ministration viz. in Authority Dignity and Excellency Hence he came to take away or put an end to that Ministry or Priesthood and Covenant which is the second special work of the Apostle in this Epistle and should be of all good men to exalt the New Covenant above the Old which is the truth declared in the Scripture read unto you viz. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second viz. The first or old Covenant or Testament that he might establish the second Now that it is the two Covenants that is here intended is clear for the word He and first and second are Relatives The word He relates to Christ chap. 9. v. 24. and 28. first and second relates to the first and second Covenants chap. 8. 6 7 8. called also the old and the new Covenants chap. 8. 13. So that the true sense and meaning of the words is this That God sent Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ came to take away the first the old Covenant that he might establish the second the new Covenant which we usually call the Covenant of grace because its the ministration of grace and all is grace from first to last in it So that the words afford us two lessons Doct. 1. That there is in Scripture held forth two Covenants the first and second or the old and new Covenant Doct. 2. That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and established the second Covenant Or thus That it was the will of God that Jesus Christ should come to take away the first covenant and â—stablish the second 1. That there is in Scripture held forth two Covenants the first and second or the old and new c. And my beloved friends this is a truth of very great and special concernment for every Christian to be acquainted with the distinction of the Covenants â—hat there are two covenants is clearly evident old and new first and second Jer. 31. 31 32. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judâ—h not according to the covenant I made with their Fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the Land of Egypt c. Mark you beloved it s a new covenant another covenant not such a covenant but a covenant distinct from that covenant where you have the first and and second the old and new in sense and substance So Heb. 8. 7. It s called the first and second for finding fault with the first he established the second where the Apostle makes application of Jer. 31. ver 8 9. For finding fault with them he saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant c. And vers 13 in that he saith a new he hath made the first old So that its a new covenant and not such a covenant a first and second a new covenant that hath made the first old And vers 6. the new covenant in opposition to the old is called A better covenant established upon better Promises But further Gal. 4. this truth is cleared by the Apostle in Sarah and Hager the free and Bond-women vers 22. which things are an allegory or these are the two covenants vers 24. And they are here held both to be two distinct covenants even as Hagar the Bond maid and Sarab the Free-woman were two And must be separated when the time was come so that the covenants of the Old and New Testament are not one as some imagine but two old and new first and second and that clearly to be distinguished and not confounded together no more then light and darkness The truth being thus cleared and proved by the Scritures of truth in my further proceeding I shall propose this method 1. To state the covenants as they are distinct both the old and new 2. Why they are called first and second old and â—â—w 3. To hold forth the difference between them 4. To answer such objections and queries as are or may be raised against or made concerning the truth in hand 5 The application To state the covenants as they are distinct both the old and new 1. Confirming the first or old covenant the quaere may be What we are to understand to be the first or old covenant In this I understand the Scripture to be clear that by the old covenant we understand the covenant that God made with the house of Israel when be brought them out of the Land of Egypt Jer. 31. 31 32. Where God promiseth to make a new covenant not such a covenant as he made with their Fathers when he took them by the hand to bring them out of the Land of Egypt So that the old covenant is that which God made with Israel when he brought them out of Egypt which was the covenant from Mount Sinai the Moral ceremonial and judicial Law The Moral Law being laid as the foundation of the whole for indeed that was the covenant in sum and substance the other was grounded on it the first table relating to God on which the ceremonial was built and was included the second to man on both which the judicial or political part of the Law was bottomed and so the whole indeed was moral in that ministration or Covenant And the moral Law viz. the ten commands or precepts are called the covenant answerable to Jer. 31. 31. in Deut. 5. 2. So that by the first covenant we are to understand the covenant or Law made with the children of Israel from Mount Sinai Exod. 19. and 20. chapters And this the Apostle clears Heb. 12. 18. We are not come to the mount that might not
own righteousness which is of the law But the righteousness of this covenant is the righteousness of Jesus Christ apprehended applied by faith even the righteousness that is of God by faith A blessed word to believers they stand to God not in their own righteousness but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ wrought for them revealed to and in them and applied The fourth difference between the two covenants is in the seed with whom the covenants were made and here lyeth a truth of very great concernment to distinguish between the distinct seeds of the covenants The seed with whom the old covenant was made were the natural seed of Abraham Viz. Such as came of Isaac the fleshly seed were the subjects of that covenant Take it first as made with Abraham in circumcision or after as it was inlarged from Mount Sinai it was given to the body of Israel to the fleshly seed and so it continued till Christ came Gen. 17. 7 8. But this new covenant is made with Christ and all the spiritual seed in him The new covenant knows no fleshly seed though old covenant spirited men are loath to know any other seed now then the fleshly seed yet account themselves instructed in the new covenant but the new covenant knowes no man after the flesh But if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away c. the new covenant knows none nor owns none to be the seed but such as are Christs If ye are Christs then are ye Arahams seed and heirs according to the Promise Gal. 3. 26. Be they Jew or Gentile there is no difference by nature all alike and by grace are the true seed of the covenant The elect obtains it and the rest are blinded Rom. 11. 7. Oh beloved it highly concerns every Christian to come to a right distinction in this matter the want whereof occasions the generality of the sons and daughters of men to content themselvs in the old nature under the covenant only the name of christian satisfieth or at best a little reformation old covenant zeal filled with pharisaical pride and self conceit of their own good estate making Christians by generation being strangers to the great new covenant work of regeneration and the birth from above I leave this with you my friends as an undoubted truth and true distinction between the covenants The one was with the fleshly seed the other with the spiritual even with Christ and in him with all the spiritual seed The fifth difference between the two covenants is in their Mediator that covenant had a mediator Gal. 3. 19. and that mediator was Moses he was the mediator of that covenant Deut. 5. 4 5. vers 4. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb vers 5. I stood between the Lord and you at that time See Exod. 19. But Jesus Christ is the mediator of this covenant Heb. 8. 6. But now hath he viz. Jesus Christ obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant A more excellent mediator a better covenant Sixthly The old and new covenants differ in their promises for they both had promises Hence it is that the Apostle speaking of the natural state of the Gentiles saith They were strangers to the covenants of promise Ephes 2. 12. Both had promises but distinct promises sutable to the nature of the covenants and the people with whom they were made Now the difference lay mainly in two things 1. In the matter promised 2. In the manner of the promise 1. In the matter the subject matter of the Old Testament promises consisted in outward things temporal worldly blessings so in circumcision Gen. 17. 8. I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the Land wherein thou art a stranger even all the Land of Canaan And Deut. 28. you may take a view of it at your leisure and clearly discern the promises and blessings of that covenant from vers 3. to vers 14. Blessed in the City and in the Field and in the fruit of the Body and of the Cattel c. so that they were all outward blessings So likewise Isa 1. 19. If you will be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land c. These and the like were the old Testament promises But the New Testament promises are of another nature not so much of outward blessings for God hath chosen the poor of this World rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom But they are spiritual and eternal blessings John 6. 40. This is the Will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the son and believeth on him may have everlasting life Luke 12. 32. Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Jam. 1. 12. The crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him Matth. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom and the like precious promises of the new covenant that relate to life and glory Hence it is that Gospel believers look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen 2 Cor. 4. 18. 2. In the manner of the promises The first were conditional as hath been proved Exod. 19. 5 6. Now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then shall ye be a peculiar treasure unto me c. Deut. 28. 1. But the promises of the Gospel-covenant are absolute as hath also been proved The Dead shall bear the voice of the Son of God c. And I will be their God and they shall be my People and they shall not depart away from me c. Thus they differ very much in the promises in which respect the new covenant is said to be established vpon better promises Heb. 8. 6. The promises of the old covenant were on condition of performance but gave no power but the new covenant promises make partakers of the Divine nature 2 Peter 1. 4. 7. They differ in their ministry and priesthood the ministry and priesthood of the old covenant was the tribe of Levie In particular the Sons of Aaron were for the priesthood and the rest of the tribe were the Levites to do other service and to minister before the Lord Exod. 28. Numb 1. 50 51. and chap. 8. 15. 19. But the Minister and High-priest of the new covenant is Jesus Christ himself who differs from the ministry and priesthood of the old covenant or Testament not onely 1 in his person being much more excellent and that on several accounts Heb. 5. 5. But 2. He was made a Priest with an oath which the Levitical priests were not Heb. 7. 20 21. And in as much as not without an oath he was made Priest for these were made without an oath but this with an oath by him that said unto him The Lord sware and will not repent c. 3 Christ was made
second covenant the truth consists of two parts 1 That Jesus Christ hath taken away the first the old covenant enough hath been said in this matter for confirmation already The many sayings in the Scripture to this purpose as that speaking of the old covenant It is abolished and done away that believers are not under it but under grace that they are dead to the law by the body of Christ And Heb. 8. 13. In that he saith a new he bath made the first old and in my text He taketh away the first that he might establish the second which is The second and special part of the truth I shall at present be improving the time about the establishing of the second covenant And the method I shall follow in the handling and opening of this great truth will be 1 To prove the truth from Scripture 2 To shew what this second covenant is in the matter of it as it s stated in the Scripture 3 Shew the nature of this covenant as it is in Christ and by him established 4 With whom this second covenant is established 5 The way by which Christ hath established this covenant 6 The grounds or reasons why Jesus Christ hath taken away the first and established the second covenant 7 The Application of the whole I shall begin with the first namely to prove the truth from Scripture that Christ hath taken away the first and established the second covenant My grounds to prove it are these 1 The Scripture witnesseth it the text is clear and full He taketh away the first that he might establish the second See Heb. 8. 13. In that he saith a new he hath made the fist old now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away And 2 Cor. 3. 6 7. 11. 13. The Apostle clearly states the two covenants the one he calls the Letter the other he calls the Spirit The old that was written in tables of stone and done away and abolished The new that of the Spirit which remains as most glorious and abiding in all which Scriptures the truth presented is fully and plainly proved 2 The Apostle applieth the new covenant to the present time and state Heb. 8. 8. to 13. chap. 9. 15. all which prove it to be established 3 The death of the Testator proves it Heb. 9. 16 17. For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator ver 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead This the Apostle urgeth to prove the new Testament to be of force because Christ is dead And therefore it concerns men to take heed how they deny this covenant to be in force for to deny the covenant is to deny the death of the Testator and to deny that is to deny the Gospel Oh therefore let men take heed how they deny the establishment of this covenant 4 Christ is the mediator of this covenant Heb. 9. 15. and he is not a mediator of a covenant not in force so that indeed to deny this new covenant to be established is no less then to deny the mediatorship of Christ for a mediator must be a mediator of some covenant or other and the old is done away that was not of grace but of works And the new is established of which Christ is the mediator So that Christ must be the mediator of this new covenant or of no covenant which I believe none that fear the Lord dare to deny 2 What this second or new covenant is and although I have already in the distinguishing of the covenants spoken to this I shall more distinctly in this place come to speak of the new covenant what it is And for my more clear handling of this great Gospel truth I shall 1. Distinctly state the covenant by it self 2. In its parts That so every true believer may not onely come rightly to understand the covenant but likewise to draw such consolation from it as God hath intended in it for his people for I do believe that darkness in this mystery hath occasioned many precious souls to lose very much of the precious consolation of the Gospel The Covenant then is Gods engagement and promise in Jesus Christ in way of covenant and â—â—th freely to do for work in and give to his people all things that may tend to make them truly and eternally happy and blessed To prove this to be the new and Gospel Covenant I must have recourse unto Gen. 12. 3. and chap. 22. 18. where is the covenant most lively stated and made to and with Abraham in Promise as it was to be promulgated when the fulness of time was come viz. In thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed and ch 22. 18. God upon Abrahams obedience in offering his son Isaac a lively type of Christ the true seed that was to be offered brings up his covenant into an oath and sware to Abraham that he would performe it that in thy seed shall all nations be blessed that is truly and eternally blessed Hence it is that in the new covenant the blessing is eternal life not onely life as in the old but eternal life And doubtless there is no blessing spiritual or eternal that the Saints are interested in but it is the blessing of this covenant and as God freely gives blessedness in this covenant so he works all things in his people in order to do it without which they could not be blessed and that is evident in the promise of this covenant Jer. 31. 31 32 33. I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts c. That is I will work a willing mind in them to what ever I do require of them in order to their true and eternal blessedness This is the new covenant that God in Christ the true seed hath interested all his people in Hence it is said that God made this covenant in Christ Gal. 3. 17. But second I shall come to open the covenant in its parts that so by faith we may such the sweetness of this honey and feed upon the marrow and fatness of the new covenant blessings for I do believe that there is not one promise I mean Gospel promise to a Christian but it is either a branch of or is stated in or upon the new covenant The branches or parts of the new covenant lie mainly as hath been minded in these three heads 1. Doing for his people all things that might tend to make them truly and eternally happy and blessed 2. Working in 3. Giving to 1. What he hath done for his people on the new covenant account consists especially in these two things 1. He loved them freely and that while they were enemies a wonderful mercy indeed He loved them before they were and so before they had any love to him Ephes 2. 4 5. But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were
these Promises are of three sorts 1 Of Acceptance 2 Of Assistance 3 Of Reward 1 Of acceptance in the work being well pleased with his people in their obedience to him on the account of grace received from him being made accepted in the beloved Ephes 1. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 3. Ezek. 20. 40. 41. Rom. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Of assistance in the work When the Saints are faithful in their duty to the Lord he will be with them to assist them 1 in their active service in doing Isay 40. 29 31. with Phil 4. 13. Therefore let us commit the keeping of our souls to him in well doing as to a faithful creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. z in their passive service in suffering Isay 41. 10. 43. 2. 3 Of reward Promises of life and salvation thus we shall finde the Saints helpt along in all ages They had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11. 13. 14 16 26. and doubtless the Lord hath not promised it but to the end his people might be comforted in it and incouraged in their duties to him Luke 12. 32 33. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. Although this be not the first moving cause of duty of God but conscience of the duty and the life and love we receive from him yet it is the duty of Christians to have this upon their hearts else they cannot glorifie God in the riches of his glory as well as his grace See Rev. 22. 12 13 14. The sixth and last I shall at present minde is affliction and judgement and this is clear God will afflict his people Heb. 12. from 5 to 10 verse and judge them too that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. God dealeth with his children as a father if love will not do it then the rod must So dealeth the Lord with his children and that not onely here but in the great day of accounts they must be judged according to their works and it may be suffer blame shame and loss too at that great day of the Lord 1 Thess 3. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 3. 13 14 15. Therefore let the Lords people be exercising themselves in these things and they shall finde them to be of singular use to help them forward in their Christian race and to enlarge their hearts and strengthen their hands in the Lords work sutable to his will in the new covenant of his grace But I shall at present proceed no further in this matter but come to speak something more distinct to the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ who is the Mediator of the New Covenant A truth it is of great and special concernment for the Saints to be acquainted with that they may be exercising their faith therein and thereby be drawing such sutable consolation to their souls there from as God hath intended in it and as doth concern them to their comfortable walking with God Christ the Mediator Of The New Covenant Heb. 12. The beginning part of the 24. verse And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. HAving gone through the stating and distinctions of the first and second covenants and the establishing of the second the new covenant and doing away the old I shall now come to treate more distinctly of the Mediatorship of the new covenant and the Scripture presented to you leads us clearly to the Mediator of the new covenant that is Jesus Christ To Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant The apostle or author of this Epistle as his work is to exalt Christ and the new covenant above Angels and Moses and that of the old as hath been already mentioned So in this chapter especially from verse 18. to the end of the 24. he presents both the Hebrews to whom he wrote and us with the excellency of what believers are come to in the new covenant beyond what they were come to in the old and so the excellent state of believers in the new covenant above what it was in the old And this is stated in two particulars 1 Negatively what they are not come to from ver 18. to 22. wherein one great part of the blessing of the Gospel consists that we are not come to that which the people in the old covenant came to in that covenant to wit in the ministry thereof although that was glorious 2 Cor. 3. 7. 2 Affirmatively what they are come to ver 22 23 24. wherein another great part of the Gospel consists That we are come to that which the people of the old covenant came not to in that covenant even to that which exceeds in glory 2 Cor. 3. 8 9 10. of which that I have read to you is a part And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. In which words are three truths or doctrines included 1. That Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant 2. That true believers are come to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant 3. That to be truly come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old but because I desire brevity I shall gather up the sum of the whole in this one conclusion Doct. That true believers are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant which is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old covenant This truth hath three parts in it 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 2. That believers are come to him as he is Mediator 3. That this is a high and glorious attainment c. Part. 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant In the opening and handling of which I shall follow this method 1. Shew what a Mediator is or what the word Mediator signifies 2 To prove the truth of the doctrine that Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 3. The persons for whom he is a Mediator and the matter for what he mediates 4. The place where he mediates for them 5. The manner how he is in the performance of this work 6. The priviledges and advantage that come to Saints by the mediatorship of Christ 7. The reasons why the new covenant that is all grace and absolute must have Christ to be the Mediator of it 1. What a Mediator is The word Mediator signifieth a middle person or one between It s taken from an Umpire or middle person that is chosen between two at difference to make up the breach between them And this is it I understand Job intends in his complaint Job 9. 33. Neither is there any dayes-man or Umpire betwixt us that might lay his hands upon us both Under his affliction he saw the want of such a one between God and him and doubtless he relates to Christ being low in his faith in this matter under his pressing affliction But now Jesus Christ is the dayes-man the middle person that is come between God and his people which is the second
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. 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.