of living Waters Psa 36.9 Jer. 17.13 Mal. 4.2 Col. 2.3 9. Joh. 1.16 of Light Life and Spirit the Sun of Righteousness in whom all Light Life and quickning is in whom the fulness of the Spirit of life is and from whom it flows and so those that through Grace believe on him receive of his fulness and see light in his light and so in beholding of and believing in him the same Spirit that is in him floweth into them Joh. 3.6 and effecteth the minde and disposition of Christ in them which is also called Spirit in which respect Christ is said to dwell in them and the Holy Spirit is said to dwell in them who as proceeding from Christ and remaining in him so he entreth their hearts and worketh this new Spirit or disposition in them and by his light and operations dwelleth in it and so in them and this Spirit effected in them and dwelling in them they have derivatively from Christ and it cannot be had divided from him but they believing in him Eph. 3.16 17. have it of and from him and him within and by it and so they have him and this Spirit of and from him in their hearts by Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 1 Ioh. 4.4 and it is in them a Spirit of Faith the Spirit of Power of Love and of a sound minde and this Spirit dwelling in them is greater and stronger then the Devil that is in the World so that they may full readily mix the Promises with Faith 1 Ioh. 5.4 5. yea and believing in the Son of God overcome the World their Faith being their Victory whereby they overcome And thus we have seen the Promises to Believers in their spiritual frames and exercises are many the Promises to them abiding in the Faith given them are many the Promises that they may abide many and the helps for their abiding many and all gracious from the Almighty God of Truth through the Mediator to Believers to whom Faith is given that they may and whoever as they may mix the Promises with Faith and so accepteth the Grace given may have the Assurance of Faith even for his perseverance in which the following Promises will be still farther helpful also let them be considered CHAP. 5. Of the Promises to be fulfilled to Believers after this Life THe fourth sort of Promises are those which are to be performed to Believers when they have lived and died in the Faith when their Battel is fought their Race run and so they have finished their Course and kept the Faith and so overcome The Promises to be then performed to them be great precious and of three sorts 1. Such as are to be performed to them at their death as all shall but such as survive at the coming of the Lord to whom such Promises not needful nor suffer they loss 2. Such as are to be performed at the Resurrection of the Just in the personal coming of the Lord. 3. Such as are to be performed when Christ delivers up the Kingdom to God the Father and so God is All in all I shall according to what I finde hint somewhat of each I. For the Promises that shall be performed to Believers at their death 1. They shall rest from their labours sorrows Rev. 14.13 Isa 26.20 21. 57.2 Ioh. 3.17 18. Zach. 9.11 12. 1 Thes 4.14 Ioh 17.13 16. 19.25 27. combates with temptations being kept as in Chambers of safety till the indignation in which the inhabitants of the earth shall be punished have gone over them all yea they shall enter into peace their bodies resting in the earth in their several places as in beds of peace and though in respect of the enjoyment of the great hope their bodies be as Prisoners yet are they at rest and free from all trouble and fear and so Prisoners of hope that sleep in Jesus and shall be raised at his coming to see him and come with him so it is a blessed sleep and rest 2. Their Spirits or Souls shall walk in their uprightness in the presence of Christ their Righteousness and under his Wings Isa 52.2 Rev. 6.9 10 11. Phil. 1.21 23. 2 Cor. 5.1 2 6 7 8. as the Altar of safety and solace enjoying a more full sight of the Person of the Lord Jesus and being nigher and having more full fellowship with greater rejoycings in him and with him and with the Spirits of just Men made perfect of which they now are then ever they did or could have enjoyed Heb. 6.12 15. 4.3 4 10. while they were in mortal bodies in which respect as touching their Souls they may be said to inherit the Promises to enter into rest and in both these respects the day of their death is better to them then the day of their birth was 3. Their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 Ioh. 15.16 2 Pet. 1.15 1 Tim. 6.14 2 Ioh. 8. 1 Thes 2.19 20. 2 Cor. 10.15 16. Heb. 11.4 12.1 that which through Faith working by love they have done in their preaching the Testimony of Christ their works of mercy their prayers their sufferings and constancy therein in bearing witness to the Truth and against Antichrist have not only had their fruits for holding forth the Faith and winning in others to God in their life-time but in the efficacy of the Truth witnessed by them in preaching and suffering in answer of their prayers and the memory of their good examples their fruits shall remain yea also multiply and encrease upon their account after their decease II. For the Promises to be performed to them at the coming of the Lord Jesus in and at the Resurrection of the Just they are of great and glorious things as to instance some of them 1. Their Bodies shall be raised again not corruptible 1 Cor. 15 23 42 45 52. 1 Thes 4.16 Phil. 3.21 Mat. 22.30 weak and mortal as before they had been but incorruptible powerful immortal and glorious at the very coming of Christ yea so as they shall be as the Angels of God though not Angels and Spirits onely Mar. 15.25 Luk. 20.35 36 Rom. 8.23 yet as the Angels and spiritual equal to the Angels for impossibility of dying or falling for strength agility swiftness of motion in ascending or descending and moving every way Thus shall their bodies be raised and united to and possessed of their own perfect Souls or Spirits for ever being both moved and carried about by the divine power 2. 1 Thes 4.17 Isa 9.4 5 6. 11.4 30.27 28 60.12 Zach. 14.5 2 Pet. 3.7 See Part 2 ch 17. Being so raised and made spiritual and glorious in Soul and Body they shall in a moment ascend and meet the Lord in the Air and so be ever with him yea come along with him to that great Battel in which shall be no carnal Sword no confusion no garments of any Saints rolled in blood and yet the
Prov. 1.22 23. 9.2 6. Isa 55.2 7. of the Promises of God in the three several Heads or Branches it appears That the Love and Free-Grace of God in all appearing hath enough in it to call and draw in the worst of Men and Unbelievers that hear it Rev. 22.17 Joh. 3.33 Rom. 3.4 1 Joh. 5.10 to repent and believe and to confirm the Faith of Believers and to lead â—em to the assurance of Faith for perseverance Oh that Men would believe God more then Men and not make him a liar to justifie Men and surely the Covenants of God are suitable to the Gospel of God and his Purposes and Promises of which next An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART VI. CHAP. I. Of the Covenants of God with the two publick Men. THE Covenants of the Lord are sure and according to his terms of covenanting shall certainly be performed to every Iota but those I am now to consider be such as pertain to life and godliness and so to Salvation And therefore I shall endeavour to set them forth as upon search in and by the Scripture understood according to the Testimony of Christ I finde them either made or promised to be made beginning with those already made and so I shall begin with the two publick Men the first Adam and the second Adam I. What the Covenant made with the first Adam was is not exprest but as it may be gathered by the story and elsewhere in Scripture what such great goodness extended obligeth to and so it cannot be denied but that the Grace of God in the Creation of the Heaven and Earth and a world of Creatures for Man and Man himself in the Image and likeness of God and making him a publick Man and common Father of all Mankinde that were to proceed naturally from him and set him in a place of pleasure and appointed him a service of delight in dressing the Garden making him Lord of all the Creatures below affording him Liberty of Communion with the Creator and a Tree of Life on which eating he might be immortal and live for ever This did oblige him to believe and acknowledge the Word Wisdom Power Truth Love and Goodness of God his Creator and therein to love the Lord his God with all his Minde Heart Soul and Strength and his Neighbour even all Mankinde that was to come of him as himself and so to walk in this belief of God and love of God and his Nieghbour doing whatever God should say unto him from that natural Principle of Righteousness God had implanted in him and though this was to works yet I cannot for all this say God made with him and put him under a Covenant of works to do and live or by doing such things to live not onely because I finde no Record of any such thing imposed by such an Obligation from God on him nor engaged and promised so on the part of Adam but because God in breathing into him the breath of life and making him a living Soul Gen. 2.7 1 Cor. 15.45 Gen. 1.27 Eccles 7.29 Col. 3.10 did so frame him to the likeness of God in Righteousness and Holiness inspiring such a Disposition into his Soul and Aptitude into his Faculties Parts and Members that it was natural to Adam and he freely inclined so to love God and his Neighbour and apted with motion and strength to have walked out in that love yea as natural as for the Sun to give light or the Fire heat or the Earth to bring forth its fruits so as no outward imposed or inforced Law was needed nor was he under the power of any such either to charge or to accuse or excuse If any reply That he was under a Covenant of works because he was set to dress the Garden Gen. 2.8 15. I answer That God put the Man in the Garden to dress it and to keep it is true but That he made that as a Covenant of Works to put Adam under a Covenant of Works it being so easie and delightful it doth no more appear to me then God calling a People out of Darkness and Bondage into Light and Freedom chusing them in and building them on his Son to offer up by him spiritual Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 9. Luk. 1.74 75. and shew forth his praises and serve him in Righteousness and Holiness should be a putting them under a Covenant of Works If it be replied That the Lord commanded the man saying Of every Tree in the Garden eating thou shalt eat or Gen. 2.16 17. thou maist freely eat but of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for c. I answer This implies that Adam knew the Nature of all the Trees and shews the great Liberty that God gave him in his delightful business of dressing the Garden to eat of them all but one and shewed him the danger of eating of that one to keep him from it and therein gave him both the Oportunity and Liberty of exercising the Freedom of his Will in shewing forth his well-pleasedness with and freeness of abiding in the way of his Creator which else he had been in a sort necessitated to and could not have shewn forth that Freedom as now he might And this is not like a Covenant of Works enjoyning Works unless any will have a ceasing from one Work to be the Works to which if any should tempt him he could not plead want fasting Mat. 4.2 hunger all which was on him that overcame to weaken or necessitate him to it and the Truth is 2 Cor. 11.3 See Part 1. ch 9. 10. Had he abode in the belief of the Word of the Lord he had not eaten of it and so fallen So that by all I can finde The first Adam was under a Covenant of Grace Grace obliging and Grace given leading and so at least a gracious Covenant and so was all Mankinde at first in him during his innocency unless one should deny any thing freely from God to be of Grace and free and undeserved Favour but onely forgiveness of sins and that which follows thereupon and so exclude not onely Adam in his innocency but the Holy Angels also from being under Grace or free Favour But Adam in the Female first and then thereby in the Male listened to the Tempter questioning the Truth and meaning of the Import of the plain Saying of the Lord and so let go his Faith or believing of God's Word and so eat and sinned and fell Gen. 3.1 7. Rom. 5.12 18. and so all Mankinde sinned and fell in him and so in this his fall he lost his righteous Disposition and aptitude to love God and his Neigbour the Law of Righteousness was now out of his heart and a contrary Disposition sprung up therein from the poysonous VVord of the Serpent received and so he and all Mankinde in him fell under the Covenant and Law
their Nature that is rather to be applied to those forementioned to be excluded mentioned in his 402 page then to these mentioned in stating the Question for if by Nature he mean as Men are naturally Gentiles and so not of Abraham's Family and so not naturally under the Hope of that Covenant made with him then I suppose he will confess these to be changed in Nature Mat. 28.19 Rom. 11.24 Eph. 2.11 12 13. in being by the Gospel brought into Abraham's Family If by Nature he mean a change in the Minde Will and Affection and so in the disposition and inclination himself hath confest this of these 1 Ioh. 5.1 If by Nature he mean some beginning of the Divine Birth opposed to the Humane then those that believe that Jesus is the Christ are so far born of God and himself confesseth they have somewhat produced in all the faculties of their Soul by the Spirit subordinate to like and suitable to the great Work of Regeneration Luk. 20.36 Rom. 8.23 Phil. 3.13 13 21. and that is not compleat till the Resurrection from the Dead And so if by Nature he mean the Nature of Man that is yet mortal to be made immortal the best Saints have it not yet but do wait for it to be compleated in the Resurrection which these he confesseth pag. 423. hope for And this I add As he hath professed himself not to mean ceremonial or seeming Holiness so I confess Rom. 1.7 8. 1 Cor. 1.1 9. 6.2 11. Eph. 1.1 13. Phil. 1.1 6. That in the Scripture since Christ his Ascension into Heaven none are called Believers and Saints upon account of any Faith and profession of Faith that is not saving and such as in which Men continuing Col. 1.2 4 22 23. they shall undoubtedly be saved as is foreshewn Part 4. Chap. 4. and Chap. 5. And thus I have according to his own Rule onely taken away those things which cannot be in the Faith and Holiness that is true in its kinde CHAP. 3. Of those things that are right and good in this description of the Faith and Holiness that is true in its kinde IN this Description of Faith and Holiness these things are very good and true 1. That the thing they are enlightned in convinced by and so believe Rev. 19.10 Gal. 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 it is the Truth proposed and preached to them page 423. Chap. 17. Now if it be the Truth it can be no other nor less then the Testimony of Christ and if called Truths they can be no other then the sayings in and according to that Testimony as namely That Jesus is The Christ The Son of the living God The Saviour of the World that he came into the World to save sinners that he died for our sins and rose for our justification and gave himself a Ransome for all and is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World that Repentance and Forgiveness of sins is preached to them in his Name that this Word is nigh to them that they might believe and even therefore preached to them that they might obey in believing and so be reconciled to God and be saved and that he is at hand in this day of gracious Declaration to succour them and that whoever believeth in him shall not perish but receive Forgiveness of sins and so be saved and have eternal life and that he ever liveth to intercede for them that come to God by him being able to save them to the utmost and that he will come again and receive them to himself and judge his and their Enemies c. These and such-like and none contrary to these are the Sayings of Truth and so in and with these Sayings the Oblation and Intercession and coming again of Christ and therein so far the Purposes and Promises and Covenants of God have been proposed and preached to them as is largely shewn in this Treatise if they have had Gospel-Preachers which is taken as granted in this business and this Gospel the Truth and Sayings of Truth that they are convicted by enlightned in and believe so in this we agree their Faith in respect of the Truth the Object believed is right 2. That this their Faith is not of their acquiring got by their strife and reasoning but by the Truth preached to them Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.21 2 Thes 1.10 and the work of the Holy Spirit therein witnessing of Christ illuminating their Mindes and working upon their Hearts so framing them to assent to and be perswaded of the Truth and Goodness of the Testimony and so to believe and in this we agree with Truth this believing and so this Faith is right 3. That the Spirit is in this Grace believed so effectually working in all the Powers of the Soul Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 1.5 that he frames them to inward sorrow for their former Unbelief and Rebellions against so gracious a God and Repentance for their former evil Thoughts Affections and Wayes and so changeth their Affections and produceth in them Faith and Confidence in God and hope of eternal Life and so springs up love joy zeal and ravishing consolation In all which it appears a lively Faith and in this we agree with the Truth This Faith is right true and living 4. That these inward operations of the Spirit lead to 2 Tim. 2.2 1 Iam. 2.18 25. and bring forth amendment of Life Obedience to and Profession of the Faith and walking with God in which they become Vessels in the House of God that do worthily in their Generations which none can do but such as are purged and made fit for the Master's use And this demonstrates and justifies the Truth and Goodness of their Faith and so right and good 5. That all this Faith Zeal Obedience and Profession is not counterfeit but true in its kinde the kinde can be no other but that which is suitable to Christ the Object the Spirit the Worker and the Gospel the Instrument for there is not another Jesus nor another Spirit nor another Gospel true in its kinde either for object of Faith or begetting Faith and these Believers are affirmed to be no Hypocrites in the proper sense of the word 1 Pet. 2.1 2 3. as for some hypocrisie to be by Grace resisting and casting out this may be found in the best of Saints on earth 6. That these Believers may abide to the death yea give their Bodie to be burned and die with rejoycing in this Faith To all which I assent If any say Mr. Owen saith not thus I answer If he speak of the Gospel of Christ and the Belief and Obedience and Profession thereof he hath said no less then all this by many and plain expressions as may be seen in his stating the Question and going over it again page 10. and 423. nor is here any thing put by and taken out but according to his own direction and rule
elect Surely the faith so set forth Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. is even so in respect of any other gifts upon any account by men called Faith Eph. 4.4 5. 2.8 For in Scripture we finde but one true faith and that is the gift of God The object held forth for faith one the Gospel discovering it one and the Spirit witnessing and calling in that Gospel to that object one his light and motion Pages 217 218 from the free grace of God discovered drawing to beleeve in Christ draws into one and worketh one faith and there is not another as is shewn before As for that in Tit. 1.1 the Apostie was setting forth to Titus the Grace of his Apostleship And in and according to what it was to be exercised Ro. 1.1 2 3 4 5. 16.25.26 Eph. 1.3 12. Gal. 1.11 12. Tit. 1.1 Isa 43 1. Mat. 12.18 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 1.5 16 26. uttering in few words that he did to the Romans in more words and to the Ephesians and to the Galatians and other Churches And so here by Gods elect is primely meant Jesus Christ who is Gods elect and his beloved Son And so the faith of Gods elect and the faith of the Son of God is all one and the same faith And by faith is here meant primely The doctrine of Faith in which Jesus Christ is set forth and this preached for the obedience of faith that men might beleeve it and so come in to the acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness in the hope of eternal life which is set forth in this Gospel 2 Thes 2.14 Gal. 1.23 This the same faith which Paul when Saul sometimes persecuted and after his conversion preached so that we have here plainly set forth to us 1. The testimony of Christ who is Gods elect his Son The Word our Saviour and the medium and Doctrine setting him forth in these words The faith of Gods elect And 2. Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 18. The repentance from dead works and faith towards God which it calleth to teacheth requireth and worketh 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. Rom. 1 1-3 16 25 26. in these words The acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness And 3. The blessing and hope in such repenting and beleeving to be met and enjoyed in these words In hope of eternal life c. Is not this the same with that in other places And is not this that which God promised before the world began before there was any beginning of increase or society for multiplication only creatures made and man fallen God then promised the sending of his Son and this manifestation of him and eternal life in him and so by him to call and give eternal life in him 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 1 Joh. 1.2 3 5.10 11 12. Col. 1.26 27 28. Eph 3 3-9 Rom. 16.26 and through him to all that beleeve in him And now God hath manifested this in sending forth his Son and through Gospet-preaching declared and made it known that men might beleeve and in beleeving have eternal life And this the very same so set forth and exprest in many other places so that here is the compleat object and foundation of faith Gods elect the medium of declaring the word manifested through preaching The true beleeving The acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness And the blessed hope given and received in such beleeving The hope of eternal life and the ground of the certainty of this hope The Almighty that is All-sufficient God that cannot lye that is Truth it self he hath promised it even when mankind was fallen in enmity and weakness before the beginning of any increase or rising and hath since confirmed it by oath to Abraham Gen. 3.15 22.17 18. Isa 55 14 5. And he hath given a testimony of his love truth and righteousness in beginning to fulfil his word in that he hath sent forth his Son and delivered him up for us all and according to his will and command causeth the same to be preached Now when any through this testimony of God concerning his Son what he laid aside what he became and suffered for us what he is and is become and hath to bestow on us And so the love of God to mankinde appearing through him Rom. 4.23 24 25. 5.1 2 3. 2 Thes 2.13 14 1 Pet. 1.2 2 3 5 9. is thereby convinced and brought in to beleeve in Jesus Christ the elect of God so as he is therein broken off from all other confidences and delights to confide in God that raised Christ from the dead through him to save renue and preserve them in and by his grace to eternal life through this beleef of the truth and sanctification of the Spirit they are chosen into union and fellowship with Christ and conformity to him These are in 2 Pet. 1.1 Tit. 1.4 Jude 3. Tit. 1.9 2.2 11 12 13.14 3.4 5 6 7. and through Christ the elect of God and have the like precious faith with the Apostles And thus was Titus Pauls son after the common faith which is also called The common salvation and the faith which was once delivered to the Saints The faithful word to be holden fast The faith that beleevers are to be sound in explicated to Titus in the foundation and teachings of it And in the manner and gracious ends of its operation where the fountain streams effects and hope are exprest and opened so as we may be sure This is that common salvation common faith The faith once delivered to the Saints called also The faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 Rom. 3.3 Act. 14.24 Jam 2.1 Rev. 14.12 Phil. 1.27 The faith of Gods elect yea the faith of God and the faith of Christ the faith of our Lord Jesus And the faith of the Gospel And I hope none will say This is Gods peculiar manner of beleeving or Christ his beleeving or the Gospels beleeving nor that the faith of Gods elect was the peculiar manner of beleeving in Christ distinct from others beleeving in Christ which Paul sometime persecuted and now preached and yet no record of it so that this of Tit. 1.1 2 3 9. agrees in one and the same faith set forth Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. And for this that God did from eternity elect a certain number of men that were to come of Adam from the rest of mankinde to Son-ship and eternal life and that he gave these to Christ to dye for them and that these shall in due time be invested with a peculiar faith and holiness and that by his Spirit witnessing of Christ he will work a faith and holiness really true in its kinde in others of the sons of men for whom Christ dyed not when such as have it cannot be eternally saved by it but are capacitated thereby to sin against the Holy Ghost which in falling away they do and though they abide in this
purgation of sins past To provide that he might have power and authority ana wherewith to provide for following sins that he might in his season raise and judge all men and have an inheritance for his c. pag. 94. Chap. 8. To and for what end he therefore offered this sacrifice pag. 110. Chap. 9. An Antidote against some unsound Expressions pag. 116. Chap. 10. Some Instructions from the Gospel-Tespimony concerning the Oblation of Christ pag. 124. Chap. 11. The use Ministers of the Gospel are to make of this Doctrine in ministring pag. 130. The second Branch Chap. 12. Of the Mediation and Intercession of Christ in general pag. 136. Chap. 13. Of his Mediation and Intercession more special pag. 143. Chap. 14. Of the excellency and prevalency of Christ his mediation c. pag. 149. Chap. 15. Answer to some aspersions cast on professors of this Truth pag. 154. The third Branch Chap. 16. Of the coming again of Christ and the manner thereof pag. 157. Chap. 17. Of the ends of the coming again of Christ viz. To raise the just To overthrow all worldly powers To restore all things and To take to him his great power and raign pag. 160. Chap. 18. Of the things considerable about the Kingdom of Christ viz. The place of his Kingdom The place of his Throne The extent of the Dominion The manner of the Kingdom The prosperity and beauty of it and The duration pag. 165. Chap. 19. Of the Time of his coming again pag. 174. Chap. 20. Application of this Branch of the Testimony in cautions against seducers and Admonition to some Brethren and Exhortation to all Believers pag. 187. Chap. 21. The Conclusion in summing up the whole Testimony with the efficacy of it pag. 196. PART III. A Declaration of the several Revelations of Christ Chap. 1. The first Revelation of Christ in Paradise with the evidences Teachers and their Furniture pag. 201. Chap. 2. The second Revelation of Christ was to Abraham c. pag. 210. Chap. 3. The third Revelation of Christ was in Moses time and the chosen Ministers for it and their Furniture pag. 215. Chap. 4. The fourth Revelation of Christ and his Kingdom in David's time pag. 223. Chap. 5. The fifth Revelation of Christ and the things of Christ to and by the following Prophets pag. 227. Chap. 6. The sixth Revelation of Christ of his person and personal coming in the flesh in John Baptist's time pag. 231. Chap. 7. The seventh and fullest and last Revelation of Christ that shall be till his coming personally again which is by his own acting pag. 236. Chap. 8. And by his personal and vocal teaching c. pag. 238. Chap. 9. And by pouring forth the Holy Ghost on the first Witnesses pag. 251. Chap. 10. Of the prime way of making Christ known according to this fullest Revelation of him pag. 255. Chap. 11. Of the chosen Witnesses Ministers to declare this revelation pag. 260. Chap. 12. Of their Furniture of spiritual Blessings pag. 263. Chap. 13. Of the Furniture of spiritual gifts the first Witnesses had pag. 274. Chap. 14. Of their peculiar confirming Furniture pag. 280. Chap. 15. Of the Furniture of the following Witnesses till Chr. come again pag. 287. Chap. 16. Of the helps given these in respect of occasions for Church-Government while they may till Christ come again pag. 299. Chap. 17. A Corollary from the Testimony of Christ thus revealed in the three Branches of it and therein of the oneness degrees of faith pag. 307. PART IV. A Declaration of the Purposes of God Chap. 1. Of the Purpose of God in general pag. 315. Chap. 2. Of Cautions to be heeded to prevent mistakes pag. 318. Chap. 3. The Purposes of God concerning the publick spiritual man pag. 328. Chap. 4. The Purposes of God concerning Mankinde through Christ pag. 337. Chap. 5. Of the Purposes of God concerning Believers pag. 348. Chap. 6. Who they are that are the called according to Purpose pag. 354. Chap. 7. The foreknown predestinated called justified and glorified pag. 361. Chap. 8. A consideration of the Purpose of God as exprest by some pag. 372. Chap. 9. An Answer to those that assert the eternal Purpose of c. pag. 381. Chap. 10. What the Foundation is pag. 389. Chap. 11. Of a devised Purpose by some called The Purpose of God pag. 399. Chap. 12. The Conclusion about the Purposes pag. 410. PART V. Of the Promises of God that are the declarers of his Purposes Chap. 1. Of the Promises of God of Christ to Mankinde and to Christ and through Christ to Mankinde and to them as yet in ignorance and to them as their eyes are opened and when they believe pag. 412. Chap. 2. Promises to such as are indeed Believers in spiritual frames c. and to them abiding in the Faith pag. 420. Chap. 3. Promises to Believers that they may abide in the Faith pag. 425. Chap. 4. Helps to mix faith with the Promises so the assurance of perseverance by cautions instructions assurance inward helpfulness pag. 430. Chap. 5. Of Promises to be fulfilled to Believers after this life pag. 438. Chap. 6. How the knowledge of the Promises is instructive to the right understanding some sayings of Scripture pag. 443. Chap. 7. Direction to know to whom the Promises belong pag. 457. PART VI. Of the Covenants of God sutable to his Purposes Promises Chap. 1. Of the Covenants of God with the first publick man and with the second publick man pag. 461. Chap. 2. Of the Covenant of God made through Christ with mankinde the Covenant with Noah pag. 468. Chap. 3. Of the Covenant of God as made with Abraham pag. 474. Chap. 4. Of the Covenant made with Israel in Moses time pag. 481. Chap. 5. Of the Covenant made with David concerning the kingdom pag. 486. Chap. 6. Of Christ given for a Covenant and what it implies and something about the New Testament pag. 490. Chap. 7. The New Testament what it is pag. 498. Chap. 8. The eternal Covenant compleatly to be made in performance pag. 509. Chap. 9. The things to be done in making this Covenant pag. 518. Chap. 10. Some usefulness of the discovery of the Covenants pag. 524. Chap. 11. An Answer to a seeming cross expression to this pag. 528. PART VII Of the Question stated by some concerning two kinds of faith Chap. 1. Of the Question as stated for the first kinde of Faith pag. 534. Chap. 2. A removing of misconceits and of those things mentioned which are no parts of Faith pag. 536. Chap. 3. A Confession of those things that are right and good in the Question stated pag. 544. Chap. 4. Of the Faith as set forth in Heb. 6. where what meant by the word of the beginning of Christ What by then leaving that word For what cause then so to leave it What to go on to perfection pag. 547. Chap. 5. What the Foundation and what the Principles built on it Of Repentance from
the Testimony of CHRIST according to the plain sayings of the GOSPEL PART I. CHAP. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error ISa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it 's because there 's no morning or Light in them Now God hath according to his Promise given forth his Son for a Covenant to the People and a Light to the Gentiles a Isa 42.1 6 7. 49.6 with Luk. 2.31 32. Act. 13.47 and so for a Law b Isa 42.4 and for a Witness or Testimony c Isa 33.4 1 John 4.9 10. John 3.16 yea the Scripture witnesseth of Christ and Moses and all the Prophets wrote and spake of him d Joh. 5.39 40. Act. 3.22 24. and He is the Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person e Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.15 in whose Face the Knowledge of the Glory of God shineth f 2 Col. 4.6 he received the Word of the Gospel in which both Law and Testimony is from the Father and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding g Deut. 18.18 Isa 42.1 6.1 2 3. Col. 2.3 and he spake the words the Father gave him to speak h Ioh. 3.34 â—7 16 12.49 50. and his Record is true i John 8.14 and he spake of excellent things and the opening of his Mouth was right things his Mouth spake Truth and wickedness is an abomination to his Lips all the words of his Mouth in Righteousness nothing wreathed or froward or perverse in them they are all plain to him that understandeth and Right to them that finde Knowledge k Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. And this Word and Gospel which he received and preached he gave unto his Apostles and first Witnesses and gave them the Holy Spirit which gave them to understand and receive the same l John 15.16 17.6 8. By which Spirit they had the Meaning and Mystery in them so revealed to them as never was to any in any ages before m John 14.26 16.13 14 15. Col. 1.26 27. And so he put and bound and sealed the Law and Testimony in his Disciples n Isai 8.16 2 Cor. 5.19 as in some measure he still doth in them that believe o 1 John 2.8 Col. 3.16 and this Word Gospel and Testimony did the Apostles preach as they had received of the Lord according to the Revelation of the Mystery p Rom. 16.25 26 1 Cor. 11.23 and this with great plainness of Words and evidence and demonstration of Spirit and power q 1 Cor. 2.4 2 Cor. 3.12 And this they also writ and left upon Record in such plainness that they intended nothing but what we in their Writings read r Phil. 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 1.13 and in reading may understand their Knowledge in the Mystery of Christ s Ephes 3.3 4. whence Christ that by his Spirit set them on this work as he did the Prophets before and by that Holy Spirit guided them in writing saith Have not I written to thee excellent things in Counsels and Knowledge that I might make thee know the certainty of the Words of Truth that thou mightst answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee t Prov. 22.20 21. And so it is affirmed That that which was and is so written is upright Words of Truth acceptable Words and Words of delight to receive and declare the Minde of God in and so fit also for the Preacher u Eccles 12.10 2 Tim. 3.16 17. So that the Law and Testimony as it is manifested in the first coming of Christ and by him given to his first Witnesses and by them delivered and recorded to us is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort and so the whole Scripture as witnessing of Christ and opened by Christ to them and by them to us w John 5.39 Luk. 24.25 26 27 44 45 46 47. Rom. 15.3 4 16.25 26. 2 Pet. 3.2 for Christ spake by his Spirit in the Ministration of Noah x 1 Pet. 3.19 and it was the Spirit of Christ in the Prophets that did signifie to them when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow y 1 Pet. 1.11 the Spirit of the Son being also the Spirit of the Father and that by which God ever hath and doth testifie of his Son z 1 John 5 6. And so God at the first did immediately preach the Gospel in Paradise and after more fully to Abraham in Canaan a Gen. 3.15 15.5 17.1 8. and afterwards by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets b Luk. 1.69 70. which Prophets spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost c 2 Pet. 1.21 whence what the Spirit foresaw and preached the Scripture that was written by his Inspiration is said to foresee and preach d Gen. 12.3 with Gal. 3.8 16. And what the Scripture saith the Holy Ghost is said to say e Psal 95.7 with Heb. 3.7 And we shall finde many sayings in the Scriptures both of Moses and the following Prophets testifying of Jesus Christ his coming and sufferings and resurrection and glory setting him forth to be the great Prophet High Priest and King and God's Salvation to the end of the Earth and that whoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed calling men to look to him and be saved And this is the main thing to which the Scripture testifieth all other parts and portions of Scripture besides this plain Testimony being subservient and having their tendencie to this even to lead men to the Knowledge and Acknowledgement of this Testimony and so of Christ testified therein f John 5.39 And so The Genealogies from Adam to Abraham g Gen. 5.1 32. 11.10 26. Luk. 3. and from Abraham to David and from David to Christ h Mat. 11 18 25. Luke 3.23 32. are to demonstrate of whom Christ came according to the flesh and that he is very Man of the Seed of a Woman c. And also the Love Truth and Faithfulness of God in performing his Promise i Act. 13.32 33. Gal. 4.4 The end of the Law given to and by Moses was to be a School-Master to Christ k Gal. 3.24 and for Righteousness to have it in Christ l Rom. 10.4 the one part of the Law that of ten Words was to discover sin and sentence to death that men might die to themselves magnifie Grace and be quickened by Christ and live to him m Rom. 3.19 20. 4.15 5.20 Gal. 2.19 20. 3.19 The other part that of Types and Figures in Temple Altar Propitiatory Priests Sacrifices Washings c. To figure and shadow out the Truth that was to be found in Jesus that was to come n Heb. 8.5 9.8 9. 7.19 And so many Metaphors and
33.14 15 24 29. extending mercies to allure them and while they did hang back using Judgements and Chastisements to take down their pride and break them off their enterprize and bow their Ear to hearken to the Voice of God in Christ so that God dealt graciously with the World at that time and it was justly for great ungodliness and sinning against the mean of Grace overthrown with Water And the teaching of the Gospel thus revealed and such Evidences in such manner taught Gen. 15. continued and was still vouchsafed after the Flood to the whole World again and such as before the chosen Teachers as Noah Sem Arphaxad Salah Eber Peleg Reu Serug Nahor Terah Abraham and such as through their Teachings were converted and fitted And how many of these were living together or at one time in divers parts of the World who can tell But this we know That Noah so prayed for and prophesied of Sem that implies no less Gen. 9.27 than that the Church should be in his House as God useth to put his Word in his choice people that are his House that it may sound forth from them to bring in others And Sem lived five hundred and two yeers after the Flood so that if he did not out-live Abraham yet he was living on the Earth when Abraham offered up Isaac his Son and he was a Priest and Teacher of God in the Church and for and to the whole World I will not determine That he was Melchizedec that blessed Abraham though probabilities of it enough might be given nor will I say any thing more of Arphaxad and the rest but That the Gospel thus revealed and rumoured and the Goodness of God in his workes of Creation and Providence thus evidenced being thus taught by those Elders that feared God was for the good of all Men and saving to them and such as did receive the same and abide therein were saved thereby I suppose none questions And if we proceed a little farther to the time of Job Job 19.25 26 27. which very probable was before Moses however not in that part of the World where the Children of Israel lived and what knowledge he had of his Redeemer we may read and what way they then looked for and found the Knowledge of God their own words testifie Bildad saith Enquire Job 8.8 10. I pray thee of the former ages and prepare thy self to the search of their Fathers c. shall not they teach thee and tell thee and utter words out of their heart Iob 15.10 And Eliphaz gives this as the Reason of their Knowledge With us are both the gray-headed and very aged men c. and how profoundly they spake of God from the Teachings they had in the works of Creation and Providence the story shews Iob 25 26 27. Iob 4.12.21 33.14 15. 35 36 37 38 39 40. though some particular enlargement in use of that Knowledge they had by visions also yea Elihu gives his Instructions to Job from the great works of God and the Lord himself did also even by his works instruct Job so that the Love of God to Mankinde in providing a Redeemer as declared in Paradise in the hearing of all Mankinde as then in being in the first publick Man to be taught and rumoured to all the World and the Evidences and Demonstrations of his Goodness in works of Creation and Providence that all might look to him and be saved and such as were through the hearing and discerning of his Goodness brought in to believe in him and live to him those his elect and chosen Instruments to teach the Knowledge of God in these two Mediums unto others Whence also Moses when he writ the Law yet saith Remember the dayes of old the yeers of Generation and Generation Deut. 32. ask thy Father and he will shew thee thy Elders and they will tell thee And the Truth revealed in the beginning and the Evidences of it in works of Creation and Providence and the Teaching of the Truth from both the Revelation at first given at the Evidences continued by those graciously brought in and chosen into the acknowledgement of it that others might still come in 1 Pet. 2.3 5 9. hath been God's approved Way from the beginning and so remaineth to the end of the World and though other Revelations followed yet it was still but the farther opening the same Truth and though other Ordinances and Officers were afforded yet it was for farther helpfulness Mat. 19.8 Ioh. 1.1 2 3 4. 1 Ioh. 1.1 2 3. and no exclusion of these first chosen from bearing forth his Name and so our Saviour teacheth us to have respect for assured Truth and Goodness to that which was from the beginning And so the Apostles also avouch of their Doctrine It was from the beginning and so the Love of God to Mankinde evidenced by Word and Works taught and shewn forth by Believers hath been from the beginning Too blame was he that now farther Light is come would have denied the Death of Christ for All Men by saying Christ died not for Cain for he came not of Cain for Christ came not of Abel nor of Joseph or Levi the Sons of Jacob c. Yet sure Christ not onely died for these but they were saved by him also and as for Cain if he was not one that Christ had accepted to die for his Father would not have instructed him to offer Sacrifice nor would God have so expostulated with him and told him In doing well Gen. 4 3-7 he should have been accepted His wo came by his own stubbornness 1 Ioh. 3.12 in becoming of the wicked One. And all the Fathers mentioned from Adam to Noah are as much the Natural Parents of all Mankinde now living as Abraham Isaac and Jacob were of old Israel and that God had a merciful end in making all Nations of Men of one Blood Gen. 17.26 27. Ezek. 18.31 32. 33.11 Psal 36.7 8. that they might seek him and so in converting any that they also might seek to convert others is affirmed and still the prevalency of this Grace in the Heart is that in which the blessing is met with CHAP. 2. Of the second Revelation of Christ and way of making him known THe second and more full Revelation of Christ and so the Gospel concerning him was by God himself immediately to Abraham Isaac and Jacob at several times If any demand But why was not this Revelating given to Melchizedec I answer How much was revealed to Melchizedec is unknown to us Iob 33.13 nor doth God answer or give account of his matters therefore I list neither to enquire nor study to give an answer unless this may be taken as one given of God because that Melchizedec was the highest and choice Type of the Eternal Priesthood of Christ greater than Abraham the Blesser of Abraham figuring out Christ
his beloved People as now they are are counted for the Seed and so let us count as God counteth that is the best and safest for us Now this Seed he saith Christ is to see to upon the account of his sufferings if by see he means a Seed to see to he speaks short for it is upon the account of his suffering Resurrection sacrifice fulness of Spirit and means using and God's glorifying him and bearing witness of him by which in that gracious donation they are in their times drawn in to him Isa 53.10 11. 55 4 5. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. and so made his Seed If by see he mean see to or look to to preserve c. he is in that short too for that is not onely upon the account of all before said but also in an especial manner upon the account of the Father's enabling them in the Testimony of Christ to discern Christ and believe on him and so giving them to him in the heavenly call Joh. 6.40.45 47. 10.27 28 29. 17.2 6 7 8. Heb. 9.15 7.25 causing them to hear and follow him and so on the account of his Mediation of the New Testament for the Called by vertue of his Oblation and for these who only are the Seed of Christ indeed If it were granted to Mr. Owen though in his words they cannot be though they do sin and transgress yet God hath put all these gracious Obligations upon himself to reduce them by corrections and afflictions but never to proceed to final sentence of utter rejection If this I say were granted yet it makes nothing for his other Sayings mentioned here nor against any thing here said in and upon the 2 Tim. 2.8 to the 19 vers for it is before proved Par. 4. ch 5. That many may believe the promise displaied in the Testimony of Christ that are not yet born of thâ—â—romise and so are not of this Seed and yet continuing in that believing shall become to be born of the Promise and so be counted of the Seed but by departing may never come to be of it and so be utterly rejected for whom all this faithful Saying and Warning is needful and profitable both for Teachers to minde them of and for them to heed and minde But let us to the Testimony with his Saying the place most probable it might be wrested from is Psal 89.28 33. consider it both in Type and in Truth and first in Type The Covenant was with David and stood fast with him for him and his Seed so far as he would though chastning his Seed for their Transgression yet not take his Mercy from him as he did from Saul 1 King 1.11 12 13. 15.4 5 that he should have no Son to sit upon his Throne which Covenant is yet firm to David and a first Fruits of the performance related yet what is befallen many of David's Children as well as of Israel and Judah the Word and Works of God declare and shew yet is not his Covenant broken nor his Mercy taken from David But now for the Truth it self which is Christ the Son of David and the choice David Certain it is The Covenant in the full extent of it stands fast with him his Seed will God make to endure for ever and his Throne as the Dayes of Heaven I will not press this here That this is a thing to come the whole Seed and such a manner of Seed is not yet come in and presented before him as shall be when he comes to take to him his great Power and Raign Eph. 5.25 26 27. and sit upon the Throne of David his Father He is now in his Mediation sending forth Spirit in the Testimony of him preparing Believers that they may be such a Seed as in whom the new Birth is compleated But lecting this pass to speak of them onely in whom the new Birth is begun and of them mark what he saith If his Children for sake my Law c. then will I visit c. their iniquity with stripes nevertheless my loving-kindness will not I utterly take from him Minde the words for I will not press the change of the terms nor deny that in what follows his Seed shall indure for ever his Children are meant Rom. 9. â— 8.16 17. 〈◊〉 3.8 16 26 29. as if Christ his Seed were the term fit to set them forth when compleated and till they come to that they are counted for the Seed the Children of God by Faith and the Seed of Abraham begot by the Gospel given Abraham to minister yet not in their own persons fully actually 〈◊〉 of God till the Resurrection But minde what he saith of these Children now he saith not I will not take my Mercy utterly from any of them but My Covenant shall stand fast with him I will not take my mercy utterly from him c. which can be no less then My love mercy faithfulness and Covenant shall not fail to be in to upon and through him so as I will be propitious and continue loving-kindness to all his Children all that believe in him and love him yea if they go astray I will correct them to reduce them and in receiving correction my mercy and loving kindness in him shall be ever upon and through him to receive them again c. but if they refuse c. yet I will preserve and multiply a seed to him I will not fail him And if we minde it such is our Saviour's complaint for the peoples untowardness Isa 44.4 5 6 10. and rejoycing in God's kindeness according to this Covenant like that in the Type so that here is great mercy and comfort held forth for all Believers and encouragement for backsliders to receive correction and return and a motive to wait for the coming of Christ to sit on the Throne of David when all iniquity will be done away and this Covenant given and performed to all the Seed of Christ And though neither this place nor Isa 53.10 quoted by Mr. Owen bears out his Notion yet I desire the greatest comfort and hope it giveth should be believed to the utmost of believing but not that it should be abused according to fleshly reasoning Rom. 11.20 21 22. or Satanical Temptation to puff up Believers with pride or presumption to say or conceit Though we transgress c. we are God's Sons he cannot cast us off and reject us utterly but he must alter his Purpose break his Covenant c. which he cannot do and so they fall into that foolish confidence Peov. 14.16 The Devil himself may tempt a Man to such confidence yea he did so tempt though he could not fasten his Temptation on the Lord himself If thou be the Son of God if thou be sure of that as if he should say then the Promise belongs to thee and he mentions one as full and free as this or any we read of then cast thy self
1.15 1 Pet. 3.22 23. Heb. 7 8 9 10. 1 Ioh. 4. Rom. 1.1 4. 1 Pet. 1.21 25. Ioh. 1.12 13. Gal. 3.7 8 16 26 29. Ioh. 3.14 15 16 17. Tit. 3.3 4 5 6. And these Promises except those as unto Christ even all as unto Mankinde fallen were made to them simply as sinners ungodly and in enmity against God But these Promises are now fulfilled in Christ and so for Men that they might believe and this is expresly affirmed So that Christ is come is the flesh the promised Seed in which is blessing for all Nations Gal. 3.16 the immortal Seed of which all that are born from above have their conception and birth neither is there any other Seed nor any that can be counted his Seed till by the Grace discovered in these Promises fulfilled they be brought in to him and so born again and so any Man in believing may come to be of this Seed and in this discovery of him as these promises are fulfilled in him wonderfully is the Love of God to Mankinde holden forth and displayed that Men might believe as is shewn in the Testimony of Christ and in the last Revelation of him and in the Purposes of God concerning Mankinde before But alas Mankinde fallen are not onely sinners and Enemies to God but therethrough naturally deaf blinde in darkness and dead in sins and trespasses and so unable to discern the grace in these Promises discovered much more unable to believe and turn in to Christ and so come upon this Foundation that they may be quickned and born of this Seed and what hope then to this the following Promises give answer The second Head or Branches of Promises are through Christ that hath thus far finished his work and for his sake to Mankinde the Sons of Men for though in and through the infinite Love and Mercy of God the former Promises might be and were both made and performed to Mankinde simply as fallen and sinners his Truth and Justice not gainsaying yet the Promises now to be spoken of could not be made much less performed if a ransome and Atonement had not been found in which Truth is fulfilled and Justice executed and so satisfied which is onely in the Death Resurrection and Sacrifice of Christ that made the Atonement and wrought Redemption in the Nature of Man Psal 85.10 11. In whom mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed Truth shall now hath sprung out of the earth and righteousness shall now doth look down from heaven And so it is through him that all the Promises we are in this Branch to view are made to Mankinde and they are also now in doing and performing and these are of three sorts that is to say 1. To Mankinde as lying in ignorance darkness Isa 42.1 2 4 6 7. 49.6 6. 52.10 13 14 15. 61.1 0 3. Mat. 12.18 19. Luk. 2.32 Rom. 15.21 Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9. blindness and unbelief as that Christ shall be a Light to the Gentiles and shew forth Judgement to them and in Ministration of the Gospel preach glad tidings of peace and salvation to them and so open their blinde eyes and bring them forth of the dark prison to see his light c. in which he is alwayes faithful and according to his Father's will and in his season doth all this And these Promises have for their performance neither dependence on nor reference to the believing of Men but shall in a measure according to the means used by him be performed to Men whether they believe and heed it or not and in more special manner where the Gospel comes for he calleth all the ends of the Earth Isa 45.22 Mat. 4.16 25.24 26. Prov. 1.22 24. Rom. 2.4 5. Joh. 3.18 19. 15.22 24. but maketh light to shine where the Gospel comes yea he doth not condemn Men for impenitency and unbelief to whom he never shewed light nor gave eyes to see nor stretched out his hand that they might repent and believe but upon that very account condemnes the impenitent and unbelieving If it be replied That men are not able to believe that is answered in the next 2. Isa 45.22 55 5 Joh. 5.25 6.45 Mat. 13.12 13 15. Isa 55.1 2 3 4. Joh. 5.37 40. 16.8 2 Thes 2.10 To Mankinde when their eyes are opened and as he opens their eyes when light is not onely given but their eyes opened to see which though before they could not see yet now by the power in the light that hath opened their eyes they do see and while it abideth with them may in seeing see If they now do in hearing hear or hearken to his voice and in seeing see and behold him in this discovered grace he will save them they shall run to Christ and be enabled by him to believe a gracious promise to sinners and lost ones in which Mens unbelief appears to be their own wilful and great sin all which is fore-explained in the Purposes discovered in the Promises 3. Ioh. 3.15 16 36 Mar. 16.16 Isa 28 16. Act. 10.43 13.38 39 Ioh. 11.25 26. Rom. 4 5.23 5.9 To Men believing on Christ that though they were dead even chief of sinners and ungodly ones yet in believing in Christ as held forth in the Gospel and so in his Name in his Blood they shall not perish but receive forgiveness of sins and have eternal life yea thus believing on him that justifieth the ungodly by the Blood of his Son it shall be imputed to them for Righteousness O gracious and alluring Promises in all which the love of God to Mankinde appears it being the Revelation of his Purpose c. And concerning all these Promises with a favourable Interpretation Mr. Owen's Expression may be taken for true where he saith Pag. 114.3 The Promises are made unto sinners as sinners and under no other qualification whatever So he now except but some Promises as made to Christ of which he means not but take all these forenamed as made to Mankinde fallen and those about sending Christ to be a Saviour and those through Christ for extention of means and light to call and open their eyes that Men might repent and believe Rom. 3.9 19 20 23. were all to sinners as sinners and under no other qualification whatever for they were in or under no other qualification but all sinners without difference in that and whatever qualification may be conceived in opening their eyes and moving them to believe yet these two sorts of Promises are still to them as sinners as indeed they are and the Promises made to them without difference as such that in minding and believing they might receive pardon and purgation of their sins and yet though they be no better then sinners in themselves there is in the second publick Man a price paid an Atonement made for them and so they are beheld as Redemption is wrought
calleth them that they may turn to him believe and live and that whoever cometh to him in this his Call Joh. 6.35 37 40. he will not cast out but receive them and give them eternal Life and raise them up at the Resurrection of the Just at the last Day 3. Upon the part of the Father again to Christ That he shall sit at his right-Hand till this Ministration be accomplished Psal 110.1 2. Isa 53.10 11. Joh. 3.35 36. 14.21 17.23 and that he will beat down his Foes and Enemies and make them his Foot-stool and he shall see his Seed and the VVork of the Lord shall prosper in his Hands and he will accept and love all his Seed that believe in him and love them even as he loveth him and that though the Devil with all his Serpentine Seed oppose his Ministration and hold out many from coming in to him Psa 2.9 22.27 28. 72. and seek to delude and turn aside such as are coming and raise up Persecution against him in the World yet his Ministration shall be effectual in many and he shall see his Seed and of the travel of his Soul and shal overturn and judge all his Enemies and then all the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord and come and serve and worship him and then he and all his Seed shall have a new Heaven and a new Earth and shall have the Kingdom and be in his presence with everlasting joy for ever and ever as is shewn before in the Testimony of Christ and Purposes and Promises And this is the everlasting Covenant confirmed in Christ for him and all his spiritual Seed Psa 89.19 37. Joh. 6.56 58. Gal. 3.16 17. Rev. 22.16 Mat. 22.43 44. Rev. 1.8 11. 2.8 3.7 14 21.6 7. and stands fast with him for them for evermore This was confirmed in Christ that spiritually was before Abraham before made to Abraham and so before the Covenant made with David for Christ also is the Root and Lord of David and indeed the Covenant made and as made with Christ is the onely original Covenant and that out of which all Covenants are derived that are for the good of Mankinde or Believers yea without this none could have been for the good of fallen Mankinde and the happiness of Believers And for the right understanding of all and every Covenant of God this is first to be understood The differences between the two publick Men the natural and the spiritual The Covenant under which the first fell and under which the second was made and having satisfied upon that account the Covenant both of Grace and Glory made with confirmed in him and so in respect of the business done 1 Cor. 15 21 22 45 46 47 Rom. 5.14 Mr. O. p. 9. the firmness of the Covenant made in viewing the publick Men oppose the second publick Man to the first publick Man and the spiritual Seed come into the second to the natural Seed come forth from the first and so what we have from the one to what we have from the other and not in such business oppose the first Adam to the Saints but to the King of Saints of whom he was a figure But now I will endeavour to say what I finde of Covenants derived from this made with Christ and through him made with Mankinde or with Believers and so to begin next with Mankinde CHAP. 2. Of the Covenant of God made through Christ with Mankinde VVHat that Covenant is That God hath through Christ made with Mankinde was not so cleerly opened in the beginning when first made as since and yet still it is not so cleerly express in any one place of Scripture as to be plainly there read but in searching and comparing divers places together it is to be found and so this we finde 1. Jer. 5.22 24. Job 36.24 33. 37.3 4 24. That the mercies of God extended to Mankinde through Christ the preservation and upholding the Heaven and the Earth and the Creatures in both and ordering all so sweetly by his providence for the good of Men yea the hinting and rumour of a Saviour extended through whom all this mercy is shewn All this doth still and more oblige fallen Mankinde Psal 104. all even all Men to adore and acknowledge this infinite Wisdom Power Mercy and Justice Love and Goodness of God and so to fear love and trust in him with all their Hearts Minde Soul and Strength and to love their Neighbour as themselves and to walk in this fear and love doing whatever the Lord hereby requireth of them and there is no natural Son of Adam Rom. 3.10 11 19. 2.19 that can free himself from being under this Law since the fall of Adam nor yet fulfil it and though God in and by Christ and so Christ doth not set Men free from being under this Law in themselves till his season nor will judge them in justifying or condemning them by it Rom. 2.24 15. 3.19 20 21. 5.20 Act. 14.17 17.26 27 28. yet there is an usefulness of it that is good in his sight and profitable for Men to which his mercy obligeth and that is that by the effects of this Law upon their Hearts requiring and excusing and accusing they see and acknowledge their sinfulness and the vanity of their best doings and so their need of a Saviour and Mercy through him that they may so seek after God and finde Mercy and free-Favour with him and this sense and use of this Law is also a part of his Covenant But to proceed 2. In the rumor of Christ to come at the beginning Gen. 3.15 1 Joh. 3.5 8. Heb. 11.6 Lam. 3.25 26. there was testified the Love Graciousness and Propitiousness of God in providing such a Saviour through whom Remission of sins and Life is to be had so as this engaged to believe him to be gracious a Forgiver of sins and a Giver of Grace and Life to such as seek him 3. Act. 14.17 17.26 27 28. Psa 19.1 6 Rom. 10.18 2.4 Psal 145.8 9 17 18. See Part 3. ch 1. The Mercies of God extended unto Men in his Works of Creation and Providence do witness forth the Truth of that-first rumored namely That there is some Atonement and Propitiation with God and that he that is so true and righteous is therethrough gracious and merciful which witnessing of his Goodness to Men engageth them in acknowledgment of their own short coming and inability to answer that Obligation in which they are naturally bound to love God c. in this acknowledgement to believe his Graciousness and therethrough to believe in him for life and in that Belief as a Testimony of Love and Thanks to him according to Light and Strength given to live to him and wait for his coming By all which considered we may understand That the Covenant of God
ascended to Heaven and offered the acceptable Sacrifice and obtained eternal Redemption and so is the Propitiation for our sins and Grace is onely by him And Truth that is fulfilling of the Promises he being immeasurably filled with the Holy Ghost in our Nature and the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily he is The Temple of God the High-Priest The Laver of Regeneration the Altar the Sacrifice The Propitiatory The Oracle c. the Truth of all figured by those is in him and so by him and had in having him and this vertuous from the beginning and so even then though in a more hidden way Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. But now he hath come and done his first Work this mystery is manifested and the Spirit hath testified of him and this Testimony is Spirit and Life by which such as are led to believe in Christ do meet with Truth and so are said to worship him in Spirit this gracious Law opposed to that of Works and Types and in Truth acknowledging the Truth in Christ and meeting with him in believing on him as having done his first work for them Job 4.21 22 24. 1 Joh. 5.19 20. and now about the other in them and so they worship God in and through him and that they might thus do God hath done and provided all this in his Son and so made him known And so upon this account of Christ his being so full of Grace and Truth and having been so manifested also in the Nature of Man John Baptist in respect of himself and the first witnesses renders it in these words Joh. 1.14 16 17 vers 17. as the ground of that he affirmed vers 16. For of his fulness have we all received Grace for Grace other profitable senses of this noted before I onely now note this That as Moses received a Law of works and shadows to nurture the people Par. 3. ch 4. that in judging themselves for their sins by one part of the Law and looking to Christ that was to come in their use of the Types the other part of the Law they might through Christ receive Grace as all that so looked did but he having come hath abounded farther to us and we have of him received Grace a Gospel of Grace with a Law of Grace and a Spirit of Grace discovering the Atonement made and forgiveness in the Blood of Christ and Truth fulfilled in him so by the Grace of God in that Cross of Christ he suffered to shew Men the vileness of their sins the vanity of their Righteousness and yet through the same Cross to shew them the great Love Righteousness and Propitiousness of God the pardon of their sins in the Blood of Christ and the fulness of Love and Spirit in Christ to draw them in to believe assuring them in believing they shall receive forgiveness c. and so we have Grace that we may receive and declare Grace and God hath engaged himself that he will so witness of Christ Isa 42.1 8. 55.5 Joh. 3.15 16. Rom. 10.9 10 13 15. Act. 15.9 10 11. Gal. 5.6 1 Joh. 3.23 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 1 Ioh 1.7 9. and he shall so far proceed with Men where the Gospel comes that they shall have their eyes opened that they may see and believe and hath also engaged himself to all that where the Gospel comes do according to the Light and Power he giveth believe on him he will save pardon and enlive them and write his Law in their Hearts And this Faith working Love he putteth no farther burden or yoke on any but to believe him and love one another and he will preserve them through Faith to the Inheritance and if they fail confess their failing and through the Mediator they shall be forgiven and cleansed And thus far the New Testament is and is to be held forth to all that live under the Gospel and all the baptized in the Name of the Lord have set their Hands to this Engagement and may live in hope of having it personally made with them but yet the personal making of this New Testament with Believers is yet a farther business see how that is exprest in Scripture also 2 Cor. 3.3 Tea are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart It is express throughout this Chapter That the Apostle speaks here of the New Testament opposed to the Old Testament and so likewise it is evident here That in preaching the Gospel as now come forth they did also therein minister the New Testament 1 Cor. 1.6 7. and so it is here also evident That when Men in believing the Testimony of Christ in the Gospel come to believe on Christ then they receive the New Testament and how they receive it and what it is see here 1. Phil. 3.3 7 8 9 In believing on Christ the Grace believed breaketh the stoniness of the Heart and taketh down the pride and stoutness of it and humbleth and melteth it and enamoreth it with Christ and so makes the Heart fleshy tender flexible fit to receive his Sayings Teachings and Impressions And then 2. His making the New Covenant with them is begun by writing his Minde Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 his Design his Epistle by his own Spirit in their so prepared Heart giving into their Heart the Spirit of Faith of Love of Power and of a sound Minde so that they have in them a new Heart a new Spirit a new Man an inward living Principle derived from the Fountain in which they believe inclining them to love God and their Brother and to live by Faith and walk in Love and so to seek the farthering of his design in seeking the Honour of God in the Salvation of Men and the Prosperity of his Church so looking and waiting for the coming of the Lord the Spirit herein springing up Love Rom. 8.28 Joy Peace c. And this is a Dispensation of a spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob and no otherwise made with any since excepting David about the Kingdom but in such a begun-performance But then minding the words and the Apostles scope in this place with other places speaking of the same business and we shall see That 3. In this Dispensation of Grace by his Spirit there is made a double Engagement on the part of Christ and on the part of the Believers in which respect it is rightly called a New Testament in opposition to the Old Testament given by Moses which also in this Dispensation is written not with Ink as the Old Testament was nor in Tables of Stone as one part of that was nor in Leaves of Parchment or any such thing as another part of that was but even in their Heart that is That Jesus Christ will
Excellencies and Ends of his Blood and Sacrifice all included in his Oblation in which he offered himself to God for men and is by God set forth for a Saviour and Salvation to Men and so laid in Sion and in respect of all this and Jesus Christ so set forth is The Foundation though despised by many Builders The precious Corner-Stone and this the Name and the onely Name given unto Men whereby they may be saved this that Rock living and quickning Stone and Foundation on which all that by Grace believe are built up a spiritual House this the Rock against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail this that laid by the Apostles and other can no Man lay then this which is laid which is Jesus Christ and the word of the beginning of Christ is that which thus discovers him and by the Oracles in that discovery draws to him and teacheth these Principles 1 Cor. 3.10 11. which are derived from and bottomed on him and so built on him and brings to understand the whole Testimony of Christ the Medium of farther building all which the Gospel believed with the Heart effecteth and keepeth on this Foundation and caliveneth these Principles and there is no other Foundation nor Oracles nor Principles that are real and true in their kinde of saving tendency but these which therefore are to be so firmly held as no need of laying and begetting of them again let us take some view of them The first Principle named is Repentance from dead works Principle 1. Luk. 24.42 Act. 20.21 Mat. 9.13 Luk. 15.7 which as it is taught by the Oracles of God flowing from the Foundation held forth in the Gospel so it is the same that is preached in the Name of Christ with Remission of sins called Repentance towards God that which Christ came to call sinners to for which when wrought 2 Cor. 7.9 10. Act. 13.24 2.38 3.19 Act. 11.18 there is joy among the Angels of God it being according to God and so a Repentance not to be repented of This that also which John in Gospel-preaching taught and which the Apostles taught and called for and which God hath granted to such as in his giving receive the Gospel this Repentance being the very same with that so often called for Prov. 1.22 23. 2 Pet. 3.9 Ezek. 18.30 And so it is A change of Minde Ezek. 14.6 Jer. 26.3 4.1 2. Hos 14.1 2. Joel 2.12 Inclination and Way in turning from the evil Judgement Confidence Purpose Desires Way and Works which one hath formerly allowed himself in and turning towards that Goodness Mercy and Truth presented in and by the Gospel to thim with inward grief for and dislike of their former evil Judgement Confidence Purpose Desires Way and Works and with love and desire of enjoyment of the Grace of God in Christ with confidence in him and living to him And in this Principle note three things Act. 2.37 3.19 26. Zach. 12.10 Act. 17.30 31. 1. That this Repentance is effected by the Gospel discovering Christ as having died for our sins and rose for our justification and given himself a Sacrifice to God for us and used means to bring us to himself which beheld and minded it makes appear the vileness of our sinsulness and vanity of our righteousness that could not be pardoned without so great sufferings of so mighty a one and the odiousness of our continuance in sinning against one so great and glorious and yet so loving even to such Enemies as we and his love commended through such Blood shed for us and this seen melteth the heart with sorrow for evils and turneth the bent of the heart to him yea without this there is no door of Repentance or any hope in it for the Law of Works admits not of Repentance after sin committed Gal. 3.10 but bindes over to the Curse so as Repentance is bootless and in vain under and by that Covenant Heb. 9.22 Act. 18.27 Jer. 18.8 Isa 57.7 neither is there any conceit or fancy of Election that can give this hope to effect such Repentance for without shedding of blood there is no Remission of sins Christ crucified for sinners made known in the Gospel is the very door of Repentance as well as of Faith so that whoever knoweth and believeth him the Propitiation for the sins of the World hath a good ground of Repentance and turning to God nor shall it be in vain but accepted And from this Gospel-Message believed is the rise of all true Repentance 2. That as this Repentance is wrought by and founded on the Oblation of Christ made known so it is the first thing taught and called for in and by the discovery of Christ in the Gospel and in believing the Gospel it first effecteth this change and turning of the Minde Heart and Way from its former evil Judgement Purpose Affection and Way to the Goodness and Grace of God that reproveth the same and so to its tenders and teachings such the Order of Christ in his Call Turn you at my reproof Prov. 1.22 23. 9.6 Eph. 5.14 Act. 2.38 Isa 40.6 8. 1 Pet. 1.24 Ioh. 3.20 21. and I will pour out my Spirit and make known my words to you and so explained by him Forsake the foolish and live and so by the Apostles The Light and Oracles proceeding from Christ reproveth and crieth down all flesh and he that imbraceth not that reproof cometh not into the light but he that imbraceth it doth therein come to the light and that this is first called for is evident and express Mar. 1.15 Luke 24.47 Act. 20.21 3. That this Repentance hath not onely in it a turning from deadly works such as the natural Consciences of Men will smite and wound them for as Atheism Blasphemy Perjury Murther Adultery Stealth false Witness-bearing Lying Drunkenness c. but also a turning from dead works such as Men in their ignorance and natural Conscience think to serve God and get Life and savour with God by whether Idolatry Rom. 1.22 23. Isa 44.20 Hos 8.14 Isa 29.13 Mat. 15. Rom. 9.32 10.2 3. Luk. 18.11 12 13. Phil. 3.7 8 9. Isa 52.2 3. in worshipping Images and Resemblances as representations of God or Superstitions and Devices of Men and Traditions of our Fathers to worship God by or endeavours to stablish a Righteousness of their own in Works of the Law to get the Righteouseess of God by All which how goodly soever and gainful they appear to a natural man yet in this knowing and beholding of Christ and him crucified they become as loss and a man repenteth and turneth from them to Christ as is said And this is the Repentance that is from dead Works and toward God and there is no other Repentance or otherwise wrought that is a Principle or of any account in the Gospell of Christ or mentioned there as that for which any are called Saints And this Principle