Chapter VII - Of God's Covenant with Man
I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He has been pleased to express by way of covenant.(Isa 40:13-17, Job 9:32-33, 1 Sam 2:25, Psa 113:5-6, Psa 100:2-3, Job 22:2-3, 35:7-8, Luke 17:10, Acts 17:24-25)
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,(Gal 3:12) wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity,(Rom 10:5, 5:12-20) upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.(Gen 2:17, Gal 3:10)
III. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second,(Gal 3:21, Rom 8:3, Rom 3:20-21, Gen 3:15, Isa 42:6) commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved,(Mark 16:15-16, John 3:16, Rom 10:6, 9, Gal 3:11) and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.(Ezek 36:26-27, John 6:44-45)
IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed.(Heb 9:15-17, 7:22, Luke 22:20, 1 Cor 11:25)
V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel:(2 Cor 3:6-9) under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ to come;(Heb 8-10, Rom 4:11, Col 2:11-12, 1 Cor 5:7) which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,(1 Cor 10:1-3, Heb 11:13, John 8:56) by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament.(Gal 3:7-9, 14)
VI. Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance,(Col 2:17) was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper:(Matt 28:19-20, 1 Cor 11:23-25) which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy,(Heb 12:22-27, Jer 31:33-34) to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;(Matt 28:19, Eph 2:15-19) and is called the New Testament.(Luke 22:20) There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations.(Gal 3:14, 16, Acts 15:11, Rom 3:21-23, Psa 32:1, Rom 4:3, 6, 16, 17, 23-24, Heb 13:8)
Table of Contents
- Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter II Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- Chapter IV Of Creation
- Chapter V Of Providence
- Chapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
- Chapter VII Of God's Covenant with Man
- Chapter VIII Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter IX Of Free Will
- Chapter X Of Effectual Calling
- Chapter XI Of Justification
- Chapter XII Of Adoption
- Chapter XIII Of Sanctification
- Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith
- Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life
- Chapter XVI Of Good Works
- Chapter XVII Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
- Chapter XVIII Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter XIX Of the Law Of God
- Chapter XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
- Chapter XXI Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter XXV Of the Church
- Chapter XXVI Of the Communion Of Saints
- Chapter XXVII Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVIII Of Baptism
- Chapter XXIX Of the Lord's Supper
- Chapter XXX Of Church Censures
- Chapter XXXI Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter XXXII Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
- Chapter XXXIII Of the Last Judgment