Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland The sum of Saving knowledge may be taken up in these four heaâ—s 1. The woeful condition whâ—râ—in all men are by nature through breaking of the Covenant of Works 2. The Râ—medy prâ—vided for the Elect in Iesus Christ by the Covenant of Grace 3. The means appointed â—o make them partâ—kers of this Covenant 4. The blessiâ—gs which are effectually convâ—yed unto the Elect by these means Which four heads are set down each of them in some fâ—w Propositions HEAD 1. Our woful condition by nature through breaking the Covenant of Works Hos. 13 9. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self THe Almighty and Eternal God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost three diâ—tinct persons in one and the same undivided God-head equally inâ—inite in all perfections did before time most wisely decree for his own glory whatsoever cometh to pass in time and doth most holily and infallibly execute all hiâ— Decrees without being partaker of the sin 〈◊〉 any creature II. This God in six days made all things 〈◊〉 nothing very good in their own kind in specialâ— he made all the Angels holy and he madâ— our first Parents Adam and Eve the root 〈◊〉 mankind both upright and able to keep the Law written in their heart Which Law theâ—â— were naturally bound to obey under pain 〈◊〉 death but God was not bound to reward theiâ— service till he entered in a Covenant or Contract with them and their posterity in them to give them eternal life upon condition of perfect personal obedience withal threatning death in case they should fail This is the Covenant of Works III. Both Angels and Men are subject to the change of their own free-will as experience proveth God having reserved to himself the incommunicable property of being naturally unchangeable For many Angels of their own accord fell by sin from their first estate and became Devils our first Parents being inticed by Satan one of these Devils speaking in a serpent did break the Covenant of Works in eating the forbidden Fruit whereby they and their posterity being in their loins as branches in the root and comprehended in the same Covenant with them became not only lyable to eternal death but also lost all ability to please God yea did become by nature enemies to God and to all spiritual good and 〈◊〉 lined only to evil continually This is our original sin the bitter root of all our actual transgressions in thought word and deed HEAD II. The remedy provided in Jesus Christ for the Elect by the Covenant of Grace Hos. 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help ALbeit man having brought himself into this woeful condition be neither able to â—elp himself nor willing to be helped by God â—ut of it but rather inclined to ly still unsenâ—â—â—le of it till he perish yet God for the glory â—f his rich Grace hath revealed in his Word â—way to save sinners to wit by faith in Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God by vertue of â—nd according to the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption made and agreed upon between God the Father and God the Son in the counsel of the Trinity before the World began II. The sum of the Covenant of Redemption is this God having freely chosen unto life a â—ertain number of lost mankind for the glory â—f his rich Grace did give them before the world began unto God the Son appointed Redeemer that upon condition he would humble â—imself so far as to assume the humane naturâ—â—f a soul and body unto personal union with â—is Divine Nature and submit himself 〈…〉 Law as surety for them and satisfie Justice for them by giving obedience in their name even unto the suffering of the cursed death of the Cross he should ransom and redeem them all from sin and death and purchase unto them righteousness and eternal life with all saying graces leading thereunto to be effectually by means of his own appointment applyed in due time to every one of them This condition the Son of God who is Jesus Christ our Lord did accept before the world began and in the fulness of time came into the World was born of the Virgin Mary subjected himself to the Law and compleatly payed the ransome on the Cross but by vertue of the foresaid bargain made before the World began he is in all ages since the fall of Adam still upon the work of applying actually the purchased benefits unto the elect and that he doth by way of entertaining a Covenant of free grace and reconciliation with them through faith in himself which Covenant he makes over to every believer a right and interest to himself and to all his blessings III. For the accomplishment of this Covenant of Redemption and making the Elect partakers of the benefits thereof in the Covenant of Grace Christ Jesus was clad with the threeâ—old Office of Prophet Priest and King Made a Prophet to reveal all saving knowledge to his people and to perswade them to believe and 〈◊〉 the same Made a Priest to offer up himself a sacrifice once for them all and to interceed continually with the Father for making their persons and services acceptable to him And made a King to subdue them to himself to feed and rule them by his own appointed Ordinances and to defend them from their enemies HEAD 3. The outward means appointed to make the Elect partakers of this Covenant and all the rest that are called to be inexcusable Mat. 22.14 Many are called THe outward means and ordinances for making men partakers of the Covenant of Grace are so wisely dispenced as the Elect â—hall be infallibly converted and saved by them and the Reprobate among whom they are not be justly stumbled The means are specially these four 1. The Word of God 2. The Sacraments 3. Kirk Government â— Prayer In the Word of God preached by â—ent Messengers the Lord makes offer of Grace to all sinners upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ and whosoever do confess their sin accept of Christ offered and submit themselves to his Ordinances he will have both them and their children received into the honour and priviledges of the Covenant of Grace By the Sacraments God will have the Covenant sealed for confirming the bargain on the foresaid condition By Kirk Government he will have them â—edge in and help foreward unto the keeping of the Covenant And by Prayer he will have his own glâ—rious Grace promised in the Covenant to be daily drawn forth acknowledged and imployed All which means are fâ—llowed either really or in profession only according to the quality of the Coâ—enanters as they aâ—e true or counterâ—it believers II. The Covenant of Grace set down in the Old Testament before Christ came and in the New since he came is one and the same in substance albeit different in outward administration for the Covenant in the Old Testament being sealed with the Sacraments of Circumcision and the
imbrace not this righteousness 〈◊〉 is pronounced Iohn 3.18 He that beâ—â—â—veth not is condemned already because he hath 〈◊〉 believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of 〈◊〉 And this is the condemnation that light is 〈◊〉 into the World â—nd men love darkness rather 〈◊〉 light Hence let the penitent desiring to believe â—â—ason thus What doth suffice to convince all the Elect 〈◊〉 the world of the greatness of the sin of not â—â—lieving in Christ or refusing to flee to him 〈◊〉 relief from sins done against the Law and â—â—om wrath due thereto and what sufficeth 〈◊〉 convince them that righteousness and eterâ—â—l life is to be had by Faith in Jesus Christ or 〈◊〉 consenting to the Covenant of Grace in him and what sufficeth to convince them of Judgement to be exercised by Christ for destroying the works of the Devil in a man and sanctifying and saving all that believe in him may suffice to convince me also But what the Spirit hath said in these or other like Scriptures sufficeth to convince the Elect world of the foresaid sin and righteousness and Judgment Therefore what the Spirit hath said in these and other like Scriptures serveth to convince me thereof also Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words and say heartily to the Lord Seeing thou sayeâ—t seek ye my Face my soul answereth unto thee thy face Lorâ— will I seek I have hearkned unto the offer of an everlasting Covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ and I do heartily embrace thy offer Lord let it be a bargain Lord I believe help my unbelief Behold I give my self to thee to serve thee in all things for ever and I hope they right â—and shall save me the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Thy mercy O Lord endureth for ever forsake not the works of thy own hands Thus may a mâ—n be made an unfained believer in Christ. For strengthning the mans Faith who hath agreed unto the Covenant of Grace BEcause many true believers are weak and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their own Faith and Effectual calling or made certain of their Justification and Salvation when they see that many who profess faith are found to deceive themselves let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith and sure of his own Election and Salvation upon solid grounds by sure warrants and true evidences of faith To this end among many other Scriptures take these following 1. For laying solid grounds of faith consider 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make sure your calling and election for if ye do these things ye shall never fall In which words the Apostle teacheth us these four things for help and direction how to be made strong in the faith 1. That such as believe in Christ Jesus and are fled to him for relief from sin and wrath albeit they be weak in the faith yet they are indeed Children of the same Father with the Apostles for so he accounteth of them while he called them brethren 2. That albeit we be not sure for the time of our effectual calling and election yet we may be made sure of both if we use diligence for this he presupposeth saying Give diligence to make your calling and election sure 2. That we must not be discouraged when we see many seeming believers prove rotten branches and make defection but we must the rather take the better heed to our selves Wherefore the rather brethren saith he give all diligence 4. That the way to be sure both of our effectual calling and Election is to make sure work of our Faith by laying the grounds of it solidly and bringing forth the fruits of our faith in new obedience constantly For if ye do these thingâ— saith he ye shall never fall understand by these things what he had said of sound faith ver 1 2 3 4. And what he had said of the bringing out of the fruits of faith ver 5 6 7 8. To this same purpose consider Rom. 1.8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit ver 2. For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death ver 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh ver 4. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these four things for laying of the ground of faith solidly 1. That every one is a true believer who in the sense of his sin and fear of Gods wrath doth flee for full relief from both unto Jesus Christ alone as the only Mediator and all-sufficient Redeemer of men and being fled to Christ doth strive against his own flesh or corrupt inclination of nature and studieth to follow the rule of Gods Spirit set down in his Word for the man whom the Apostle doth here bless as a true believer is a man in Christ Jesus who doth not walk after the flesh but after â—he Spirit 2. That all such persons as are fled to Christ â—nd do strive against sin howsoever they may â—e possibly exercised under the sense of wrath â—nd fear of condemnation yet they are in no â—anger for there is no condemnation saith he â—o them that are in Christ Iesus who walk not â—fter the flesh but after the Spirit 3. That albeit the Apostle himself brought 〈◊〉 here for examples cause and all other true â—elievers in Christ be by nature under the â—aw of sin and death or under the Covenant â—f Works called the Law of sin and death â—ecause it bindeth sin and death upon us till â—hrist set us free yet the Law of the spirit of â—â—e in Christ Jesus or the Covenant of Grace â—o called because it doth inable and quicken man to a spiritual life through Christ doth set the apostle and all true believers free from the Covenant of Workâ— or the Law of sin and death so that every man may say with him The Law of the Spirit of life or the Covenant of Grace hath freed me from the Law of sin and death or Covenant of Works 4. That the fountain and first ground from whence our freedom from the curse of the Law doth flow is the Covenant of Redemption past betwixt God and God the Son as incarnate wherein Christ takes the Curse of the Law upon him for sin that the believer who could not otherwise be delivered from the Covenant of Works may be delivered from it And this Doctrine the Apostle holdeth forth in these four branches 1. That it was utterly impossible for the Law or Covenant of works to bring righteousness and
this request and do not yield when they hear Ministers with Commission saying We are Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 9. To make it appear how it cometh to pass that the Covenant of Reconciliation should be so easily made up betwixt God and a humble sinner fleeing to Christ the Apostle leads us unto the cause of it holden forth in the Covenant of Redemption the sum whereof is this It is agreed betwixt God and the mediator Iesus Christ the Son of God Surety for the redeemed as parties contractors that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to innocent Christ and he both condemned and put to death for them upon this very condition that whosoever heartily consents unto the Covenant of Reconciliation offered through Christ shall by the imputation of his obedience unto them be justified and holden righteous before God for God hath made Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us saith the Apostle that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Hence may a weak believer strengthen his faith by reasoning from this ground after this manner He that upon the loving request of God and Christ made to him by the mouth of his Ministers having Commission to that effect hath embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ and do purpose by Gods Grace as a reconciled person to strive against sin and to serve God to his power constantly may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to him for the obedience of Christ imputed to him as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him But I may the weake believer say upon the loving request of God and Christ made to me by the mouth of his Ministers have imbraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ and do purpose by Gods graâ—e as a reconciled person to strive against sin and to serve God to my power constantly Therefore I may be as sure to have righteousness and â—ternal life given to me for the obedience of Christ imputed to me as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him The third warrant and special motive to believe in Christ is the strait and awful command of God charging all the hearers of the Gospel to approach to Christ in the order set down by him and to believe in him holden forth 1 Ioh. 3.23 THis is his Commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as be gave us commandment Wherein the Apostle giveth us to understand these five Doctrines 1. That â—f any man shall not be taken with the swâ—et invitation of God nor with the humbâ—e and loving request of God made to him to be reconciled he shall find he hath to do with the Soveraign Authority of the highest Majesty for this is his commandment that we believe in him saith he 2. That if any man look upon this Command as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected Commandments of the Law he must consider that this is a command of the Gospel posterior to the Law given for making use of the remedy of all sins which if it be disobeyed there is no other Command to follow but this Go ye cursed into everlasting fire of Hell for this is his commandment the obedience of which is most pleasant in his sight ver 22. And without which it is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 3. That every one who heareth the Gospel must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is commanded the person inclined to despiration must take up himself and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command the strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ and more and more grow in the obedience of this command yea the most impenitent prophane and wicked person must not thrust out himself or be thrust out by others from orderly aiming at this duty how desperate soever his condition seem to be for he that commands all men to believe in Christ doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and lost without Christ he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins and their need of Christ and in effect commands all men to repent that they may believe in him And whosoever do refuse to repent of their by-gone sins are guilty of disobedience to this Command given to all hearers but especially to those that are within the visible Church for this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Iesus Christ saith he 4. That he who obâ—yeth this Commandment hath built his salvation on a solid ground For first he hath found the promised Messiah compleatly furnished with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the Offices of Prophet Priest and King for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe 2. He hath embraced a Saviour who is able to save to the uttermost yea and who doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him for he is Jesus the true Saviour of his people from their sins 3. He that obeyeth this command hath buiâ—t his salvation on the Rock that is on the Son of God to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father and who is worthy to be the object of saving Faith and of Spiritual Worship for this is his command saith he that we believe in the Name of his Son Iesus Christ. 5. That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ though he be freed from the curse of the Law is not freed from the Command and obedience of the Law but tyed thereunto by a new obligation and a new command from Christ Which new command from Christ importeth help to obey the command unto which command from Christ the Father addeth his authority and command also for this iâ— his commandment saith John that we believe on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he hath Commandded us The first part of which command enjoyning belief in him necessarily implyeth love to God and so obedience to the first tabâ—e for believing in God and loving God are inseparable And the second part of the command injoyneth love to our neighbour especially to the houshold of faith and so obedience unto the second Table of the Law Hence may a weak believer strengthen himself by reasoning from this ground after this manner Whosoever in the sense of his own sinfulness and fear of Gods wrath at the command of God is fled to Iesus Christ the only remedy of sin and misâ—ry and hath ingaged his heart to the obedience of the Law of Love his Faith is not presumptuous or dead but true and
every one thâ— continueth not in all things which are written 〈◊〉 the Book of the Law to do them Now to be under the curse comprehendeâ—â— all the displeasure of God with the danger 〈◊〉 the breaking forth more and more of his wratâ— upon soul and body both in this life and afteâ— death perpetually if grace do not prevent thâ— full execution thereof Hence let every man reason thus Whosoever according to the Covenant oâ— Works is liable to the curse of God for breakâ—ing the Law times and ways out of number cannot be justified or find righteousness by the works of the Law But I may every man say according to thâ— Covenant of Works am liable to the curse 〈◊〉 God for breaking the Law times and ways 〈◊〉 of number Therefore I cannot be justified or have â—â—ghteousness by the works of the Law Thus may a man be convinced of righteousâ—â—â—â— that it is not to be had by his own works 〈◊〉 by the Law â— For convincing a man of Judgment by the Lavv consider 2 Thes. 1.7 THe Lord shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels ver 8. In flaming 〈◊〉 â—aking vengeance on them that know not 〈◊〉 and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord 〈◊〉 Christ. ver 9. Who shall be punished with â—â—erlasting destruction from the presence of the 〈◊〉 and from the glory of his power ver 10. â—hen he shall come to be glorified in his saints 〈◊〉 to be admired in all them that believe Wherein we are taught that our Lord Jesus â—ho now offers to be Mediator for them who â—elâ—eve in him shall at the last day come armed â—ith flaming fire to judge condemn and deâ—â—roy all them who have not believed God 〈◊〉 not received the offer of grace made in 〈◊〉 Gospel nor obeyed the Doctrine thereof 〈◊〉 remain in their natural estate under the â—aw or Covenant of Works Hence let every man reason thus What the righteous Judge hath fore-warnâ—d me shall be done at the last day I am sure 〈◊〉 just judgement But the righteous Judge hath fore-warned â—e that if I do not believe God in time and obey the Doctrine of the Gospel I shall 〈◊〉 secluded from his presence and his glory at tâ—â— last day and be tormented in soul and body 〈◊〉 ever Therefore I am convinced that this is 〈◊〉 Judgement And I have reason to thank God heartilâ— who hath forewarned me to flee from the wratâ— which is to come Thus every man may be by the Law or Câ—â—venant of Works convinced of judgment 〈◊〉 he shall continue under the Covenant 〈◊〉 Works or shall not obey the Gospel of ouâ— Lord Jesus For convincing a man of sin righteousâ—ness and judgment by the Gospel AS for convincing a man of sin and righâ—teousness and judgment by the Gospeâ— or Covenant of grace he must understanâ— three things 1. That not believing in Jesuâ— Christ or refusing of the Covenant of Grace offered in him is a greater and more dangerous sin then all other sins against the Lawâ— because the hearers of the Gospel not believing in Christ do reject Gods mercy in Christ the only way of freedom from sin and wrath and will not yield to be reconciled to God Next he must understand that perfect remission of sin and true righteousness is to be had only by faith in Jesus because God requireth no â—ther conditions but Faith and testfiies from â—eaven that he is well pleased to justifie sinners â—pon this condition 3. He must understand â—hat upon righteousness received by faith â—udgment shall follow on the one hand to the â—estroying of the works of the Devil in the â—eliever and to the perfecting of the work of â—anctification in him with power and that â—pon refusing to take righteousness by Faith in â—esus Christ Judgment shall follow on the oâ—her hand to the condemnation of the misbeâ—â—ever and destroying of him with Satan and â—is servants for ever For this end let these passages of Scripture â—mong many others serve to make the greatâ—ess of the sin of not believing in Christ appear â—r to make the greatness of the sin of refusing â—f the Covenant of Grace offered to us in â—he offering of Christ unto us let the fair offer â—f Grace be looked upon as it is made Isa. 55. â— Incline your ear and come unto me saith the â—ord hear and your soul shall live and I will â—ake an everlasting Covenant with you even â—he sure mercies of David That is if ye will â—elieve me and be reconciled to me I will by Covenant give unto you Christ and all saâ—ing graces in him repeated Acts 13.24 Again consider that this general offer in â—ubstance is equivalent to a special offer made â—o every one in particular as appeareth by â—â—e Apostles making use of it Acts 16.13 â—elieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house The reason oâ— which offer is given Iâ—h 3.16 For God so lovâ—â— the World that he gave his only begotten Son thâ—â— whosoever believeth in him should not perish buâ— have everlasting life Seeing then this greaâ— salvation is offered in the Lord Jesus whosoever believe not in him but loâ—k for happinesâ— some other way what doth he else but observâ— lying vanities and forsake his own mercy whicâ— he might have had in Christ Ionâ—h 2.8 â— What doth he else but blaspheme God in hiâ— heart as it is said 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not God hath made him a liar because 〈◊〉 believeth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son and that no siâ— against the Law is like unto this sin Christ testifies Iohn 15.22 If I had not come and spokeâ— to them they had not hâ—â— sin but now they havâ— no cloak for their sin This may convince 〈◊〉 man of the greatness of this sin of not believing in Christ. For convincing a man of righteousness to be had only by faith in Christ â— consider how Rom. 10.3 4. IT Is said that the Iews being ignorant oâ— Gods righteousness and going about to establisâ— their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God and so they perished for Christ is the end of the La◠〈◊〉 righteousness to every one that believeth and â—cts 13.34 By Christ Iesus all that believe are â—â—stified from all things from which ye could not be â—â—stified by the Law of Moses and 1 Iohn 1.7 〈◊〉 blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from 〈◊〉 sin For convincing a man of judgement if a â—an imbrace this righteousness consider â— Iohn 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was â—â—nifested that he miâ—â—t destroy the works of the â—evil and Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the 〈◊〉 of Christ who through the eternal Spirit 〈◊〉 himself without spot to God purge your consciâ—ce from dead works to serve the living God But if a man
life to a sinner because it was weak 2. That this weakness and inability of the Law or Covenant of Works is not the fault of the Law but the fault of sinfull flesh which is neither able to â—ay the penalty of sin nor to give perfect obedience to the Law presuppose by-gone sins were forgiven the Law was weak saith he through the flesh 3. That the righteousness and salvation of sinners which was impossible to be brought about by the Law is brought to pass by sending Gods own Son Jesus Christ in the flesh in whose flesh sin is condemned and punished for making satisfaction in the behalf of the Elect that they might be set free 4. That by his means the Law loseth nothing because the righteousness of the Law is best fulfilled this way First by Christ giving perfect active obedience in our name unto it in all things Next by his paying in our name the penalty due to our sins in his death And lastly by his working of Sanctification in us who are true believers who strive to give new obedience unto the Law and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Warrants yo believe FOr building our confidâ—nce upon thâ—s solid ground these four Warrants and special motives to believe in Christ may serve The 1. whereof is Gods hearty invitation holden forth Isa. 55.1 â— 3 4 5. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come and buy without money and without price ver 2. Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness ver 3. Incline your ear and come to me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David ver 4. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people a leader and commander to the people c. Here after setting down the precious ransom of our Redemption by the sufferings of Christ and the rich blessings purchased to us thereby in the two former Chapters the Lord in this Chapter 1. Maketh open offer of Christ and his grace by proclamation of a free and gracious market of Righteousness and Salvation to be had through Christ to every soul without exception that truly desires to be saved from sin and wrath â—o every one that thirsteth saith he 2. He inviteth all sinners that for any reason stand at distance with God to come and take from him riches of grace running in Christ as a River to wash away sin and to slacken wrath Come ye to water saith he 3. Lest any should stand back in the sense of his own sinfulness or unworthiness and inaâ—ility to do any good the Lord calleth upon such persons in special saying He that hath no money come â— Hâ— craveth no more of his Merchant but that he be pleased with the wares offered which are grace and more grace and that he heartily consent unto and imbrace this offer of grace that so he may close a bargain and a formal Covenant with Godâ—punc Come buy without money saith he Come eat that is consent to have and take unto you all saving graces make the wares your own possess them and make use of all blessings in Christ whatsoever maketh for your spiritual life and comfort use and enjoy it freely without paying any thing for it Come buy wine and milk without money and without price saith he 5. Because the Lord knoweth how much we are inclined to seek righteousness and life by our own performances and satisfaction to have righteousness and lâ—feâ—punc as it were by the way of works and how loâ—th we are to embrace Christ Jesus and to take life by way of free grace through Jesus Christ upon the tearmâ— whereupon it is offered to us therefore the Lord lovingly calls us off this our crooked and unhappy way with a gentle and timous admonition giving us to understand that we shall but lose our labour in this our way Wherefore do ye spend your money saith he for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not 6. The Lord promiseth to us solid satisfaction in the way of betaking our selves unto the grace of Christ even true câ—ntentment and fulness of spiritual pleasure saying Hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your soul delight its self in fatness 6. Because faith cometh by hearing he calleth for audience unto the explication of the offer and calleth for believing of and listening unto the truth which is able to beget the application of saving faith and to draw the soul to trust in God Incline your ear and come unto me saith he To which end the Lord promiseth that this offer being received shall quicken the dead sinner and that upon the welcoming of this offer he will close the Covenant of Grace with the man that shall consent unto it even an indissolvable Covenant of perpetual Reconciliation and Peace Hearken and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you Which Covenant he declareth shall be in substance the assignation and the making over of all the saving graces which David who is Jesus Christ Act. 13.34 hath brought for us in the Covenant of Redemption I will make a Covenant with you saith he even the sure mercies of David By sure mercies he means saving graces such as are righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Adoption Sanctification and Glorification and whatsoever belongs to Godliness and life eternal 8. To confirm and assure us of the real grant of these saving mercies and to perswade us of the reality of the Covenant betwixt God and the believer of this word the Father hath made a fourfold gift of his eternal and only begotten Son First to be incarnate and born for our sake of the seed of David his type for which cause he is called here and Act. 13.34 David the true and everlasting King of Israel This is the great gift of God to man Iohn 4.10 And here I have given him to be David or born of David to the people Secondly he hath made a gift of Christ to be a witness to the people both of the sure and saving mercies granted to the redeemed in the Covenant of Redemption and also of the Fathers willingness and purpose to apply them and to make them fast in the Covenant of Reconciliation made with such as imbrace the offer I have given him saith the Lord here to be a witness to the people and truly he is a sufficient witness in this manner in many respects 1. Because he is one of the Persons of the blessed Trinity and party contracter for us in the Covenant of Redemption before the World was 2. He is by Office as Mediator the Messenger of the Covenant and hath gotten commission
to reveal it 3. He began actually to reveal it in Paradise where he promised that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the Serpent 4. He set forth his own death and suffâ—ringâ— and the great benefits that should come thâ—reby to us in the types and figures of sacrifices and ceremonies before his coming 5. He gave more and more light 〈◊〉 this Covenant speaking by his Spirit thou agâ— to age in the holy prophets 6. He came himâ—â—lf 〈◊〉 the fulness of time and did bear witness of all things belonging to this Covenant aâ—d of Gods willing mind to take believers into it partly by uniting our nature in one person with the Dâ—vine Nature partâ—y by Preaching the good tidings of the Covenant with his own mouth partly by paying the price of Redemption on the Cross and partly by dealing still with the people from the beginning to this day to draw in and to hold in the redeemed in this Covenant Thirdly God hath made a gift of Christ as a Leader to the people to bring us through all difficulties all afflictions and temptations unto life by this Covenant And he it is and no other who doth indeed lead his own unto the Covenant and in the Covenant all the way on unto salvation 1. By the direction of his word and Spirit 2. By the example of his own life in faith and obedience even to the death of the Cross. 3. By his powerful working bearing his redeemed ones in his arms and causing them to lean on him while they go up through the wilderness Fourthly God hath made a gift of Christ unto his people as a Commander which Office he faithfully exerciseth by giving to his Kirk and people Laws and Ordinances Pastours and Governours and all necessary Officers by keeping Couâ—ts and Assemblies among them to see that his Laws be obeyed Subduing by his Word Spirit and Discipline his peoples corruptions and by his Wisdom and power guarding them against their enemies whatsoever Hence he who hath closed bargain with God may strengthen his faith by reasoning after this manner Whosoever doth heartily receive the offer of free grace made here to sinners thirsting for righteousness and salvation unto him by everlasting Covenant belongeth Christ the true David with all his sure and saving mercies But I may the weak believer say do heartily receive the offer of free grace made here to sinners thirâ—â—ing for righteousness and salvation Therefore unto me by an everlasting Covevenant belongeth Christ Jesus with all his sâ—re and saving mercies The second warrant and special motive to imbrace Christ and believe in him is the earnest request that God maketh to us to be reconciled to him in Christ holden forth 2 Cor. 5. ver 14.19.2.21 GOd was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation ver 20. Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God ver 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these nine Doctrines 1. That the elect World or the World redeemed souls are by nature in the estate of enmity against God This is presupposed in the word Reconciliation for reconciliation or renewing of friendship cannot be except betwixt those that have been at enmity 2. That in all the time by-past since the fall of Adam Christ Jesus the eternal Son of God as Mediator and the Father in him hath been about the making friendship by his word and Spirit betwixt himself and the elect World God saith he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 3. That the way of reconciliation was in all ages one and the same in substance viz. by forgiving the sins of them who do acknowledge their sins and their enmity against God and do seek reconciliation and remission of sins in Christ for God saith he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself by way of not imputing their trespasses unto them 4. That the end and scope of the Gospel and whole word of God is threefold 1. It serveth to make people sensible of their sins and of their enmity against God and of their danger if they should stand out and not fear Gods displeasure 2. The word of God serveth to make men acquainted with the course which God hath prepared for making friendship with him through Christ viz. That if men shall acknowledge the enmity and shall be content to enter into a Covenant of friendship with God through Christ then God will be contented to be reconciled with them freely 3. The word of God serveth to teach men how to carry themselves towards God as friends after they are reconciled to him viz. to be loath to sin against him and to strive heartily to obey his Commandments and therefore the Word of God here is called the Word of Reconciliation because it teacheth us what need we have of reconciliation and how to make it and how to keep the reconciliation of friendship being made with God through Christ. 5. That albeit the hearing believing and obeying of this word doth belong to all those to whom this Gospel doth come yet the Office of preaching of it with authority belongeth to none but to such only as God doth call to this ministry and sendeth out with Commission for this work This the Apostle holdeth forth ver 18. in these words he hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation 6. That the Ministers of the Gospel should behave themselves as Christs Messengers and should closely follow their commission set down in the word Matth. 28.19 20. and when they do so they should be received by the people as Ambassadours from God for here the Apole in all their names saith we are Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us 7. That Ministers in all earnestness of affections should deal with people to acknowledge their sins and their natural enmity against God more and more seriously and to consent to the Covenant of Grace and Embassage of Christ more and more heartily and to evidence more and more clearly their reconciliation by a holy carriage before God This he holdeth forth when he saith we pray you be reconciled to God 8. That in the Ministers affectionate dealing with the people the people should consider that they have to do with God and Christ requesting them by the Ministers to be reconciled now there cannot be a greater inducement to break a sinners hard heart than Gods making request to him for friendship For when it became us who have done so many wrongs to God to seek friendship of God he preventeth and O wonder of wonders he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled witâ— him and therefore most fearful wrath must abide them who do set light by