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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42773	The ark of the covenant opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of redemption between God and Christ, as the foundation of the covenant of grace the second part, wherein is proved, that there is such a covenant, the necessity of it, the nature, properties, parties thereof, the tenor, articles, subject-matter of redemption, the commands, conditions, and promises annexed, the harmony of the covenant of reconciliation made with sinners, wherein they agree, wherein they differ, grounds of comfort from the covenant of suretiship / written by a minister of the New Testament.	Gillespie, Patrick, 1617-1675.	1677 (1677)	Wing G766; ESTC R3490	407,671	492

even as by the spirit of the Lord. 3. The way of Gods attaining his end and our attaining our happiness which are both one the way I say is also one it is in Christ the Mediator that God is manifested and in him do we see God the knowledg of his glory and our happiness are both in the face of Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 All the excellencies of God are manifested in Christ he revealeth the mysteries 1. Of his will as he is the Word 2. Of his nature as he is the brightness of his Glory 3. Of the subsistences and distinction of the Persons as he is the Image of his Person he only knows the Father and he only can reveal the Father Joh. 1.18 Col. 1.15 He is the image of the invisible God i.e. The excellencies of God otherwise invisible are revealed by him and to be seen in him These three things of God are discovered in Jesus Christ 1. The Attributes of God 2. The distinct subsistences of the persons of the God-head 3. The distinct offices of the three Persons 1. There is a full manifestation of the Attributes of God in Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new Covenant these Attributes that were never manifested before Mercy and Long-suffering are revealed in him and these that were manifested before shine mort brightly through Christ 1. The Wisdom of God there was great and infinite wisdom shewed in creating the world and ruling it by his w●●● providence but what is that to the wisdom that is shewed in Christ the wisdom that reconciled Justice and Mercy the wisdom that punished sin and pardoned the sinner how wonderful and unsearchable is that Wisdom that by the fall of man raised him to a greater height of happiness than ever he had before Rom. 11.33 34 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out For who hath 〈◊〉 the mind of the Lord or who heth been his c●u●se●●●r 〈◊〉 Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the prinly 〈…〉 in heavenly places might be made known 〈…〉 the manifold wisdom of God this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manifold wisdom of God which yet doth not fully express the Greek word which signifies the manifold and various wisdom or the wisdom of God that is full of admirable varieties so Beza Erasmus Zanchius Stephanus 2. The Goodness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ his goodness and love to man appeared much at first in making him of the rank of the highest creatures on earth and putting all the rest of the Creatures under his feet Psal 8.5 6 For thus has● made him a little fower than the Angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet This was penned to magnitie the nature of man but in Christ our nature is more magnified as we shall shew by and by Heb. 1.6 And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him This is a higher pitch of the love of God this is the goodness of God more manifested than ever before to give his Son Christ for man and his Son to become sin and a curse for man Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but haeve everlasting life 2 Cor. 5. last For he hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us 3. The Mercy of God is eminently manifested in Jesus Christ man is made to rise by his fall Mercy never saw the light before it was never revealed but in Jesus Christ for it respects the creature in its misery Luk. 1.72 78 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy Covenant Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us When all the posterity of Adam were as fuel for the fire mercy rescues and reserves some to be sons and heirs Rom. 9.23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory 4. The Power of God is manifested in Christ God shewed his power in the Creation as we read Isa 40.12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and meted out heaven with the span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance c. Job 38 c. But what is this to the taking of our nature and uniting it in a personal union with the Son of God that God should become man the Ancient of Days become a Child the Incomprehensible to become comprehensible Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-head bodily The invisible God to become visible and to dwell here as in a tabernacle with men Joh. 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth 5. The Soveraignty of God is manifested in and through Christ great was the Soveraignty of God that was exercised in predestination in making of vessels of honour or dishonour according to the pleasure of his will Rom. 9.21 22 23 Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had before prepared unto glory But all this was Soveraignty over the creature but that Jesus Christ the Son of God should be appointed a Mediator of the new Covenant made a Servant commanded to lay down his life this is greater Soveraignty Joh. 6.38 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Chap. 10. v. 18 This commandment have I received of my Father 6. The Justice of God is manifested in Christ Justice was seen in casting off the Angels that fell without hope and in executing the sentence and curse of the first Covenant upon Adam for his transgression thereof but the world never heard of such manifestation of Justice as appears in the satisfaction of Christ to Justice That Christ the Son of God is made sin for us and being made so in obedience to his Fathers command Justice spares him not but he must be smitten to death that satisfaction may be made for sin in our nature Rom. 8.32 He that

his Legacy things pertaining to such persons c. Isa 42.1 53.10 Joh. 6.37 Joh. 17 throughout I proceed now to the third relation which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of Grace he is the Witness of the Covenant Isa 55.4 Behold I have given him for a witness to the people Rev. 3.14 These thing saith the Amen the faithful and true witness Rev. 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness Christ may be considered as the witness of the Covenant in a double respect 1. He is the Witness witnessed 2. He is the Witness witnessing The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghned is rendred and doth frequently signifie Testimonium as well as Testis and so the LXX render it Isa 55.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is the Testimonium and the Testis the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Rev. 3.14 Write these things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness with 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time First I say Christ is the Witness witnessed or the great evidence and testimony of the Covenant betwixt God and his people and in this sense a Witness is used frequently in the Scripture to signifie not only a person that beareth testimony but for any thing that doth evidence as a witness Heb. 11.4 By which he obtained witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts Luk. 22.71 And they said what need we any further witness for we our selves have heard of his own mouth For First He is given of God as the great evidence of covenant-Covenant-love and of that special good-will to sinners which gave the first rise to the Covenant Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Luk. 2.10 11 And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Secondly He is given as the great evidence of Covenant-interest and relations betwixt God and sinners as the sign and evidence that the disagreeing parties are made one in him Isa 7.14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Thirdly As the great evidence and witness of Gods fulfilling all the promises of the Covenant 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are Yea and in him they are Amen therefore Christ was of old given as the sign of fulfilling all promises and accomplishing all deliveries to the Church before his coming in the flesh Zech. 6.12 and he shall build the temple of the Lord Isa 7.14 Fourthly As the great evidence and witness of the standing-perpetuity of these Covenant-relations betwixt God and his people Psal 89.34 35 37 My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven Selah Fifthly As the great evidence of the nature and complexion of the Covenant he is so given of God for a witness that all the Covenant is comprised in him Isa 42.6 And will give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles and therefore also when it was first revealed there was nothing heard of but this witness Christ in the promise of whom all the Covenant the union of God and man was simmed up Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel If Christ be given to the people for a witness in this sense then 1. You who are under the Preaching of this Gospel qua faedus anunciatum consider the office of Christ and understand it as the great witness and evidence of Gods commanding and approving will that you should enter in Covenant with him and that you ought to believe on the Son of God and know for a certainty that if you obey not the command of believing and taking hold of this Covenant the offers of Christ that hath been made unto you shall be for a witness and evidence that shall acquit the Lord of your condemnation and shall cut off all excuse from you in as much as your Obligation and Duty to believe was revealed unto you and the offer of Christ is the witness of this to all the people who have heard the Gospel 1 Joh. 5.23 And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ Joh. 15.25 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin 2. To such as have the Covenant of grace acted in an effectual and powerful way upon their hearts according to Gods Decree and Will of purpose I mean such as have been brought under the bond of this Covenant upon their hearts Eze. 20.37 in which sense the Covenant is spoken of Jer. 31 and Ezek. 36 c. I would have you to understand Gods giving of Christ unto you as he doth intend it to wit as a witness and testimony of his Covenant with you as the greatest evidence and demonstration that can be of his Covenant-love to you of your Covenant-interest in him of the continuance of that Covenant-relation betwixt you and him and of the nature and substance of that Covenant you fearch for witnesses within you and from Heaven to testifie of your Covenant-state through grace you long for that which may evidence it satisfyingly unto you and it may be most of us sin more on the other hand through neglect of fearching after these witnesses which are attainable but it 's a pity that believers who have received Christ freely given to them by God should slight the greatest witness that ever God gave to his people a witness is at hand and you receive not the testimony thereof it may of this be said He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. He hath Christ the great witness of the Covenant and who knows but we may be left of God to wander the more in the dark about our Covenant state because we lay so little weight upon the having of him whom God hath given for a witness to the people O let us not tempt God by slighting him thus but let us look upon the having of him given to us as the witness of all these things before-mentioned concerning a Covenant betwixt God and us he being given of God for this end so may we find the door and way which we grope for how to

Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself 4. Whose Messenger is Christ in this Covenant-relation whether of one of the parties or of both Answ 1. In some respects he is only the Messenger of one of the parties I mean as the name doth import a Mission Delegation and Subordination so he is only Gods Messenger because Christ Mediator the Angel of the Covenant had his commission only from God and is to give an account of that honourable trust and employment to him only Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Joh. 5.22 For as the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son c. 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father Yea even in these things which he acteth upward toward his father as Messenger of the Covenant put case his negotiating with God for his people he hath his Mission and Delegation from God for that special effect Joh. 1.2 24 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me 2. In some respects he is the Messenger of both the parties as namely 1. In respect of the business about which he is employed his Message is about matters of huge concernment to both the parties of the Covenant for his fathers honour and his peoples happiness lay equally in the business about which he is employed Joh. 17.2 4 That he should give eternal life to as many as thou bast given him I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 2. In respect of the travels of his soul in that business and Message he did it cordially and condescendingly did he run the Errants of both the parties he came his fathers Errant to us and he went our Errant to his father Joh. 13.3 Jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God Joh. 14.2 12 I go to prepare a place for you because I go unto my father Joh. 16.5 28 But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou I came forth from the father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the father 3. In respect of his Ambassage and Agency he was an Ambassador and Agent on Gods part while he was here upon the earth he was his Messenger who came to declare and to confirm the Covenant 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ recanciling the world unto himself Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons And he is now our Agent he is Messenger and Lieger in Heaven on our part in regard of his constant residence there for our business Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Act. 3.21 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things 4. In respect of his correspondency with both parties he is correspondent with God for his people Joh. 17.8 25 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me And these have known that thou hast sent me And he is correspondent with us for God Joh. 6.38 39 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom He is correspondent betwixt the confederate parties 5. About what busmess is he Messenger and what is the special subject matter of his employment Answ His Name and Covenant-relations do declare the business he is Messenger of the Covenant Legatus faederis Mal. 3.1 His Message is as large and broad as all things pertaining to the Covenant Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people So that there is nothing which doth any way relate to the Covenant betwixt God and believers which falleth not under this Covenant-relation a sum whereof may be comprehended under these three heads 1. Whatsoever appertaineth to the making of the Covenant he is Messenger betwixt God and his people for that effect whether it be any thing which belongeth to the courting and wooing of his peoples hearts by commending his father and making offers of himself and of his love unto them Joh. 14.2 In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you Joh. 15.1 I am the true Vine Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 10.14 29 I am the good shepherd my father which gave them me is greater then all Wisdom cryeth who will have Christ Prov. 9.1 Wisdom hath builded her house she hath hewn out her seven Pillars c. Joh. 7.37 38 In that last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Hos 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her Song 2.1 I am the rose of Sharon and the lillie of the vallies Or whether it be any thing which belongeth to the engaging the hearts of his people in determining them by his grace and acting the Covenant upon their hearts he is Messenger also for that to command Souls to engage with him and to arise and go after him and to forsake all for him Ezek. 20.37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will

to your vertue knowledg c. 3. Quo ad executorem in the kindly genuine work of his spirit that the good which God hath done to thee is the true execution of the Testators will of grace to his people 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Joh. 1.13 Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his CHAP. XXII Christ a Covenant of the people or in what respects Christ is all the Covenant BEsides the many and various relations before spoken of which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of grace he is the Covenant it self for to him doth the father speak Isa 42.6 and 49.8 I will give thee for a Covenant of the people things attributed in abstracto have a great signification Rom. 1.7 The carnal mind is enmity c. Christ is called the peace Micah 5.5 And our peace Eph. 2.14 This is more than the peace-maker Col. 1.20 'T is all the transaction of peace the whole business of reconciliation comprized in the Mediator and acted by him So here Christ a Covenant is more than the Covenant-maker or the Mediator of the Covenant the phrase imports two things 1. The abridging and summing up of the whole Covenant in Christ Mediator in whose person the two parties at enmity were united I will give thee for a covenant of the people that is I make a gift of thee to be to my people the summary and compend of all that blessed transaction and Covenant which I purpose with them 2. It imports the commitment of the whole business which God purposed to do with his people in the way of a Covenant unto Christ the Mediator to be managed by him I will give thee for a covenant of the people is a designation of Christs work unto which he was called and for the doing of which promises of assistance are made to him in the words preceding these as if it were said I set thee over the whole business of the Covenant between me and the people given to thee that from beginning to end it may be managed by thee Again Christ is not only given for a Covenant but for a Covenant of the people that is to be on the peoples side and to deal for them for the people alone are not capable of confederation with God but Christ stands jointly with them and is gifted of God to the people to be given back again to God for their part of the Covenant Psal 89.19 Heb. 2.13 Hence let us consider of these Propositions Christ is all the Covenant or all this Covenant is comprized in Christ or God by giving Christ doth give the Covenant of the people with him Christ is the Covenant 1. Originally and fundamentally he is the original and root out of which the Covenant sprang and he is the foundation upon which it is grounded the Covenant of grace took its rise and being from Christ Rev. 22.16 I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning-star Isa 28.16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone a sure foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Judg. 14.14 And he said unto them Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness 1. He is the ancient foundation of that which was revealed of the Covenant from the beginning of the world therefore God revealing this Covenant in Paradise presently after the fall bottomed it upon Christ the seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 And revealing it to Abraham he grounded it upon Christ Abrahams seed in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed Gen. 12.3 and 17.1 2. 2. Christ is the eternal foundation of this Covenant upon whom it was bottomed in the eternal decrees of God hence our vocation and salvation are said to be promised and given to us in him before the world began Tit. 1.2 And in hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised befor the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 2. Christ is the Covenant primarily and by propriety as fire is hot for it self and all things hot for it and by participtation Because with him was the Covenant made as the chief party which believers it was made in subordination to him with him it was made at the first hand with us at the second hand with him it was made for himself with us it was only made for him therefore 't is his Covenant by propriety and ours only by participation and therefore all the promises are made first to him and fulfilled first to him and all the acts of Gods love terminate first upon him and come at us only in the second room and at the second hand Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Psal 89.3 33 I have made a covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Isa 53.3 And I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 3. Christ is the Covenant eminently because he is the chief blessing of the Covenant there being not such another promise and gift in all the bundle of promises contained in the Covenant therefore is he spoken of by way of eminence as being that transcendent gift of God matchless effect of Gods love besides which there is not another the like Joh. 4.10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have

take it again this Commandment received I of my Father Phil. 2.6.8 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross 2. There was no natural uecessity such as that of the Sun to give light and the fire heat sure there was no such necessity of God's sending of Christ God did not by any natural necessity send forth Christ nor was the Son of God under any natural necessity to undertake the work of our Redemption for God might have done otherwise he might in Justice have prosecuted the Covenant of works yea there was no kind of necessity upon God to send or upon Christ to go this errand abstracting from his own Decrees and the purpose of his Will Eph. 1.5 6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Rom. 9.20 21 Nay but O man who art thou that replyest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou formed me thus Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour 3. There was no moral necessity not so much as any command motive or inducement without himself either upon God to lay this employment upon Christ or upon Christ to take it upon him and to undergo the work for God might have sent his Son or not sent him as pleased him there was not so much as a moral cause inducing him to it Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 5.6 8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us And Christ might have refused to undertake the work or he might have agreed as pleased him for who could have laid a command upon him if the design of love that was in his heart had not acted him to a consent Phil. 2.6 8 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself unto death even the death of the Cross It rests therefore that all these offices employments trusts authorities and Covenant-relations that Christ did bear were undertaken and undergone by his own free consent and if they were by his free consent this consent was either his own motion without the consent and agreement of Jehovah concurring in councel with him for the carrying on the work of our Redemption or this was transacted and done in the counsel of God by the knowledg will consent and agreement of God with Christ Now the Scripture is plain and express that all the offices trusts authorities employments and Covenant-relations which Christ did bear were not usurped were not taken upon him without divine ordination and appointment without his Father's consent and command but that he was designed chosen and called thereunto See Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Joh. 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Isa 42.1 6 Behold my servant whom I uphold I the Lord have called thee in righteousness And 49.1 3 The Lord hath called me from the womb from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name Thou art my servant O Israel in whom I will be glorified Heb. 5.5 6 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec Act. 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one from his iniquities Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required c. I conclude therefore that all these offices trusts powers and Covenant-relations which Christ did bear being upon him by mutual agreement and consent betwixt Jehovah and Christ all and every one of them doth prove a Compact and Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ He who desireth more proofs of this Covenant and to have further light therein let him read Jo. Cocc Summa doctrinae de foedere ch 5. and Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant Part 2. ch 6. And Fr. Robert's Gods Covenants with Man Book 2. ch 2. Sect. 3. Now that this Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ was the foundation of the Covenant made with us may be evinced by these particulars 1. If this Covenant of Suretiship had not been concluded betwixt Jehovah and Christ there could never have been any Covenant-dealing with us upon terms of Grace for suppose this Covenant had not been the Lord should then have prosecuted the Covenant of works and followed a course of Justice against all Mankind the dore should have been shut for ever against all condescensions and all Gospel ways of Grace Therefore we find the Apostle reckons the change of Law-dispensation and life by the tenor of the Covenant of works into a new way of Grace to have its foundation original and rise from Gods gracious eternal transaction with Christ 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2. God's Covenant-dealing with us upon the terms of Grace is nothing else but the execution of that which was from eternity decreed transacted and concluded by God's Compact with Christ and therefore the Covenant of Suretiship must needs be the foundation of the Covenant with us even as all Decrees and Laws are the foundation of the execution following thereupon this will appear more fully and clearly when we come to speak of the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption and the things therein transacted at present this may suffice 1. That whatsoever Covenant-favour and Grace is tendered to us by the Gospel-Covenant and effectually applyed unto us by the Spirit of the Lord that was promised to Christ and to us in him yea and plighted in him for our account by the Covenant made betwixt Jehovah and him as appears from the Scripture before-mentioned 2 Tim. 1.9 According to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began with Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began 2. Whatsoever Covenant-Conditions of one kind or

to do them It is grace that the same soul that sinned dieth not but another and yet more grace that every soul that sinneth dieth not but one for many one for all the Elect world Mat. 20.28 And to give his life a ransome for many 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2. This was grace in God that he did not only admit this way of satisfaction but himself did find it out The finding out of a way of satisfaction to justice without the eternal punishment of the sinner this was Gods act and this was one act of special grace for it was not only above the reach of men and Angels but also before their being 1 Cor. 2.7 8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory Which none of the princes of this world knew Prov. 8.23 30 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him 3. This was pure grace in God that he did design provide and foresee a Surety and sactisfaction for us before we became broken men and needed one that he designed a Physician before we were sick 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 4. This was grace even singular grace in God that he neither did admit of this way of satisfaction for the sin of Angels nor did he find it out for them but unto men only did he indulge this dispensation Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment Jude vers 6 And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day There was no relaxation of the rigour of the law toward them but a strict execution of justice upon them 5. It was unspeakable grace in God that having admitted of such a way of satisfaction he should put his own Son upon the work and make him the Surety who should make satisfaction unto the justice of God by giving his life a ransome for us such an act of grace as this hath not been heard of Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 6. It is grace in God that when he hath found out this way of satisfaction and is content to admit of it and hath put his Son upon the work that he should be at the pains to reveal to us Christs Surety righteousness and to apply it unto us without which the satisfaction of the Surety could not avail us and what else can it be but grace in God that maketh the satisfaction of Christ effectual to one and not to another who hath also heard of this way of satisfying-justice Job 33.23 24 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God And upon this account it is that justification and remission of sins are called free notwithstanding the satisfaction of Christ that the wonderful riches of Gods free grace might shine in the Suretiship of Christ Isa 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus 4. For whom is Christ engaged as Surety of the Covenant I speak now of his Suretiship only as it relateth to his act of cautionry for his people remitting the consideration of it in a larger extent unto the next thing to be handled upon this Subject Before I answer this Question I shall premit some distinctions which make way for an answer to it 1. See Mr. Ruth treatise of the Covenant p. 2. c. 10. It is a necessary distinction of the Covenant of grace that it is considered either 1. As it is preached according to the commanding-will of God or 2. As it 's fulfilled in the Elect according to the Lords will of purpose the Covenant in the first consideration stands of promises commands threatnings c. And so it holds forth what is the command of God concerning our duty and the things which we may conditionally expect and puts nothing absolutely whether we perform it or not See Act. 2.38.39 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Act. 16.31 And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house In the second consideration the Covenant stands wholly in promises and those absolute promises and does not hold forth our duty and obligation and what is morally good or evil because God commands it or forbids it but what is Gods will of purpose and decree and what is his pleasure to act effectually upon the hearts of the Elect he over-ruling their corrupt wills so the Covenant is to be understood Jer. 31.31 c. Ezek. 11.16 c. and 36.25 c. 2. We must distinguish the parties of the Covenant according to this two-fold consideration thereof for the parties contracting with God in the