Selected quad for the lemma: love_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
love_n	believe_v	faith_n	heart_n	5,328	5	5.2153	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80141	A discourse of the true gospel blessedness in the New Covenant, or The distinction of the two Covenants, new and old, first and second. With the doing away of the first, and the establishment of the second, and likewise the mediatorship of Christ in the New Covenant, with some principles, duties, promises, and priviledges of the New Covenant. A useful companion for all saints at all times. / Written by Tho. Collier.	Collier, Thomas, fl. 1691.	1659 (1659)	Wing C5277; Thomason E1801_2; ESTC R35633	88,221	142

faith As God by it works faith so he supporteth and powerfully effecteth the work of salvation by the exercise imploying or working of the same faith for faith is of a working nature it worketh by love Gal. 5. 6. Therefore as it is your duty so let it be your work to live by faith and remember that word Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God And that word Rom. 11. 20. Because of unbelief they were broken off thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear Remember thy duty as well as Gods Covenant and be faithful A second new Covenant duty is to live the life of love and that to God to his name to his word to his ordinances to his people and to all men enemies as well as friends this is the duty of the new Covenant And this faith and love where it is in truth worketh over the soul to a universal obedience to the whole will of Christ in the new covenant it saith Amen to eve y part thereof it dares not entertain thoughts of taking one part and leave another no that is carnal and too low for a new covenant spirited Christian It dares not change the ordinances of the everlasting covenant no nor trample the blood thereof underfoot But I forbear in this place because you will finde a more exact stating of the duties of the covenant in the end of this Treatise to which I refer you I shall close up the point in hand in answering two weighty Queries Q. 1. What should be the Causes or Reasons that God should adde a conditional ministry and several conditional Promises with positive duties to an absolute Covenant Answ 1. That therein he might hold forth as in the one the riches of his grace and absoluteness of his purpose concerning the salvation of his people so in the other he keeps up his authority as a father and the authority of Christ as our Lord and king That although the new covenant on Gods part be absolute yet had he not stated conditions on mans part his authority over his people must have fallen and they left without duty to God as a Father or to Christ as their Lord and King Joh. 5. 22 23. Mat. 7. 21. Luke 6. 46. Therefore it is conditional as to them that they might know their duty and have conscience of it And it is absolute on Gods part that so they might look to him and be comforted and live by faith in the stabillity and unchangeableness that is in the Father and the Son So that by this means the Saints are kept clear and conscientious of and to their duties in the covenant and comforted in looking up to the Lord from whence their strength comes 2 Because persons must be judged by the duties of the Covenant on mans part and condemned too for transgression of the conditions and duties of the covenant The absoluteness of Gods covenant shall not be the rule of judging Though that be the ground of all true happiness to the Saints yet the Saints themselves must be judged in the great day of the Lord and the conditions and duties of the Covenant shall be the rule by which they shall be judged See 2 Cor. 5. 10. Mat. 25. 34 35 36. we must not onely all appear before the judgement seat there to give an account but we must expect to give an account according to the things done in the body c. and the Lords own people many of them are like to have such an account to give as in which they may must suffer loss 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. and the eternal judgement of the wicked will be for the transgression of the rules conditions and duties of the covenant I mean such as have come under the sound of the doctrine of the covenant Mark 16. 15 16. Rom. 2. 7 8 9 10. So that by this means all the world shall stand guilty before God at that day Sutable to the preaching forth of the grace of the Gospel Whether in the works of creation and the daily good the world enjoys upon that account or the communications of God through the law or in the plain ministration of the Gospel And true believers shall then be acquitted and eternally pardoned by the grace of the covenant for then shall be the perfect and compleat administration of the grace of the covenant and in this manner and at this time it shall make the comers thereunto perfect Isay 33. 24. Heb. 8. 12. Then the inhabitant shall not say I am sick for the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity 3 That the Saints being justified and eternally saved by the grace of the covenant might have the reward of the kingdom promised dispensed to them sutable to their faithfulness in the performance of the conditions and duties of the covenant for thus it shall be Let none through ignorance account it Popish but keep clear in this That justification and a state of salvation is clear by the blood of the covenant our interest and claimed by faith and hope which faith if true is the faith of the operation of God Col. 2. 12. That is of the work of God but the reward so much spoken of shall be given sutable to the work either active in doing or Passive in suffering else what means those Scriptures Luke 19 17 18 19. with 1 Tim. 6. 17 18 19. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. and the condemnation of the wicked shall be given to them sutable to the nature of their sin against Christ c. Luke 12. 47 48. Thus hath God stated conditions and duties in an absolute covenant that his own name and honour as a Father and Christs authority as a head and Lord might be preserved that he might be just and righteous when he judgeth and condemneth Fourthly That the persons who through faith come to profess an interest in this covenant might be manifest by their performance of the duties of the covenant The truth of faith in Christ and love to him is manifest by obedience to him and the people that have no heart to the duties of the covenant may justly suspect themselves to have no share in the grace in that Covenant Joh. 14. 15. If you love me keep my commandements ver 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings c. 5 That believers might be kept humble and heedful Rom. 11. 20. Thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear Ver. 21. Take heed lest he spare not thee Heb. 4. 1. Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it God would that his peoples confidence and watchfulness should go hand in hand till they are fully possest of the promised rest Psal 2. 11. Serve the Lord with fear rejoyce with trembling Saints must rejoyce and yet tremble

we need remission and in the new covenant it is administred to us according to the tenour therein exprest Heb. 8. 12. 1 Epist John 2. 12. and chap. 1. 9. In all which this blessing or blessed gift is clearly stated see Rom. 4. 6 7. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sin is covered Secondly Peace and reconciliation with himself is another blessing of the new covenant which the Lord gives to all his people and this peace is likewise first preached in the doctrine of the Gospel Hence it is that God saith Isa 57. 19. I create the fruit of the lips Peace Peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord. And Christ sent his Disciples with the message of peace Luke 10 5. and the Apostles came preaching peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. and this peace and reconciliation is applied and injoyed by faith Ephes 2. 13 14. Ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for he is our peace Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God c. Thirdly The blessing of the Spirit is another blessing of the new covenant and truly included in that blessing promised to Abraham for there is nothing that tends to make the Saints truly and eternally blessed but it must be included in that blessing promised to Abraham without which persons could not be blessed therefore this of the spirit is reckoned as one of the blessings promised to Abraham and not the least neither Gal. 3. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith This is the great Gospel blessing and promise of Christ when he was to leave this world and go to the Father that he would send the holy spirit the comforter which promise believers now have a share in Isa 59. 21. As for me this is my covenant c. The refore let the Saints be encouraged to expect such a portion of his promised Spirit as may concur to the effecting of Gods covenant 4. The adoption of sons by the same spirit is another blessing of the new covenant for out of Christ men are strangers enemies but in Christ friends Sons and daughters to the Lord God Almighty Oh friends here is a blessing and a blessed priviledge the Lord hath given to his people in this new covenant John 1. 12. To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to as many as believe in his name 1 John 3. 1. Behold what manner of love is this which the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God and if Sons then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Oh learn to improve this priviledge and this interest in and relation to the Lord. 5. An interest in great and precious promises both of grace and glory This the Lord gives in this covenant to all his people 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises c. Oh the great and precious promises relating both to grace and glory that God hath interested his people in in this covenant every New Testament Promise is a branch of the Covenant and must be performed Promises of pardoning and purging and supporting and preserving grace Promises of the kingdom and the glory that is yet to come this hath God promised in the new Covenant and given his people an interest in the godly have the promises of this life and of that which is to come Oh Therefore let them learn to acquaint themselves more with the promises and more to prize them and to live by faith in the expectation of Gods faithfulness in performing of them for they are his peoples portion till they come to enjoy the Promised possession 6. Free access to the throne of grace as Sons and Daughters in the name of Christ a great and precious favour too little prized and improved by the Lords people God delights to have his children come to him and call upon him in the spirit and faith of sons this is the Lords gift and it is marvellous that he should admit such worthless worms to come to him with acceptance Oh let us learn to prize it and improve it it s a new Covenant mercy that which none can claim a right in but believers It s their priviledge it s their duty let them therefore know it and be incouraged to come with boldness to the throne of grace Never a carnal man in the World can claim a right to this as a new Covenant mercy Psalm 50. 16. To the wicked God said What hast thou to do to take my covenant into thy mouth c. Let not the Lords people be found negligent in this work nor undervaluing it as a low and legal thing but know it is a high and precious priviledge be ye therefore faithful in the improving of it 7 Outward comforts of this life are given in as new covenant mercies although the great promises on which the covenant is established are spiritual and eternal and not such on which the old covenant was established yet the new covenant is not altogether without the promises of this life Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come See Matth. 6. 33. and Luke 12. 31. your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things and all these things shall be added viz. added in with and to the kingdom It s true our Lord hath not promised great things in this life to his people but food and cloathing Therefore having that which God hath promised let us be therewith content for we brought nothing with us into this world and it is certain we shall carry nothing out And let us learn to enjoy all our mercies as handed to us in the new covenant upon the account of Christ and improve all for God not bestow it upon our Iusts but be faithfull in answering Gods precious ends in imbracing such worthless worms in such an inriching covenant as this is in which both grace and glory are included 3 I shall come to shew you the nature of this new covenant which is thus established by Christ 1 It is a free covenant Oh the freeness of Gods love in this covenant this covenant is free 1 Either as relating to God the Author or 2 Relating to man the receiver First relating to God it was free his own councel and purpose of grace freely conceived it in himself and brought forth by and of himself Such was the freeness of the love of God in this covenant that nothing could put a stop to him notwithstanding he foresaw what man would be and do yet this put no stop to the free coming forth of this covenant all the parts of it are free His doing for working

believe and yet be watchful and therefore the absolute Covenant hath conditions annext to it in the ministration of it 6 And finally that there might be a Probable and righteous means of calling out and separating the elect from among others they being by nature children of wrath even as others Ephes 2. 3. Of the same lump Rom. 9 21. Christ comes with a general and conditional ministry works effectually with it and by it on the elect and leaves others to the ministry who one way or other first or last fall short of answering the terms and conditions of the ministry and so obtain not the mercy promised in the covenant Thus The election obtains and the rest are blinded Rom. 11. 7. and this conditional ministry added to the absolute covenant becomes unto God a sweet savour of Christ both in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life c. 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. Hence it is that the Gospel must be preached to every creature yet the believer onely is saved by it and the unbeliever damned Mark 16. 15 16. And the Persons for whom Paul suffered affliction in the fulfilling of his ministry were the elect That they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 2 Tim. 2. 10. He served Gods design and end in Preaching the Gospel every where testifying to Jew and Gentile repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Act. 20. 21. which first and chiefly was the conversion and consolation of the elect in order to their obtaining salvation in the day of Christ with eternal glory Therefore a conditional ministry is added to an absolute covenant that the elect might be called out of the world to partake of the grace and glory of the covenant Thus much to the first Quaerie the second follows Q. 2. If the case be so What are the means by which the Lord exerciseth his Power in carrying on his work in his People engaging their hearts to the duties of the covenant Answ Besides a sanctified use of the holy Scriptures which it concerns the Saints to improve 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17. a faithful use of all his ordinances and constant way of obedience for in this will the Lord be found Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright c. I say beside these things 1 A true sence of the duty and this it concerns the Lords People to have upon their hearts daily and in all their divine services to perform them as duty to their Lord. This is it will put an end to indifferency in the work keep up the authority of Christ It s no wonder if persons grow empty in duty and the Lord leaves them if they do it but as priviledge only and not also as duty I do believe much might be enjoyed of God and recieved from him if there were more conscience of duty to him Doubtless if a son would submit to his father onely upon the account of Priviledge and liberty and not of duty and own this as his principle he would justly deserve frowning and reproof from his father And in this case would doubtless be often found in neglect of duty Whence is it that professing men and women can so easily and ordinarily slip by and pass over duties but because they suppose it not to be duty but liberty and at best and most but priviledge My friends I desire you seriously to lay this to heart and consider these Scriptures Luke 17. 10. So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Joh. 15. 14. Acts 3. 22 23. 1 Cor. 14. 37. 2 Love is that which carrieth to duty The love of Christ begets love in the hearts of Christians to Christ and this enlargeth the heart to serve this is the oyl that makes the wheel to run pleasantly Where the love of Christ is shed abroad in the heart by the holy spirit Rom. 5. 5. it constraineth souls to a willing and chearful obedience and performance of duty 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us c. Love where it is in truth is of a constraining nature and that is it Christ so often speaks to this purpose Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me keep my commandements and ver 21. he that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and ver 23. If any man love me he will keep my sayings c. ver 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings c. 3 The glory of the great and good name of God is another means by which his people should be and are carried on in a way of well doing that their fathers name may be glorified Oh friends it concerns the children of God to have a tender respect to his name and to say as sometimes Joshua in another case Josh 7. 9. And what wilt thou do unto thy great name So let the Saints reason with themselves shall I walk like the world shall I neglect duty or turne aside from the truth what will become of the great name of God then The Canaanites and enemies of truth will hear of it and reproach the great name of God Oh think on this friends and remember that this was it that kept those in an evil time when others said it was in vain to serve God c. Mal. 3. 14. They that feared God and thought upon his name were preserved in that Apostacy ver 16. and God will think on them in the needful day See ver 17 18. And this is the prayer of the Apostle for the Church 2 Thes 1. 11 12. Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you c. 4 The good of poor sinners that is another thing the Lord would have his people to be laying to heart and to know that professing people by evil works do what in them lyeth to keep souls from Christ Miscarriages of professing people through the devils improvement of it becomes stumbling blocks to poor sinners to harden them but a good conversation tends to win them or it may through the Lords blessing working by it We may say truly in this matter as the Apostle speaks of and to the believing wife and husband 1 Cor. 7. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 1. its the will of God that at least his people should by well doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. 5 The great and precious Promises is another way by which the Lord carrieth his on in the performance of the duties of the covenant and

these Promises are of three sorts 1 Of Acceptance 2 Of Assistance 3 Of Reward 1 Of acceptance in the work being well pleased with his people in their obedience to him on the account of grace received from him being made accepted in the beloved Ephes 1. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 3. Ezek. 20. 40. 41. Rom. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Of assistance in the work When the Saints are faithful in their duty to the Lord he will be with them to assist them 1 in their active service in doing Isay 40. 29 31. with Phil 4. 13. Therefore let us commit the keeping of our souls to him in well doing as to a faithful creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. z in their passive service in suffering Isay 41. 10. 43. 2. 3 Of reward Promises of life and salvation thus we shall finde the Saints helpt along in all ages They had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11. 13. 14 16 26. and doubtless the Lord hath not promised it but to the end his people might be comforted in it and incouraged in their duties to him Luke 12. 32 33. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. Although this be not the first moving cause of duty of God but conscience of the duty and the life and love we receive from him yet it is the duty of Christians to have this upon their hearts else they cannot glorifie God in the riches of his glory as well as his grace See Rev. 22. 12 13 14. The sixth and last I shall at present minde is affliction and judgement and this is clear God will afflict his people Heb. 12. from 5 to 10 verse and judge them too that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. God dealeth with his children as a father if love will not do it then the rod must So dealeth the Lord with his children and that not onely here but in the great day of accounts they must be judged according to their works and it may be suffer blame shame and loss too at that great day of the Lord 1 Thess 3. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 3. 13 14 15. Therefore let the Lords people be exercising themselves in these things and they shall finde them to be of singular use to help them forward in their Christian race and to enlarge their hearts and strengthen their hands in the Lords work sutable to his will in the new covenant of his grace But I shall at present proceed no further in this matter but come to speak something more distinct to the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ who is the Mediator of the New Covenant A truth it is of great and special concernment for the Saints to be acquainted with that they may be exercising their faith therein and thereby be drawing such sutable consolation to their souls there from as God hath intended in it and as doth concern them to their comfortable walking with God Christ the Mediator Of The New Covenant Heb. 12. The beginning part of the 24. verse And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. HAving gone through the stating and distinctions of the first and second covenants and the establishing of the second the new covenant and doing away the old I shall now come to treate more distinctly of the Mediatorship of the new covenant and the Scripture presented to you leads us clearly to the Mediator of the new covenant that is Jesus Christ To Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant The apostle or author of this Epistle as his work is to exalt Christ and the new covenant above Angels and Moses and that of the old as hath been already mentioned So in this chapter especially from verse 18. to the end of the 24. he presents both the Hebrews to whom he wrote and us with the excellency of what believers are come to in the new covenant beyond what they were come to in the old and so the excellent state of believers in the new covenant above what it was in the old And this is stated in two particulars 1 Negatively what they are not come to from ver 18. to 22. wherein one great part of the blessing of the Gospel consists that we are not come to that which the people in the old covenant came to in that covenant to wit in the ministry thereof although that was glorious 2 Cor. 3. 7. 2 Affirmatively what they are come to ver 22 23 24. wherein another great part of the Gospel consists That we are come to that which the people of the old covenant came not to in that covenant even to that which exceeds in glory 2 Cor. 3. 8 9 10. of which that I have read to you is a part And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant c. In which words are three truths or doctrines included 1. That Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant 2. That true believers are come to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant 3. That to be truly come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old but because I desire brevity I shall gather up the sum of the whole in this one conclusion Doct. That true believers are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant which is a high and glorious attainment far exceeding that of the old covenant This truth hath three parts in it 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 2. That believers are come to him as he is Mediator 3. That this is a high and glorious attainment c. Part. 1. That Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant In the opening and handling of which I shall follow this method 1. Shew what a Mediator is or what the word Mediator signifies 2 To prove the truth of the doctrine that Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant 3. The persons for whom he is a Mediator and the matter for what he mediates 4. The place where he mediates for them 5. The manner how he is in the performance of this work 6. The priviledges and advantage that come to Saints by the mediatorship of Christ 7. The reasons why the new covenant that is all grace and absolute must have Christ to be the Mediator of it 1. What a Mediator is The word Mediator signifieth a middle person or one between It s taken from an Umpire or middle person that is chosen between two at difference to make up the breach between them And this is it I understand Job intends in his complaint Job 9. 33. Neither is there any dayes-man or Umpire betwixt us that might lay his hands upon us both Under his affliction he saw the want of such a one between God and him and doubtless he relates to Christ being low in his faith in this matter under his pressing affliction But now Jesus Christ is the dayes-man the middle person that is come between God and his people which is the second

bondage but of the covenant from Mount Sion which is free which is the mother of us all Let it be therefore your work by faith and hope and meditation about the grace and glory of this covenant to suck the sweetness and feed on the marrow and fatness that is freely from the father given to you in Jesus I am perswaded nay I am very much assured that the Lords poor people very often go without the comfort of the Covenant of the grace of the Gospel for want of feeding their souls thereon there is bread enough in the fathers house but there wants a will or skill to feed thereon Either want of sight of its worth or an appetite to it or else a supposition of unfitness and unworthyness occasions many a soul truly interested in the grace of the Covenant to lye short of a right improvement of their interest there and so lose the comfort and sweetness they might otherwise enjoy Here is a ground for and matter of consolation in all conditions and under all temptations be it sins and infirmities there is grace in the covenant to pardon If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness If it be sence of weakness and fear of holding out to the end here is all the Attributes of God himself engaged for thy support the Promise is in Christ thou shalt be blessed See the great and Precious Promises of the new covenant to this purpose Jer. 32. 40. Isay 40. 28 29 31. 41. 10. 43. 1 2. Heb. 13 5. These with many more are the Promises of the new Covenant If it be reproach and persecution for the name of Christ or poverty or any affliction whatsoever here is Peace and spiritual content and assured Promises of the kingdom and the glory in the end If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together with him Rom. 8. 17. For those light afflictions which are but for a moment will work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at things that are seen but at things that are not seen c. And that your souls may live upon the goodness of God in this covenant of grace let it be your care to make much of the Scripture in which the Covenant is stated and held forth And acquaint your selves with the Promises of the covenant which are all but branches thereof and they are suitable to all estates and will afford assured comfort to thy soul if rightly and sutably applied And in the Promises of the Covenant if saith be rightly set on work thou wilt gather in all the Attributes of God for thy comfort goodness and love in engaging himself and interesting thee in such a Covenant Power wisdom faithfulness and justice in performing Oh here is a stable a sure Covenant Saints may draw stable and sure consolation to their own souls herein yet notwithstanding they may say with David although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me a sure Covenant 2 Sam. 23. 5. although I am weak and frail and in my flesh dwelletb no good thing and I have cause to loath my self in mine own eyes yet God hath made with me or rather with Christ for me a sure Covenant Quest But some may say here is ground of strong consolation indeed for those that are interested in it and have a right unto it but how may I know that I have a right to this covenant that I may improve it to my comfort Answ Notwithstanding that God and Christ hath an interest in persons and that by virtue of this Covenant before they believe yet we cannot claim any interest or right before and without faith Therefore we may truly say as the Prophet Psal 41. 11. By this I know thou favourest me because mine enemies triumph not over me So I say we come to know our interest the incovenant by the work he hath wrought in us therefore hath the Lord wrought the work of faith and hope in God through Jesus Christ and this attended with self loathing and a sence of spiritual poverty and adhering to and depending upon the rich grace of God in Christ crucified and this attended with a true desire and endevour of living to God and answering of his goodness I say if this law of God be thus written by the Spirit in your hearts you may comfortably conclude your interest in the covenant For I say you must come to conclude your interest in the covenant from the work of the Spirit in you that answers the terms of the Covenant and holds harmony to what God hath promised in the covenant I say not that this work within is the ground of our being in the covenant nor the cause nor the ground of our faith but a demonstration of our interest there all is grounded upon the free and everlasting love of God in Christ Use 2. But I shall proceed to a second word of Application to the Saints interested in this covenant And that is a word of exhortation to be faithful to God in living the life of the new covenant and performing the duties thereof not onely to rejoyce in the sweetness and comfort of the covenant but likewise to be as willing to be found faithful in performing the duties of the Covenant for we are to know that God hath annexed duties to the covenant and doth as positively require and expect the performance thereof in the life of the covenant as he hath and doth work his people into a capacity thereof Therefore remember this that Gods goodness and absoluteness in the covenant no whit diminisheth the Saints duty but rather supporteth and engageth thereunto In this place I shall not come to state the particular duties but refer it till afterwards onely some general heads in which all particulars are included 1 Then to live the life of the covenant is to live the life of faith and hope in God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 21. Heb. 10 38. now the just shall live by faith c. now that is on this side the possession of the kingdom and the glory The just shall live by faith that is in the Promises of God that relate to the kingdom and in the power strength and faithfulness of God in the covenant of his grace by which his people are preserved and kept untill that day 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation c. note that the Saints are kept by the Power of God unto salvation but it is through faith that is through their living by faith in his faithful word Hence it is that the Apostle saith Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth The Gospel is the Covenant made sure and effecting its work but it is through