Chap. 9. and the Covenant of Grace. 61 us meet to partake of the benefits of it. This appeares. (r.) In the fíate and condition in which God Eeafons. findes man, when he firft enters Covenant with him ; yea , after Covenant entred, till a change be wrought, and abilities confer- red to anfwer that which God in Covenant requires. This flate of man the Apoftleexpref %s, Ephef. 2. I. Dead in trefpaffes and fins , alive and in power of for nothing at all but fin, This was the condition of Heathens , never in Covenant ; and fo of the Jews, who were a people in af}ual Covenant, and owned of God as bis inheritance, as God willing (hall be fhewen. Their con- verfation was the fame as the Apoflle there confeffeth. among whom we alto had our converfation in times pall , in the lu/ls of the f efh, fulfilling the de fires of the flefh and of the minde, and were by Ì nature the children of wrath as well as others. This in abundant o- ther expreffions in Scripture-is difcovered , holding forth the fame thing, Rom. 5. 6. For when we were yet without firength, in due time Ghrifi died for the ungodly. That infant, Ezek, 4, S. had no more poflibilities of life, then is tube found even in the flare of death. (2.) It appeares in that power which is exercifed by God, in the change Of thofe in Covenant with him , whom he fits for him - felffor Eternity. This power in Scripture is let out in feveral expreflions. Firft, Creation, Epef. 2. Io. We are bù workmanfhip created in Chrit Jefim unto good Works, All abilitie to good is from the frame into which grace puts us ; as there is a power out ofrnan which gives him Being , fo alfo there is an anfwerable power for his new Being ; He that is begotten of .God , keepeth him - frlf, and the evil one toucheth him not, x Joh. 5.18. Secondly, ,bickening. The dead have not power to raife them. (elves, without a further power for their Refurreetion; neither is it in the power of , Who it dead in trefpa ffes and fans, Eph. 2. I. Taking away the heart of(lone, and giving an heart of flefh, Ezek. 36, 26. to change the nature of things, is the work of an Omnipotence, which was Satans argument not denied by Chriff; If thou be the Son of God command thefe Hones to be made bread, Matth. 4.3. Caufing to walk in gods natures, Ezek. 36. 27. A work as of authority, fo of power. Plucking out glc the power of Saran an aft of the free grace of God , . 2 Tim. 2. z6. 2)raW- f .
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