Chap. T. and the Covenant of Grace. mite annext, affented to by man, is a Covenant; and whèn a Seal is added, there is a condefcenfion to our weakneffe, for the more abundant ratification and confirmation of Gods Stability in his Promifes. In our enquiry after fuch Covenants, which God in his gracious condefcenfion is pleafed to enter with man. the general nature of a Covenant muft be held, every jpecies muff partake of its Genus ; We muft not make Gods Covenant with man, fo far to differ from Covenants between man and man, as to make it no Covenant at all; we muff alfo obferve that which differences. it from Covenants meerly humane, that Covenants divine and hu- mane be not confounded together. In order to which we muft know that in every Covenant properly fo called, thefe requifites muff concurre. Firff, it muff not be of one alone, but at leaft of two parties, one can make no bargain or agreement. Secondly, there muff be a mutual confent of thefe parties WhenNahaj7, the Ammonite offered to make a Covenant with Jfrael , on condition that he might thruft out all their right eyes, i Sam. 1 I.2. the Ifraelites refuting, and running the hazard of a fight, rather then. undergo it, here was no Covenant. Thirdly, each party muff engage themfelves one to-another, for performance of fomewhat cove- nanted for, whether debt, duty, or promife. When Abraham a- greed with the Hittites f o r a burial place f o r four hundred She- kels, Gets. 2 3 . [ 5 , 1 6 . There was a Covenant properly fo called, having apparently in it all requifites of a Covenant. So alfo in f eremies purchafe, f er. 3 2. 10. and the Levites hiring of himfelf to do the office of a Prieft, fudg. 17. io. Micah and he mutual- ly agree, he is to do the office of a Prieft, and Micah is to pay his Covenant - wages; fo that he hit right of the nature of a Cove- nant, that defined it to be e mutual agreement between partíes upon Articles or- Propofitiont on both fides, [o that each party ù tied and bound to performe bls oWn conditions. This holds forth the ge neral nature of a Covenant, and is common to all Covenants, publike and private, divine or humane, differencing it firft from a Law or Precept, where there is a command out of Sovereignty propounded, without any obligation or engagement on the Law- giver or Commander. Secondly, from a fingle prosmife , where there is a figni.fication of the will of him that makes the pro- mife, touching force good to him to whom the promife is made, B 2 without Requifites in a Covenanr.
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