DiftInS ions of Covenants. The Covenant of Works Chap. i . without any reftipulation from him ; And to let paffe feveral Divifions of Covenants , little pertinent to our purpofe (which may be Peen in Civilians and Politicians, particularly in Grotisu lib.2. De f ure Belli Pacii, cap. i S.) and to fpeak to fuch, which may give fome light to the prefent;work. Covenants of this na- ture properly fo called, are either between equals, where either party may indifferently indent with other, neither ftanding inga- ged to other, otherwife then by Covenant as in the inftances before mentioned. The Prieft was not engaged to officiate for Micah, nor Ciliticah to give money or rayment to the Prieft, but by vertue of contract, one was the others equal, in regard of any dependance one upon the other. Or elfe they are between. Superiour and Inferiour, the Superiour condefcending to the In- feriour, to deale by way of Covenant, when yet the whole that . is required by him, is of debt, and might without agreement or ftipulation be required and exalted. This fuperiority and infe- riority is either mixt and imperfect , or elfe it is abfolute and fo- vereigne , mixt and imperfelt fuperiority and inferiority is between parent and childe matter and fervant equal in being, but Superiour and Inferiour in relation; of this nature was that of Ifaac with Efass, gen. 27.34 Lake Y pray thee thy Wea- pons; thy quiver and thy bow and go ont to the field to take me fame venifon, andmalle me favoury meat, finch its I love, that my foul may bleffe thee before 1 die; Efass was tied as a childe to do what ijaac required, though he had hinted or promifed no blefïïng; fuperiority: and inferiority abfolute and fovereigne, is only be- tween God and his creature, no other isan abfolute superiour; and fuch is the Covenanr,when God enters Covenant. It is of fo- vereignty that God makes a Law ; It is of condefcendon and goodneffe that he enters Covenant, in which man may not in- dent, but muff accept, profeffedly accepting, and in fincerity of heart performing, what God in Covenant demands ; yet it is a Covenant, and properly fo called,that he enters with his creature, efpecially that which he enters with mankinde, having all the in- gredients, and fore-named requifites of a Covenant, as in the fe- quel (God willing) fhall be demonftrated. God is engaged to retribution, and man to fealty, and either of both by content. Covenants between any parties, whether Superiour and Inferi- riour, or equals among themfelves., are either limply and naked 1v
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