Chap. 3. and the Covenant of Grace. For howfoever the firf Covenant was on condition of obedi- ence, and engaged to the reward of Works, yet it was of Grace that God made any fuch promife of reward to any work of man, when man had done all (even in that ellate) which was com- manded, he was Rill an unprofitable fervant, he had done no more then duty, and no emolument did thence accrew to his Ma- ker. It was enough that he was upheld and fufained of God in the work,to live in him and upon him,when the work was donehe might have been jufly annihilated, If merit be taken in a proper fenfe, Adam in innocency was too low for it, all his work being an homagedue, no profit redounding to God and the work bearing no proportion to the reward. But a more fuperabun- dant meafure of Grace, is feen in Gods entrance into Covenant with man in bis fallen condition, infinitely more favour is (hewn in his reconciliation, then in his prefervation. Therefore this by way of eminency bath the honour to be filed the Covenant of Grace. Thefe two bearing thefe denominations, agree in the general nature of a Covenant, both are Covenants properly fo called, either of both are between God and man both have a tendency to the glory of God, his honour is the end of both, in either of both there is an engagement from God,and refipulati- on from man,yet there are fundry differences,fome more inconfi- derable,fòme more weighty, a brief view of them will contribute much to the right underfanding of either. CHAP. III. Differences between the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. Refe two Covenants both of theM made of God, with man, _ were yet entred into, in a different elate and condition of man. The firf was entred ija jzzatu in mans integrity, when man had not at all by fin incurred the difpleafure of God, or weakened his abilities for obedience; man then food as he came out of Gods hand bearing in himfelf a lively refem- blance of God. The fecond was in fatu deftit!to, in mans., fallen eftate now in fin, under wrath, dead in fin, and wholly( (.ifa bled ' Agreement he- tween the Co- venant ofGrace and the Cove- nant of Works T4e Covenant of Works was entred into in in}aris fate of integrity. The Covenant of Grace was entred into in Mans falten condition.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=