Chap.9. and the Covenant of Grace. CHAP. IX. Differences in the conditions of the Covenant off/Yorks and the Covenant of Grace. 'Hefe premifed Pofitions afford us feveral helps ; as. for dif- covery of the differences in the conditions of the Covenant of Grace and Works : So alfo to finde out the conditions apper- taining to the Covenant of Grace. And in the firft place this, difference offers it felf. The conditions of the Covenant of ;Works were in mans power, being left to the freedome ofhú will ; he had abi- lities in himfelf without jelling on: , for further affigance then a meere general concurrence to performe therm This ability in man to an- fiver whatfoever was called for at his hands from God, ap- peares Firft, in the integrity of his nature; being made like God his principles muff needs carry him to a conformity with God ; and thefe principles were connatural to man, in his fiat being and beginning : Man being made of God to contemplate his glo- ry, and to enjoy communïon,with himfelf; he made him not de- fe &ive in any of thofe noble qualifications that ferve for it, or have a tendency to it. Papifts indeed will have this to be a fu- pernatural gift of grace, and above the glory of mans firft creati- on. Bellarmine compares it to a bridle given to curbe that lufl which rifethagain/l reafon in ur. That rebellion of lulls in man, they conceit, would have been if man had not fallen which as it layes a high charge upon God in fuch an afperfon of his pure work, drawnafter fuel] a patterne ; fo it makes way for other 5 -- pinions, that the firft motions without content are no fins ; and that luft in the regenerate, is not fin. But as the bottome is rotten, fo alfo the building that is raifed upon it is ruinous. There was an happy agreement in man,as well with himfelfas with his Crea -' tour : The fall brought in a neceflity of fupport and fupply of Grace. 2IY. This appears from the equity which muff be granted to be in the command of God ; which requires that the work given in charge be not above his abilities that is charges*with it. The Arminian argument from a command to abilities to r ,<ep the com- 12 rnand, 59 The conditi- ons in the Co- nantof Works were in mans power. tî vcluti au- reo quodam fra- no pars inferior parte fuperiori, (pars fuperior Veo facile fub- jelia continere- tur.,Bel(: Dc. Grata minis, : p. 5.
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