Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/11



his spirituall seed, runs thus, ''If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments: Then will I visite their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving kindnesse will I not utterly take from him: nor suffer my faithfulnesse to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips, &c., And, As for thee also, by the bloud of the Covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit, wherein is no water''. How pretious beyond all expressions are the treasures of Gods love in the Covenant of Promise! These mines are digged up and discovered in this discourse, many obscure Scriptures, full of rich Gospell-Grace are here interpreted from the originall languages, and by a judicious comparing of one place with another. The book (I believe) will commend it self unto the considerate Reader: and because so many godly, learned, well-approved brethren, have been pleased to honour it with their attestation, therefore my further testimony would be altogether needless and unseasonable. If the phrase of speech seeme sometimes knotty and unusuall, I desire that serious attention may take off that discouragement. A little diligence doth often conquer great-appearing difficulties, and love of truth will make laborious in searching after the knowledge of it. The Lord direct and prosper thy perusall of this Treatise, that thereby thy soul may be edified in grace and comfort, through the accomplishment of his glorious Promises in the Lord our Saviour, in whom, and for whom, I will endeavour to approve my self,

Thy faithfull Friend and Servant, June 12.

1645.