Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/24

 12

Grace in the Covenant of Grace, of which hereafter. The end of this Covenant is the demonstration of Gods wisedome, bounty, goodnesse and justice, both rewarding and punishing: and it made way for the manifestation of his rich grace and abundant free mercy brought to light in the second Covenant.

Three questions may be moved here not unprofitable, nor impertinent. 1. Why in the Covenant of nature (as it is called) God doth not expressely require Faith, but Obedience and Love. And the answer is, That only by consequent Faith is required, and not expressely in this Covenant, because there was not the least probable cause or suspition why man should doubt of Gods love, for sinne had not as yet entred into the world: but in the Covenant of Grace it was contrary, for that is made with a conference terrified with sinne, which could be raised up by none other meanes, but by the free Promise of mercy, and Faith imbracing the Word of Promise, freely and faithfully tendered, and to be received by faith only.

Againe, in this Covenant is considered, what in exact justice man doth owe unto God: (but he oweth justice and Sanctity:) but in the Covenant of Grace what God reconciled to man in his Sonne, would offer, and that is bountifully offered.

2. How that Faith, which presupposeth exact justice in the Covenant of NatureHow that faith which the exact justice in the Covenant of nature presupposeth [per errata page] [sic], differs from that Faith which is required in the Covenantof Grace?

Answ. Faith, which the exact righteousnesse of man in the Covenant of Nature, doth presuppose, agreeth with faith which is required in the Covenant of Grace in this, that both are of God, both is a perswasion concerning the love of God, both begetteth in man mutuall love of God, because if faith abounds, love abounds; languishing, it languisheth; and being extinct, it is extinguished. But they differ first in the Foundation. For Faith which the Righteousnesse of nature presupposeth, leaneth on the title of intire nature, and therefore after the fall of Adam it hath no place; for although God love the creatures in thmeselves, yet he hates them corrupted with sinne. No man therefore can perswade himselfe, that he is beloved of God in the title of a creature; (for all have sinned) nor love God as he ought. But the Faith, of which there is mention in the Covenant of Grace, doth leane upon the Promise made in Christ. Secondly, when both are of God, yet