Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/25

 Rh

that faith which exact righteousnesse presupposeth is of God (as they speake in Schooles) per modum naturae: But the Faith required in the Covenant of Grace, is of God, but per modum gratiae supernaturalis. Thirdly, the righteousnesse, which the faith of nature begetteth was changeable; because the faith whence it did flow, did depend upon a changeable Principle of nature: But the Sanctity, which the Faith of the Covenant of Grace begetteth, is eternall and unchangeable, because it comes from an eternall and unchangeable beginning, the Spirit of Grace.

But if the Faith and Holinesse of Adam was changeable, how could he be secure, or free from distracting feares; the answer is, the mind of Adam, which was wholly fixed, and set in the admiration and sense of Gods goodnesse, could not admit of such thoughts; such cogitations could not creep into it.

3. Whether the Covenant of works stand on foot in the posterity of Adam, though not in respect of life and happinesse, yet in respect of the things of this life? To this some answer affirmatively, because many of them, from some remainders of the forementioned abilities, did many good things for the good of bodies politicke wherein they lived. Rom. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16. which God retributes with good things in this life, to some more, to some lesse, but to all some. And it cannot be denied; but some remainders of Gods Image or notions of good and evill, are to be found amongst the Heathen: and that these things, in them who lived without the pale of the Church, have been increased by culture of nature under Discipline, by Arts and Exercises, and might receive improvement by vicinity to the Church; from which they might learne some things to enrich them in this trade: And that God hath bestowed many and great blessings upon them pertaining to this life: But it may be questioned, whether these things come from the compact of workes, or be gifts of bounty and Gods righteous administration, for a time respiting the sentence denounced against man for breach of Covenant, and vouchsafing unto him some temporall good things for the use and benefit of humane Society. Yea, it may be worthy consideration, Whether these things be not granted unto them in Jesus Christ, according to the Covenant of Grace, which was made upon the very fall: by whom not only the Elect, but the whole frame of nature received benefit. In the Creation God raised up a great Family,