Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/37

 Rh made able to fulfill the Covenant made with him: so is the Covenant of Grace written in the hearts of them that be heires of the Promise in Christ.

They differ, 1. In the speciall consideration of the Authour, cause and foundation of the Covenants. God gave his Law to Adam as bountifull and gratious to his creature intire and perfect, but in strict justice requiring obedience, promising a reward and denouncing punishment. But the Covenant of Grace he made as a loving Father in Jesus Christ, of his meere Grace promising to receive them into favour, that sincerely and unfainedly turne unto him. The Creation of man and integrity of humane nature, is the Foundation of the former Covenant: but the Redemption of man by Christ is the Foundation of the Covenant of Grace.

2. In the forme of Sanction. In the Covenant of Nature there is no Mediatour: but the Covenant of Grace is made in Christ, in whom God hath made us accepted. The Covenant of Nature was not promised before it was promulgated: but the Covenant of Grace was first promised, and long after promulgated and established or ratified in the bloud of his Sonne.

3. In the speciall matter of the Covenants, and that both in respect of the Promise and stipulation. For the Covenant of Nature promised life, but not righteousnesse: but in the Covenant of Grace God promiseth to tread Satan under the feet, and to write his Law in the hearts of them that be heires of Salvation. That Covenant promiseth life to them that perfectly obey, but not remission or forgivenesse of any, even the least iniquity. But this promiseth forgivenesse of sinnes and life eternall to the penitent sinner believing in Christ, and embracing the free promise of mercy. In that, life eternall is promised as the reward of justice: in this, life and glory as the reward of free and rich grace and mercy. To him that worketh, the wages is of debt; but to him that beleeves the reward is of Grace. In that God as a Creatour doth exact his right of man pure: but in this as a loving Father he doth offer himselfe to the sinner smitten with the conscience of his sinne. In that, life eternall and most blessed is promised, but only animal, to be enjoyed in Paradise, or continuance in that good estate wherein he was set at first of the rich bounty of God: but in the other, translation out of ignominy and death into eternall happinesse and glory in Heaven. In the Covenant of Nature