Jer. 11.2,3,4,5,6.ye the words of this Covenant, and speake unto the men of Judah, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this Covenant, which I commanded your Fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the Land of Egypt from the iron fornace, saying, obey my voice and doe them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God. That I may performe the oath which I have sworne unto your Fathers, to give them a Land flowing with milke and honey, as it is this day: Then answered I and said, so be it, O Lord. Then the Lord said unto me, proclaime all these words in the Cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Heare ye the words of this Covenant, and doe them. This Covenant then, which God made with Israel, was for substance one with that he had made before with the Patriarks, that is, it was a Covenant of grace and mercy: though the Law, to them that rested in the works thereof, and perverted the right use and end of the Law, was a killing letter and ministration of death.
C h a p. VIII.
A particular explication of the Covenant that God made
with Israel, and what Moses brought to the further
expressure of the Covenant of Grace.
THis doubt being thus discussed, we may proceed with more facility to lay open the particulars of this Covenant. God of his free-grace and mercy made this Covenant with Israel upon Exod. 19.18.Mount Sinai, fifty daies after the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt: as fifty daies after the deliverance of his people from the bondage of sin and Satan, the same Lord proclaims his Gospel or new Covenant upon Isa. 2.2.
Micha 4.2.
Gal. 4.24.
Heb. 12.18.Mount Sion in Jerusalem, the Metropolis or royall seat of Abraham or Davids seed. God, I say, of his infinite love and undeserved mercy did make this Covenant: for if he remember mercy, when he performeth his Covenant, then it was of meere grace, that he entred into Covenant. Also it is Ps. 103.17,18.
Nehem. 9.32.of mercy that God doth troth-plight him unto any people; for the promise runneth, Hos. 2.19.I will betroth thee unto me for ever: yea, I willbetroth