ther Lord and King, advanced at the right hand of God to give repentance and remission of sinnes unto Israel, and as TestatourHeb. 9.16. he hath confirmed the Covenant by his death. But of this in the next Chapters.
God is both the Author of this Covenant, and one partie confederate. Fathers, we know, seldome frame Indentures, thereby to bind themselves what they will doe for their children, if they will be obedient, but by right of Fatherhood they challenge of them their best service: Lords and great personages seldome indent with their free servants what preferment they shall expect after some terme of service and attendance, but if they look for reward, they must stand at their courtesie. But our Lord and Master, to whom we owe our selves by right of Creation, who might take advantage against us for former disobedience, is content to undertake and indent with us, and by Indenture to bind himself to bestow great things and incomprehensible upon us, if we will accept his kindnesse and bind our selves unto him in willing and sincere obedience.
If you demand a reason of this dealing, none can be given, but the meere grace and rich mercy and love of God. Thus saith the Lord God, I doe not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy Names sake.Ezek. 36.22 I will cause you to passe under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant, &c.Ezek. 20.37. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the Land of Israel, &c.42. And there ye shall remember your wayes, and all your doings, wherein you have been defiled, and ye shall lothe your selves in your own sight, for all your evils that you have committed.43. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have wrought with you for my Names sake, not according to your wicked wayes, nor according to your corrupt doings. Man can doe nothing of himself to procure his spirituall good. In spirituall things it fareth with him much what as with a child new borne into the world, which being naked can neither provide cloathes, nor being provided and laid by him, can put them on: for man destitute of all spirituall goodnesse, can neither move to helpe himself, untill it be freely bestowed, nor manage and wield it well, when it is of grace vouchsafed, without direction and assistance from God. And there is as little worth or dignity in man to move God to promise him help, as there is ability in man to procure help. There is nothing in man to move God toshew
