Heb. 13.8.
Rev. 13.8.
Act. 4.12.
and 15.11.
Gal. 3.29.
Rom. 3.30.
Eph. 2.12.
Gen. 15.⟨1.⟩.
and 17.1,7.
Lev. ⟨26⟩.12.
Exod. 3.6.
Matth. 22.32.
2 Cor. 4.13.
Heb. 11.6,7,8.
Rom. 4.12.
Heb. 11.⟨9⟩,19,23.not for manner of administration, which is most cleare by evident testimonies of holy Scripture, and by the very forme of the Covenant, which was one before and after the comming of Christ. The same God that calleth us, called them to the hope of eternall life: they were endued with the same spirit, and lived by the same faith: Their Sacraments for substance in signification agree with ours: and they expected an Inheritance everlasting and undefiled. Religion for substance was ever one and unchangeable, and such as were truly religious walked in the same way, and waited for the same heavenly Inheritance and everlasting crowne of glory. The Church before Christ may be considered as an heire, or as an Infant, according to the substance of the Covenant, or according to the manner of administration. In the first respect the Church is under the Covenant or Promise, and her people are called a free and willing people, an heire of heavenly and spirituall blessings. In the latter respect she is under the Covenant, in respect of the different administration, and her people are called a servile people in comparison, an heire under Tutors and Governors, not differing from a servant.
C h a p. IIII.
Of the Covenant of Promise.
THe Covenant of Grace is either promised or promulgated and established. Gen. 3.15.
Gen. 12.1.
and 15.1.Promised to the Fathers, first to Adam, and afterwards to the Patriarchs, and lastly to the people of Israel, and that before their comming into the Land of Canaan, and after their returne from the Babylonish captivity. Gal. 4.4.
1 Pet. 1.20.
Act. 3.25.
Gal. 3.16,17.
Eph. 2.12Promulgated, after the fulnesse of time came. And hence the Covenant of Grace is distributed into the Covenant of Promise, or the New Covenant, so called by way of excellency. For the Foundation and Mediatour of the Covenant of Grace is our Lord Jesus Christ, but either to be incarnate, crucified, and raised from the dead, or as already incarnate, crucified, and truly raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven. Act. 4.12.
Heb. 13.8.For there was never sin forgiven but in him alone, who is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Therefore although before the Incarnation, Christ was only God, he was ourMediatour,
