71
^C6
#I5?5
i
/A^vruty f. / Qv\fiuyuu
^ #ijw
J be Ar\ of the Covenant Opened-, fabl
Or, A J
TREATISE
Of the
covenant:
of
Redemption
BETWEEN
God and Chrift, as the Foundation of the
Covenant of Grace.
Wherein is proved,
That there is fucha Covenant.
TheNeceffity of it.
The Nature, Properties, Parties thereof.
The Tenor, Articles, Subjeft-matter of Redemption.
The Commands, Conditions, and Promiles annexed.
I The Harmony of the Covenant of SuretiQiip made
with Chrift, and the Covenant of Reconciliation
made with Sinners : wherein they agree , wherein
they differ.
^Grounds of comfort from the Covenant of SuretiQiip.
Written by a Minifter of the New-Teftament.
L N D O N,
Printed for -7bd. Varkburft at the Bible and three Crowns in Chetyftde,
near Mercers Cbappel, 1677.
TO THE
R E A D E R.
THE two only things thatpould induce any
one t a give his Teftimony and Recom-
mendation unlo Difconrfes that are
publifhed for fublick ufe, are the im-
portance of the Argument treated on>
and the nfeful judicious handling ofit^ in thofe Dif-
conrfes. Whatever elje may be 7 or ufually is jpoken
unto, on fitch occasions , is a diversion from what
ought to be intended \ and what is expeffed by all
them who give fuch Prefaces the perufal. But both
thefe in the enfuing 'Difconrfes feem to be fitch > and
fo ftated , as to render any Recommendation of mine
in this way needlefs and fuperfluous. For the Ar-
gument treated of bei*g the Covenants of God with
Chriji the Mediator, and with the Church in bim>
there are none who have any acquaintance with
Chriftian Religion 3 or care of their own Souls ,
but muji 9 and will, acknowledge to be of the great-
eft weight in it felf and highefi concernment unto
A 2 them
To the Reader.
them. For the DoCtrine hereof, or the truth herein,
is the very -Center wherein* all the lines concerning.
the Grace of God and our own duty, do meet } where--
in the whole of Religion doth confift. Hence unto the
unaerjlaxding, Notions, and Conceptions, that men
have ofthefe Covenants of God , and according as
the Dcdrine of them is Jiated in their minds ,
their Conceptions of all other facred Truths , or
Doftrines, are conformed. And therefore as they
who have right apprehenftons,a;sd a true underfiami-
ing of thefe things, cannot in th\ ufe of- diligence ',
and the means appointed thtrtkfU, fipjstly milia^e
the Truth in any other point of weight in the whole
compafs of Religion '•> fo thofe who unhappily fall
under mifapprehen r yt zbout them, do generally either
fuSuaU in thei** own minds about all other Evan-
gelical Truths , or do corrupt aficl pervert the whole
Doffrine concerning them And i reon alp depends the
regulation of all our intire Chrijiian pratf/fe or Obe-
dience, as all will Ack&owledg who have an) fytowledg
of thefe things. It feems therefore altogether need-
left, that there J/jould be any new Recommendation
of the fubjeft- matter of the enfuing Difcourfes^ unto
thofe who ferioufly mind their own Spiritual and Eter-
nal concerns 5 and as unto others , it is to no purpofe
to declare the worth and nature offuch Pearls unto
item. As for the manner of the Declaration or
handling of thefe facred Truths in the enfuing Dif-
courfes , the known Abilities, Piety , Learning, and
Judgment of this Author, with that leafure he had
to add his laji thoughts and confldtrations unt othem,
are fufficient to give the Sober Reader an expeffa-
Hon of as muchfatisfa&ion as he ts like to meet withal
m
To The Reacfer.
in endeavours of this nature. I cannot there-
fore but judg that there is little need oftbkAttejia*
Hon which I ant defred to give unto this excellent
and ufeful Treatife. Howbeit^ that I may not feent
wholly to condemn my felf in what I do, Imufi ac
hpowkdg that therewere fome reafons which induced
me to comply with the defire of the worthy Fublijher
of it. My long Chrijlian acquaintance^ and friend-
flnp with the Author , made me not unwilling to tefiifie
my Refpetfs unto him and his Labours in the Church
of God \ now he k at Rejt^ for whom I had fo great
an efteem whilfi he was alive. And whereas the whole '
Dejign and end of my felf as unto others, is to pro-
mote the kpowledg of the truths of the Gospel of our
Lord tfefus Chrifti and the pra&ifeofthem $ J knew*
not, but that with fo me at leaji, this occajional word
might one way or other conduce unto that end. Ijhall
therefore briefly and plainly give an account of my
thoughts concerning this Dijcourfe^ which I have with
fome diligence and great fatisfaStion perufed, Very
many learned and godly perfons have laboured in the
fame fubj eft unto the edification of the church : I
intend them only who agreeing in the truth as to the
fubllance of it, may yet differ in fome conceptions
about it^ or the way of Explanation of it* For
it is not unufejul that the fame truths efpecially that
which is offo great importance as is what concerneth'
the Covenant, be varioufly handled by many, according
unto the meajure of the gift of Chrifi which they have
received? fo whereas we know all hut in part, if we
have^ as we ought to have, a continual fen fe of the
imperfeUion of our kpcwledg, none ought to be of
fended if they meet with, fame difference in Concepti-
ons
To the Reader.'
ens and Expeditions about things of lejfer moment ;,
among^ofe whp agree in the fubfiance of what they
dopropofe ;.Jerfe& Harmony, and Vniverfal Agree-
ment in all things, is the priviledg only ofthefacred
Writers who were Divinely infpired. But from the
firft day that the management of Religion was in
the Providence of Godentrujied with them who had
not an infallible Guidance , there is an apparent evi-
dence of fuch differences as thofe we fpeal^of amongji
them all ••> even the befi and wifeji of them. We may
therefore allow them all their jufi Commendation
who have laboured diligently in the invejiigation of
the Truth although fome of them have not efcaped
various mijiai^es about it* Nor is it fpoken with
any reflection on the endeavours of others who have
written on this fubjeCf, when I do freely declare my
judgment^ That for Order , Method , Perfpicuity in
treating p andfolidity of Argument y the enfuing Dif
courfe exceedeth whatfoever fwgle Treat ife I have feen
written with the fame dtfigns ** it alfo is entirely
compliant with the ,Doffrine of the Gofpel, in what is
afferted in it. Three things may be expeSed in
difcourfu of this nature D or however the fubjeS
requires that they may be attended unto. I
!• A diligent declaration of the Truths in and from
its proper principles ) with afohd confirmation there-
of
2. A praciical improvement of the Truth fo de-
clared and demon/irated.
3. A vindication of it from dire& oppofition againjl
it, or the corruption of it by a Mixture of fa Ife notions
and apprehenftons about it, efpeci ally fuch as wherein
C-hrifuan PracJif is nearly concerned.
Each
To the Reader.'
Eachofthefe the Reverend and Leaned Author
of the enfuing Difconrfe had A* efpecial regard unto h
and how he hath (Uncharged himfelf in them all, will
quickly appear unto every judicious and attentive
Reader. I am fur e Ijfjall not -offend in wjjhingthat
others may find the fame fat isfaBion in their perufal,
as 1 have done. Wijl)^ J heartily do alfo , that as
many of thofe as can with convenience D who dejire
a good and fafe Guide in thefe important truths, in
m the declaration whereof fo'inanf have run into
ex tr earns , even unto the hazard of the Souls of
Men, and would have their hearts excited unto
their praUife, would furnijh themfelves with what
is here tendered unto them. For I find that in
what is DoStinal in the whole Difcourfe , wherein
a great and excellent part of the Myfiery of the
Gjfpel is unfolded, the Reverend Author hath fully
weighed, not only what can be faid in the confir-
mation of what he offer ts, hut alfo what can be faid
againfi it, or befe* up in competition with it, car-
rying on the truth with fuccefsful Evidence , and
clear Demonjiration. And as unto what is fraUi-
col, as he had the experience of it in his own Soul,
fo there is nothing wanting that might give the
feverals infijied on , a due imprejjion on the Minds
and AffeCtions of others. Soundnefs in DoSrine ,
Gravity in Speech, ConviSion in Argument , Power
in Exhortation , Clearnefs and Perfpicttity in Or-
der, with a nervous Untwtexture of Scripture-
7ef?i monies and Re df ok, throughout the whole , all
evidencing their fpring in this work^ to have been,
Zeal fo* the Glory of God, Love of the Truth, and
Companion towards the Souls of Men, do in my judg-
ment .
T° ^ e Reader.
mint animate and fill up thefe difcourfes from the
Beginning unto the End. that they may be blefed
unto the benefit and advantage of them who defire t»
be edified in the truth that it after Codlinefs , is ,
the earnefi Prayer efr
READER,
Thy Servant in the
Work of the Gofpel,
John Owen.
THE
CONTENTS.
Chap. I.
OF the foundation of the covenant ofGrace? or of the co-
venant of Redemption ', where 'tis i . Proved, that
there is fuch a covenant between God and Chrift, P. i.
I. Proof ', fromlfo. 59. 20,21, p. 2. 2. Proof \ from
PfalmSp. p. 1. 3d. Proof j from Scriptures, which hold forth
all the JEffentials and Requifites for making up a formal Cove-
nant , to be betwixt God and Chrift, p. 5. The necejfary Requi-
fites unto the ejfence of a Covenant,^ % 6. That they are to be
found betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, ib. ( 1 ) Confent and
agreement between God and Chrift about this thing, p. 6.
( 2 ) Propofals made by Jehovah to Chrift, p. 7 : And Chrift s
confent to the fe prepofals, p. 12. (3) That there is reftigies
to be found between God and Chrift, of all things required to
explicit e formal covenanting, p. 1 6. ( 1 ) Commands , with
Promifes , p. 17. ( 2j Promifes with conditions , ibid.
( l) Conditions with confent, p. 18. (4) Confenting,with
performing, ibid. ( 5 ) Asking, aid giving, p. 19.
( 6 ) Works, Wages, ibid. 4. Proof, from the Offices, Em<-
ployments, Trufts, Towers, Authorities and Relations , which
Chrift did bear in order to his peoples Redemption , p. 20.
The Covenant between Jehovah and thrift evinced to be the
foundation of the Covenant made with us* p- 26«
{a/ Chap,
The Contents.
Chap. II
Of the necejpty of the covenant of Redemption ', and I. Wh it
kind of neceffity for the being of this Covenant, p. \ I. Three
Questions about itrefohed, p. 32. And the extr earns on either
hand confidered, p. $6. (2) In what refpetls, or to what in-
tents it isneceffary: 1. For the honour of God', confidered^
1 . Effentiatly, as to his Nature and Attributes, p. $9. 2. Per-
y*?*^/, as to the diflintl fubfiftences of the ,perfons of the Trini-
ty } and the dilUnct Offices of the three Perfons, p. 40. 2. The
good of the ranfomed and redeemed people, p. 42. And that y
1. To ujher in the new way of Life by the G of pel. 2. That
the Gofpei covenant with us, might he purely of Grace, p. 43.
3. To advance our falvation, p. 44. 4. TL*? the fountain of
our falvation might be out of our felves. 5. For our eftablijh-
ment under the new Difpenfation, p. 45. 6. for the bettering
of our bleffednefs and glory, p. 47. 7. For having in readi-
-nejs a Phyfician before we Jhouldbe fick^ 8. For cutting off all
occafion of boafiing from man.
Chap. III.
The nature of the covenant of Redemption, ma?>ifefted. 1 . The
various eternal Alls of the Will of God, that concurred to
make up this Agreement : 1 . Defignrtion of the perfon. 2. Fit-
ting of him. $. Calling of him. 4. hive [ling him, p. 51.
_j Sending him. On the other part, Chrifi s confent and com-
pliance, p. 52* 2. The diflinBion and order of thefe .atts of
his Will : 1. According to the fut writ ion of things, p. 54. 2. As
to his execution of them. 3. As to the end.
The Properties 0) the covenant of Redemption are, 1. Freedom^
p. 57, 2. 6> , : * •* />, p. 60. 3 . Eternity^ p. <S j. 4. Equality
ift parties an&conditions, p. 67. 5. 0/-^r,p. 70. 6. Stability.
The parties cf this stern.il tra.ifaclion about Rede^ihn, Jq-
hov&h and Chri}?, p. 73. /^n? f#ey *re r# be confide red, fnewn
in thefe aff rations : 1. Tfcjg fc 6W £f 0/? both fides of thu Co-
venant , yet not to be confidercd the fame way on both parts.
2. The Covenant is tranfacled with Chrifi perfonal : not Chrifi
myftical . p. 74. $. TheCovr^ntw^: voi mad- with Chrifi, as
God: t but as God-;;- ;.:?, p. 75. 4. Chrifi woi cho fen Lord- Me-
diator, and we ehofeh in him , before he is a f arty covenanting with
J; hovah about ow Redemption, p. 78. Chap.
The Contents.
Chap. IV.
The fub)ec~b -matter and Articles of the covenant of Redemp-
tion concluded between God and Chrifl, were, I . Whofhould be re-
deemed, p. 80. 2. Who flwuld be the Redeemer y p.8 1 . i.What
the Redeemers work; 4. When it jhould be done, p.82. 5. How
to be apply ed, p. 8 3. 6. What reward for his work^, p. 84.
7. What fhould be the mutual affurances for performance of the
Articles agreed on, p. 8 ^ . The conditions and engagements re-
quired of Chrifl by the Covenant , opened in eight affertions,
p. 86. 1. All the commands of the Covenant , and conditions-,
ibid. 2. All the conditions of the Covenant, were voluntary alls
of Chrifl 's WilL 5. They were certain conditions, p. 87* 4. They
Were works, p. 88. 5. The conditions of the covenant of Sure-
tijhip made with Chrifl , did fully anfwer the intent of the co-
venant of Works, p. 89. 6. Neither Chrifl s active nor paffive
Obedience are to be excluded from making up the adequate con-
dition of the coven-ant of SuretiJJup , ibid. 7. The conditions
required of him, and performed by him, were meritorious, p. 90.
8. The condition of the covenant of Suretifhip is more general,viz.
his whole u dertaking, p. 9 1. Or more fpecial and formal \ his
whole Obedience both atlive and paffive, p . 9 2 .
The encouraging conditions made to Chrifl by God, of eight
forts :■ i. Such as relate to the Offices, Authorities, Trufts and
Powers, that were covenanted to him for the doing his wo fkj, p. 94*
2. Such as relate to the Gift and habitual Endowments , necef-
fary for performing this wor^, p. $6.' 3. Such as relate to his
fupport in execution of his Office, p-97- 4. Such as relate to
the fuccefs of his wor\ of Redemption, p. 99. 5. Thofe that
relate to his Fathers acceptance of his work,, p. iok. 6. Thofe
that relate to his reward for his Work,, p. 104. 7. Thofe that
relate to -Inter eft, p. IQ7. 8. Thofe that, relate to the whole
defign and intent of his Suretifhip, p. 108.
Chap. V.
The harmony of the covenant of Suretiflrip made with Chrifl,
and the covenant of Reconciliation and Grace made with finners :
They agree together 7 1. In their rife from Free 'grace , p.i 1 3.
(a 2) a. In
The Contents.
% In their defign, the redemption of loft people, p. 114. 3. In
that Chrift is the grand Inftrumwt of both, ibid. 4. They
are both commen fur able with Gods election of the parties with
whom he made the Covenants, p. 115. 5. The principal ends ef
both, are the fame , ibid. 6 . The advantage of both redounds
to us : the honour to the Lord. 7. There is exchange of places
between Chrift and his redeemed feed in both, p. 11 6. 8. In
many properties, free, gracious, fare, p. 11 7.
They differ, 1 . In their rife ; one came from grace in both
parties: the other not, p. 1 17. 2. In the property of Eternity.
3. The parties are different*, in one, Jehovah and Chrift , in
the other , Father , Sm and Spirit , and loft /inner s, p. 118.
4. The covenant of Redemption is equal , that of Reconciliation
unequal, p. 1 1 9 5. In the covenant of Redemption, there was no
Mediator; in thai of Reconciliation there is, 6. The Promifes
of the two Covenants are different, p. 120. 7. Threatnin^s
are annexed to the covenant of Reconciliation, 8. Ihe com-
mands and conditions of them are differ ent^^. 121. 9. The
covenant of Redemption tarried not for our confent to ma\e it
an actual covenant: the other does, p. 122.
The two Covenants are con]oyn'd together by a five-fold con-
nexion: 1, By an infeparable connexion, p. 123. 2. By an
infallible connexion, j. An injuperahle connexion, p. 124.
4. By a fecret and hidden connection. 5. By a beautify! con-
nexion, p. 125. Their connection illuftrated by a Similitude,
p. 127.
Chap. VI.
The grounds of comfort refulting from the covenant of Sure-
tijhip to thofe who are in the covenant of Reconciliation : 1, The
original of Gods covenanting with us, is an eternal compact be-
tween Jehovah and Chrift, p. 128. 2. The fame love of the
Father and Chrift, now drawing thee into the New Covenant ,
hath been in action for thee in Eternity. 3 . Our Redemption
and Salvation hath little of our Will, and much of Gods gra-
cious Will in it, p. 129. 4. By the covenant of Suretijhip,
the fountain of life and falvation , lay cut of our fslves, in
Chrift. 5. By the covenant of Suretijhip, our Rights aid Char-
ters, the Promifes, are in a furer hand than our own, p. 130.
The Contents.
6. By the covenant of Suretijhip , Chrifi and the Believer are
in a manner in one Writ, p 1 $ 1. 8. By the covenant of Sure-
tijhip , all the hard conditions lay upon Chrifl , p. uj,
9. That in the covenant of Suretijhip, the Believer is under-
taken for by both the parties, Jehovah and Chrifi, p. 1^6.
10. The Believer is in a fure and confirmed Eft ate, p. 137.
11. Whatever Chrifl did in that Covenant , it was for m:
and we did it in him, p. 138. 12. By that Covenant , be-
fides all other Attributes , the Juflice of God is for the Believers
falvation. This, 1. Is an argument to anfwer all temptations
from our frailty, inconfiancy,&c* p. 140. 2. Admire and
findy the depths of Love in Gods Covenant, p. 142. 3. Learn
how needful the knowledg and perfwafion of Chrifl s Suretifliip
for Hi, is, p. '143- 4. Nothing more necejfary to engage our
hearts to ftudy faith and hololinefs, p. 144.
Chap. VII.
Concerning the Mediator of the New Covenant -, and, l.Of
his Name , what it fignifies, p. 145. Chrifi called Mediator
m a four-fold account : I. In refpetl of his V erf on. 2. Office.
3. Fitnefs and qualification* 4. His actual inter pofing, p. 147.
1. Through him was the Covenant fir ft moved. 2. Through
him was the bnfinefs begun and ended in the Councel of God.
3 . Through him were we reprefented in his tranfatlion with
his Father, p. 148. 4* Through him God did fir ike hands
with us. 5 . Through him the Covenant is fulfilled, 6 . Through
him came the news of it. 7. Through him is the My fiery mads
manifeU in the he arts of his people, p. 149. 8. He paid the
price to Juflice for us, 9. Through him is peace made.
10. Through him the hleffings of the Covenant are apply ed to
ms* 11. Through him we receive thefe hleffings, p. 150.
12. Through him was the Covenant with m confirmed.
1 3. Through him are our hearts engaged to the bargain, ,'p. 151.
14. Through him is the Covenant made firm and fi able, llfes,
1. 1 he mifery of thofe under the covenant of Works y 2. The
hleffednefs of Believers under the covenant of Grace. 3. Since
Chrifi is Mediator , he mufi be employed and acknowledged,
p. 152.
' Chap.
The Contents,
Chap. VIII.
Concerning the neceffity of a Mediator } and the reafons
why the Covenant is eftablijh'd in the hands of a Mediator ,
of three forts, p. 15$.
( l ) Refpetting Gods Glory ', I . The glory of his Honour.
2. The glory of his Wifdom. $, The glory of his Goodnefs,
p. 154. 4. The glory of his Juftice,?. 15$.
(2) Reafons ref petting Chrifl ; 1. In refpeclofhis Offices ,
King, Prieft, and Prophet, ibid. 2. His Power. 3. In
refpetl of the dependence we have on him.. 4. In refpetl of
his fole working the whole bufinefs, p. 156. .
( 1 ) Sort of reafons , rej peeling the creatures good, nega-
tively i and affirmatively : Negatively, 1. Without the Media*
tor, we could have had no faving-knowledg of God, p. 156.
2. No union between God and man. . $ . No communion with
God. 4. 2{o conformity to God. Affirmatively : 1. A foun-
dation is laid for a higher happinefs to be recovered in* Chrift,
than was loft in Adam, p. 157. \% There is a better fecurity
of that happinefs. 3. Solid grounds of Confolation. Uies :
I. This clears one difference between the covenant of Grace,
and that of Works, wherein was no Mediator, p. 158. 2. From
the neceffity of a Mediator , be convinced of your need of a
Mediator, p. 159. $. Carry it as thofe that need a Media,-
tor, p. 160,
CHap. IX.
Concerning the prfon of the Mediator of the New Cove*-
nant, p. 16.1 : called, 1. The Word of God, p. 162. 2. The
brightnefs of his Fathers glory, p. 163, 3. The exprefs I-
mage of his Fathers perfon, p. 1 64.
I. Chrift hath in him a glorious refemblance of the excel-
lency and Attributes of the Father. 2. It is by Chrift that ail
thofe Excellencies of God are revealed to us, p. 164. Three
things in God are difcovered in Jefus Chris! . 1* The Attri-
butes of God \ Wifdom, Goodnefs, Mercy, Power, Soveriagnty,
Juftice, Holinefs: All-fufficiency , Patience, Faithfulnefs, Ma-
" i, p. 166Y
* The
The Contents.
2, The diftinB fubfiftences of the perfons of the Godhead,
p. 171.
3. The diftinB Offices of the three T erf oris : I. The Atts
of the Father, plotting and making the covenant with Chrifi
Mediator. 2. The ABs of Jefus Chri ft undertaking. 3. The
Alls of the Spirit.
Chap. X.
Concerning the Office of the Mediator', and 1. Of his cal-
ling to it j p. 174. 2. By whom he wax called, by God the
Father, p. 1 75. 3. When he wo* called to it : 1. In refpell
~*f his designation to the Office , it is Eternal, p. 176. 2. In
rejpeEb of his furniture for , and being invefied in his Office ,
it is in time, p. 1 77. life 1 . Wonder at Gods eternal Love
in calling Chrift, and his voluntary fubmiffwn to it. life 2.
To eftablifh our faith in the prevalency of Chrisls Mediati-
on , ibid. life 3. Shews the neceffity of receiving the Me-
diator . Ufe 4. Is comfort to Believers.
Chap. XL
Of Chrifts qualification for the Office of Mediatorfhip ^ and
1. Of his taking our nature upon him,- p. 179. Where, 1. Is
to be conftdered the reality of it, p. 180, 2. His condejc end-
ing- love in it, p. 181. 3. The exaltation of our Nature ,
p. 183. 4. How Qhrifis taking cur Nature, is the great
qualification of him for his Mediator (hip, p. 1 8 5. 1. He muft
he God: for man could not fatisfie for fin, p. 186. 2. He
muft be Man , becaufe he mn fir ft and in our (had : and be one
with us,&c p. 187. 3. The reaj'ons why he muft be God
and Man, in one per f on, p. 188.
Chap. XII.
Several Qwftions refolvtd concerning Chrifts taking our Na-
ture upon him •, Why God the Father, or the Holy Ghoft, too\ not
our Nature, but the Son? p. 1 89. 2 . Why muft the Son of God be
not only Man, but the Son of Man, the fed of the Woman? p. 191.
3 Why did not the Son ofGodtakf Adams nature in Innocency ,but
when
The Contents,
vthenitwas corrupted? p. 192. 4. Why muft our Mediator be
born of the feed of Abraham? and when? p. 194. 5. why
muft our Mediator he made under the Law ? p. 195. 6. Why
was the Son of God horn of a Virgin, and not a marriedWo-
man ? p. 196. 7. Why is Chrift made Man in the fulnefs of
time, and not fooner nor later? p. i97» The Vfes, p. 198.
Chap. XIII.
Of Chrift s VnElion , another qualification of him for his Of-
fice - the fir ft part of which is his Anointing to thefe Offices
of Prophet, Trie ft, and King, p. 20 1. The neeeffity of them
in him, p. 202. The ufe of them in our Mediatory p. 204.
3. The concurrence of them for the end of his Mediator pipy
p. 209. V.fes x y. 215.
Chap. XIV.
The fecond part of Chrift s VnBion, viz. as it relates to his
qualifications' for the work^ : I . Of his VnElion in general,
p. 22 1. 1. It was the fame with the V notion of Believers y
p. 224. 2. It was without meafure, p. 223*. 3. As to the
time of his Vnfhion } it was from the fir ft Vnion of his two
Natures : 4. The extent of his VnBion : it reacheth to all
the parts of his Mediatorfhip, p. 226. Vfes of it, p. 227,
Chap. XV.
Of the Requifites in a Mediator , which are eminently in
Chrift : and I . Of the Requifnes of fitting him for his Trufl - 7
as 1. A Mediator mufl he a perfon that muft have inter ~
eft in both parties, 2. He mufl he trufl ed by both par-
ties. 3. He mufl be well ajfetled to both parties, p. 230.
4. He muft have power over both parties.
( 2 ) Requifites relating to the managing fuch a workj As,
1. He muft be a condefcending perfon % p. 231. 2. He mufl
he Mollifying, p. 232. 3. He muft be Affable , p. 233.
4. Meeh^and long-fujfering, p. 234. 5. Merciful and ten-
dr-hearted, p. 235. 6. He muft be potent enough to com-
pafs his undertaking) p. 236. 7. Faithful to* the intereft of
both
The Contents.
both parties in the Mediation, p. 2$8. 8. He muftbe a wooer
of both the parties, to bring them in friendjhip together ', p.2$p,
9. Couragious to undergo difficulties and oppofitions, p. 240 .
Some other properties in our Mediator qualifying him for his
Wrk.i not found in any otfer Mediator : as 1. His Onenefs with
both parties between whom he mediates, p. 242. 2. He never
declines the work^ of Mediation for any. 3 . He is always at
hand) and ready, p. 24$. 4* -^ perjetual Mediator, p. 244.
Several Vfes, ibid.
Chap. XVI.
Of Chrifts execution of the Office of a Mediator : 1 . He doth
it according to both Matures : proved by fix Reafons, p. g.5 1.
2. Chrift hath executed this Office ever fine e the beginning of the
World, p.255. 3 . Jcfus the Mediator executeth his Office as weft
in his eft ate of Exaltation, as Humiliation, p . 2 5 7 . A Que ft ion,
whether the tsfngcls have any jhare in Chrifts Mediation*. An-
fwered, p. 259. 1 he execution of Chrifts Mediator jhip, redu-
ced to five Heads, p. 262. 1. To prepare a way for mans co-
venanting with God, p. 26$. 2. To bring thetletl within the
bond of the Cov$nant, r $. 264. 3. To enable whom he bringeth
into the covenant opijrace*, to perform the Duty of the Cove-
nant, p. 266. 4. To keep them from falling away from that
blejfed Eft ate, p. 267. 5. To bring them to the height of that
blejfednefs he hath appointed for them, p. 269.
Chap. XVII.
Grounds of comfort and fupports of Faith , arifing to Belie-
vers from Chrifts Mediatorjhip ; 1 . To thofe who are convinced
ef enmity betwixt God and them, and defire Reconciliation,
p. 272. 2. To Believer s>> who are come to God through him,
p. 27 j. $. It reacheth to' all the evils wherewith Believers
can be affiiftci, ibid. Grounds of comfort : if we confider,
1. The ¥ erf on who mediates, he is one with the Father:
2. The ? erf on with whom he mediates; his relation to the Me-
diator, and the per Jons he mediates for, p. 277. 3. The Per-
fo%s for whom he mediates ; 9ur nearnefsto the Mediator and
The Contents.
to God by him. 4. The caufe for which he mediately therigh
teonfnefs and honourablenefs of it, p. 278..
Chap. XVIH
Of the Relations that Chrift fuftaineth in the covenant of^
Grace, viz, A witnefs of the Covenant : 1. The Witnefs wit*>-
neffed, p. 299. 2. The Witnefs witneffing : 1. An Eye*
mtnefs, p. 302. 2. An ailing Witnefs. -3. He did declare
all he f aw, heard, and atted, about it, p. $0 3. Three My Se-
ries declared by him: 1. The myflerie of the G 'off el-covenant,
p, 304. 2. The my ft erie of Chrift, p. 305. 3. The myftt-
ry of the Gofpel-righteoufnefs , and the way of juftifying Sin-
ners, p . 3 06. Several My ft erie s in this Right eoufnefs ; 1 . The
imputation of it: 2. In the Inftrument^vh . Faith. 3. In the
imputation of it, with reference to thePerfons to whom it is imputed.
( 4 ) Chrift is the witnefs of the Covenant , who confirmeth
the truth of all that is contained in it, p. 3 07. Viz. Command^
Vrotnifes, Conditions , Threatnings ., Prediclwns and Excepti-
ons, p, 398. 5. Uks of this, p. 3:13.-
Chap
sym
'Another Relation Chrift bears in the Covenant, viz. the me f
jenger of the Covenant, p. 325. Where,
(1) The import of the name, Meffenger, or Angel of the
Covenant, p. 326.
(2) In what refpetls. it is applicable to Chrift, p. 327.
l. In regard of the truft committed to him in the matters of the
Covenant. 2. In regard of his pains and travel wit^ p. 328.
(l) Betwixt whom doth Chrift travel as Meffenger of the f
Covenant, p« 3. 30. 1. Chrift is in fome refpetl a Meffenger
betwixt God± and\ah\the viftbls multitude to whom the Cove-'- \
napt is offered, and the, G of pel preached, p. 331. 2. More
fpecially between God and his cho fen. 3. To many Hypocrites
and Reprobates, p. 332. 4. To the multitudes unto whom the
Gofpel is preached, p. 333.
(4) Whofe Meffenger : whether of one or both parties , in
reffetl of delegation^ and w iff on, an& fubor dination ; but of
one
The Contents.
one, in fefpeB of his bufinefs, labour in it, and Ambaffage a-
bout it, and correfpondence with both : he is a Meffenger of both
parties, ibid.
f 5 jl About what bufmefs be is Meffenger, viz. all thing*
appertaining to the Covenant : I. As to the making it, p. 35 5.
2. The maintaining and preferring it, p. 3 36. 3. The renew-
ing and eft abliflring of it, p. 357.
(6) Confider the Properties of the Angel of the New Cove-
nant * 7 1. He is faithful, p. 5 38. 2. An atlive diligent Mef-
fenger. 3. A fweet Meffenger, p. 339. 4. An accurate Re-
porter of his Meffage. 5 . Mortified to hit own honour and cre-
dit, p. j 40. Two Vfes of this, ibid.
Chap. X(X.
Another Relation Chrift bears in the Covenant , is that of a
Servant, p. 349. To under ft and this : confider,
(ijTln what refpcBs this name is given to Chrift : il In re-
gard of his Office. 2. In regard of his condition of Humilia-
tion. $. In regard of his Truft. 4. In regard of his Work.
5. In regard of his Wages. 6, In regard of his Spirit of Fear
he was fnbjettto, p. 3 50.
(1) How he came under this Covenant-Relation: 1. The
Lords choice or Call. 2 . His own Love. 3 . His free Confent.
4. His compact and Covenant engaged him, p. 353.
( l) Whofe Servant Chrift was in the bufinefs of the Cove-
nant*. i.Gods. 2. Ours. 3. Servant to both: with fome diffe-
rences, p. 354.
(4) What kind of fervict ? belongs to Chrift by his Covenant-re-
lation? 1. The great eft ever was pit on man, Redemption and
Salvation. 2. The hardeft piece of workj, p. 356. 3. An ho-
nourable Service^ he ferved as King. 4. The moB kindly fer-
vice from Love, p. 357.
f 5) What was the fervice Chrift did in the bufinefs df the
Covenant? it was all that Chrift had in commiffibn to do in
our Nature, from the time of his receiving a Commiffion to be
the Mediator of the Covenant , to the time of his delivering up
the Kingdom to his Father, p. 358. Two Vfes of this , p.
3<5o.
(b 2) Chap*
The €ontentr. |
Chap. XX*- [hap ' %X
Chrift the Surety of the Covenant , p. 08. To open this , it
is confidered,
( I ) Of the name and thing : the fever al figni feat ions of the
Hebrew wordy yfy, Ghnarab, p. $69, which anfwers to the
Greek, tyywt , p. 371. and Sponfor, p. $72. The nature of
this Suretifhip: 1. It is a ground of 'Truft, p. 372. z. It im-
ports fever al things i 1. Obligement for another : and that
2. Voluntary. $. Vnion of parties y p. 37;. 4. Communion
between the Debtor and Cautioner. 5. The fubftitution of one
in the room of another. &. A conjunct Obligation of Surety and
Debtor to the Creditor, p. '374. 7. Imports either irrefpon-
fabtenefs in the Debtor , or diftruftfulnefs between Creditor and
Debtor.
(l) Suretifhip of divers kinds among men, perfectly re*
fembling Chifts Suretifhip, p. 3 75.
Affertions for clearing the Covenant-Relation, p. $79.
1. Man confidered in the fecond Covenant, hath as much need
of a Surety, as a Saviour. 2. Chrifts furetijhip was not only
a voluntary act, but an actalfo of abfolute Sever aignty, p. 379.
4. When man was broken , Chrifl unrequefted , undertook for
him to fatisfie his Creditor. 4. £hrift died not only for our
good, but in our fie ad, p. 380. 5. Chrift the Surety , and
broken man, the Debtor, are one in Law, p. 581. 6. Nei-
ther the Creditor nor Law can exacl fatisfatlion of Surety and
Debtor, p. 382. 7. Chrifts furetijhip was a mixture of ju~
ftice and grace. 8. Chrifts furetijlnp was not private.
9. Chrift in his undertaking, had his Fathers Bond of relief
and warrandice, p. 38 5, 10. All Chrifts Offices are founded
•n his furetijhip, p. $84.
($) How came he to be furety of the Covenant? God made
him fo : which imports, I. Something in God, viz* his decree.
2. His anointing him. $. Inve fling him, p. 385. 2. Some-
thing on Chrifts part, viz. His condefc ending, z. His enga-
ging his faith to do what he agreed. $. His performance of
thefe things, p. 387. From this furetijhio of Chrift for his
P'eple, arifeth a fourfold Relation, founded on it ; 1. A na-
tural
The Contents.
tnralMation. 2. A legal Relation. h A federal Re*
Utiort. 4. A myftical Relation, p. 388.
(4) For whom Chrift is engaged at Surety of the Covenant:
fomepremiffestothe Anfwer$.i9$. Anfwer, J. Negatively, Not
for all mankind, 2 . Nor for all thofe within the vtfible Church,
p. 35x5. Affirmatively: Chrift undertakes for the Elect only,
($) For what Chrift is engaged by his Suretifhp. Some di-
ftintiions fpeahjng the extent of his undertaking. I. Chrift is
Surety for his people, in his ft ate ? and in his alliens, p. 397.
2. He was fo in earth, and is fo in heaven, p. 398. 3. In
our-ftead, and in our behalf, p. 401, 4. On Gods part to man,
and mans part to God, p. 402. h For God to man, engaging
to make good all the promifes thereof to us, p. 402. 2. For
mans part to God } which lies in three things. The firft re-
lates to the violation of the Law, and broken covenant of > Works ',
p. 404. which comprehends two things ', 1. His fur rogation in
ourplace. 2. His fatisf action,^. op ^. The > 2. Relates the condi-
tion and commands of the New Covenant. 1 , He isfurety to God
for our performance of the Commands of the New Covenant , p.
406. 2. He is an engager to make thefe things that are required
of us, pofftble and certain in the performance, p . 408. 3 . He is
engaged to give habitual Grace, and aclual Influences, p. 409.
1. Bowing our will. 2- To preferve thefe Habits, p. 410.
3< For our exercifing habitual Grace. 4. For the livelinefs of
our Graces. 5. For the increafe of the habits of Grace, p.
411. 6% To ftir us up when heavy. Five affertions clear
this; that Chrift m engaged for our obeying the preceptive part
of the Law, p. 412. The third part of Chrift s Suretijhip
for man to God , relates to his undertaking for the perfons of
the Elect : 1. For the indempnity of all the El eel, p. 418.
2. Far their good behaviour . 3. For their appearing before God
at laft, 4. For compleating whatever concerns their falvation,
p. 4iQ# 5. For compleatly delivering them.
(6) Some things that commend Chrift s Suretijhip, 1 . That
he rendered him f elf their Surety J>e fore they needed him, 2. That
he entred on it fo freely. 3. The great danger of his under-
taking, p. 420. 4. That he engaged for a party which defer-
ved no pity, p. 421.. j; That he engaged for a people he could
expert no fatisfaclion from, p. 42 1.
(7) Wherein Chrift s Suretijhip differ eth from bonds of cauti-
onry among men, in eleven things, p, 422.- (18) The •■
The Contents.
(i). The. advantages believers have by- Cbrifts Shmijhip.
1. Exemption from the Law and hand of Juftice? p. 427.
2. the New and better Covenant-ftate. 3. Oar perfeverance 9
And flMity inii, p. 428. 4. An ability to perform the con-
ditions of the Covenant , p. 429. 5. Boldnefs in diflreffes to
lay oar weight on him. 6. In refpsft of temptations, preven-
tm & ftandwg againfl, or delivering from them,
Ufes. i. Ground of Comfort ;, p. 431. 2. Ufe. Expoftula-
tion with believers and unbelievers ; p. 432. 3. life. Tryal
whether Chrift liath undertaken for you, p. 434. 4. life. This
Dotlrine confirms many Articles of Faith: 1. Free Election^
p. 435. 2. The Sovtraignty of Grace. 3. Ferfeverance f
p. 436. 5. Ufe. Serves to anfwer Ml temptations? difcourage-
ments ,and do ubtings in believer s, p*437. 6. life. Exhortation
to believers? p. 440. 7. life. Put not. any thing in Chrijis place
as Surety for yon,
Chap.XXJL
Of Chrifis being the Teflator in the Covenant of Grace :
where, 1. Of the name and relation. It imports a per fon dy-
ing. 2. A perfon invefted with pojfejfwn and right to fome
efiate, p. 445. 3. A power in him tc difpofe of what he pof-
feffeth. 4. A Deed* $. An attual difpofing of his goods , .p.
446.
(2) What was the defign of his being T eft at or in the Cove-
nant. 1 . That he might add a new title to believers. 2. To
declare his free Grace. 3. To ratifie believers titles to Co-
venarit-blejfings. 4. To make way . to the pojfejfwn of them? p.
• 447-
(3) How this defign is accomplijht in thrifts bearing this
relation in the fever al inflames, p. 44.8.
4. Vjes made of this, p. 450.
Chap.XXIH. ^Xll
Be fides the relations Chrifi bears in the Covenant : he is
the Covenant it felf-^ which imports, 1. The abridgu^thc
whcU Covenant in Chri\ Mediator. 2. The commttw^the
vrhils bufwefs by God to him, p. 45 3. Chrift is all the Cpve-
a nt,
The Contents.
ftAtitj I. Originally, p. 454. 2. Trim wily. 3. Eminently ,
p. 455. 4. Virtually. 5. Exemplar ily^ p. 45 6. 6. Compre-
henfively, p. 457. f2) The J um of the Articles of the Cove-
nant is in Chrift, p. 4.58. ( $) The fum of the mutual flip Hiation is
in Chrift, p. 459. (4) Chrift is the fum of all the PromifeS)
p. 460.
(5) Chrift the fum of all the properties of the Covenant, p.
461. 1. Freenefs. 2. Everlaftingnefs. 3. Of the order of
it. 4. ...It's ftability. 5. It's perfection. 6. lis fatisfatfori-
nefs, p. 46 3.
(6) Chrift the fum of all Covenantbleffngs. I. Eminently.
2. Comprehenfively. 3. Vltimitely, p. 465. 4. Virtually, po
466.
life. 1. Of reproof, 1. To f/w/e w&0 feek^ fomething elfe.
2- T0 f/w/e fto feek^ fomething more than Chrift, p. 466.
3. To thofe that feek^fomething lefs. 4. To thofe that wrangle
about circumftances, to the prejudice of the marrow of the Gof
pel, p.4^7-
life. 2. To difcover how we fall jhort of giving Chrift his
place in the Covenant, p. 467.
life. 3. Of tryal, whether you are in the covenant of
Grace, p. 468." Try this ± 1. By your divorcement from ldofs 7
pi 469- 2. By consenting to the mutual tye of the Covenant.
3. By your fubjeclion and fubmijfion to Chrift, p. 470. 4. By
your fatisfatlion with, and acceptation of the whole bargain.
5. By accounting duties your priviledges. 6. By your equal
endeavours after holinefs and heaven f ^4^1. 7. By being
humbled and provoked to holinefs, by the knowledg of your be-
ing in Chrift. 8. By your valuing of Chrift, p. 472.
life. 4. To teach us to obferve more of Chrift, in whatever
we fee appertaining to the Covenant, p. 473.
life. 5. E or commending Chrift to you. 1. See the-neceffty
of him. 2. Learn the way hove \to come to God, p. 474. 3. Be
perfwaded to take him that is given for a Covenant of the peo-
ple, p. 475. 4. Take him, and make ufe of him •* for all the
Covenant, p. 476.
Uie. 6, For comfort to believers, ibid.
CHAP. I.
Of the Foundation of the Covenant of Grace , or
of the Covenant of Redemption. Where ,
i. 'Tis proved that there is fucb a Covenant
vrith Chriji. 2. That this is the foundation
of the Covenant made with us.
AS the Covenant of Grace hath its rife from God only,
and from Grace *, fo 'tis founded and bottomed upon
nothing in us, but upon God's Covenant with Chrift,
whom he gave for a Covenant of the peofle, Ha. 49. 8 j
whom he layed in Zion for a foundation , a fure foundation^
Ifa. 28. 16. The Covenant made with us, did fpring out of the
Covenant made with Chrifl ; and as 'tis commonly diftinguifhed,
the Covenant of reconciliation , whereby we are actually reco-
vered and reconciled unto God, is bottomed upon the Covenant
of Redemption ; or as others fpeak , the Covenant offuretijhip ,
whereby the recovery, redemption and reftitution of fallen man,
was tranfa&ed betwixt God and Chrift. I fhall therefore fpeak
a little of the Covenant of Redemption , to make way for the
better underftanding of the whole Treatiie of the Covenant
of Graces and particularly what relates to Chrift the Mediator.
And, I', That there is a Covenant betwixt God and Chrift }
though the name of this myfterious tranfattion, which we call
the Covenant of Redemption and Suretifhip , be not found in
the Scripture , in fo many words (which may be among the
reaibns why moft Writers have been filent about the thing) *,
yet the thing it felf being fo evidently held
forth in the Scripture, that the Socinians who F ' Soclni ^ <*e Ser-
enervate and ftudy to make void the Suretilhip vac * * 2 ' ca ?' l6 '
©f Chrift, yet do not deny a Govenant wherein he is Surety
B or
2 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. 1.
Sakmarfh of free- or -Mediator-, as they underftand his Sureti-
Gract. obf, 6. & fhip. And the Antinomians , who upon the
i 8 * a *r matter do own no Covenant of Grace pro-
Serm.t '" P erI Y fo calIed i made with us » Y et the Y
» J. ' , do acknowledg a Covenant betwixt God
5acerd? Chrift? and ^ nr ^- The Armenians alio acknowledg
p. 1 6, 17. the fame, though in a fenfe different from
Mr. Rntkerf. Treat, ours. The Scriptures (I lay) being fo very
oj thtcovinint.y.2. p re gnant in this proof, I fhall the more brief-
E. Bud Gofp. Co ly diipatch it, and refer the Reader to what
venanr, p. 29' k written of it by others, every way more fit
to open this myfterie, than I am.
The fir ft proof I take from I fa. 59. 20, 21, And the Redeemer
fiall come to Zion, and, unto them that turn from
&£a££ trtnfctfwninJacobJaitktheLordrAsforme,
c# - this is my Covenant with them faith the Lord ,&c.
Where we read of a Covenant betwixt the
Lord and the Redeemer, that was to come unto Zion, which
can be no other but the Covenant of Redemption. For clear-
ing of this , Confider 1 . That he to whom the Lord f peaks
there, muft be Chrift and no other •, For 1. Tis he only, whofe
feed have the Spirit and Word enfured unto them f, for the feed
of no Church-Society upon earth hath the Spirit and the
Ordinances appropriated and enfured unto them , only Chrift's
feed have the promife of the Spirit and the Word appropriated
and enfured unto them for ever, Gal. 3.29, And if ye be
Chrifis, then are ye Abrahams feed , and heirs according to the
fremife. And the Churches feed have this Promife and Cove-
nant only in fo far as they are Chrift's feed , I fa. 44. 3, I will
four my fpirit upon thy feed, and my bleffing upon thy off-fpring.
2. Becauie 'tis Chrift only, who hath in ftore the Spirit which
is given to all his feed '-, though all Chrift's feed receive of the
fame Spirit of the Lord, yet it cannot be faid of any of them,
nor of the Church in general, that their feed receive the Spirit
that is upon them, or in them * 7 to wit, by communication of
any part of the meafure and proportion given to them *, but of
Chrift's only, who received not the fpirit by meafure, Joh>$. $4.
Nor can it be faid, My fpirit that is upon thee fnall not de-
fart from thy feed, Gal* 4. 6. And becaufe ye are Sons, God hxth
fait
Chap. L Of the Covenant of Redemption. %
fent forth the fair it of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, father,
2. Let it be confidered, that this is not only a Covenant
made with Chrift ; but it muft needs be the Covenant of Re-
demption: For although, i. There be mention here made of
his feed , which are not Parties in the Covenant of Redemp-
tion } yet nothing is iboken to them, but only to Chrift, and
of them, as a party not treated with, but about whom there
was treaty and Covenant 'twixt God and Chrift ; for ftiil the
ipeech is to Chrift in the fecond peribn , upon thee, thy feed,
and thy month, ckc* 2. Although there be here mention of a
Covenant with them that turn from ungodlineis in Jacob , and
of Promifes concerning the feed of Chrift *, yet that amounts
to no more, than that they are the fubjeft matter of the Co-
venant tranfacled betwixt God and Chrift ; and that the Cove-
nant with them fpringsout of the Covenant with him , and is
therefult and execution thereof. So that I take the meaning of
the words, This is my Covenant with them, my fair it that is upon
thee, &c to be, This is my Covenant that I have made with,
thee upon their account, and for their behoof, or the Cove-
nant that I have made with them , to wit , virtually, when I
covenanted with thee, and made promifes to thee for their be-
hoof :, the refult whereof, fhould amount unto a Covenant with
them actually* And I fay, it can be no other upon the matter
but the Covenant of Redemption : i. Becaufe 'tis made with
the Redeemer that fhould come out of Zion, or with Chrift as
defigned Mediator and Redeemer in the counfel of God, long
before he came in theFlefh. 2. Becaufe 'tis a Covenant about
the Redemption and recovery of theEleft people of God, who
are the only fubjeft matter treated about in this Covenant*, as
appears from the Text, v. 20, 21.
2. Proof, I take from PfaL 8y, where the Covenant made
with Chrift is held forth as the Original, Foundation and
Eftablifhment of the Covenant made with his feed ♦, and Chrift
is fpoke of under the name of David, with whom he changes
Barnes in the Scripture , and who was a type of Chrift in many
things, but eminently in the Covenant that God made with
him, and that he was a publick p&rfon , and a King by Co-
venant, v. 1, I have made a Covenant with my chofen. God
having chofe Chrift, for performing the work of Redemption,
B 2 * did
4 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
did make a Covenant with him. Two things being cleared in
that Pfalm, it will amount to a full proof of the point in hand:
i. That the Covenant fpoken of there, is made with Chrift.
2. That it is the Covenant of Redemption that is here in-
tended. For the firft , that the perlbn fpoken of under the
name of David, and with whom the Covenant was made, is
Chrift and no other, is evident from leveral expreflions which
are peculiar to Chrift's Perlbn and Kingdom , and cannot be
applyed to David, further than he was a type of Chrift; This
David is the mighty one upon whom God laid the help of his
people, v. 19. Tis he upon whom the enemy fiallnotexaft,v. 22.
Tis he who is higher then the Kings of the earthy v. 27.. whole
feed endures for ever-, and his throne at the days of heaven , and
to all generations ; v. 4, 29, 36, 37. 'Tis he who is diftinguifhed
from his feed by this difference , that they may fin and be
chaftifed, v. go*, which cafe is not put of himfelf, but only of
his leed*, 'tis he, by the force and vertue of whole Covenant,
his finful feed are not caft out from Covenant-kindnels ,
*« lb 44> 35- an d this could be no other but Chrift: And to
put the matter out of queftion , the Covenant and Promifes
made here, v. 27 , and in the parallel-Scripture , 2 Sam, 7. 14,
are applyed unto Chrift, Heb- 1. 5.
2. That this was the Covenant of Redemption, which God
faith he made with his chofen David, i. e. Chrift, may be ga-
thered alio from the Text, u It is the Covenant by which
Chrift is conftituted a Servant, and engaged in the Service of
the Lord about our Redemption , v. 4, / have made a Cove-
nam with my chofen, — David my fervant. 2. 'Tis the Cove-
nant by which the help of the People of God is laid on Chrift,
as a mighty, potent, refponfal perlbn, able for the work, v. 19,
I have laid help upon one that is mighty. 3. Tis the Covenant
by which Chrift is a King and a Prieft , and is defigned and
deftinated, called and feparated unto Offices for the work of
Redemption, v. 19,20, 26,27, / have exalted one chofen out of *
the people ,mth my oyl have lannointed him, &c. 4. 'Tis the Cove-
nant by which Chrift received commands to fulfil his offices , and
to depend upon God in the doing of the work, ^.27. He gallery
unto me, my Father, and my God, thou art the rock^ of my Salvation.
5. 'Tis the Covenant by which Chrift had peculiar promifes made
unto
Chap.T . Of the Covenant of Redemption. 5
Unto him, of affiftance for the work of Redemption, and help t<r
the people of God, v. 21, Adine arm aljo flail flrengthen
him, &c. of glorious victory, v. 23,/ will beat down his foes, eke.
and exaltation, ^.27, I will make him my firflborn, higher than
the Kings of the earth. Of a feed and ofr-fpring to endure for
ever, v. 29, His feed alfo will I make to endure, &c. Now this
could be no other but the Covenant of Redemption *, for by no
Covenant is Chrift engaged in this Service , called unto thefe
Offices, undertaker of the Peoples help, receiver of fuch
commands and promifes,c£r. but by this Covenant of Suretifhip.
Objett. If it be faid, That here are many things ipoken
which relate to Chrift's feed , and which do belong to the
Covenant of reconciliation ; fuch as the keeping Covenant-kind-
nefs and mercy with Chrift's feed, &c.
AnfSNz are not to conceive of the Covenant of Redemption in
fuch an abftravtcd confideration and notion, as if the things tran-
fatted in that Covenant made with Chrift,had no relation to, nor
connexion with the Covenant made with us^but upon the contra-
ry , we are ftill to keep in mind the great affinity and connexion
that is between thefe two Covenants, and as the Apoftle reaibns
from the one to the other , 2 Cor. 6. 2, For he faith, I have
heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of falvation have
1 fnccouredthee. Where he looks upon what God laid to Chrift
" concerning us , and the hearing of him for us, as ipoken for
our encouragement, to apply to him in the improvement of the
day of Grace. Yet I fay of this Scripture * 9 1. Here is nothing
ipoken of Chrift's feed and people, as parties, with whom God
deals in this Covenant , and upon whom he layeth any com-
mands, nor to whom directly he maketh anypromiies, (except
what may be gathered confequenter & in obliquo) which things
muft needs be in the Covenant of reconciliation. 2. Whatfoever
is fpoken here concerning Chrift's feed and people, 'tis only of
the force of the Covenant made and fworn with Chrift, hav*
ing influence towards the eftabliffiment of friendfhip with them,
and toward their perfeverance in a Covenant-ftate :, becaufe
of God's tranfac"t ions with Chrift ', wherein they were compre-
hended, and by which they and their interefts were difpofed of.
The third Proof, I take from thefe Scriptures which hold
forth all the effentials and rcquifites for making up a formal
Cove-*
6 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
Covenant, to be betwixt God and Chrift:, which Texts
though they ipeak not explicitly of the name of a Covenant \
yet they do explicitly hold forth the thing.
TheArgumentinform is this : Where all things neceflarily
required unto the efTence and being of a Covenant for matter
and form, are to be found \ there muft needs be a Covenant.
But betwixt God and Chrift in the matter of our Redemption,
all things neceflary unto the efTence of a Covenant are to be
found : Therefore there muft needs be a Covenant betwixt God
and Chrift about the work of Redemption, which we call the
Covenant of Suretiflup or Redemption. The major is manifeft and
undeniable: -I come therefore to confirm the minor. Concern-
ing which, I fhall firft tell you what are the necefTary requi.
fites unto the efTence of a Covenant, and then give plain Scrip-
ture-proof that thefe were betwixt God and Chrift.
i . It is generally acknowledged by the Doctors of the Law,
that the agreement or confent of two or more Parties upon the
lame thing, maketh a Paction •, and that Pro-
tllpian deP»Ukit. pofals upon the one part, and a confent upon
L.Vatliim &L.i. the other , makes a formal Covenant, though
r"L **v" :,>„„. there were no condition or reftipulation.
Cic. 2. at nieit, T> -11 i i r ii
Panomit. 21. parte But more particularly and above all que-
fupsr. Primotit.de ftion, where there are Propofals, Commands,
Pacf. Cap. Ami- or Promifesupon the one part , with condi-
gomis. t - ons required upon the other, and a confent
Ait** infiit. Moral. unt0 5 or acceptation ot thele Propoials, with
p.^.bi. dePoIlicic. the conditions required upon the other part,.
C 1. & 1. 6. c. 3. or where there is a reftipulation of conditions
upon the other part , there muft needs be a
Contractor Covenant, not only materially and virtually , be-
caufe there is all the effentials of a Covenant *, but formally and
explicitly , becaufe there are all the formalities of explicite
Covenanting.
2. It is manifeft, that all thefe things are to be found betwixt
Jehovah and Chrift, concerning the work of Redemption.
1. There is a confent and agreement betwixt God and Chrift
about this very thing, which amounteth to a Paction, Zech.6. 1 g.
The Lord 1 peaking of that ineffable myfterious Oeconomy and
difpenlktion of thebufin-els of man's Redemption and Salvation,
as
fte
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. y
as the lame is tranfa&ed in thecounfelof God's Will *, biddeth
him tell us , that the counfel of peace fh all be
between them both- to wit, between the Lord Sec Pemble on
r tt n if i r • ./ Zech. 6. 12. & Jo.
of Hop, and the man whoje name is the cocc.di<fvML<i
Branch, v. 12 *, betwixt them was the bufineis seft. 88.'
plotted, confulted and concluded j to the fame
purpoie are thefe Scriptures that tell us of the agreement of
the Lord's Will , and Chrift's Will in this affair :, it was his
Father's Will to fend him, Joh. 6. 40, And this is the mil of him
that fent me, bxAAtt. $. 26, Vnto you firfl, God having raifed
up his Son Jefus, fent him, &c. and it was Chrift's Will to be
fent, Heb. 10. 9, Then [aid he, Lo,lcome to do thy will, Joh. 6. 38,
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will , but the
will of him that fent me ', it was his Father's will that he fhouid
lay down his life, and it was his will alio, Rom.%. 32, He that
fpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us alL Joh. 1 o. 18 ,
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my felf : I have
power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
Commandment have I received of my father ; it pleafed the Lord
to bruife him, If ai . 5$. 10. and it pleafed him to be bruifed,
Jfai. 50.6, I gave my back, to the fmiters, and my cheeks to them
that plucked off the hair : / hid not my face from pame and fpit-
ting. Still there was an agreement.
2. We find clear^yeftiges in the Scripture of Propofals made
by Jehovah unto Chrift, concerning his Will about the work of
our Redemption*, and of a confent and agreement upon Chrift's
part unto thefe Propofals ; whereby he declares his will to be
commenting to his Father's Will. The firft, to wit, Propofals
made by God to Chrift, we readPp/. 110. 1, The Lord [aid
unto my Lord , fit thou at my right hand , until I make thine
enemies thy footftool', and Pfal. 2. 7, 8, / will declare the decree,
the Lord hath [aid unto me , thou art my Son , this, day have I
begotten thee. Asl^of me and I will give thee , the heathen for
thine inheritance , and the uttermoft parts of the earth for thy
pojfeffwn. That thefe Scriptures contain Propolals, ismanifeft'-,
and that they are Propofals made by Jehovah to Chrift, ap-
pears by the Holy Ghofts afferting it, Aft. 1$. 33, Cod hath
confirmed the fame unto us their children, in that he hath raifed
up Jefus again, as it is alfo written in the fee on d Ejalm, Thou
trt
8 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Heb. i. 5, For unto
xvhxh of the Angels , [aid he at any time , Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee. But all the difficulty is, to make
it appear, that thefe Propoials belong to the eternal tranfa&ion
and Covenant of Redemption. To this end 'tis to be obfer-
ved, 1. Th.it whatsoever is revealed in thefe Scriptures con-
cerning the things that were between God and Chrift, God
laid and propounded it unto Chrift long before his coming
in the flefh , and therefore it muft needs relate to iiich tranfa-
clions as were betwixt God sfii Chrift in the couniel of his
Will from all eternity. 2, Though the accomplishment of
thefe things be applved by the Holy Ghoft, unto the refurre-
<ftion of Chrift, All. 15. 33, and to the exaltation of him in
his humane nature, Heh. 1. 5-, that doth not make againftthe
transacting of them by an eternal Covenant, where firft thefe
Propoials were made*, but on the contrary, it doth ftreng-
then whit is here afferted *, becaufe the accomplifhment of
thefe things is declared to be that which God had revealed in
the old Teftament to have been faid long before by him to
Chrift. Therefore alio the lame Scripture is brought as an
evidence of Chrift's being confecrated by his Father unto the
offices which he did bear for the work of our Redemption,
Heh. 5. 5, So alfo Chrifl glorified not himfelf to be made an high
Priefl ; but he that faid unto him, thou art my Son, to dcy have
I begotten thee,&c. So that the declaration of the Sonfhip of
Chrift, this day I have begotten thee , is not to be underftood
of an hodie Atem'uatis , a day of eternity , and of the eternal
generation of the Son of God (as many of the Ancients, and
of the Schoolmen 'under (land it) and indeed, if it fhould be
yielded to be ipoken of an eternal Sonfhip, I fhould unci erftand
it of that eternal adoption and defignation of Chrift by his
own content in the counfel of God's Will , to a new Sonfhip
for the work of Redemption, whereby he voluntarily became
the Hi ft born of many brethren, and an obe 'ient Son even unto
death, Phil. 2. 8 r, and whereby he confented to take a new
Covenant-light unto God, as his Father, and his God by Cove-
nant, Heb. 1. jyr*-/ W// be to him a father, and he flail be to
me a fon. And we know it is not unufual in Scripture , to
ftiie adoption unto a iucceflion in office , by a Sonfhip and a
begetting*
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. f
begetting; therefore Salathiel is laid to be begotten by Jetho-
niah, Mat. i. 12, becaufe he fucceeded him in the King-
dom. But fince the Holy Ghoft applies it diftin&ly to
Chrift's refurreftion, All. 13. 33, and to the exaltation of
him in bis humane Nature, when he had humbled himfelf as
.an obedient Son unto the death of the Crofs, and having by
hirnfelf purged, our fins , fate down on the right hand of the
Majefty on high-. Neb. 1. 3, 4, 5. 'tis lafeft for us to hold clofe
to that meaning of the words , 77?^ day have I begotten
thee, which was the accomplifhment of that which God had
faid to Chrift long before, in the tranfatlion of the Covenant
of Redemption, when Chrift was fet up from everlafting , be-
fore his works of old) &c. Prov. 8. 22, 23. and when the De-
cree was patted , which was not declared till long after,
Pf z. 7. Now this day of Chrift's exaltation in his humane
Nature at his reiiirrettion , which was the fulfilling of what
God faid to him , when he was by eternal deftination
and decree, called and fet a part unto the work of Redemp-
tion, and unto the offices, which as Lord Mediator, he did
bear, is fitly called the day wherein he was begotten; upon
feveral accounts : 1. Becauie in this day he was declared
to be the Son of God, Rom. 1.4, And declared to be the Son
of God , with power , according to the fpirit of holinefs, by the
refurrettion from the dead, t« opt$ivT& J/« .06*. The Syriack^
reads it , Qui cognitm eft *, the word fignifies, demonftrated, Chryfoft. Mam.
manifefted, or definej to bz the Son of God; as moft Learned f oc f^l*£
men render it. Though Bellarmineh rendering of the word with & & c .
the vulgar Latine y for which he contends, would alio fit our
purpofe, who was predefttnated to be the Son of God', which
rauft be meant, of iuch a Sonfhip as he took upon him in time,
or rather of the execution of God's Decree, containing
his being manifefted in the flefh by the terms of the Cove-
nant of Suretiihip (if we read it predeftinated) and not of
his eternal generation; becauie as Efthins fays upon the place,
Predeftination does not relate unto that which was from eter-
nity, but to future things only. 2. Becaufe on this day of his
reiurreaion, there was in refpefi: of Chrift's humane nature,
a fecpnd entrance into life, the Grave being a fecond womb, See Dr. ft*»i
from which he came forth unto life (as his Mothers womb was m *d Anaot.'
the firft, from which he came forth unto life, inrefpe&of his on */■ 2 *
C humane
TO Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. T.
humane nature^ i'o he was begotten, or brought forth in this
day, by a new birth out of the womb of the grave *, hence
the refurreftion is called Tra.\tyyiviifi&) renafcentia , a new or
See GtrJWfecond binh,Matth, 19.28. 3. Becaufe the day of ChrirVs
mm. h locum* refurre&ion, was the day of veiling, inaugurating and inflalling
him in his Regal Office and Authority in our nature s this is
the day whereof it's laid, Thou art my Son, this day have I be-
gotten thee 5 becaufe this was a Coronation-day, a day of exal-
tation oi him in his humane nature, and of constituting him,
and fetling him in his offices in a moft glorious manner, againft
all oppositions as the context of that Pfalm bears, v. 6, 7,
Yet have I fet my King Hpon my holy hill of Ston. I will declare
the decree* And Heb. 1. 3,4, 5, When he had by him/elf
purged our fins, fate down on the right hand of the Majefly on
high. Being made fo much better than the Angels , as he hath
by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they: For
nnto which of the Angels faid he at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee. It was a cuftom among the Ro-
mans, that the Emperors had two Nat ales, or birth-days,
kept j the one was Natalis Imperatoris, the birth-day of the
Emperor, to commemorate his coming into the world. The
other was Natalis Imperii , the birth-day of the Empire , to
commemorate his advancement to the Imperial Dignity. The
feaft of commemorating the building of Rome, was called
Palilia *, and this title was by decree given of Cains the Em-
fueton mCalig. peror, his advancement to the Empire , Decretum eft ut dies
S ■& quo cepiffet imperium Palilia vocaretur. There is alfb mention
. made of anothers, Natalis adoptionis, the day of his adoption,
JdTnT **i* his civil birth-day, Kid. Aug. and then of Natalis Impe-
rii, the birth-day of his Empire, ///. id. Aug. And of Vefpa-
TmtusBiik Jlan his recorded, that Primta principatus dies in pofterumcele-
Kb. 2. 'bratus, the firft day of his Empire was celebrated after-
wards.
3. Tis to be obferved concerning the Propofals before-
mentioned, which I laid are made by Jehovah to Chrift,
that the Scriptures cited, do diftinguift betwixt the propound-
ing of thefe things which God faid to Chrift, and the pub-
lishing or promulgation thereof, Pfal. 2. 7, I will declare the
Br. Ftemtnoud decree ) or as as a late learned Annotator reads it, Iwilltellof*
decree or Covenant ', that is, I will f>ubli(h and manifeft that
which
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. 1 1
which was fometime a great fecret, kept betwixt God and
Chrift; but now is declared and opened up, Pfal.x^. 14, The
fecret of the Lord is with them that fear him , and he will foew
them his Covenant. Col. 1.26, Even the myflerie which hath
been hidden from- ages and generations 3 but now is made manifeft
to his Saints. And what is the fecret that is now declared
plainly ? even that which follows : The Lord faid unto me,
thou art my Son — aik^ofme,&tc. i.e. God laid to Chrift, or
made this Propoial to him, thou art the only fit petfon for
undertaking this work of Man's Redemption, and I deftinate
and appoint thee for it : Now therefore ask , and have the
nobleft rewards that can be devifed, only do the work. I
fay then , here is but a declaration of that which was laid
and done, concluded and traniacled by Propofals 'twrxt God
and Chrift in his Decrees, and the Couniel of his Will.
4. 'Tis obfervable that the Hebrew word here ufed and tran- vid. Tap fa
flated Decree , pn Chokj, comcth from a root that fignifies Vhcjfarum fa
originally, fcribere, de fcribere, ftatuere, to write, engrave, ira-? 4 ^PjPH c "*-
dain, anoint, &c. and ib proportionably is the Noun fignifying forcher "^"
many things^ not only a Law, Statute, and Ordinance ; but^. in voce
alio a Patt or Covenant ; a writing fubferibed with the parties pn cbo\.
hands, &c. And in this place it's rendered a Covenant by the Vid. Bibl.Poly-
ChaldeeParaphraft. Recitabo Patt urn, the LXX here render it^ /flf ' in locm *
irtQrctyjjuL, an Order and Agreement ; and (b moft of the ancient
Interpreters following the Targnm, render it God's Statute, Buxtorf.imV.
his Patt or Covenant-, and 'tis obferved by a great Hebrean,^- ¥lalmH ^ m
that this word among the Talmudifls is often put for the qua-P* 8l8a
lity, condition, or nature of any thing ; and if lb, here 'tis
the nature, quality and condition of God's decretal Covenant
with Chrift. But further , befides the affinity that is among
thefe notions 0$ Statute, Decree, Agreement, Patt, Cove-
nantee, the word pn that is here ufed, is in the Scripture
fometimes promifcuoufly or fynonimoufly ufed with the word
n H3 — that is uiually rendered Covenant. Compare Jer . \ 1 .
35, 36. wither. \\. 20, &c In both which places God's Or-
dinance and Covenant with the day and night isfpoken of, to
illuftrate the liability of his Covenant with his people in
Chrift, and there you will find the words pn and nH3
Statute or Ordinance and Covenant, promiicuoufly ui'ed ', and
the fame thing which is called God's Ordinance of the day and
C 2 night,
12 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
nighr, or of the Sun and Moon, Jer. 31. 35, 36. is called his
Covenant with the day, and his Covenant with the night,
Jer. 3 3. 20 ; the meaning of both we are to gather from
tvLBibU ?oly-6*»- 1. 16. &S.22. &y. 11, 12, 1 3. the Chaldee Paraph, in
:/§*.-*! (mm*, both theie places renders the different Hebrew words Pattum
& Prffikr, Paction or Covenant-, and the Syriack^ renders both
the words admini fir at tones, a word comprehenfive of both theie
notions of God's Oeconomy and difpenfations.
Befides the Scriptures before-mentioned, we read alfo of God's
Propofalsto Chrift, concerning the work of man's Redemption,
If a. 42. 6, 7, I the Lord have called thee in Right eon] ne fs , and
will hold thine hand, and will keep thee , and give thee for a Cove-
nant of the people for a light of the Gentiles. To open the eyes
oj the blind , to bring out the prifoners from the prifon , and
them that fit in darknefs out of the prifon-honfe . And 49. 5, 6,
And now faith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be
his fervant, to bring Jacob again to him j though Ifrael be not
gathered, yet Jhall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my
God jhall be myftrength. And he faid, it is a light thing that
thou Jhouldfl be my fervant, to raife up the tribes of Jacob, and
to reftore the preferved of Ifrael. I will alfo give thee for a
light to the Gentiles, that thou may ft be my falvation to the ends
of the earth, &c. which things no man can reaibnably doubt
to be fpoken by Jehovah to Chrift, and to contain Propofals
concerning the Redemption and Salvation of his ele&
people.
2. Let us in the next place confrder , where we find Scrip-
ture proof for Chrift's conlent unto thefe Propofals , made
by Jehovah to him, which amounteth to a Covenant ? We find
Chrift's conlent and agreement, and that before the beginning
of the world) unto the Propofals made to him by Jehovah-con*
cerning this work of Redemption , and the office which he
was called unto for that erred!:, clearly infinuated , Prov.S*
22, 23, 24, The Lord poffeffed me in the beginning of his way 9
before his works of old. I was fet up from ever la fling from the
beginning, before ever the earth was. When there were no depths
I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with
water. 30. 31, Then I was by him as one brought up with him,
and I was daily his delight , rejoycing always before him. Re*
joycing in the habitable part of his earth , and my. delights were
with
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. 13
withthe Sonsof men. Where we find the fubftantial , eternal
wifdom of God, Jefus Chrift declaring fiich a plenary volun-
tary chearlul conient to undertake the work of our Redemp-
tion, that when he was in the Counfel of God let up and
defigned unto the office and glory of the Lord Mediator and
Redeemer*, he took pleaiure and iatisfa&ion before-hand, not
only in his people not yet created, above all the works of his
hand, who were to be the fatisfying fight that fhould be given
him for the travel of his Soul fas the Lord faith, I fa. 53. li .)\
but he took pleaiure alio in theie parts which they were to
inhabit, in every bit of ground that was to be the bounds of their
hakitation'm the times appointed, AEb. 17. 26.
But yet more explicitely, read his conient to the Propofals
made by Jehovah to his Son Chrift, Pfal.^o. 6,7,8, Sacrifice
and offering thou didft not defire, mine ears haft thou opened \ burnt
offering and fin offering haft thou not required. Then faid I,
Lo J come ; in the volume of the book^ it is written of me, I delight
to do thy will O my God *, yea-, thy law is within my heart. With
Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7, Wherefore when he cometh into the world , he
faith ^ facrifce and offering thou wouldft not., but a body haft
thou prepared me. In burnt offerings and facrifices for 'fin ', thou
haft had no pleafure. Then faid I, lo I come •, in the volume of the
boook^it is written of me, to do thy will-) O God. Concerning
theie Scriptures, let us obferve ibme things for clearing the
point in hand *, to wit, Chrift's confent and agreement unto
Propofals made to him by Jehovah. And 1 . It is manifeft that
the words are ChrilVs words*, for the Apoftle makes Chrift,
not David to be thefpeaker here, Heb. 10. 5, Wherefore when
he cometh into the world, he faith, i.e. Chrift faith; for it is of
Chrift's facrifice, and his offering himfelf that the Apoftle hath
been fpeaking. 2. Tis as manifeft that Chrift fpeaketh theie
words to God, to Jehovah • therefore he faith, Pfal. 40. 8, and
Heb. 10. 7. 9, 6W,and O-my God. 3. The words prefiippofe
fomething fpoken and propounded by God to Chrift, unto
which theie words are ananiwer : there are four words in the
Text which carry this plainly, that there was fomething that
he, *'. e. Jehovah de fired and required as a pleafing fatisia&ion to
him, above all typical Sacrifices, fomething which Chrift calls
his fathers will and his command,^ will,0 God ; thy law, O God,
to which he gave an aniwer, then I faid, &c. 4. That the
thing;
14 Of the Covenant of Redemption* Chap, h
thing concerning which he makes anfwer to God here, was
upon the matter, i. Some Propofal, for the performance
whereof, God had prepared and fitted him, by his Incarnation
and afiurning our nature :, A body thou haft prepared me or
fitted me ; and by his taking on a will that might bow to the
will of God, Mine ears thou haft opened. 2. 'Tis an anfwer
to the Propofal of a bufinefs unto which Chriit was called,
which was the fathers will and command to him, to do thy will
and thy law, O God. $ . 'Tis an anfwer and return to God con-
cerning fomething that was concluded and agreed betwixt God
and Chriit before-hand ; and therefore is faid to be written m
the volume of thy book. 4. 'Tis fomething, which however it
was contracted and recorded before - 7 yet was not to be fulfilled
until the due time, when he cometh into the world , not till the
time of his Incarnation. 5. 'Tis fomething that divine Juftice
required for a iatisfattion , and which no Sacrifices could a-
mount unto •, which is held forth in the oppofition of this
command to the negation of all iatisfa&ion by other Sacrifices.
Sacrifice thou haft not required, but, &c. and this was no other
but the obedience of his own Son, and the giving his Soul an
offering and Sacrifice for fin to iatisfie the Juftice of God ,
If*. 5 1. 10, Tet it pleafed the Lord to bruife him, he hath put
him to griefs when thou fialt make his foul an offering for fin,
he fhall fee his feed, he Jhall prolong his days, xmd the pleafure
of the Lord jhall profper in his hands.
5. Confider the aniwer that Chriit gives here,how it amounts
unto a plenary confent and agreement unto the will and pro-
pofal of his father unto him, which is a Covenant of Redemp-
tion or Suretifhip, i. e. that he will undertake and do the work
of our Redemption, according to his fathers will.
1. I fay Chrift's anfwer bears a confent, a willing confent,
Lo I come ; Chrift fids himfelf before God in readinefs to do
his-»Father'swill, to be our Surety and Saviour, 'tis an expref-
fion not unlike t hefe of Ifaiah and Samuel, whereby they ex-
prefTed their free confent and readinefs to obey the call of God,
J fa. 6.8, Then faid I, here am I, fend me ; in the Original it is
behold me, or lo me-, whichisequivolentto Lo I come; orlfift
my felf ready to obey thy command, to do thy will, to run
thy errand, j Sam. 3. 10, SpeakLord, for thy fervant heareth,
* e. doth fill himfelf ready to obey.
2. Chrift's
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. 1 5
2. Chrift's anfwer bears a fubmiflive humble content, Mine
ear haft thou opened, or bored: there feemsto be an allufionto
a Ceremony that was ufed toward the Servant that would
not have his liberty, but loved his Matter lb, that he would
not go out free from his Service, when he might according to
Law, in the feventhyear: whereof fee Dent. 15. 12, to 17. &
Exod. 21. 6. So the opening or boring of the ear is, not only
a fign of hearkening and obedience, as thePhrafe is ufed con-
cerning Chrift, Ifa. 50. 5, The Lord God hath opened mine ear,
and I was not rebellion neither turned away back^ But it notes
alio his taking on the form of a Servant, fuch as had their
ears bored, in token of their fubmiffion to ferve when they %
might have been free. In place of this Phrale, the Apoftle fays,
A body thou haft prepared me : giving a perlpicuous interpre-
tation of the opening of the ear, that it related to Ghrift's
Incarnation, and the principal end thereof , which was that he
might be found in the form of a Servant, to obey and do the
will of his father, as one who by his own confent was nailed
and pinned to his Service in the work of Redemption,
ThiL 2. 7,8, But made himfelf of no reputation , and todk^upon
him the form of a fervant, and was made in the likenefs of men.
And being found in fafhion as a man , he humbled himfelf and
became obedient unto death , even the death of the Crofs.
3. Chrift's aniwer bears a content given in contemplation
of a fatisfa&ion to divine Juftice -, and therefore he mentions
the Law of God, and the things that God required, and offers
himfelf to undergo thefe •, for this he did propofe to himfelf,
that offended divine Juftice might have an honourable fatisfa-
ftion , and that the Law might have obedience in him,
Gal. 4.4, 5, But when the fulnefs of the time was come, God
fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law : To
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive
the Adoption of fons. Zech. 1 3. 7, Awake, O fword,againftmy
jhepherd, and again ft the man that is my fellow, faith the Lord
of hofts, fmite the flupherd. Gal. $. 13, Chrift hath redeemed
us from the curfe of the Law, being made a curfe for w-
4, Chrift's aniwer bears a compleat and plenary corifent, .
which is every way apted unto the Propofals made to him :
for he offers himfelf to fulfil the Z^w (to which he voluntarily
fubje&ed himfelf) in the exact rigour thereof 7 in every thing
that
1 6 Of the Covenant of Redemption* Chap. L
that is written in the booh^of the law y Gal. .$. 10. he offers him-
f elf to perform the utmoft degree of obedience to the Will of
God, to do thy, willy O God; yea, to do not only according
to what -is written in the book of the Law, but according
to the indenture and contract betwixt God and him, to which
Iunderftand the vohtme of the bookjieve mentioned, chiefly to
relate ^ ibppofing the agreement betwixt God and Chrift about
the work of man's Redemption, and all his undertakings to be
written as it were in a Book or Roll, in thatienfe that the
Scripture fpeaks of a book of life, and the Lambs book of life,
and the writings therein, Rev. 13.8. & 15.8. & 2 1.27.
5. Chrift's anfwerbearsa chearful conient to the Propofals
made by God to him, / delight to do thy willy God, and thy
law is within my heart , becauie his heart was to the bufineis,
and a defign ol love acted him all along his undertaking and
performing the work of our Redemption, Joh. 1 3. i, having
loved his own \ therefore he took plealiire in the work *, there-
fore it was his delight, Prov.S. 51, Re joy ring in the habitable
part of his earth, and my delights were with the fons of men.
Luk.22. 15, And he J aid unto them, with defire I have de fired
to eat this pajfeover with yon before I fnffer. I conclude then,
that this conient upon Chrift's part to his Father's Propofals,
makes a Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Chrift.
$. Befide the former two , which according to the opinion
of Jarifls amount to a Fattion , and a Contrail, or virtual
Covenant , and I think .alio to a formal explicite Covenant ;
there is alfo veftiges to be found betwixt God and Chrift of all
things required unto explicite formal Covenanting.
Let us therefore enquire a little, 1. What are the requifites
of formal explicite Covenanting. 2. What veftiges of thefe are
to be found betwixt Jehovah and Chrift.
1. The peculiar propriety of formal explicite Covenanting,
ftands in ftipulation and reftipulation, in Conditional Propo-
fals, commands, tenders, orpromifes upon the one part*, and
the accepting , contenting , or performing of conditions re-
quired, upon the other part : When the Propofals of what-
soever quality and kind they be, are exprefly conditional, and
the conditions propounded and required, are exprefly accepted
and agreed unto, there is a formal explicite Covenant, even
in the molt ftricl: and rigorous acceptation of the word Cove-
nant.
Chap. I. Of thaCovenant of Redemption* T 7
nant. Hence the Jurifts confine mutual contra&s and explicate Siil0 ^ jkJtitU
Covenant?, within the cornpafs of thefe few words, Dontdes,& Jure lib. 6.
r • r > j r • r ■ Uj Qufft.2. Art. I.
facto Ht facias , do nt facias-, facto nt aes. > Q ^ ^ j Hm
2. That there be clear footfteps of iiich dealing and Tranfa- . .^; ^ voc e^
ttions betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, may appear from theie^.
inflances •, all which evince ftipulation and jreftipulation •, Con-
ditions upon the one part and upon the other ; Conditions given
and taken.
1 . Betwixt Jehovah and Chrift there are Commands with Pro-
mifes, holding forth what was the Will of God to Chrift, in
the matter of man's Redemption; and what he (hould expecl:
from his Father for doing that work, and obeying his WiH,
J oh. 6, 39,40, This is the fathers willy — and this is the will of
him that fern me. Zech. 6. 12, 13, — Behold the man whofe name
is the Branched he fhall grow up out of his place, and he fhall build
the temple of the Lord — and the counfel of peace fhall be between
them both. Mich. 5.4,5, And he fhall ft and and feed in the ftrength
of the Lord> in the majefty of the name of the Lord his God , and
they fhall abide, for now fliall he be great unto the ends of the
earth. And this man fhall be the peace when the Affyrian fljall
come into our land. Ifa.42, 1,2, $,4. — He flmll bring forth
Judgment to the Gentiles. He fliall not cry, nor lift up, nor caufe
his voice to be heard in the ftreet. A bruifed reed f hall he not
breaks and the fmoakjng flax fliall he not quench ; he flja 11 bring
forth Judgment unto truth. And if a command with a threat-
ning annexed , which had a promife in it implicitely, did a-
mountto a Covenant in God's dealing with man in his inte-
grity, by a Covenant of works (as is acknowledged by all
Divines)*, Gen. 2. 17, But of the tree of the knowledg of good
and evil, thou fl) alt not eat of it : for in the day that thou e ate ft
thereof, thou fljalt fur ely die : Sure, commands with explicite
promiies, fuchas are betwixt God and Chrift, do amount to a
Covenant.
2. Betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, there are Promifes with Con-
ditions ', I fay Promiies with Conditions (not abfolute promiies)
read I fa. 53. 10, 11, 12, — When -thou fhalt make his foul an
offering for fin, he fhall fee his feed, he fhall prolong his days,
and the pleafure cf the Lord fhall prof per in his hand: He fliall
fee of the travel of his foul, and fliall be feitisfitd. By his know-
D ledg
1 8 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. L
ledg flail my righteous fervant juftipe many , for he jhall bear
their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the
great, and he flail divide the fpoil with the flrong , becaufe he
hath poured out his foul unto death , and he was numbred with
the tranfgreffors , and he bare the fin of many <> and made inter-
teffwnfor the tranfgreffors- Now Promifes with Conditions,are
promifes with re-promiflions, or conditions upon the one part,
and upon the other ; this is a declaration of what God will
do , and what he doth require,, which is a formal Covenant ,
and is plainly reducible to that which the Jurifts call Do ut fa-
cias, facio utdeSy&c.
3. There is betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, not only Commands
with Promifes annexed, and Promifes with Conditions annexed ^
but which is yet more, Conditions with confent, a formal con-
sent and voluntary yielding unto the Propofals which were
made unto him by Jehovah ; and this is without queftion, a
formal explicite Covenant, confiding of ftipulation and refti-
pulation, propounding and ani we ring, or accepting, demand-
ing, and yielding or confenting : he receives a command from
his Father to lay down his life , and he willingly confents,
Joh. IO. 18, No mantakethit from me, but I lay it down of my
felf'j I have power to lay it down , and I have power to take it
again. This commandment have I received of my father. His
Father propounds his Will to him, and makes offer of fair con-
ditions, and he accepts, lfa.*\. \o,—-When thou flait make his
foul an offering for (in , he flail fee his feed , he flail prolong
his days , and the pleafure of the Lord flail profper in his hand.
Heb. 10.5,7, Wherefore when he comethinto the world, he faith,
facrifice and offering thou wouldefl not, but a body haft thou pre-
pared me. Then J aid J, Lo I come, in the volume of the book,
it is written of me y to do thy will, God. Here is a formal ex-
plicite Covenant.
4. There is betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, Confenting with
Performing *, not only a mutual agreement upon the things to be
done by Chrift, and to be done to Chrift ; but a real perfor-
mance of the mutual conditions agreed upon betwixt them :
and this is more than a confummate Covenant, this is the ful-
filling of an explicite Covenant, and the acknowledgment of
both parties, that it was mutually covenanted, and that the
conditions were obferved, and were performed on both fides:
Joh.
Chap. L Of the Covenant of Redemption. * 9
Joh. 17. 4, / have finijhed the work^whichthou gave ft me to do>
faith Chrift : and his Father iaith , I fa. 42. I, Behold
my fervant whom I uphold, mine eleft in whom my foul delight eth,
I have put my fpirit upon him, and he jhall bring forth Judg*
ment to the Gennlss, Phil. 2. 8, y, And being found in fajhion
as a man, he humbled himfelf, and became obedient unto death,
tven the death of the Crofs. Wherefore God alfo hath highly
exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.
There is a reciprocation of Covenant-performances.
5. There is betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, asking and giving:
the Father asketh a fatisfatlion to his Juftice for the fins of all
the Elect , If a. 5$. 10, It pleafed the Lord to bruife him, he
hath put him to grief: and the fatisfaction which his Father
asked, was, that he fhould make his foul an offering for fin :
and Chrift yieldeth and giveth the fatisfac~tion which was
asked, Pfal. 4.0. 6, Lolcome, faith he, to do thy will. Iia. 5 3-S*
But he was wounded for our tranfgrejfions, and he was bruifed
for our iniquities: the chafiifement of our peace was upon him^ and
with his ft ripe s we are healed.
Again, Chrift asketh of his Father a reward and fatisfaclion
for the travel of his Soul in that great work of our Redemp-
tion and Salvation : And his Father gives it him according to
the encouraging : Propofals , whereby he had invited him to
the undertaking fo great a work, Pfal, 2.8, Ask^ofme, a?id
I Jhall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the utter-
mo ft parts of the earth for thy pojfejfion. Iia . 55. 11, He jhall
fee of the travel of his foul, andfljall be fatisped. Joh. 17.4, 5,
/ have glorified thee on earth, I have finijhed the workjwhich thou
gaveftmeto do : And now^O father, glorifie thou me with thine
own felf, with the glory which I had with thee before the
world was. This kind of asking and giving on both fides ,
amounteth to a formal explicite Covenant : here is emptio &
venditio, which is a Covenant ftrictly fo called.
6. There is betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, wo rJ^ and wages :
there is working propounded upon the one part, and under'
taken upon the other :, and a reward promifed upon the one
part, and expected upon the other ; craved upon the one part,
and payed upon the other ^ and this is a formal Covenant itri«flly
fo taken, Ad fimilitudinem contractu inter operarium & locato-
rem operis~— inter her urn & fervum, not unlike the manner of
D 2 Cove-
20 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
Covenants betwixt the work-man and work-mafter , betwixt
the Servant and his Lord. Here is indeed, do ut faoias, facio
Mt des y I give this upon condition you do that, and I do this
upon condition you give that.
I lay, there was working and rewarding 'twixt God and
Chrift, and that by no neceflity of nature, but by a voluntary
compaft ', his work and reward are both propounded to him,
Ifa. 53. 1 1, 12, He fljall fee of the travel of his foul, and Jh all
be fatisfied : by his knowledg jhall my righteous fervant jaslifie
many •, for he Jhall bear their iniquity. 'Therefore will J divide
him a prt ion with the great , and he jliall divide the jf oil with
the ftrong, becaufe he hath poured out his foul unto death , and
he was numbred with the tranfgrejfours, and he bare the fin of
many, and made intercejfionfor the tranfgrejfours. And 49. 3,6,
And faid unto me. Thou art my fervant , O Ifrael, in whom I
will be glorified. And he faid, it is a light thing that thou
ftiouldft be my fervant to raife up the tribes of Jacob , and to
reftore the preferved of Ifrael : I will alfo give thee for a light
to the Gentiles, that thoumaift be my falvation unto the end of the
earth. And agreed unto by him, Joh. 10. 17, Therefore doth my
father love me, becaufe I lay down my life, that I might take it
again. Heb. 10.7, Then faid I, lol come, in the volume of the
booh^ it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. Therefore we
find upon the one part and the other , God promifing a re-
ward, and Chrift expefting it : Ifa.<$$. 12, Therefore I wilt
divide him a portion with the great, with Ifa. 49.4, Surely my
judgment is with the Lord , and my work^with my God. Again,
we find God propofing the reward for Chrift's encouragement
in fo hard a work , and Chrift eying the reward under alf
difcouragements, Pfal. no. 7, He jliall drinks of the brooks in
the way, therefore jhall he lift up the head; with Heb. 12.2,
Looking unto Jefui the Author and finijher of our faith , who
for the \oy that was fet before him, endured the Crofs , defpifng
the jhame, and is fet down at the right hand of the throne of
God. We find alio Chrift craving his reward, and challenge
ing it as due to him, Joh* 1^.4) / have glorified thee on earth,
I have pmjhedthe work^ which thou gave ft me to do. And his Fa-
ther paving the promife^ reward, Phil. 2. 8, y, Wherefore God
Alfo hath highly exalted hi*n, &c.
The fourth Proof of a Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Chrift;
V
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. 21
I take from trie Offices, Jmployments, Trufts , Powers , Autho-
rities, and Relations, which Chrift did bear, and wherewith he
was vefted for doing the work of his peoples Redemption :
All and every of thele prove ftrongly an eternal Covenant and
Compart betwixt Jehovah and Chrift : I put thefe together ,
that the proofs may be more ponderous than numerous *, I fhall
therefore, i. Reckon up fome particulars that fall under this
head, each whereof might afford a particular proof, and then
draw an argument from them.
i. His Offices and Employments ; Chrift is Lord Mediator
of the New Covenant, Heb. 8. 6, & o. 1 5. He is Lord Ambaffa-
dor and Meffenger of the Covenant, Mai. 5.1. He is the Lord's
Shepherd and his Servant in the work of Redemption,-^/?. 1 3 .7.
Ifa.4.2. 1. Not by nature, but by condefcenfion and agreement,
to be in thefe employments. Chrift Mediator is a King, not by
nature but by Covenant and Agreement, he receives a difpen-
fatory Kingdom, Pfal. 2. 6, Yet have J fet my king upon my holy
hill Z ion. Aft. 2. l<$, God hath made the fame Jefpu both Lord
and Chrift. Heb. 1 . 2, — whom he hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom alfo he made the worlds. Pfal. 8 p. 27, Alfo I
will make him my ftrft born , higher than the kings of the earth.
Chrift is a Prophet and a Teacher of his people, not by nature
but by appointment, Act. $.22, ForMofes truly faid unto the
Fathers, a Prophet JIm 11 the Lord your God raife up unto you of
your brethren like unto me, him flail ye hear in all things what-
fbever he fhall fay unto you. If a. 55.4*7 Behold, I have given him
for a witneft to the people. Chrift is a Prieft not by nature, but
by divine appointment, and that in the way of agreement and
content , Heb. 5.4, 5, 6, And no man taketh this honour unto
himfelf, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So. alfo Chrift
glorified not himfelf to be made an high prieft * 9 but he that f aid unto,
him, IhonartmySon, today have I begotten thee. As he faith 1
alfo in another place^ 'Thou a? t a prieft for ever after the or den
of Meuhifedec. And 7. 21, — The Lord (ware and will not
repent, thou art a Prieft for ever , after the order of Mel-
chifedec.
2. The like I fay of the Trufts, Powers, and Authorities,
that Chrift Mediator had, concerning the work of his peoples
Redemption \ how came his name to be in our bond, and he to
take upon him to perform the condition of the Covenantor
worKs?.
22 Of the Coven&nt of Redemption. Chap, 7.
-works ? how came he to be under the Law, and to fulfil the
Law ? Sure it was not by nature ,nor by any neceflity of nature - 7
but by divine appointment, and by his own voluntary yielding
to it, which is Compact '■, fo Jefm was made fur ety,Heb. 7. 22 ' v
and made under the law, Gal. 4. 4 *, how came he to have the dif-
pofing of the eternal interefts of all men ? Sure he had this
truft and authority by agreement with his Father, who laid it
upon him, and he freely received it, Job. 5. 22, for the Father
judgeth no man fait hath committed all \udgment to the Son : ck 17. 2,
As thou haft given him power over all fiejh, that he frould give eter-
nal life to as many as thou haft given him. How came the keys of
the houle of David, to lye upon his fhoulder ? the great truft
and management of all affairs relating to his Church and Peo-
ple ? undoubtedly this was by Compact with Jehovah, who
laid this truft upon him , I fa. 22. 2 1, 24, And the key of the
houfe of David will I lay upon his froulder , fo he frail open and
none frail frut, and he frail frut and none frail open. And I will
faften him. as a nail in a fur e place, and he frail be for a glorious
throne to his fathers houfe. And they frail hang Upon him all the
glory of his houfe, the offspring and the iff He, all veffels of fmall
quantity, from the veffels of cups, even to all the veffels of flagons.
Rev. 1 . 7. — He that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no
man frutteth, andfrutteth and no man openeth.
$. I affirm the lame alio of Chrift's Covenant-relations to
God and to his people : Though God the Father was the Father
of our Lord JefusChrift by eternal generation, and he is the
natural Son of God *, yet who can declare how God is the God
and Father of our Lord Je fns Chrift, but by Covenant?
1 Pet. 1. 5, God foretold this Covenant-Intereft of Chrift's,
Pial.89.26, He frail cry unto me, thou art my Father, my God?
andtherock^of my Salvation - ? with Hcb. 1. 5, For unto which
of the Angels faid he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have
I begotten thee. And again, I will be to him a Father, and he
flmltbe to me a Son. And Chrift frequently owns that Covenant-
compellation , Mat. 27. 46, My God , my God , why haft thou
forfakjn me. Rev. 3.12, Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the temple of my God, and he frail go no more out , and 1 will
write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the City of
my God, which is new Jerufalem, which cometh down out of hea-
ven from my God , and I will write upon him my new name.
Joh.
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption* 23
Joh. 20. 17, fifta faith unto her, touch me not, for J am not yet
afcended to my Father *, but go to my brethren and fay to them y
J afcend unto my Father and your Father , and to my God
and your God,
From all which I draw but this one Argument *, Chrift who
did bear all thefe offices, employments , trufts and relations,
for the work of our Redemption,, he had all thefe things (I fay^)
either by fome neceflity that could not ftand with his own free
confent ^ or elfe he did bear thefe offices, employments,, trufts
and relations by his own willing confent, and they were of his
own voluntary taking up. Now 'tis fure he was not Media-
tor, nor Surety, nor MeiTenger of the Covenant, norafervant
in that affair, by any neceflity that was repugnant to his own
free confent. I fay no neceflity that was repugnant to his own
free confent; becaufe there was, 1. Some kind of neceflity that
Chrift fhould travel in this work, in regard of the Decree of
God, and Divine Predetermination, that a fatisfa&ion fhould be
made unto his Juftice, and that man ftiould not be laved with-
out this fatisfa&ion interveening ^ which- decree is in order of
nature, and in that kind of priority, that is in our way of con-
ceiving of God's eternal decrees, antecedaneous to God's Co-
venant with Chrift : Therefore the Scripture giveth us ground
to fay, that God flrft chofe Chrift to this work of Redemp-
tion, and then made a Covenant with him, PfaLSg. $, I have
made a Covenant with my chofen. 2 . We find that Chrift having
taken upon him thefe offices, trufts, employments, &c before-
mentioned, was under a blefled , holy neceflity, to fulfil the
things belonging to his offices and trufts *, and therefore the
Scripture faith, it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,
Heb. 2. 17. and it behove dChrifl to fuffer, Luk. 24. 46. and he
mufl needs go thorow Samaria, joh. 4. 4. J mufi workjhe workl of
him that fent me, Joh. 9- 4. But neither of thefe neceflities was
any ways repugnant to hi sown free confent and willingnefs to
bear thefe offices and trufts : For the firft neceflity in regard of
the decree of God, that decree being the couniel of his own
will, as well as his Fathers 5 there was not thereby any neceflity
upon him, repugnant to his own free content. And the fecond
neceflity of doing the. works of him that, lent him, being a ne-
ceflity which he voluntarily took upon him by his willing under-
taking the truft of being Lord Mediator, there was not there-
2^f Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
by anvimpofing upon his free confent, Joh. 10. 17,18, There-
fore doth my Father love me, becaufe I lay down my life that I
might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down
of my felf. 1 have power to lay it down, and I have power to take
it again. Phil. 2. 8 , And being found in fafrion as a man, he
humbled him felf unto death, even the death of the Crofi.
Yet I 1 ay , there was not upon Chrift afoy neceflity repug-
nant to his free and willing afting, in the taking upon him theie
offices, trufts, relations, &c* 1 .becauie there was no compelling-
neceffity, fuch as is upon a man bound hand and foot ; there was
no fuch neceflity upon the Lord to fend Chrift, and to lay thele
offices upon him \ for he is a mod free foveraign Agent, above
counfel, and much more above compulfion, Ifa.4.0. 1$, Who
hath directed the fpirit of the Lord, or being his Counfellour hath
taught him f Pfal. 1^5.6, Whatfoever the Lord pie afed, that did
he in heaven and in earth, in the feas, and all deep place. And
he was not bound to change the Law-dilpeniation into a new
one of Grace *, Therefore is the thing that was laid upon Chrift,
fo often called the will of him that fent him, Joh. 6. $9, 40. Nei-
ther was there any fuch neceflity upon Chrift to take thefe
offices and employments, he could not be compelled to lay down
his life, Joh. 10. 18, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down
of my felf : I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it
again ; this Commandment received I of my Father. Phil. 2. 6. 8,
Who being in the form of Cod, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God. And being found in faflnon as a man, he humbled him-
fclfy and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Crofi.
2. There was no natural ueceffity, fuch as that of the Sun to
give light, and the fire heat*, fure there was no fuch neceflity of
God's fending of Chrift*, God did not by any natural neceflity
lend forth Chrift ; nor was the Son of God under any natural
neceflity to undertake the work of our Redemption, for God
might have done other wife, he might in juftice have profecuted
the Covenant of works', yea, there was no kind of neceflity up-
on God to fend, or upon Chrift to go this errand, abftra&ing
from his own Decrees, andthepurpofe of his Wi\\,Eph. 1.5,6,
Having yredefiinated m unto the adoption of Children by Jefus
Chrift to him felf, according to the good pie a fure of his will : to
the praife of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us ac-
cepted in the beloved. Rom. 9, 20, 21, Nay, but man, who
art
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption. 25
art thou , that replyeftagainft God 1 Jh all the thing formed fay t s
him that form edit j why haft thou formed me thus ? Hath not the
potter power over the clay-, of the fame lump to make one vejfel unto
honour y and another unto difhonour f 3, There was no moral
neceffity, not lb much as any command, motive or inducement
without himfelf , either upon God to lay this employment upon
Chrift, or upon Chrift to take it upon him, and to undergo the
work •, for God might have lent his Son or not fent him, as plea -
led him*, there was not fo much as a moral caule inducing him to
it, Joh. 3. 16, For God fo loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son , that whofoever believeth on him ftould not perijli,
but have everlafting life. Rom. 5. 6,8, For when we were yet
without ftrcngth, in due time Chrift died for the ungodly . But God
commendeth hi* love towards us-, in that while we were yet fmners y
Chrift died for us. And Chrift might have refilled to undertake
the work, or he might have agreed as pleafed him •, for who
could have laid a command upon him, if the defign of love that
was in his heart had not a&ed him to a confent ? Phil. 2. 6,8, Who
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God. Jlnd being found in fajhion as a man, he humbled hw-
f elf unto deaths even the death of the Crof. .It refts therefore
that all thefe offices, employments, trulls, authorities, and
Covenant-relations, that Chrift did bear, were undertaken and
undergone by his own free confent *, and if they were by his free
confent, this confent was either his own motion without the con-
lent and agreement of Jehovah concurring in councel with him,
for the carrying oh the work of our Redemption - 7 or tHTs was
tranfkcled and done in the counfel of God, by the knowledg>
will, confent and agreement of God with Chrift. Now the
Scripture is plain and expreis, that all the offices, trufts, autho-
rities, employments and Covenant-relations which Chrift did
bear, were notufurped, were not taken upon him without di-
vine ordination and appointment, without his Father's confent
and command v but that he was defigned , chofen and called
thereunto. See Prov. 8.2$, / was Jet up from everlafting 9
from the beginnings or ever the earth was. Joh. 5. 22, For the
Father judgethnoman, but hath committed all judgment unto the
Son. Ifa.42. 1,6, Behold my fervant whom I uphold'-, I the
Lord have called thee in righteoufnep. And 40. I , $ 9 — The Lord
hath called me from the womby from the bowels of my mother hath
E he
26 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
he made mention of my name. — Thou art my fervant, O Jfrael, in
whom I will be glorified. Hcb. 5. 5, 6 , So alfo Chrifl glorified
not himfelf to be made an high priefl * ? but he that faid unto him,
Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he faith alfo in
another place, Thouart apriefi for ever, after the order of Mel-
chifedec. A&. 3. 26, Vnto yen fir ft, God having raifed up his
Son Jefus, fent him to blefi yon, in turning away every one from
his iniquities. Pfal. 40. 6, Sacrifice and offering thou didfi not de-
fire, mine ears haft thou opened :, burnt offering and fin offering hafi
thou, not required, &c. I conclude therefore, that all theie offi-
ces, trufts, powers, and Covenant-relations which Chrift did
bear, being upon him by mutual agreement and conient betwixt
Jehovah and Chrift:, all and every one of them doth prove a Com-
pact and Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Chrifl.
He who defireth more proofs of this Covenant, and to have
further light therein * 7 let him read Jo. Cocc. Summa doclrina de
foedere, ch. 5. ariciNir.Rutherf. Treat, of the Covenant, Part 2.
ch. 6. And Fr. Robert's, Cods Covenants with Man , Book 2.
ch.2. Seel:. 3.
Now that this Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, was
the foundation of the Covenant made with us, may be evinced
by thefe particulars. 1. If this Covenant of Suretifhip had not
been concluded betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, there could never
have been anyCovenant-dealing with us upon terms of Grace^for
fuppole this Covenant had not been, the Lord fhould then have
prolecuted the Covenant of works, and followed a courf e of Ju-
ftice aflfinft all Mankind,the dore fhould have been fhut for ever
againft all condefcenfions, and all Gofpel ways of Grace. There-
fore we find theApofHe reckons the change of Law-difpenfation,
and life by the tenor of the Covenant of works, into a new way
of Grace,to have its foundation^riginal and rile from Gods gra-
cious eternal tranf action with Chrift. 2 Tim. 1 .9, Who hathfaved
us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works\
but according to his own purpofe and grace , which was given us in
Chrift Jefm before the world began.
2. God's Covenant-dealing with us upon the terms of Grace,
is nothing elfe but the execution of that which was from eterni-
ty decreed, tranfc&ed and concluded by God's Compact with
Chrift •, and therefore the Covenant of Suretifhip muft needs be
che foundation of the Covenant with us, even as all Decrees
and;
Chap. I. Of the Covenant of Redemption.
and Laws are the foundation of the execution following there-
upon : this will appear more fully and clearly when we come to
fpeak of the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption , and the
things therein tranfafted : at prefentthis may fuffice, i. That
whatloever Covenant-favour and Grace is tendered tc us by the
Golpel-Covenant, and effectually apply ed unto us by the Spi-
rit of the Lord, that waspromifed to Chrift,and to us in him_i
yea, and plighted in him for our accountby the Covenant made
betwixt Jehovah and him - as appears from the Scripture before-
mentioned, 2 Tim. 1.9, According to his own purpofe and
grace, which was given us in Chrifi before the world began ', with
Tit. 1.2, In hope of eternal life , which God that cannot lye, promi-
sed before the world began. 2. Whatfoever Covenant-Condi-
tions of one kind or another •, whether Faith, the eminent Gof-
pel-condition, or other Gofpel-obedience required of us, or to
be performed upon our part ; all thefe were undertaken by
Chrift's aft of Suretifhip in the Covenant betwixt God and
him, and were eniured to him by Jehovah, to befuccefsfully
performed. SetEph. 2. 10, For we are his workmanfiip crea-
ted in Chrifi Jefus unto good works, which God hath before ordained,
that we Jhouldwalkjn them. 2 ThefT. 2. 1 3, But we are bound to
five thanks alway to God, for you brethren, beloved of the Lord ;
ecaufe God hath from the beginning chofen you to Salvation,
through fanllif cation of the fpirit , and belief of the truth.
Ifa. 53.1 1, And the pleafure of the Lord fliall pro/per in his
hand. He ft all fee of the travel of his foul, and ft all be fat is fed *,
by his knowledg fliall my righteous fervant jufiifie many , for he
ft all bear their iniquities.
3. In peribnal Covenanting with God, and the engaging of
particular Souls to him, in the way of the Covenant of Grace ;
Chriil's Suretifhip is the ground of all proceeding : til! this be
eyed, and in fome meafure believed , there is no poll' Dility of
advancing one ftep toward a new Covenant-ftate : for how can
fallen broken man (who underftands his condition to beiiich)
think of dealing with God, unlefs he bring a Cautioner with
him } or how (hall he bring to God Chrifi, afurety of the better
tefiament, who hath not heard of and beloved his eternal aft of
Suretifhip, Rom. 10. 14, How then (hall they call on him in whom
they have not, believed ? and how ft all they believe in him of whom
they have not heard ? and how ft all they hear without a preacher ?
' E 2 This
2-8 Of the Covenant of Redemption. Chap. I.
This Covenant of Surtifhip therefore mud needs be the founda-
tion of the Covenant of Grace and reconciliation;, hence 'tis
that David and HezekUh flee to this a& of Suretifhip, and lay
the weight of their dealing with God on it, Pfal.119. \2i,Be
furety for thy fervant for good. Ilk. 38. 14, Lord, I aw op-
frejfed, undertake for me.
4. The Covenant made with us , hath its (lability from the
Covenant of Suretifhip made with Chrift , and therefore this
muft be the foundation of that ; I fay, upon the ftability of the
Covenant made with Chrift, doth depend the ftability of the~
Covenant with us j becaufe that (lands firm and fore, therefore
cloth this (land faft alio-, therefore the mercies of the Covenant
with us, ar e fur e mercies, and the promifes of the Covenant are
yea, and amen ', becaufe they are the fare mercies of David, which
were firft promifed to Chrift, Ifa. 55. $. and becaufe the pro-
mifes were madetous*'tffc, 2 Cor. 1.20, For all the promifes
of God in him are yea, an din him are amen. Therefore the Co-
venant made with us is an everlafting Covenant , becaufe of the
Covenant by which he was given to his people , J fa. 53. 1, 4,
/ make with you an everlafting Covenant, even the fur e mercies-of
David. Behold I have given him for a witneft of the people, a
leader andcommander of the people : therefore our faith, and per-
feverance, and falvation are lure, asfure as Heaven and Earth can
make them, becaufe of the ac"l of Chrift's Suretifhip , and his
undertaking for them *, becaufe they hang upon Chrift's fulfill-
ing his Covenant of Suretifhip with God, and upon condition
of his doing the werkthat his Father gave him to do, Joh. 17.
4, 8. 15. 24, / have glorified thee on earth, I have finifoed the
worl^which thou gavefl me to do .'-—For I have given unto them
the words which thou gave ft me , and they have received them..
1 pray not that than jhouldft taks r ^ em mt °f f ^ e world * r
bht that thou jhouldft ktep them from the evil — Father I will,
that they alfo whom thou haft given me, be with me where I am.
Mat. 16. 18, — And upon this roc\zjwill /build my Church, and
■ the gates of hell foallnot prevail again ft it.
5. The Holy Ghoft's leading us lb frequently in the Scrip-
tures, from the Covenant made with us, in all the force,
efficacy, ftability, eternity, (landing, and perfeverance thereof,
to look up to the Covenant of Suretifhip made with Chrift*,
k a clear demonftration that this Covenant made with us
depends
Chap. I. of the Covenant of Redemption. 2,9
depends upon the Covenant mack with him ; and that the Co-
venant made with .Chrift, is the foundation and ground of
the Covenant made with us. Read-Ez^. 16. 60,61, Never-,
the left I will remember my Covenant with thee in the days of
thy youth, and I mil efiablijh unto jhee an everlafting Cove-
nant. Then thou jhal'r remeynber thy ways , and be afliamedy
when thon jlialt receive thy Sifters, thine elder, and thy younger ',
and I will give them unto thee for daughters \ but not by thy
Covenant. Where the efficacy of the Covenant made with
us, is hanged, not upon that fame Covenant, but another;
to wit, that made with Chrift : And Ifa. 22. 22, 2 $ , And
the key of the houfe of David will I lay upon his Jboulder , for
he jhall open, and none foall JJjut, and he (liall fiwt and none
fiall open j and I will faflen him as a n ail in a fur e place, and
he Jhall be for a glorious throne to his fathers houfe, ckc Where
under a type of Eliakimh truft , the fixing of Chrift in the
Covenant isftated, as the ground of all the gracious efficiency
thereof; and PfaL 89. $ $, $4, Neverthelefs my loving kjndnejs*
will I not utterly take from him , nor fuffer my faithfulnef to
fail My Covenant will I not breaks nor alter the thing that
is gone out of my lips. Once have 1 fworn by my holinef, that
I will not lye unto David. The eftablifhment of the Cove-
nant with s Chr id's fmful feed (there fpokeofby the name of
David and his feed^J, is reduced to the Covenant , the fworn
Covenant with Chrift, as the ground and foundation there-
of, whom' God laid in Zion for a fure foundation ^ to
the intent that he who believeth may not make hafle, nor
be fuddenly removed from his Faith and fteadfaftnefs ;*
J fa. 28. 16.
chap;
gfi Chap, II.
CHAP. 1 1.
Qf the necejptyofthe Covenant of Redemp-
tion, And \. What kind ofnecejpty for
the being of this Covenant, i. In what
KefpeStf 5 or to what Intents it is ne-
eejjary.
w
Hen we i'peak $f the neceflity of the Covenant of Re-
demption or Suretifhip, we are cautioufly to under-
Aquin.Sjww. i.ft an ^ that necefTity. The School-men diftinguifh a threefold
Part. g. ip. neceflity. i. A moft perfect and abfohite necejfity^ or a fimylc
An. 3 necejfity, when a thing is lb, that it cannot not be, nor be other-
^ U j S in , 5w *wife, and that by the power of any Agent whatfoever.
Seft i. ^^B^-Xhisneceff^ybei^ge^ not t0 tne Covenant of Redemption,
nor to any other the free afts of the will of God*, for if fo it
had pleaied God, he might have not entered that Covenant
with his Son} for it was not abfolutely neceflary that man fhould
be redeemed : God might have patted by man as he did the
Apoftate Angels :, which choice of objects, to be redeemed by
Chrift , is mentioned for aggravating God's love to man,
Heb. 2. 1 6, For verily he took^not on him the nature of Angels \
but he took^ on him the feed of Abraham.
This neceflity belongs only to the divine Nature, which is
moft perfect, and cannot by any Agent whatfoever, be brought
not to be*, or to be other, orotherwife than he is, Jam. i. 17,
— with whom is no variablenefiy neither foadow of turning. 2. A
natural necejfity, when any thing floweth neeejfarily and meerly
from the principles of nature *, and thus the fire burneth, and
theftone defcendeth. Now the Covenant of Redemption is
not neceflary by this natural neceflity •, for God did not enter
in Covenant with Chrift as the fire burns, neceflarily, and natu-
- rally •, for, 1. Then it had been impoflible for God not to have
fhewed mercy upon fallen man, and that in this very way of
Redemption by Chrift ; for natural Agents cannot but aft ac-
cording to their natural properties ", but it is manifeft from
God's
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption* 31
God's pafling by the fallen Angels, that he might have faffed
by man alio in his fulfill ftate. 2. If Gc either purpo-
sed in himfelf, or exercifed juftice or mercy, or both (which is
inconfiftent, implicant,and impoflible) by this natural neceflity,
then (his juftice and mercy being infinite) he iliould have ihewed
mercy upon all, or exercifed juftice upon all \ he fhould either
have punifhed all that finned to theutmoft, as foon as they had
finned, or he fhould have (hewed mercy upon all, as foon as
there were qualified objects for mercy : the reafon is obvious,
becaufe all natural Agents work to the utmoft they can.
3. Then there fhould have been no Compact nor Covenant be-
twixt Jehovah and Chrift ; for fuppofing fucha natural necefii-
ty, wedeftroy freeconfent and agreement, which is effential
to this Covenant , and is proved in the foregoing Chapter.
3. There is an hypothetical neceflity which arifeth from God'?
ordination and appointment •, or as others call it, a neceflity of
confeqnence *, when any thing is neceflary upon fuppofition of
fome other thing j and this is not an abiblute neceflity in the
things themfelves, and their immutability ; but a limited refpe-
tlive neceflity , upon connexion of one thing with another.
Again, this limited refpedive neceflity fas Mr. Anth. Bargef^-porti-mot
well obierves) is fometimes from the efficient caufe , becaufe Juftif. Part 2.
he is thus and thus difpofed ; as when 'tis faid, there mutt beSerm. u.
her e fie s, 1 Cor. 1 1, 29. That is, partly in regard of the efficient
caufe (although the Text mentioneth there only the final caufe),
becaufe there will be Ignorance and Pride always in men.
2. From the material caufe: Thus death is neceflary and inevi-
table, becaufe we have principles of corruptibility within us.
$. From the formal caufe, becaufe that is immutable and urn
changeable. 4. From the final caufe fuppofing fuch an end.
When we fpeak of the neceflity of the Covenant of Sureti-
fhip or Redemption, it is this third and laft kind of neceflity
we mean; it was hypothetically and refpe&ively neceflary only
that God fhould enter in Covenant with Chrift :, to wit, upon
fuppofition of fome other thing that God had decreed and pur-
pofed in hirafelf. And here let us a little enquire,
Quefl. 1. What were thefe things which God's entering irr
Covenant with Chrift doth fuppofe ? 2. What was the necef-
fity of a Covenant betwixt God and Chrift, luppoiifcp-Tnefe
things ? 3. Whether this hypothetical and refpecTive njceflity
of
32 Of the Nccejfity of Chap. II.
of a Covenant with Chrift, flowed only from the final caufe,
from the ends which God had purpofed inhinfelf, or from the
efficient caufe alio, that is, from God's natural propenfion to
Juftice or Mercy ?
Anfw. i. The Covenant of Redemption wherein God en«
tered with Chrift, did proceed upon fuppofition of thefe things
mainly ( I do not fay only , nor do I determine the order of
the things fuppofed ). i. This Covenant fuppofeth that God
had purpofed in himielf, and decreed eminently to glorifie him-
felf in the way of juftice and mercy , Rom. 9. 22,23, What if
God willing to fliew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with much long-fujfering the vejfels of wrath fitted to
deftruttion ? And that he might make known the riches of his
glory on the vejfels of mercy which he had afore prepared, unto
glory I 2. This Covenant fuppofeth that God had purpofed
and decreed, that there fhould be objects qualified, and fit for
the glorifying of both thefe Attributes ; and this was abfo-
lutely neceffary to that purpofe, both quoad exercitium & quoad
Jpecific -ationem atlpa, inrefpeftof the exercife of the aft and the
lpecification and manner of it. For to fome properties in
God there is required no objeft, and to others no qualifica-
tion of the objeft. To God's Omnipotency there is required
no objeft, becaufe it makes its objects *, and to God's Wifdom
there is required no qualification in the objeft ', for he can order
every thing to a glorious end . Yet to God's mercy and juftice ,
ad extra, there are not only required objefts , but objefts fo
qualified, either with Grace or Sin, as Mr. Burgefi obferves.
Therefore the Covenant of Redemption doth iiippoie the pur-
pofe and decree of God about the creation of man, in a bleffedj
Votf. •/ Juftif. but mutable ftate, and his fall from his Primitive blefTednefs and
p. 1. p. 10$. firft Cove nant-ftate, into Sin; that there might be objefts and
&p.2. p. ^'qualified objefts for glorifying the Attributes of mercy and
juftice, upon which the Apoftle in the place before-mentioned,
Rom. 9. 22, 2$. calls vejfels of mercy , and vejfels of wrath.
5. The Covenant of Redemption fuppofeth God's purpofe and
free decree, ib far to follow his Covenant- truth and juftice upon
man, as not to acquit him without a fatisfaftion to Juftice in
his own perfon, or by a liirety of the fame kind that finned,
Heb. 9. 15, And for this caufe he is the Mediator of the New
Teflamenty that by means of death for the redemption of the
tranf-
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption. S3
tranfgrejfions that were under thefirft teftament , they which art
called might receive the promife of the eternal Inheritance. 4. The
Covenant of Redemption iiippof eth that God had purpoled to
have in Mankind the»objec1:s for glorifying both thefe Attri-
butes of mercy and juftice, that he would not punifh all fin
with eternal death ; nor yet let all go unpunifhed *, but would
manifeft his juftice in ibme objects, and the riches of his Grace
in others, Rom.?. 22,25. 5- The Covenant of Redemption
fuppofeth that God had choien Chrift firft to do the work of
Redemption, by fatisfying juftice, and entreating mercy,
Pf#l> 89. $, / have made a Covenant with my chofen. And
Heb. 2. 17, Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like
unto his brethren , that he might be a merciful and faithful high
prieflin things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
fins of the people. And that he had choien the veflejs of mercy
in him, unto grace and glory, Eph. i.4>$> According as he
bath chofen us in him before the foundation of the world , that
we Jhould be holy and without blame before him in love. Having
predeftinated us unto, the Adoption of children, by Je fit* Chrift.
uuto himfelf, according to the good pleafure of his will* I fay
thenihls fuppofitis, thtfc and fuch like things being fuppofed, God
enters in a Covenant with Chrift.
Queft.2. But iuppofing that it is decreed, that divine
juftice (hall be iatisfied \ and that the truth of the threatning
of the Covenant of works , fhould be verified upon man of-
fending, or upon a iiifficient fiirety : iiippofing alfo that Chrift
is defignedinthe counfel of God unto this work of redeem-
ing loft man, by performing a fatisfa&ion to the juftice of God ;
It is yet a queftion , What needed the Covenant of Redemption
or Suretifhip betwixt God and Chrift ? Might not the work
have been done without any Compact, Covenant or Agreement
betwixt the Father and the Son ?
Anfw, I (hall only here give a fhort anfwer ; , referring tlr
more fall and particular iatisfattion of this queftion unto the'
latter part of this Chapter, wherein I have purpoled the
handling of the particular ends and iritents for which the
Covenant of Redemption is neceflary y For pf efent I fay, 1. It
might iuffice that God decreed, and plainly revealed that the
iutisfa&ion which his juftice will have for fm , and which Chrift
has given, was agreed betwixt them by a Covenaat : and fo in
F refpeft
5 4 Of the Neeefitjr of Chap, ft
refpett of infinite wifdom , which worketh by deep counfel,
and doth nothing without a reafon, it was necefTary ? becaufe
God thought fit that it fhould be fo , he pitched upon this
way. But befide this , 2. Whatfoever n£ ceflity was in regard
of infinite wifdom , that loft man fhould be redeemed , fin
fhould not be pardoned without a fatisfaclion , that Chrift.
ihould be our Redeemer, and fhould come and give thatfatis'
faction: the lame neceffity alfo requires a Covenant betwixt
God and Chrift, foe carrying on that work in the way of
Agreement; ib thai if a Mediator, a Saviour and Redeemer >
a Surety, a ranfomwere neceflary , in regard of infinite wif
dom, which found out this Goipel-diipeniation and new way of
life, then was a Covenant of Suretifhip and Redemption necef-
lary alfo in the fame refpccT. 3. The work of Redemption
performed by Chrift, was iuch as could not be.undertaken and
performed without a Covenant^ for it required commanding
and obeying, fending and going, asking and receiving, work-
ing and rewarding,all which imported fuppofe fuperiority and
inferiority, or fubordination, which could not be betwixt the
Father and the Son, who is equal vpith Cod? Phn\2.6, unleis
that by Agreement, Compact, Confent and Covenant ? the Son
of God had humbled him f elf ^ and became obedient unto death?
even the death of the Cro$, Phil. 2. 8. The work of Redemp-
tion unto which Chrift was defigned in the counfel of God,
required feveral offices, employments, trufts, and relations to be
iiiflained by him (whereof I hinted fomething in the foregoing
Chapter) which not being efTential to the Son of God , nor
belonging to him by any natural , abfolute, or immutable ne-
ceffity *, upon fuppofal of the decree of God, that the -Son
fhould do the work of Redemption , there was a neceflity of
Confluence, that there fhould be a Covenant of Redemption
and Suretifhip *, that by the Father's calling and command , and
by the Sons confent and agreement, making up a voluntary
Compact, the Son of God might bear thefe offices, and trufts,
and relations, which otherwife he fhould not have born,
//i.42. 1.6, Behold my fervant whom J uphold? mine eltttin
whom my foul delighteth^ — J the Lord have called thee in right e-
optfnsfs? and will hold thine hand. Pfal. 2. 7, / will declare the
decree, the Lord hath [aid unto me? thou art my Son? this day
havt I begotten thee* Heb. 5. 5,6, So alfo Chrifl glorified not
h'mfetf
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption. 5 5
himfclf tobemade anhighpriefl, b m he that J aid unto him. Thou-
art my Son , to day have I begotten thee. As he faith alfo in
another 'place , Thou art a priefi for ever after the order of
Melchifedec.
jQueft> y Whether did this Hypothetical neceflity of God's
■cnteringin Covenant with Chrift to pay a raiiibm $ or as others
ipeak, this neceflity of coniequence, flow only from a finall.
caufe*, to wit, God's ends which he purpofed in himfclf •, or
from the efficient caufe alfo •, to wit, from juftice in God that
could not remit fin without fatisfa&ion ?
Anfvo- i. Concerning the neceflity of God's covenanting
-with Chrift, in refpeft of the ends which he purpofed in him-
felfj thereisnoqueftion : Which were, i. The fupream end,
to glorifie his mercy and juftice } I mean his declarative glory,
that (hints ad extra j not the efTentiai glory of God , whereby
he was infinitely glorious from eternity, and fhould eternally
be eflentially glorious , though neither Man nor Angel, nor
any other ohjeft of his glory had been created. This is the
glory fpokcn of in thefe Scriptures, Prov. 16. 4, The Lord hath
made all things for him f elf, yea, even the wicked for the day of
evil. Eph. 1.6, To the praife of the glory of his grace wherein
he hath made m accepted in the beloved. 2. The iubordinate end
(which alio is a medium or means for advancing the fupream
end) the Redemption and Salvation of his ele& people,, to be
"brought about in fuch manner as might manifeft and declare
the glory of juftice and mercy both , in faving fome , not all,
andpafling by others, upon whom he had purpofed to declare
■hi- juftice ; and in laving thefe whom he purpofed to redeem,
in fuch a way as juftice might be iatisfied, and mercy alio en-
treated, Rom, $.24, Being jaftified freely by his grace, through
the Redemption that is in Jefm Chrift. Eph. 1 . 7, In whom we have
Redemption through his blood, the forgivenefs of fins seconding to
the riches of his grace. It is manifeft, I fay, that in regard of
thefe great ends, the Covenant of Redemption made with
Chrift was necefiary^ God having purpofed in procuring ouu
5alvation,to glorifie his mercy and juftice,a Mediator and Surety
behoved to be engaged ; and there being (In regard of infinite
wifdom which determined it ) none fp fit as the Son of God ; he
muft needs be engaged by his own content, and by a Covenant -
agreement with Jehovah.
F 2 j^ But
3 6 Of the Necefity of Chap. II.
j^ But here is the queftion about the neceflity of the Cove-
nant of Suretifhip in regard of the efficient caufe •, to wit, whe-
eler or not there was any neceflity of nature or natural efTential
juftice in God, which required this way of Suretifhip and Re-
demption neceffarily, in regard that he could not pardon fin
Without a fatisfa&ion ?
X Concerning this queftion , two reafbns mainly prevail
fife. iMiu col. *tfth me to be fparing in the agitation of it. I. The great diife-
tmtmjt, z,^-renccof Judgment that is among the Orthodox in this point;
birt.w. Error Several Learned men holding God's Juftice in punifhing and
y °a,' P £' ^ correcting fin to be fo natural, that he cannot but punifhit, or
xm^dHb 9 \2J tQ ^ lxt ^ l% ^^ l<>:[ ^ otherwise he fhould deny himfelf, and his
Broth, animad. own nature .
in Vorh. Mar* Again, there are others that hold, if God be confidered ab-
fi ;\ ** Fer '' folutely in regard of his power, and not upon a fuppofition of
tbotin p <ol X ^ IS ^cree, which is cU fatto, to let no fin go unpunifhed } but
507. • t0 punifh it either in the Peribn, or in his Surety : In this ablb-
lutefenfe they fay God might freely have remitted fin without
Aug. Strm. 3. any iatisfaOion.-
& S "ib* ' D "de 0thersa E ain ^ ave followed a middle way, and by fome di-
7rin!i\?' cap. ftin&ions have ftudied to reconcile the difference j which whe-
10; Calv. in ther they reach the end or not* yet have (hewed a good ipirit
Toh. 15. -15. in the endeavours.
T ™ ilT * vln f' 2. Becaufe it leems the lefs ufeful to difpute about the poffi-
^• x f V g ^;bility of another way of taking away fin, and latisfying the
kard. cm & °f tne Law, f 1Ilce whatfoever God might have done , yet
he hath plainly revealed that he hath decreed and pitched upon
4tr. Burg. Trut this only way, that he will not pardon fin without a price and
ma. W/.f at isfaaion.
p.2*p.io4, c. ^ or m y own .p 00r apprehenfions of this point \ 1 . I look up-
on the Socinian opinion in this matter as extream, and of dange-
rous confequence :, for they deny Juftice and Mercy to be
Properties or Attributes of God,, making Juftice (or as they
call it, Anger) no property in God :, but the meer voluntary
effe& of his Will*, denying any fuch Juftice in God ,. whereby
hepropends to punifh fin, and making it wholly arbitrary,, to
punifh, or not to punifh. Upon this foundation they build ,
that Chrtft did not die by way of latisfaftion * 7 at leaft there
ibid. U ? . lt was no neceflity of it : The arguments ufed by Mr. Burge$'\x\
8^107, &c! ' confutation of the Sotinian opinion, are thu6 far cogent, that
they
Chap. U. the Covenant of Redemption. 37
they conclude juftice to be a natural property in God (under-
ftanding the word natural for that which floweth from nature *,
yet by the help of free will)*, and that God's punifhing of fin,
is not meerly from his Will. And indeed the Scriptures which
hold forth fin, as not only contrary to God's holy Law, but.
alfo contrary to his holy Nature: I mean morally contrary to
him, though not phyfically, Heb. 1.13, Thou art of furer eyes
than to behold evil , andcanfl not laok^on iniquity : and which
attribute the punifhing of fin, not only to the juftice of his
Law , but to the righteouiheis and juftice of his Nature,
Ffal 11. 7, For the righteous Lord loveth righteoufnef , bis
countenance doth behold the upright. Rev. 16. 5 , And 1 heard
the Angel of the waters fay , Thou art righteous , O Lord. Thele
alfo which reckon punitive juftice among his attributes, when
his name was proclaimed , Exod. $4. 7, and that will, by no
means clear the guilty. Thefe Scriptures and the like (1 lay)
have weight with me to reckon juftice among the properties of
God, and to believe that his punifhing fin is not meerly from
his will.
2. It is another extream, to infer hence, thatbecaufe juftice
is in fomefenfe a natural property in God, and his punifhing of
fin is not meerly from his will ; therefore God punifheth fin by
neceflity of nature, and cannot but punifh it, or require flitis-
faclion, more than he can deny his own Nature, or ceaie to be
God. Againft this affertion,the Reaibns brought by Mr.Ruther- Tnat - °fl hs Co "
ford (to which I refer the Reader) do ftrongty conclude. ^cK™
3. I conceive that thefe extreams may admit of abatement*
without prejudice to the Lord's Soveraignty, and the abfolute
freenefs of his grace , or without derogation from the fatis-
fattion of Chrift , and the refpeftive neceffity thereof. For,
1. Suppofing that God doth not punifh fin by any natural ne-
ceflity, and that he doth not punifh fin, nor require any fatisfa-
&ion by any neceflity of juftice *, yet this can be no advantage to
the Socinian fuperftru&ion , who conclude that then there was
no neceflity of Ghrift's dying by way of iatisfaclion , fince
God hath plainly revealed that he will not pardon fin, without
a fatisfaftion andanattonementmade •, and this decree of his
doth infer an hypothetical neceflity of Ghrift's dying by way of
iatisfaclion. 2- Suppofing that juftice , punitk'e juftice, be
natural to God, and among his properties, .it will not necefia-
rily
38 Of tie Necejptj of Chap. IL
rily follow (upon fuppofition of the being of fin) that God
punifheth fin by neceflity of Nature and Juftice , more than it
will follow , that becaufe Ptfe natural to man" to fpeak , to
laugh, &c. Therefore he fpeaks , he laughs from neceflity of
nature j for he doth thefe things moft freely; and notwithftand-
ing it is natural to him to laugh or ipeak, he might notwith-
ftanding never laugh nor fpeak, as pleafeth him. For if io,
i. Then his juftice fhould carry him to punifh fin without any
moderation:, that is, to punifh fin as foon as ever it is commit-
ted, to punifh fin to the utmoft degree of punifhment, to pu-
niih fin in every Soul that finneth, without mercy fliewed to any,
and in the fame Soul that finneth, not in a Surety :, becaufe natu-
ral Agents work to the utmoft they can. 2. Becaufe the natu-
ral properties of God, as they are efTential to him, do not ib
much as require any objects ad extra (though the manifeftation
of thefe do require objects), for God fhould have been infinitely
and eternally wife, holy, good , juft, &c. though there had
never been any creation of Men or Angels ^ and if thefe do not
neceflarily require objects, then far lefs exercife of acts*, fo that
it will not follow , if Juftice be natural to God, then he muft
punifh fin by neceflity of Nature. 3. If we (hall place juftice
among thefe properties in God , the objects whereof may be
laid to be neceflar v (which muft be underftood in refpett of the
exercife of acts about thefe objects *, otherwife nO natural pro-
perty in God neceflarily requires any object adextra); yet the
objects fuppofed, the acts are not, even then neceffary by any
abfolute neceflity of nature^ but only by a hypothetical necef-
fity, fuppofingthe decree of God that gave thefe objects a
being, and ordered their being, qualified objects for exercifing
juftice or mercy upon, according to his plcafure, which work-
eth all things according to the counfel of his will ^ and if lb,
her* is no punifhing of fin by neceflity of nature. 4. Suppo-
1. M04. ** m § J uftice to be natural to God in that fenfe that Mr. Burgefi
' ' aflerts it, and fuppofmg the objects thereof to have a being *,
yet lure he doth not punifh fin by neceflity of nature , as the
fire burns-, fince the exercife of Juftice, yea, the choice of ob-
jects upon which he will exercife it, are liibjected to his free will
and foveraignty ; as is manifeft from Rom. 9. 18, Therefore hath
he mercy on whom he will have mercy ; and whom he will ', he har~
deneth. Rev. 4. 11, Thou art worthy, Lord, to receive honour
and
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption. 39
and glory y and power ; for thou hafl created all things , and for
thy pleafure they are and were created. Whereas natural neceffity
excludes freedom both in the principle of aftion, and the a&
itfelf.
Having now fhewed what kind of neceflity there was for
the being of the Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and
Chrift:, and that the neceflity does mainly refpecl: the final
caufe and ends which God had purpofed in himfelf : Let us
in the next place confider particularly to what intents and pur-
poles it was neceffary that God fhouid enter into a Co-
venant of Suretifhip and Redemption with his own Son
Chrift.
Thefe intents and purpofes may be reduced to two
chief heads j fuppofmg that God had purpofed in himfelf to
glorifie his mercy and Juftice in procuring our Salvation * 7 the
Covenant; of Suretifhip and Redemption was neceffary
for both thefe ends andpurpoies : i. For the honour of God.
2. For the falvation and good of his choien people *, both
which were attained through the Covenant made betwixt God
and Chrift.
1. For the honour and glory of God.:, I mean, the declara-
tive glory of God, that fhines ad extra y or the manifestation of
his glory , as the fame is fhewed forth and manifefted in his
dealings with the Creatures , whereof fcz.PfaL i$>. i, Thehea-
vens declare the glory of God. Exod. 15. 11, Who is likf unto thee y
O Lordy amongji the Gods ! who is like thee, glorious in holinefs 7
fearful in pratJeSy doing wonders ! Not his effential glory that
fhines ad intra y whereby he was infinitely and eternally glori-
ous, before any the works of Creation and Providence •, and
fhouid have been glorious eternally , though thefe had never
been, Prov.%. 22.~-$Oy The Lord poffe fed me in the beginning
of his way y before his worlds of old.—SThen J was by him as on*
brought Hp with him , and I was daily his delight , rejoycing al-
ways before him.
1 fay, the being of this Covenant of Redemption, was necef-
fery for the declarative glory of God \ whether we cofifider
God effemially or perfonally .
1 . For the glory of God confidered effentially , or in regard
©F his glorious nature and effence, or his natural eilential, attri*
tut***, I mean, hiswiidom, goodnefe, juftice, mescy, fiuth-
fulnefs.
41 Of the UcceJJtty of Chap. If.
fu!nef>,'on\ And that, i . For glorifying thefe unkerfally, even
all and every one of his attributes , all which received a new
and glorious luftre, through the Covenant of Redemption, and
God's fending of Chrift to do that work which fliould never
have been known nor manifefted on Earth, nor in Heaven , but
in the face of Jefus Chrift, and by virtue of God's Covenant-
dealings with him about our Redemption ; therefore faith the
Apoftle, 2 Cor. 4. 6, For God who commanded light to firine out
of darknef, hath finned in our hearts , to give the light of the
kgowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jefus Chrift. There-
fore alio Chrift is called the brightneft of his glory, Heb. 1. j.
Chrift Mediator is thebrightnefs of the glory of God , in and
through whom , his glorious attributes and nature was made
conipicuous , and the declarative glory thereof had a more
glorious luftre, than by all the works cf Creation and Provi-
dence befide : upon the fame account alfo Chrift is called the
Image of the invifible God, Col. 1. 15, becaufe the glorious
excellencies of God (otherwife invifible) are glorioufly revealed
by him, and to be feen in him. I pais this here in a word, re-
ferring a more particular confideration thereof to that part
of this fubjecYmatter that concerns the Mediator's perfon and
office. 2. For the glorifying of thefe harmonioufly, that the
harmony of attributes in God might be manifefted in this
tranfa£Hon;to wit,how fweetly mercy & juftice did meet, when
peace and righteoufnefs , Law- demands and Gofpel-condeicen-
tions, LaW'feverity and Gofpei-lenity did meet together, and
were made friends by this Covenant, PfaL 85. 10. 11, Mercy
and truth are met together , righteoufnef and pace have tiffed
each other, &c. For by this means God brought forth to heaven
and earth, and all the Creatures, the glorious harmony of
Juftice, Truth, Mercy, Power, Wilcrom, Grace, Rev. 5. 12,' 1 $,
Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was flain> to re-
ceive power, andwifdom, and riches, andftrength, and honour ,
and glory, and bleffing. And every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth, and under the earth, and fuch as are in the
fea, and all that are in them , heard /, faying , Bleffing , honour,
glory, and power be unto him that fitteth upon the throne , and unto
the lamb for ever and ever .
2. This Covenant of Redemption was neceflary for the glory
of God considered perfonatty; and that, 1. I11 regard of the
diftincl:
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption. 4 l
diftinftfubfiftencesand glorious peribns of thetdefTed Trinity.
2. In regard of the diftjrwfr offices of the three peribns , all
which were glorioufly manifefted in God's Covenant-dealings
with Chrift. I lay, the greateft declarative glory and clearefi-
manifeftation of the diftintt lubfiftences and Peribns of the God-
head, and of the diftinft offices of thefe Perfons in the ever-
glorious and bleffed Trinity, that ever the world law or heard
of, was in God's Covenant-dealings with Chrift about the work
of our Redemption \ for where are there any fuch clear difco-
veries of thefe great myfteries to be found, as in God's federal
dealings with Chrift^ and the Scriptures which reveal the fame ?
God was but darkly known in the diftincl fubfiftences and offi-
ces of the Perlons of the Trinity, till this light -of his Covenant
with Chrift did break forth \ but in God'siending his Son, and
the Son's undertaking and offering himfelf willingly to his Fa-
ther, to do this work*, and the Holy Ghoft's exercifmg the
power of the Godhead, fitting and enabling him, the man
Chrift Jefus,to do the work \ there was a glorious manifeftation
of the diftin&ion of Perfons in the Godhead, and of the offices
of thefe Peribns , (whei^of alio more particularly afterward^).
See 7/^.42. 1, Behold my ferv ant whom I uphold , mine elect in
whom my foul delighteth ; 1 have put my jpirit upon him , he
Jhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Heb. 9. 14, Hove much
more Jhall the blood of Chrift, who through the eternal Jpir it, of-
fered himfelf without Jpot to God, purge your con fcience from dead
works to ferve the living God? And 10. 7, Then faid I, Lo, 1
come, in the volume of the bookjt is written of me, to do thy will,
OGod. Pfoi. 2. 7,8, I will declare the decree, the Lord hath
faid unto me, Thou art my Son , this day have I begotten thee,
Ask^of me, and J jhall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
an dthejatermo ft parts of the earth for thy pojfejfion. Joh.14. 26,
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghoft, whom the Father, will
fend in my name, he flail teach, ym all things, and bring aH .
things to your remembrance , whatfoever I have faid unto you.
Mai. 3. 16, 17, And he faW the [pirit of God descending like
a dove r and lighting upon him : And lo, a voice from heaven fay-
ing, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleafed- y and
fuch like Scriptures.. Yea , fo much was the Covenant betwixt
God and Chrift aboufour Redemption for the glory of God ,
even confidered perfonally j that thereby (Wide the glory
G that
4a Of the NeceJJitjr of Chap. IL
that was common to all the three Perfons) there did accrue a
peeuliar glory ts> the diftinft Perfons of the Godhead, in regard
of their diftintt offices and working in this bufmefs of Redemp*
tion^ a peculiar glory to the Father, who gave Chrift, and
who fent him upon this bufinefs, and bleffed us in hira, even
a peculiar honour to the Father from the Lord Mediator and
Redeemer, Joh. 8. 49, But I honour my Father , faith Chrift ;
and a peculiar honour to the Father from the ranfomed and
redeemed People , 1 Pet. 1. $, BteJfedbetheGod and Father of
unr Lord Jefus Chrifl , which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten hs again into a lively hope by the refurretlion of
Jefus Chrift from the dead. A peculiar honour to the Son, to
Chrift the Lord Mediator, and that both upon earth and in hea-
ven, a peculiar glory to the Lamb that wrought the Redemp-
tion, unto which his Father appointed him, Joh. 5. 22, 2-3, For
the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the
Son : That all menjhould honour the Son, even as they honour the
Father; which the Son claimeth, Joh. 17. 1,4, Thefe words
fpoke Jefvu, and lift up his eyes to heaven-) and f aid. Father the
hour is come, glorifie thy Son, that thy Son alfo may glorifie thee ;
I have glorified thee on the earth, I havejinijhed the workjwhich
thou gave ft me to do. And which is payed to him in heaven,
Rev. 7. 10, Saying, Salvation to our God which fitteth upon the
throne, and to the Lamb. And 5.9, And they fing a new fong,
faying, thou art worthy to take the bool^, and to open the feals
thereof \ for thou waft flain, and haft redeemed us to God by
thy blood, out of every kindred , and tongue , and people , and
nation. A peculiar glory unto the eternal Spirit, by whom the
Son of God offered himfelf without Jpot to Gody Heb. 9. 14 ; and
to whom the effectual application of the purchafed Redemp-
tion by peculiar office belongs, 1 Cor. 6.11, Andfuch were feme
*>f you; but ye are wajhed, but ye are fantlified, but ye are
juftified in the name of the Lord Jefus, and by the fpirit of our
God. Joh. 6.61, It is the fpirit that quickeneth. Gal. 4. 6,
And becaufe ye are Sons, God hath fent forth the fpirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, father.
2. The good of the ranfomed and redeemed people, required
♦hat their Redemption fhould be tranfa&ed in a Covenant be-
twixt God and Chrift ; and to this intent, and for this end it
was neceffary, 1. To introduce andufher in the new way of
life
Chap. H. the Covenant of Redemption. 4?
life thoroW the Gofpel-difpenfation , which could never have
come to light, nor have appeared upon the ftage to ac*i any
thing, if God had not by his eternal trarife&ions with Chrift,
in whom he found a ranfome, made way for the taking down the
tranfient-time-difpenfation of Law and Works , which was
only to continue and ftand a Court of righteoufnefs for a (horr
fpace •, andfo opened a door for free Grace to take the Theatre,'
and to ad its part more nobly than; 'the Law-diipeniatioh that
was firft upon the ftage. And this, Hay, was ufhered inland
it was neceflary that way fhould be made for it, by God's
Covenant-dealings with Chrift, in whorn his Juftice had a fatis-
feaion-, elfethe Law-difpeffition of ^Mf ks and Nature had
kept the Stage for ever, and there had been no Court wherein
<Jrace fits upon the throne, and'wherein Sinners might plead
iFighteotiiheis and life on Gofpel-tefms. Chnft's faying from
eternity, L6^ home to M thy will, OGod, Pfal. 40. 6. And
deliver him fr 6m going down to the pit ^ I have found a ran fom %
Cocc. t>i
for tte<^&&i$t$itik dFatio\ena1it'o|rrVe^laceI; Thrice**-
it is that the Apoftle ftates the rife' of fife and immortality
that isbrought to light by the Gofpel, upon the eternal' fcede-
nbw'wade mdnifeft by' the appearing of our Saviour 'Jefm Chrift,
his dwnSoninthel^neJicffafktfBJh: atttt I for fin condemned ft
wthefiejh'.. } J ■ J
2. The Covenant of Redemption Wtfjft God and Chriii
r our good, that the Covenant of life ancj
s in the way of this Gofpel-diftenfgtion,«ni£ht
the farer is the Covenant. Buthereallis of the' Lord; and of
G 2 his
I
44 Of the Neceffitj of Chap. II.
his gracious will, all is trania&ed betwixt God and Ghrift, and
man is not lb much as prefent at the firft trania&ion of the
Covenant, as he was at the Covenant of works - 7 here he is
neither at the beginning , nor end of it • I mean , that end
which it had in God*s federal dealings with Chrift, where the
Redemption and Salvation of the elect was a concluded bufmefs,
and the condufion tarried not , nor was fufpended for man r s
confent ; fure this was pure Grace, this was all Grace, eminent
Grace, when there was nothing of the Creature $ no, not fo
much as acting in a vital formal manner , as now we a& under
the application of this Covenant, by thefe gracious a£ts which
are efficiently from God *, but there, all was the gracious free
will of God, without any thing of the Creatures will •, furely
that was eminent fignal Grace, and the better for us, 2 Tim. 1 .p;
Who hath faved us, and called us with an holy, calling, not accord-
ing to our works, but according to his own purpofe and grace ,
which was given us in. Chrift Jefusjbefore the world began Eph. 2. 10,
For we are his workgianftrip, created in Chrift Jefm unto good
Works, which. God hath before, ordained, that we ftouldwalk^irt:
them. Eph. 1.4, 5, According as he hath chofentu in him, before
the foundation of the world , tlrat we jbculd be holy and without
blame, before him in love : Having predeftinated us unto the Adop-
tion of djildren, by Jefus Chrift to hlmfelf, according to the good
pleafure of his will.
' 3. A Covenant betwixt God and Chrift- about our Salvation
and Redemption was necelTary , that the bufinefs of our Salva-
tion might be far advanced ^ ere it come to our working at it
With fear and trembling : and if our working out that which
is left to be done by us, for our own Salvation, be with fear and
trembling, when by this Covenant of Suretifnip we are fet be-
yond the poflible rea,ch of aclualperifhing*, O what fhouldour
working for Salvation have been without this Covenant of
Suretifhip, but endlefs, frurdefs toiling, with defparation !
but by the Covenant of Redemption , our Salvation is far. ad-
vanced, before our little finger be at the work; nay,, it is in
fome reip^^nifh.^d, all the hard labour is over, Juftice is fatif-
fied, the (tren^th of oppofition. is broken , and we have only
ftroVen forces', ah-d a Ixaten adveriary to deal with y we have.
UttL -nore to do but to ftand and fee him work Salvation for
w£'i and apply his furchated Redemption •, and yet we have wprk.
enough
Chap. IF. the Covenant of Redemption. 4.5
enough to keep us in continual exercife, about the duties of holi-
nefs and faith,//*/. 2. 12. 2CV.7. 1. iPet. 1. 5, 10. 3W7.17.4,
/ have fnijhed the work^which thou gave ft me to do. And 1 6. 1 1 ,
— +of judgment } becaufe the Prince of this world is ytdged.
Heb. 12. 2, Looking nnto Jefus the Author and finijher of
#*r faith.
4. A Covenant betwixt God and Chrift about our Salvation,
was neceffary, that the ipring and fountain of the life of Salva-
tion to us, might He out of our felves :, by the Covenant of
works, the fpring of life and blefTedncfs to man , lay in him-
felf •, all his tfeafure and ftore was in his ftock of habitual Grace ^
bu t no w by this Covenant of Suretifhip, the water-cock is in-
deed within our own hearts : I mean, Faith, by which we draw
life and vertue out of Chrift, and through which he conveys it
unto us •, but the fountain and well-head lyes on high : for by the
Covenant of Redemption , God was carrying on a defign of
love to his ele& people*, and this was part of the contrivance,
that our Covenant-ftate through Chrift's Suretifhip might be
Fountain-Love and Grace :, a ftate of favour fetled and bot-
tomed in the fountain of life and grace, Chrift: Whereas
Adam's firft Covenant-ftate was but Ciftern-Graee , that did
not run continually with a fpring of living waters, to afford
frefh fupplies", the ftock of habitual Grace was to him like
water in the Pitcher or Ciftenr, but by Chrift's Covenant of
Suretifhip,- Grace is to us, as water in the Fountain, that can-
never run dry : J oh. 1. 16, And of his fulneft have all we recei-
ved, and grace for grace. And 4. 14, But the water that I
{hall give him y fhall be in him a well of water ff ringing up into
everlaftin? life. And 14.- 19, becanfe I live, ye fialllive alfb.
2 Cor .9.0, And God is able to make all grace abound towards you,
that ye always having alfujficiency in all things \pnay abound to every
good work^
5. This Covenant of Suretifhip was neceflary for our efta-
blilhment. un4er this new difpeniation * that our Rights might
be in a lurer hand than our own : Man is a mutable thing, and
free-will is a tottering uncertain thing , as experience hath
taught*, but Chrift is a'fure foundation *, and holding of him,
or rather in him, is a lure tenure ; the Rights and Charters that
are under his cuftody, are well kept : And therefore God who
inftituted this difpeniation, did for the better fecuring of the
believers
47 Vftbc Neceffitj df Chap. IL*
believers interefts, enter into Covenant with. a mighty refponfat
peribn,even Chrift^and coniblidates ourCovenant-right inChtift
our head, anddidtruft to his keeping and aniwering ail the in-
tents of the Magna Chart a, the great Charterof the Gofpel-
■ covenant j hence it is that the Covenant of peace made with
us, is a fure Covenant , becaufe'tis thus ordered} Chrift acled
that bufineis in the Covenant of Redemption } there were mu-
tuaf- affurances given between the Father and the Son, which
makes all Covenant-dealing with us lure, and holds all faft,
Pfal. $p. $4, 35, My Covenant will I not breaks nor alter the
thing that is gone out of my lip. Once have 1 /worn by my
holme ft, that I mil not lye unto David. Hence 'tis, that the
bleflings and mercies of the Gofpel^covenant , are iiire mercies ;
becaufe there was concluded- Articles about them in this Cove-
nant of Suretifhip, when Chrift treated for his heirs and chil-
dren not yet born nor created, Ifa. 55. Sj4,-r-And I will
make an ever lafting Covenant with yon, even the Jure mercies of
David. Behold, I have given him for a witneft to the people, a
leader and commander to the people. Heb. 2. iy, — Behold f y and
the children which God,hath given me. Joh. 6. $.0,40, And this
is the fathers will which bath fern me*. that -of all which he hath
given me+ I jhould lofe nothings but fiould raife, it urp at the lafi-
day. And this is the will of him that fent me, that every one
which feeth the Son, and believeth on him > may have everlafting
l{fe } and 1 will raife him up at the lafl day. , O what ftrong and
everlafting coniblation hath God allowed upon his people
fromtheie immutable and everlafting grounds ! Heb* 6. 17, 18,
}fherein God, willing more abundantly to fiiew unto the heirs of
promife the immutability of his counfely confirmed it by an oath.*
That by two immutable things, in which it wasimpoJftblefprGod
to lye, we might have a ftrong confolation, who have fled for refuge
to lay hold upon the hope Jet before us. 2 Theff. 2. 16, Now
our' Lord Jefus Chrift himfelf,and God, even our father which hath
loved us, and hath given us everlafting confolation^ and good hope,
through grace, &c
C\ This Covenant with Chrift,was neceflary - ? not only for the
eniuring our bleffednefs by this new Gofpel-diipeniation • but
for the bettering of tba.t blefledneis and glonous ftate unto
which we are advancec) by this Covenant . I fay, the blefTed-
nefs, the glory, thjp heaven of the redeemed people , of the
mam
Chap. II. the Covenant of Redemption. 46
many Sons, who are by the force of this Covenant brought t$
glory, Heb.2. 10 , is better than the reward and crown of
blefTedneis which man fhould have enjoyed by the tenor of the
Covenant of works ; and this bettering, it hath from Chrift's
Covenant of Suretifhip withGod,which was the chief caufe why
this Gofpel-difpenfation is a better Covenant than that of the Law
of works •, and the promifes thereof are better promifes, and
the crown and heaven thereof a better crown •, even becauie
Chrift is in this Covenant, and the foundation of it was laid in
his Suretifhip •, by this means the blefTedneis and heaven of this
Covenant is bettered : For, 1 . It is the glory of new heavens,
created of purpofe for the refidence of the, redeemed, in the
company of him that redeemed them by his own blood ,
Z Pet. 3. 1 $, Neverthelef, we according to his promife, lool^for
new heavens , and a new, earth , wherein dwelleth righteoptfnejt.
Rev. 2*1. 1, 5, And If aw a new heaven and a new earth , for the
fir ft heaven and the fir ft earth were pajfedaway, and there was no
more fea* And he that fate upon the throne , faid , Behold, I
makg all things new. Joh. 14. 2, 5, In my Father's honfe are many
manpons, &c. And if I go and prepare a place for yen, I will
come again and receive yon unto my felf\ that where I am, there
ye may be alfo. Whereas the bleflednefs and glory of man by Mr. Ball rruu
the Law-Covenant (if it was any thing beyond an immortality of the Covenant.
of blefTedneis and enjoyment or God in an earthly Paradiie-,£ 2 * ^/l\t
which is queftionedby Tome) fhould yet have been in this old U^Tbif^! "
or firft heavens, not in thefe new ones. 2. It is the glory ofAfr.Baxt.^J&a-
a Paradife wherein is the tree of life, and the river of the water ^/^ P« $•
of life, which were not Ingredients of the Law-glory j neither
were placed in the firft Paradife. Rev. 2.7, To him that over -
cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midft
of the Paradife of God. And 7. l j y -~~and Jhall lead them unto
living fountains of waters. And 22. \,2, And he Jhewed me
a pure river of water of life , clear as criftal, proceeding out of
the throne of God, and of the Lamb. In the midft oftheftreet of-
it, and of either fide of the river was there the tree of life, which
bare twelve manner of fr nits, and yielded her fruit every month',
and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the Nations,
3. Itfra heaven and glory where the new Song is Tung, and
wheretheMufitiansareall redeemed, and where the meeting
of thefe redeemed ones to fing together, is the Tweeter, that
they
4$ Of the Necejfitji of Chap. If.
they once were ail loft, and that they came ont of tribulation
and a Land of fighing, I fa. $5. 10, And the ran famed of the
Lord Jhall return and come to-Zion with fongs and everlafting
joy upon their heads *, they jhall obtain \oy andgladnef, andforrcw
and fighing flail fee away. Rev. 5. 9, And they fung a new
fong, faying^ Thou art worthy to takg the book^ and to of en the
feats thereof^ for thou wafl Jlain, and haft redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred , and tongue , and people , and
nation. But there fhould not have been any new Song> nor
redeemed Muficians in the glory and heaven of Law-dilpenfk-
tion. 4. It is a heaven and glory wherein all the Inhabitants
wear crowns ; for Chrift hath made them kings unto God, and to
hi* Father, Rev. 1 . 6. And 2. 1 o, Be thou faithful unto death f
and I will give thee a crown of life \ but there fhould have been
no crowns worn in thefirftParadife; nor fhould the hapjpinefs
thereof have amounted fo highasa crown and a throne.; there
being no occafion for it, nor any promiie to that effeit. 5. It
is a heaven and glory, where the Inhabitants are all conquerors,
each hath a palm in his hand, in fign of his victory, Rev. 7. 9, —
cloathedwith white robes, and palms in their hands ; this Garland
fhould not have been in the firft Covenant-glory ; where there
was no fighting, there could be" no victory , at lead over the
world, and fin and death. 6. It is a heaven and glory, where
all the Inhabitants are cloathed with long white robes, and with
fine linnen clean and white, Rev. 7. 1 3, — What are thefe which
Are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they I And 19. 8,
jindto her was granted, that fl)e Jlmdd be arrayed in fine linnen^
clean and white : for the linnen is the righteoufnefi of Saints }
but there fhould have been no fuch robes in the Law-heaven :
whatfoever fhining-beauty and whitenefs fhould have been on
Adam's skin, yet there Thould have been there no garments of
glory, no righteoufnefs fhould have been worn there, but that
which fhould have been of our own working. 7. It is a heaven
wherein there is a throne for the Lamb , where the man Chrift
in our nature is upon the throne, where the greateft beauty of
all the Kingdom, and the moft highly exalted perfon, is the man
Chrift^ where the Lord Mediator is the glorious light of all the
Land, Rev. 3. 7, he that openeth and no man flsutteth+and
Jhutteth and no man openeth . And 21.22,23, And I faw no tem-
ple therein j for the Lord God almighty and the lamb, are the
temple
Chap, II. the Covenant of Redemption. 49
temple of it. And the City had no need of the Sun, neither of the
■Moon to jhine in it *, for the glory of God did lighten it) and the
Lmb is the light thereof And -f. 1 2, Worthy is the lamb that Was
fain , to receive power , and riches, andwifdom, and ftrength,and
glory, and honour, and ble fling; there was no ilich glory in the
rirft Covenantor in the heaven thereof :, which no doubt fhould
have made it lefs glorious, and fpeaks forth the greater glory of
this latter Covenant- happineis. 8. It is a heaven that was pur-
chafed at a dear rate, that was the price of blood \ for which
Chrift payed a condign price, i Pet. i. 18, 19, For as much at ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things , but
With the preciom blood of Chrift as of a lamb without blemifti, and
without Jpot -, but the Law-heaven and glory? fhould have been
obtained at an eafier rate*, working,without the price of blood,
fhould have done that bufinels-, the different price fhews the
different value, y. It is a heaven wherein is a lovely and nume-
rous afTembty, a fair myilical body, whereof Chrift is the
head, and whereof each redeemed Soul is a member. O fo lovely
a Company with the Captain of their Salvation ! lb glorious a
body with their glorious head 1 fo beautiful a bride with lb fair
a husband ! fuch a lovely couple, iiich a body corporate, fuch a
compleat fociety, when Chrift myftical is perfected, and all the
members compared together, and joyned unto their glorious
and blefTed head ! Eph. 4. 1 1, Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledg of the Son of God, unto a per f eft man^
unto the me afar e of the ft at ure of the fulnefs of Chrift. . And 5. 27,
7 hat he might pre fent it to him] elf a glorious Church , not having
jpot or wrinkle, or any fuch thing *, but that it fhould be holy and
without blemifh. Heb. 12. 2$, To the general a ffembly and church
of the firft born, which are written in heaven, and to Godthejudg
of all, and to thefpirits of ytft men made per feci * 7 And to Jefus
the Mediator of the new Covenant. Rev. 19. 7, Let us be glad
and rejoyce , and give honour to him *, for the marriage of the
Jiamb is come, and his wife hath made her felf ready. But there
fhould have been no fuch body-corporate in the Law-heaven, no
iuch myftical body of Chrift, no marriage of the Lamb, nor any
melodious re joycing at thatfolemnity. I conclude therefore, that
the glory,and crown,and heaven of theCovenantofiledemption,
is b.etter,and v fitrmore glorious, than fhould have been the lot of
man* by Law-righteoufhefs and works, without ChrhTsSure-
tifrip. H 7. This
50 Of the Necejfity oft he Covenant, &c. Chap, II.
7. This Covenant was necefTary, for having in readinefs a
Phyfitian, before we fhould be tick *, God forefaw and had de-
creed man's fall, and his rifing again *, and he well knew that it
would be a wretched hopeleis condition, for man to provide a
Phyfitian to himielf, and to have him to feek when his* fickneii
fhould be defparate *, he therefore by a forefight and providence
of pure, foveraign, free, tranfeendent Grace, did provide one ;
and indeed it was neceilary for our good, that it fhould be fo \
for had man fallen fick of fin , before this Covenant for
fending a healer to him, he had died ere the core could
come.
8. This Covenant was necefTary for cutting off all matter
and occafion of felf-gloriation from man in his own Redemptioa
and Salvation ', for if the bufinefs of our Redemption and Sal'
vation was tranfa&ed , concluded , done and ended betwixt
Jehovah 2sA Chrift, without our knowledg or confent, before
we had a Being *, what have we to boaft of ? If the agreement
ahout the price to be payed and accepted, tarried not for man ;
wherein can we glory that we have contributed to our own
happinefs ? zTim.i. 9, Who hathfavedus, and called hs with
an holy calling , not according to owe works , but according tQ
his own purpofe and grace which was given us in Chrifl Jefm
before tfre world began .Eph.2. io^For we are his workpanfoip crea-
ted in Chrifi Jefus unto good work*-, which God hath before ordain-
fdjhat we fiould walkjn them. 1 Joh. 4. 10, 1 9, Herein is love?
not that we loved God ; but that he loved us, and fern his So# to k*
the propitiation for qht fins.—*W6 love him , bscatife be firfi
Uvedns.
' ' . . " ' ! ■ "*» ■
chap;
Chap. III. \ 5*
CHAP. III.
Of the Nature , Properties, and Parties of the
Covenant of Redemption.
THE general Nature of this Covenant is common to it,
with ail other Covenants \ whatibever different peculi-
arity they have, this is effential and common to all Covenants ,
they are Agreements : and this is an eternal tranfa&ioh and
agreement betwixt Jehovah and the Mediator Chrifl, about the
work of our Redemption.
The peculiar propriety of its nature, will appear by enquiring
a^Kttle into* I. The various eternal a&s of the will of God that
concurred to make up this agreement. 2. The diftinttion and
order of thefe eternal a£s of his will, and the right manner of
our conceiving of them.
i. Suppofing, as we have faid before, that God purpofedm
hifflfelf not to lave man without a fatisfa&ion to his Jufticet
Thefe eternal ails of the will of God, or rather the things which
we conceive under thefe various acts, and their denominations
among menffor we need not mul tiply a&s in this matter , but fp$
the helping our own underftanding) did concur and meet toge-
ther in this agreement. I. The defignation of a Perfon to do
this work ; there muft needs have been a Perfon fet apart and
defigned from eternity unto the doing of the work of Redemp-
tion, and this Perfon was the Son only •, not the Father, nor the
Spirit, iJVr. 1.20, Who verily was fore-ordained before the
foundation of the world \ but was manifefled in thefe laft times for
you. 2. The preparation and fitting of the Perfon fct ap?rtto
take our Law-place, and room, that Juftice might finite him
in our ftead •, which alio was by an eternal a£t of the will of God
decreed, that the Son of God fhould be Immamel y Cod with us,
or God made manifeft in theflefh,\fa . 7. 14. 1 Tim .3.16, and unto
this incarnation o* the Son of God, his own words have refe-
rence, as unto the grand qualification whereby he was defti-
nated before-hand, that he might be in a capacity to do this,
Vior^Jtifeb. 10. $ y A body baft thou prepared me* 3. The calling
H 2 of
] 1 Of the Nature of Chap. II L
of the Perfon defigncd : calling is an a£l different from defolia-
tion, 'tis fomething further. Chriftwas by : n eternal act of
God's will called to this work, and that long before he came
into the world, Pfal. 89. 1 9, Then thou f pake fl in vifion to thy
holy One, and f aid ft, I have laid help upon one that is mighty,
I have exalted one chofen out of the people . And I fa . 42. 6, / the
Lord have called thee in righteoufnef, and will hold thine hand,
And will keep thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the people, for
a light of the Gentiles, Heb- 5. 5, So alfo Chrifi glorified not him-
(elf to be made an highpriefi ; but he thatfaid unto him, Thou art
my Son, to day have J begotten thee. 4. The inverting of the
Perfon defigned, with offices, powers and authorities, for the
doing of this work, fuch as his Mediatory-office, and the powers
and authorities thereunto belonging, which was notfufpended
until the time of his actual diichargeof the offices of King,Priert,
and Prophet *, but by an eternal acl of the will of God, he was
fet up and verted with thefe offices and powers from everlafting,
and had the glory of thedefrgned, called , inverted Mediator;
as he plainly infinuates, Prov. 8. 23, I was fet up from evcrlafi-
ing, faith Wifdom ; feveral Expoiltors render it, / was called, or
I was annointed. Joh. 1 7. 5, And now, O Father , ghorifie thou
me with thine own felf, with the glory which I had with thee be-
fore the world was. 5,. The million of the Son, Chriftdefigned,
fitted, called,, inverted for this work, was alio by an eternal
actiathe counfel of God,fent to do this work j he had a folema
eternal, authoritative miflion, a command to go, and was bid-
den go *, he had the will of God by an eternal act or commiffion
given out to him concerning all this work, long before he was
actually made under the Law ; to which he hath refpeel:, when
he faith, Lo, J come to do thy will, God, Heb-io. 7. even that
will of God that was in the book of his eternal decrees,
Joh. 6. 39 , And this is the Fathers will which hath fent me.
And 10. 18, This Commandment ha& I received of my Father :
But in all thefe, we do notfo much multiply the diitinclion of
acts, as we take notice of the diftin&ion and difference of
Phrafe uted by the Holy Ghoft, fpeaking of this myrterie in the
Scriptures. Upon the other part, there concurred unto this
agreement , an eternal perianal confent and compliance upon
Christ's part, unto all thefe eternal acts of the will of God }
for Chrifi God) equal with the Father, does not begin to con-
tent.
Chap. IN* the Covenant cf Redemption. 53
fent and agree unto any thing in time , nor can the eternal Son
©f God will any thing in time, which he did not will and confent
unto from eternity. But Chrift wasprefent with the Father,
and did from eternity confent and agree to thefe eternal acls.
1. To the defignation of himlelf to be the perlbn that fhould
fatibfie the Juftice of God , he heartily acquiefced and offered
himfeif , he faid, Lo, I come to do thy will, Heb. 10. 5, 7. He
poured out his SohI unto death. Ha. 5$. 12. 2. He contented
unto the putting himfeif in that low capacity that the working
of this work required , Heb. 2. 7^ Thou madeft him a little
lower than the Angels ; to leave the throne of glory , and come
down to his footftool, there to be in difgrace ; the Lord of the
Law, to be made under the Law-, Gal. 4. 4. the holy one that
knew no fin, to be madeintheHkenefi of ftnful flejij, Rom. 8. 5.
Phil. 2. 6, 7, 8, Who being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God. And being found in fajhion as,
a. man, he humbled himfeif, and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the Crofs. 3. He consented and agreed unto the
eternal aft of his calling to this work ^ no iboner was it his Fa-
thers will thai he fhould travel in the bufinefs, but it was his
aJfo.. He was as a ready Servant, whole ear was bored in token *
of his love and willingnels to' ferve his Matter, when he might
have been free, Pfal. 40. 6, Mine ears haft thou opened or bored.
Ifa. 50. 5,6, The Lord hath opened mine ears , and I was not re-
bellious, neither turned away back: 4- He contented to the ta-
king on thefe offices and trufts that the work of our Redemp- -
tion required *,there was no force nor conftraint upon, no necefTi-
ty of nature that he fhould ftep in betwixt the difagreeing par-
ties, that he fhould ftep into the fire that we had kindled, that .
he .fhould make himfeif a Sacrifice for our fins , that he fhould
receive a difpenfatory Kingdom ; but frankly and freely he con-
tented to do all thefe th^gs, Job. \o. 18, No man takcth my
life from me *, but I lay it down of my felf. Joh. 1 7. 2, As thou j
haft given him power over all fiefl), that he fhould give eternal life t9
as many as thou haft given him. Pr ov *. 8. . 2 $, / < was fet up from ■
everlafting,from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 5. He con- •
tented unto his mfTion, his Father's fending of him , and was -
well content to go that errand *, yea, to hearty was his content,
that he took delight in it, Pfal. 40. 8, ./ dtlight to do thy will, .
Q my God; yea r thy Law is- within my heart. Joh. 4. $4 ; J*fas*\
faith
54 ^ Of the Nature of Chap. HI}
^u>£ unto them , my meat is to do the mil of him that fent me, and
tofimjh his wo>\. And to all thefe things he gives a perfonal con-
fent from eternity, and with fo much delight, that he folaced
himfelf, and took pleaiiire in the future accomplishment of thefc
eternal afts of the will of God concerning the Sons of men,
Prov. 8. 23, 50, 3 1 , / was fet up from everlafting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was. Then I was by him as one brought
up with him y and J was daily his de tight , rejoycing always before
him: Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earthy and my delights
were with the Sons of men. This is the nature of this eternal
tranfaclion, which will appear alfo more clearly afterward from
the tenor of this Covenant, with the reciprocal engagements of
the parties.
2. Concerning the diftinclioft and order of thefe eternal
acts of the will of God , and for preventing grots and unbe-
coming thoughts of them *, I give thefe cautions. 1. All the
a&sof God's will, his decrees, and eternal tranfa&ion with
Chrifl:, are in regard of God, one moft firnple and pure a& of
his will '■) but in legard of our conceptions of them , who cart-
not take up many particular a&s together in one^ they are di-
ftinguifhed and exprefled fo in the word, that we may take
them up diftineT:!y : The Lord in his way of exprefling thefc
great myfteries of the counfel of his will, accommodating him-
felf to our way of conceiving things : we are therefore accord-
ingly to take heed how we conceive of the diftinttion of a&s
in the eternal counfel of God's will. 2. When we fpeak of the
order of thefe eternal ael:s, we mean only the order of Nature,
and which of thefe a&s are to be conceived by us antecedaneous
to the reft in that refpecV, for there is no order of time, no
priority nor pofteriority of that kind among the decrees of
God, and ads of his will, which are all eternal.
$. We are to conceive of this order (which only agreeth to
the decrees of God) according to thefe rules:
1. According to the futurition of things*, that is, thefe
decrees and eternal a&s of the will of God about things ad extra
without, which do luppofe the futurition of things about which
thefe decrees are pad; thefe decrees (I fay) do necefTarily fiip-
pole lbme other a&s of the will of God antecedent to thefe in
order of nature , whence the things fuppofed in that decree^
had their futurition *, for 'tis to me above queftion,, thai things
which
Chap. III. the Covenant of Redemption* $ $
which did not exift from eternity,had their/uturition no where,
but from the decrees of God's will, which made them future
things before they exifted ; neither is it poflible that God could
foreiee any thing as future, before his decree, and ibme act of
his will gave it futurition *, whatioever the device of Scientia
media, tell us to the contrary. And according to this rule, we
fay , the decree of God's entering in Covenant with man ,
whether by Law or Grace , does iuppofe ibme antecedaneous
aft of the will of God ( in order of nature ) concerning
the Creation of man , fome decree whence man had a fu-
turition, and exifted in the prefcience of God as a future
thing.
2. We may conceive of the order of the decrees of God,
according as he orders things in execution, by that rule fo much
madeufe of by the Learned Dr. Twifi } Qnodpriw eftininten-'Xmft. VhL
tione yofterm eft in executione & contra : that which is rlrft in the£ r * f/ * & P*
intention of God, is laft in the execution } and that which is laft r# * DiVin '
in the intent, is firft in the execution. Underftand this rule, a*
that Author doth , without lubordination of the co-ordinate
means whereby God intended to make himfelf glorious in the
way of mercy and juftice ; and according to this rule, we fay
that Gcd firft decreed the glorifying of his mercy and juftice
upon all mankind , before he decreed any thing concerning his
creation,. or his fall: for the creation and fall of man, were
firft in execution , before juftice and mercy was glorified
in him.
}. Another rule (which-alfoisacpalificationoftheformer)
is, that thefe eternal acls of the will of God which rejpicinnt
finem, relate to the end, are in this • ind of order before •, thefe
a&s of his will which rejpicimt media relate unto the means
which lead unto thefe ends, Et iilud cfuodbabet rati cm em finis eft
prim , tjHod vero hafoe ifrationem medU' left pofterws *, And that
which hath the place of tbc enct, istheifirft ? and that which
hath the place of the mean, is laft in order among the eternal
afts of God's will. And this rule holds not only with refpeft
to the fupream and chief end i, to wit, God's glorifying of him-
felf h the way of manifefting his mercy and ju^ice , which is
firi 1 in order among the eternal 'afts'of the will of God rela-
ting to man*, and all f he other arts of his will , concerning the
creation, fall, fending of Chrift, &c± (which are co ordinate
means
5^ Of the Katun of Chap. III.
meanstn refpect of this fupream end, to which they are fubor-
omate): Thefe, I lay, are porter ior in this kind of order, amono
the decrees of God, and eternal acts- of his will j but this rule
holds alio hi refpect of that iubordination that may be con-
ceived among thefe acts of the will of God, about the creation
and kill of man, and the fending of Chrift (which are co-ordi-
nate means in re.ipccl.of thi iupream end before-mentioned) - 7
yetbecaufe one of thefe may have, the place of an end, with
refpect to another of thefc fame co-ordinate means, which may
be alfo a means for carrying on fome next immediate end, as well
as the Iupream ultimate end *, as the .Salvation of the elect is a
mean fublervient to the great end of glorifying Grace , and yet
maybe, and is alfo, an end of God's lending Chrift*, [b that
the lending of Chrift, bbothameanlubordinate to the glory
of Grace, and the Salvation of God's elect people. Now, I
. fay, which way foever we look .upon thi acts of God's wili
about the glorifying of his juftice and mercy on Mankind , we
are dill to conceive of the eternal acts of his will , that reipect
ihe ends which he has propofed to himfelf , .both Iupream and
fubordinate, as firft in order ", and thefe acts of his will that
relate to the means, as laft : for God firft purpofed the end, then
* the means that lead to it.
By this time it may appear that there is no great caufe to con-
tend for the order and diftinction of thefe eternal acts of the
will of God-, that concurred to the making up this eternal tran-
fact ion betwixt Jehovah and the Mediator, fince they are all
co-ordinareactsof the counfcislJiiiMvill, and means for the
carrying on the glory of his marry! -and juftice in laving man.
This much ismanifeft, i. That the Covenant of Redemption
made with Chrift, doth iuppofe other eternal acts of the will of
God, about the laving of man uv t^ie w^ of fatisfaction to.
juftice, &c. whereof .Ivhavefpoken before, Cha.p+2. 2. That i
rhe designation, calling, and eternal tfiiflion of the Son of Grid
todo this work, muftin order be before the; perfon defigned
and called, gave his actual confent, and clofed the bargain from
eternity. And if any will contend about the. order of theie
eternal acts before-mentioned , I do not fee why we may not
fitly conceive of them in this order, defignipg,. fallings fir'ting y \
tnvefting, fending of Chrift j thefe were 't,he eternal atitspfthe
will ofGod,. which were entertained- by the Son of God.
mth confent and delegation. The
% m -
Chap. III. thcCovcttant of ktdewption* 57
The Properties of the Covenant of Redemption, are, SeeMr.iwfcp/.-
Freedom, Graciouihefs , Eternity, Equality, Order, ^^t ' 2
Stability. \ c . ia .' V
1. The Covenant that was tranfafted betwixt Jehovah and.
Chrift, was a moft free Covenant : it was an aft of meer liberty
and foveraign freedom. There was eminent freedom upon both
(ides, in both the parties Covenanting. 1. Upon the Father's
fide fabftrafting from his own decrees and purpofes) , it was
free to Jehovah to have followed a drift Law-courfe according
to the rigour of the Covenant of works ; or to follow a Goip.el-
way of mitigation and condefcenfion as pleaied. him •, it was
free to him to fend, or not to fend a Saviour to f uffex for man ?
to take a fatisfaftion by a Surety, or only in the Soul that finned,
as pleaied him. 2. Upon Chrift's part, it was as free to him to
be a luffering Redeemer and Surety, or nor,, as pleafed him y
to undertake the work of our Redemption, or not to under-
take it i to humble himfelf unto this feryice, or not *, to go this
errand, or not, as pleafed him. Hence 'tis oblerved,that it was Jo, Cocc. Sum-
o therwife with the fccond- jidam, than with the firft; foritwas™ DUf - jj*;'
not free to Jdamto withdraw from, or to deny iubjeftion to^/ c 5 ' Sc "*'
the firft Covenant '•> neither could he withdraw; himfelf from the
Law of Nature, nor flight the promife thereof, without the
violation of that Law : "but the Son of God was free, and tyed
by no Law antecedent to his own confent., .
This Property of the Covenant of Redemption, is eftablifhed
and confirmed, i.Fromthefe Scriptures which attribute this
traniaftionto the free pleafure and foveraign freedom 7 of bath
parties, the father and Chrift :, therefore the Scripture fpeak-
ing of God's eternal traniaft ions with Chrift about our Re-
demption, doth fo frequently call them, deeds and afts of will,
and of the Father's pleafure •, and that the whole procedure
was according to his good flea/are./, and the pleafure of his mll y
Eph. I. 5. 9. And Col. 1. 19, It pleafed the Father that in him
fjonld all fdnefs dwell. 2 Tim. 1.9, according to his pnrpofe
and grace, &o And upon the other part, Chrift's conceflions
in this matter, are attributed to his meer will and liberty,
ThiL 2. 6,-7, 8j Who being in the form of God, having the very
fame divine effence which the father hath, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God •, counted it no uiurpation to carry himfelf
as God, equal with the Father \ made himfelf of no refutation \
1 t** frcd y
58 Of the freedom of Chap. I H
freely, and of his own accord, be humble dhmfelfc not ufing
nor manifefting the glory that wascompetent to him, anJtook^
nyon him the form of a fervant\ he took upon him a real fer-
vice in the uiTumption of the humane nature, for the ends he
ailumed i^andwasmadeinthelikenefofmen ; and inthisfervice
he did behave himielf, as other men , and futably to that em-
ployment, and not as equal with God, which was his natural
condition; and while he was in that habit and condition, he
obeyed urn o the death of the Crop. All this he afted with emi-
nentfreedom En time \ and confented to with like freedom from
eternity, where he freely took upon him whatfoever he a&ecl
within time.
2. If it was free with God, whether he would give to man a
Being, and whether he would conclude this in the counfel of
his will from eternity", or not, as pleafed him - fure it was
alfo free to God whether he would fend a Saviour to him
when he fhould be loll , or not , as pleafed him : Now
'tis manifeit. that it was free with God, whether he would ib
much as give toman a being->for he was under no neceflity to cre-
ate the World, or Men, or Angels, all which are for his plea-
sure*, and therefore are whatfoever they are, by his pleafure,
Rev. 4.. ii, Thou haft created all things , and for thy pleafure
they are and were created.
I. If it was free to God from eternity , whether he would
chufe objects in Mankind , to magnifie his Grace and Mercy
upon, when he had purpoied to create Angels and men •, or whe-
ther he would let them all perifh , and not take^ny of their
natures upon him ; then the Covenant of Suretnhip hath this
property of freedom*, but it is manifeft that it was free with
God from eternity, whether he would recover any of the race
of fallen man, or not, as pleafed him -, fincehe wasnomoretyed
to Men than to Angels, to whom he fent no Saviour when they
fell, nor hath defigned any of the fallen Angels unto Redemp-
tion, 2 Pet. i. 4, For if God fpared not the Angels that firmed?
but cafl them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of dark^
nefs, to be referved unto the day of Judgment. Heb. 2. 16, For
verily he took^ not on him the nature of Angels rj but he took^ upon
him the feed of Abraham. It remains therefore, that the Cove-
nant of Redemption is an ac"l of foveraighty and freedom upon
God's part who defigned a Redeemer, and upon Chrift's part
who confented unto the defignation. 4- This
Chap. III. the Covenant of Redemption. 59
.4. This Property of the Covenant of Redemption is further
confirmed, by the negation and removal of all things contrary
to ibveraign freedom. 1. There was nothing from himielf
(abftrafting from his own decrees, and love-defigns) that could
trench upon the freedom of this eternal act of his will - for there
was no neceflity of nature upon Jehovah , nor upon the Son of
God, that did determine God to enter in this Covenant (as is
already cleared). 2. There was nothing from without that
could trench upon the freedom of this eternal a£t ; as nothing
could neceflarily determine , io neither compel nor conftrain
Godtolayfuchalerviceuponhis own Son Chrift, nor himta
undertake it *, For 1 . This transaction having been from eterni-
ty, it was a concluded bargain before the creatures had a being*
Pro v. 8. 23, / was fet tip from everlaftingy from the beginning,
or ever the earth was. 2. Put cafe they had then had a being -,
what could the bejng of Men and Angels, and all the works of
his hands have trenched upon the ibveraign freedom of their
Makers will and actings ? for who hath reffted his will? hath
not the potter power over the clay i Rom. 9. 19, 21. 3, The Fa-
ther and the Son were not only free from all natural neceflity
and outward compulfion *, but alio from all hire, allurement or
motive from any thing without their own will, there was no-
thing in man, no not foreieen, that could allure or move*, far
lef s hire the Father to give Chrift, to engage him in this work, .
nor. Chrift t® engage his name in our bond 5 fince he well forefaw
what it would coft him : It's true he values his feed as a fatisfy-
ing return of his travel, I fa. 5 3. 1 1* He jhall fee of the travel
of his fouly and jhall be fatisfied *, but befide that, there is no
proportion betwixt his work, and this poor wages : was man a
price for the Lord of glory to work for ? or was he a reward for
him to wreftle for ? could he be hired for io low a wager , if
the foveraign freedom of his own will had not a£led him?
Confider, 1 lay, who gave this price to- the Lord -.did man
give himfelf to the Lord, or did the Lord give his elect people
to Chrift from eternity, and afterward he is the firft giver alio ?
Now there can be no hire given by man to the Lord, unlefs he
were the fir ft giver, Row. 11. 35, For who hath fir fl given to-him^
and it jhall be recommenced to him again I 1 Chr. 29. 14 , Of
thine own have we given thee. Jer. 30. 21, And I will caufe
him to draw neer , and he jhall approach unto me • for who is
' I 2 he
60 Of the Gracioufnefs of Chap. IH.
he that ewawth his heart to approach unto me , faith the
XM» .'!'? :
2. Another Property of this Covenant is Gracioufnefs it Ts
not only the Covenant tranfatted withus,the Gofpel-Covemnt,
that is, pure Grace:, but this alio that was tranlatted betwixt
Jehovah and Chrift, even while it was vet in hispurpofe, and as
it was the eternal acl of his will, is frequently called x*?''
IvfcKHty Grace and his good pleaftire, or gracious plea/are, Eph. I .
5, 6, 9. 2 Tim. 1.9',- his purpoje and grace. 1 Now Gntci6u J
is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption, in a far other
fenfe than 'tis attributed to the Covenant of reconciliation :
For, 1. Gracioufnefs is attributed to the Covenant of Redemp-
tion, in regard of both Parties tranf acting 5 it was pure Grace
that determined both the Parties, and engaged them both *, the
Father to tend, and the Son to come-, andthis Grace was equally
in both the Parties, and did fhine equally and by way of effi-
ciency in them both, Zech. 6. 11, The court fel of peace was be-
tween them both. But gracioufnefs is attributed to the Cove-
rant of reconciliation V becaufe of the fhining glory and acti-
vity of the Grace of God through Jeius Chrift, that is therein
manifefted \ which Grace is in us fubje&ively •, and though the
acts thereof be ours in a vital formal manner * 7 yet it is from
God byway of efficiency , and it is his Grace, not ours, from
which the Covenant hath its name of Grace, Tit. 2. it. i Tim.i.
14. Eph. 1. 6, 7. And 2. 5, 7,8. 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2. Graciouf-
nefs is attributed to the Covenant of Reconciliation *, not only
in regard of God's making fucha Covenant with us ', but alio
in regard of the tenor of that Covenant, and whole difpenfa-
tion '-, the promifes , conditions and reward therein is all pure
Grace ^ as the fame is oppofed unto, and contra-diftinguilhed
fromwerks, which fignifie nothing in that Covenant, as it is a
Court of Righteoufnefsand Life, Eph. 2. 8, 9, For by grace are
ye faved through faith-, and that not of 'your fehes y it is the gift
of God. Notofwork£-> left any man Jhonld boafl. But of this
Covenant of Redemption, Gracioufnefs is a property there-
of; mainly, becaufe of the reafons following *, but not becaufe
the whole tenor thereof, as well the conditions as promifes were
pure Grace confidered as fuch, and coDfra-diftinguifhed from
works: For though pure Grace made this Covenant ofRedemp-
tion j yet the condition thereof upon both fides were works.
1. Chrift
"Chap. 1IT. the Covenant 6f Redemption. 6t
i . Chrift is a doer and fulfiiler of the Covenant of works moft
exactly in all points, both the command, and the curie and pe-
nalty of the Covenant, is fatisfied by him ; this is works , and
this was the condition required upon his part, Heb. 10. y,Then
faidl, to I come, in the volume of the booh^it is written of me , U
do thy will, O God. Gal. $. 13, Chrifl hath redeemed us from
the curfe of the Law, being made a curfe for us.
2. Chrift as a doer and obedient fulfiller of the Law, hath a
reward in Juftice by the promiie of this Covenant : For (' I
humbly conceive) he had his reward of debt, and merit, ha-
ving payed a condign price to the Juftice of God \ therefore his
reward is due to him, by commutative Juftice, Phil. 2. 7, 8, But
made himfelf of no refutation, and took^ upon him the form of a
fcrvant, and was made in the hkenefl of 7 man ', And being found
in faflnon as a man , he humbled himfelf ', and became obedient
unto death, even the death of theCrofs ; wherefore Godalfo hath
highly exalted him, and is craved by him , Joh. 1 7. 4, 5, / have
glorified thee on earth, I have finijhed the work^which thou gave ft
me to do. And now, O Father , glorifie thou me with thine
own felf
But Gracioufnefs is attributed to the Covenant of Redemp-
tion. 1. Efficiently, or in regard of the efficient caufe there-
of; the ipring whence it came was Grace , pure Grace, and
nothing elie made it and gave it a being } it was not only an att
of will, pleafure, freedom and foveraignty *, but an a& of
gracious will, and the good pleafure of his will, that made it,
Eph. 1. 5. Col. 1. 19.
2. Gracioufnefs is attributed to this Covenant ultimately,
in regard that the ultimate end and fcope thereof is the mani :
fefting the glory of the richnefs and freeneis of Grace •, tis a
defign of Grace that is driven and carried on in the Covenant
of Redemption , Eph. 1.6, To the praife of the glory of his
grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 2 Tim . 1 .9,
Who hath faved tts , and called us with an holy calling ; not
according to our works , but according to his own purpofe
"and grace which was given us in Chrifl Jefus before the
world began.
^Gracioufnefs is attributed to the Covenant of Redemp-
tion, becaufe Grace was in it fundamentally *, the whole contri-
vance and diipenfation of Grace is bottomed upon this eternal
tran-
62 Of the Gracioufnefs of Chap. III.
tranfaction, and turns upon the hinge of this Compaft betwixt
Jehovah and Chrift - t therefore all the mercies and faithfulriefs
of the Lord that we are made to ring of within time, are laid
upon this foundation, Tfal 8p. i, 2, u I mil frig of themir-
ctes of the Lord for ever , with my month will I make known
thy faithf nine fi to all generations. For I have J "aid , mercy
ft) all be built np for ever , thy fait hf nine fs Jhalt thou efta-
blijh in the very heavens. I have made a Covenant with
my chofen.
4. Gracioufnefs may be attributed to the Covenant of Re-
demption, becaufe Grace was here originally ; for here the flrfV
draughts of pure, foveraign, free Grace, and the unfearchable
riches thereof, were drawn and portrayed ; here is fountain-
Grace, and from thence came the ftreams ; here were the be-
ginnings of that noble defign of Grace laid , and from hence .
did th^y come forth , Col. 1. 26,27, Even the myfterie which
had been hid from ages and from generations * 7 but now is made
manifefl to his Saints. To whom God woald make known what is
the riches of the glory of this myfterie among the Gentiles, which is
Chrift in y oh , the hope of glory.
5. Gracioufnefs is attributed to the Covenant of Redemp-
tion, becaufe Grace is here comprehenfvely *, even all that God
hath been driving and acting upon the fpirits of his people, by
the Gofpel-covenant and Ordinances thereof, and the work of
his Spirit fince the beginning of the world *, and all that he fh&ll
do, until the day that the ranfomed and redeemed company be
perfected } even the whole plot of Grace,, is all comprifed in
this eternal tranfaelion with Chrift, and to it are we led as the
comprehenfion of all Covenant-grace and mercy, J fa. 55. ^,
Incline your ear and come unto me, hear, and your foul [hall live ,
andlwillmfMe with yon an everlafting Covenant, even the fare
mercies of David.
6. Gracioufnefs is attributed to this Covenant,becaufe Grace
is here eminently z, and indeed if the comparifon might be fitly
made, pure Gofpel free Grace is more in the Covenant of Re-
demption, than in the Covenant of Reconciliation -, for 'tis in*
the Covenant of Redemption principally , as water is in the
fountain ', and in the Covenant of Reconciliation by participa-
tion, andconfequentially \ becaufe God was in Chrift, reconci-
ling the world to himfelf by that Covenant j therefore he is now
in
Chap. TIL 'the Covenant 'of ^Redemption* 63
in Chrifl: reconciling the world to himfelf by this Covenant of
reconciliation, 2 Cor, 5. 19,20,21 , God was in Chrifl recon-
ciling the world unto himfelf, not imputing their trefpaffes unto
them , and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we arc ambajfadors for Chrifl , as though God did
befeech you by us, weprayyouinChrifls flead, be ye reconciled
unro God ', for he hath made him to be fin for us, who knew no fin,
that we might be the right eoufnef of God in him.
7. Gracioufnefs is attributed to the Covenant of Redemp-
tion, b:caufe Grace was therein exemplarily ; for hereby God
did aft Grace in Chrift, and made him a Samplar, and the firft
copy of free Grace to all his brethren, feed and heirs, that they
might (hare with him, upon whom the firft a&s of eternal Co-
venant-love, and Grace fell, and that God might fhew forth in
him a pattern of Covenant-dealings, and out-letting of Cove-
nant-favour and promifes, Pfal. 89.26, He (hall cry unto me,
*hoh art my father y my God, andtherock^ofmy falvation. With
Heb. 1.5, For unto which of the Angels f aid he at any time, thou
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee f. And again, I will be
to him a Father , and he jhall be to me a Son. Gal. 4. 6, And
becaufe ye are Sons , God hath fent forth the fpirit of his Son
into your hearts , crying^ Abba, father. Col. 1. 18, And he is
the bead of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the flr ft -born
from the dead, that in all things he might have the preheminence.
Rom k 8. 17, And if children , then heirs, heirs of God , and
fint-heirs with Chrifl, if fo be that we fuffer with him, that we
may be alfo glorified together.
g. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption, is
Eternity : For, 1 . Both the Parties are eternal, the eternal God
who is from c-verlafling to cvcrla fling, Deut. 3 3. 27. and the
eternal Son of God, whofe eternal jwn^r and Godhead, Rom. i .
20 , is equal with God his Father. Phil. 2. 6, And whofliall declare
his generation ? Ifa. 53.8. Joh. 1. 1,2, In the beginning the
word was, and the word was with God, and the word was God, the
fame was in the beginning with God. Rev. 1.8, I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end, faith the Lord • which is, which
was, and which is to come.
2. The union o£ the two natures in the Perfbn of the Re-
deemer, which was tranfa&edin this Covenant, is an eternal
Union V I mean, the humane nature, which was from eternity
deftgned
€\ Of the Eternity of Chap. Ilf.
deftgned unto -a fubftantial union with God*, being once aftumed,
Hands in that fubftantial union for ever ', ib that it is impoflible
that the perfonal union which was transacted in the Covenant of
Redemption, can be diffolved unto all eternity: for 'tis unque-
stionable that Chrift fhall ftand glorified in our nature in heaven
for ever •„ for even there is a throne for the man Chrift , for the
Lamb flain, for evev^Rev. 22. 3, But the throne of God, and of the
lamb, flail be in it, Aft- 17. 31.
3. The New Covenant-relations which were eftablifhed be-
twixt Jehovah and Chrift, by this Covenant of Redemption, are
eternal relations, which fhall never .ceafe, Heb. 1. 5, For unto
which of the Angels f aid he at any time , Thou art my Son , th. s
ds.\. hav: I begotten thee ? And again ', / will be to him a Father,
a?:d he flail be to me a Son. This Covenant-relation (I fayj
whereby God is the God and Father of our Lord Jeius Chrift,
and wherebv he hatha new Sonfhip , iPet. 1. 3, Bleffedbe the
Cod an dF other ef our Lordjefus Chrift : Even this, fhall ftand
eternally; therefore Chrift f peaking of the promiied glorious
ftateof his people in heaven,dotlifour times own that Covenant-
relation to his Father, even with refpeel: to his and their being
together in his Kingdom, Rev. 3. 12, Him that over cometh^will
1 make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he flail go no more
out : and 1 will write Hpon him the name of my God, and the name
of the city of my God, which is new Jerufalem, which comet h down
cut of heaven from my God ; and I will write upon h'un my new
name. And if our Covenant-relation to God which did ipring
out of his, fhall ftand, and not ceafe in our glorified ftate in
heaven, much-more his, Rev. 5. 10, Arldhaftmade us unto our
GodKings and,? Hefts, and we flail reign on the earth .There the re-
deemed Muficians, that have the new Song in their mouths,own
their Covenant-relation to God, and the Covenant-compella-
tion, cur God., is a note in their new Song.
4. The .offices, which Chrift did take on by this Covenant, are
eternal offices, fuch as fhall never ceafe, and whereof he fhall
never be.divefted *, that his Mediatory-office, his Kingdom and
Priefthbod, are parjtakers of the eternity of this Covenant, is
plain Scripture, Ln\. 1. 33, And he flail reign over the koufe of
Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there .flail be no end.
Heb. 1.. 8, But unto the Son, he faith, thy throne, O God, is for
ever and ever, afcepter of righteoufneft is t'he fcepterofthy ki*g-
dm*
Chap. III. the Covenant of Redemption. °5
d$m. And j. 6, Thou art a prieft for ever , after the order of
Melcbifedec. And 7. 25, Wherefore he is able alfo to fave them
to the utter wo ft that come unto God by him, feeing he ever Uveth to
make imercejfton for them. The only queftion is, whether or
not this Covenant (hall then ceafe , and Chrift's Mediatory-
office fhall then ceafe, when Chrift (hall render up the Kingdom
to the Father? \Cor. 15.24^020.
Concerning the full anfwer whereof , I refer the Reader toRutherf. Tmt.
what is written by Mr. Rutherford upon that queftion : For my °f thecovenant,
part it fatisfies me, that I fee veftiges in the Scripture. 1. That P* 2 * c * x 2t
after the laft Judgment, there (hall be noufe of ilich exercife p *
and afts of ChrirVs Mediatory offices , as King, Prieft , and
Prophet to his Church as we are now under in this laft Oeco-
nomy and difpenfation of the Covenant of Grace *,becaufe there
(hall be no fm then, nor any enemy unfubdued •, Chrift having
perfected his people, and prefented them without ipottoGod,
Eph. 5. 27. and having fubdued all his foes, and broken allop-
pofition to his Kingdom , and the elecl people being brought
out of danger , fo as they need no Temple or Ordinances,
Rev. 2 1 . 4. 22. 1 Cor. 15.25. 2. That Chrift Mediator (hall
unqueftionably ceafe from, and leave off fuch atts and exercife
of his Mediatory-office, as his body the Church hath no need
of-, he (hall be no Mediator of Reconciliation then, becaufc
there (hall be no fin then , no Mediator to apply his death , or
to interceed for finners, for there (hall be no finners •, he fhall
be no Mediatory King then to beat down his foes and oppofers
of his offices *, for there (hall be none, when he fhall have put
down all rule j and all authority and power, 1 Cor. 15. 24. that
is , all Magiftracy and Government that now is , either in
Church or State . j. It is manifeft that after the laft Judgment,
there (hall be a change of the Oeconomick government, and
thatChrift (hall render the ^^owOeconomick or di(penfatory,
to his father : but after what manner this change of government
(hall be, I do not fo clearly underftand : whether it (hall be only
by Chrift'« rendering an account to his Father of his deputed *
and delegated charge, having now (aved all the ele£t, and lub
dued all the rebels; or if it (hall be by laying 4own his-Com
million, no more to rule in th« former way of government ? or
whether the government (hail be fo changed, as the Father, Son,
and Spirit,fhall immediately govern tkc glorious Church, which
K feems
66' Of tie Eternity of Chap. ItL
leems to be infinuated , Rev. 21. 22, 23, And I faw notemple
therein ', for the Lord God almighty arid the Lamb are the temple of
it. Andthe City had m need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to
Jhine in it *, for the glory of God did lighten it y and the Liamb is the
light thereof. 1 Cor. 1 5. 28, that Godmay beallin all. 4. That
Chrift frail not then leave off to reign as Mediator, even
when the fore-mentioned change is made - 7 yet he remains the
fubftantial glorified head of his myftical glorified body for ever,
who (ball appear eternally for us, as a pledg of the fatisfattion
once given, whofe preience is a fpeaking token of the ftanding
Confederacy and Peace betwixt God and us , in whofe righte-
ouihefs we ftand cloathed before God-, in whofe tranfaftions
and acting in the work of Redemption, God is eternally well-
pleafed, and by whole Covenant we ftand and reign with him
eternally and indefedlibly in a confirmed glorified ftate : elfe,
1. To what end fhall Chrift ftand glorified in our nature in hea-
ven for ever ? 2. Why is the Lambs throne in heaven eternal ?
Rev. 22. 3. 3. Elfe what means the Lambs lervants in heaven
forever? Rev, 22. 3. and the new Song that is to the Lamb in
heaven for ever, Rev. 5. 12. and 7. 10. 4. Elfe what meaneth
the Lambs being in the midft of the glorified company , his
leading them, being a temple, and a light unto them ? Rev.j. 1 7.
and 2 1 . 22, 2 3 . Sure the Lord Mediator as a glorified tead of
his glorious body in heaven, að as Mediator, though not as
he að now *, and though we cannot well determine what fort
of leading, and what difpenfatron of influences from him are
there ( and no wonder if his union with us and headfhip over us
even here, be a myfterie, the knowledg whereof is referred to
his coming again, Job. 14.20,- At that day ye fhallknovo that I
am in my father ', and you in me, and I in you): yet the Lambs
throne there, and his leading the redeemed, and being a light
aad temple to them, proves his peculiar headfhip to them.
5, The bkffings purchafed by this Covenant of Sureti(hip , are
partakers of eternity, they are eternal bleflkng* : the Redemp-
tion obtained by the Mediator, is eternal Redemption ', Heb. 9. 12.
and eternal \ Inherit ance^Heb. o. 15. and eternal life. Tit. 1.2.
eternal Salvation y Heb. 5. 9. eternal Glory , 1 Pet. 5. 20. You fee
then, that eternity is a property*ofthe Covenant of Redemp-
tion, and that many things belonging to it are partakers of
eternity: la a word, it is a Covenant which was traniacled
from
c Chap. lit the Covenant of Redemption. $7
from eternity, before the foundation of the world was laid *, it
is as old as the Ancient of days ; ib that we cannot reckon the
beginning thereof, Frov. 8.2$, / was fet up from ever lafting,
from the beginnings or ever the earth was : and which (hall endure
throughout eternity *, for the righteoufnefs of this Covenant,
even the Surety-righteoufnefs of Chrift the Redeemer, (hall be
worn in glory for evermore, by all the redeemed people *, and
through the force and vertue of the blood thereof, (hall the
glorious Church ftand and reign for ever, Rev. iy. 8, And to her
was granted that flie (hould be arrayed in fine linnen, clean and
white; for the fine linnen is the righteoufneft of Saints* And 5.9,
And they fung a new fing, faying , thou art worthy to take the
book^ and to open the feals thereof i for thou waft jiain, and haft
redeemed m to God by thy blood out of every kindred y and tongue y and
people, and nation,
4. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption, is
equality : They who diftinguifh Covenants into equal and un-
equal Covenants j by equal Covenants they underftand fuch
wherein there is equality in the parties or conditions, when the
parties ftand in equal terms, and do agree upon equal or like
conditions.
No Covenant betwixt God and meer Man, can properly and
ftrictly be called an equal Covenant', neither the Covenant of
works made with man in his integrity , nor the Covenant of
Grace made with fallen man *, for befide the infinite diftance and
inequality of the parties , there is no proportion betwixt the
terms and conditions given and required in thefe Covenants :
And upon ftricl: examination, there are but few equal Cove-
nants betwixt man and man *, for it is rare to find the condition
and affairs of Parties entering in Covenant in fuch an equal
poife, as that the inequality of their condition, and the mo-
ment and exigent of their affairs, does not influence the ,
terms and conditions of their Covenants, -fo as to render them
unequal.
But iure the Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Chrift,is an equal
Covenant. 1. This Covenant was betwixt parties equal*, I do
not fay that the Man Chrift, or Chrift Mediator was equal with
God ; for in this refpect there was an inferiority and fubordina-
tion unto which Chrift humbled himfelf ', by giving his aclual
confent in this Covenant unto the designation of him to be the
K 2 Perfon
£8 Of the Equality of Chap. III.
Perfon that fhouid do the work of our Redemption • but con-
sidering Chrift as the eternal Son of God, and antecedently to
his actual confent to humble himfelf j yea , and after that con-
ient too, confidering Chrift the fecond Perfon as the natural Son
of God , the parties traniatling this Covenant (though not
quatenw, as they were confidered in this Covenant- tranf attion)
were equal in Power, Greatnefs, Wiidom, Honour, &c. as
hath been before fhewed from Phil. 2. 6, Who being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Joh. 10.29, $0,
My Father which gave them me, is greater than all — I and my
Father are one.
2. This Covenant was betwixt equal parties, when they ftood
in equal term, and were at a perfect freedom to chufe or refufc ,
to give confent to this Covenant or refufe it, as pleafed either
party; these may be fometimes equality betwixt parties cove-
nanting •, yet the inequality of the condition and freedom at the
time of tranfacling, may render the Covenant betwixt them
unequal ', as when the one party is not at freedom, is concluded
by ibme preflure or neceflity that is not upon the other party - 7
hence often the terms are unequal : but in the Covenant of Sure*
tiihip (whatfoever inequality and fubordination was fubiequent,
by the tenor of this Covenant) at the time when it was trania-
&ed from eternity, the parties ftood both on equal terms, and
were at perfect freedom to tranfaft or not , as pleafed either
(as I have already proved)*, there was nothing in the condition
of either party ( abftrac"ting from the purpofe of the parties
own will, ana the defign that atted them, which was common
to both) that could conclude either party to enter into fuch a
Covenant (If I may call a tranf a&ion that had no beginning,
by the name of entering a Covenant in regard of our manner of
conceiving thereof) *, for this Covenant was not only confented
to by Chrift, a perfon equal with God •, but by him being in the
form of God, Phil. 2. 6, 7, that is, while he ftood in equal terms
with God, and was under no neceflity to be found in the
form of a fervant, till he humbled himfelf, and made himfelf of
no reputation, &LC
3. The defign that afted both parties in this tranfaclion, Was
equal *, for it was one and the fame, a defign of love a&ed both
the Father and the Son ^ the carrying on a purpofe of Grace and
defign of love which God had laid upon hiseleft people, acted
Jehovah
Chap. HI. the Covenant of Redemption. 6$
Jehovah in fending Chrift to do this work of Redemption , and
in making him Surety for his people •, and the lame defign alio
acled Chrift in his contenting to take our Law-place, and in his
coming accordingly to a& our part, Joh. }. 16, For Godfo loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that vphofoever believ-
eth in him Jhould not perijh , bnt have everlafting life. With
Gal. 2. 20, / live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave himfelf for me. Even this Love-defign which
took up the delight and the thoughts of both the patties equally,
and wherewith both parties were lblacing thcmfelves in the
works without themfelves •, when as yet there was no world,
nor Inhabitants thereof created, Prov.S. $i, Re)oycmg in the
habitable part of hit earth, and my delights were wUh the
fons of men,
4. This Covenant of Suretifliip was made upon equal or like
conditions and terms*, there was an equality betwixt the ftipula-
tionand reftipuiation ; the conditions promifed to Chrift, and
thefe required from him by this Covenant ', not that worthlefe
man was a wager for God to work for*, for he was far below the
price that love put upon him. But underftand it thus, 1. There
was an equality of Juftice betwixt the conditions on the one
part and the other •, punitive Juftice could exatt no more of
man, by the curie of the broken Covenant, than that which
Chrift fuffered as his Surety, Gal. $. 1 j, Chrift hath redeemed us
from the curfe of the Law, being made a cur fe for Hi ', and remune-
rative Juftice could give no lets to his perfect obedience unto the
Law cf works, than the righteoufnefs and life whicbhe pur-
chafed, Rom.S.j.j That the riglneoufnef of the Law might be
fulfilled in tit. 2. There was an equality of proportion or merit
betwixt the conditions required from, and performed by Chrift,
by venue of this Covenant , and the conditions promifed and
performed unto Chrift by this Covenant. Not a merit and ia-
tisfaclion upon Chr id's part de congruo (as the Schoolmen r> ur and lik a
lpeak) whereby the friendfhip and love of the party injured &m. 21i qwft?L
doth accept of that which h not equivalent to the offence ,
which Vorftiiu calleth God's Divine acceptation (which proper-
ly had no place here , though the friend (hip and love betwixt
God and Chrift, be iuchas renders any thing done by him, ac-
ceptable )-^ but a merk and fatisfaction de condigno, there
being a juft and equal proportion betwixt the fault committed,
and
7C Of the Equality of Chap. III.
the fatisfa&ion given , and betwixt the reward promifed and
given to Chrift, and the obedience required from and performed
by him, Joh. 17. 4, 5, / have glorified thee on the earthy I have
fmjhed the work^ which thou gave ft me to do. And now, O Fa-
ther, glorifie thoH me with thine own f elf. Phil. 2. 7, 8, But
made him f elf of no refutation, and took^upon him the form of a
fervant, arid was made in the likeneft of man. And being found
in faftrion as a man y he humbled him f elf. ~-Where fore God hath
highly exalted him, &c
5. The advantage redounding to both parties by this Cove-
nant is equal $ I mean, the glory and honour of this tranfa&ion *,
for no other profit and goodneis can redound unto the all-iuffi-
tient good, Job $5.7, If thou be righteous , what give ft thou
him? or what receiveth he of thine hand ? Pfal. 16. 2, $, — My
goodneft extendeth not unto thee : But to the Saints that are in the
earth, and to the excellent , in whom is all my delight. I fay of
the Covenant of Suretifhip, that though the profit is ours, and
extendeth only to the redeemed people \, yet the advantage of
honour and glory, doth equally reach both the parties tranfa-
cting in their own order \ for thereby there is a peculiar honour
of our Redemption and Salvation to God, the Author thereof,
who gave Chrift, and fent him to work this Redemption ; and a
peculiar honour to Chrift Mediator, to the Lamb the grand
Jnftrument that wrought it, and whofe foul travelled in it. So
that the honour accrewing hereby is not peculiar to any one of
the parties, but parted betwixt them, Joh. 5.2$, That all men
jlmuld honour the Son, even as Hoey honour the Father. Rev. 7. 10,
And cryed with a loud voice, faying , Salvation unto our God
which fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
5. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption^ order:
that which is laid of the Covenant of Reconciliation, that it's
ordered in all things *, is eminently true of the Covenant of Re-
demption: It is a well-ordered Covenant^ and how can it be
made otherwife., fince he that made it is the Gcd of order,
1 Cor. 14. 3 1. and Godonlywife, 1 Tim. 1. 17. who knew well
how to contrive the comely order which he defigned . Th e or-
der of this Covenant doth chiefly confiftin thele two things.
1 . In God's beautiful contriving and ordering the methods and
ways of our Redemption and Salvation. 2. In his comely order-
ing and adapting thcie Methods of Redemption to anfwer the
ends
Chap* HI. the Covenant of Redemption. ft
ends and intents , which were purpofed and propofed in this
tranfaftion. Under the firft of thefe , I comprehend, i. His
ordering and fending of a Saviour and Redeemer to fallen man.
2. His ordering the things that the Peribn defigned fhould do
andfuffer for purchafing this Redemption. 3. His ordering
the means whereby the purchaied Redemption fhould be ap-
plied to the Redeemed people. 4. His ordering the efficacy of
means towards the ends purpofed by him, that there might be
no mifgiving in all the matter. Under the fecond, I compre-
hend God's ordering, 1 . That the fatisfaction of Divine jultice
fhall be, by a Surety. 2. That the iatisfaclion of the Surety
fhall meet with, and fully come up to the demands of the Law
and Covenant of works , by his obeying the command , and
bearing the curfe. $.That the Sureties fatisfa&ion fhall ftand for
the broken man's ; he taking our Law-place upon him,and acting
our part. 4. That Juflice fhall be fo fatisfied, as mercy be alfo
entreated •, that the means and methods of Redemption, may
anfwer the intent of God , to glorifie thefe two attributes,
Juftice and Mercy, in Man's Redemption. I do not fay that
the beautiful order of this Covenant confided in thefe things
only *, but in thefe, and the like ; which will appear further,when
we come to fpeak of the lbbje&-matter of this Covenant, and the
things that were therein concluded.
6. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption , is
ftability^ God's Covenant with Chrift is an immutable, invio-
lable tranfaclion j and all the things therein concluded are firm
and unalterable, nothing thereof can fail 'j for, 1 . It is tranfa-
&ed in the unchangeable counfel of God's will , where all the
decrees and conclufions are unalterable , Neb. 6. 17, Wherein
God willing more abkndantly to fliew unto the heirs of promife, the
immutability of his r counfel 9 confirmed it by an oath.
Ifa. 14.27, For the Lord of hofls hath purpofed , and who
fhdidifannut it t
2. It muft be an inviolable Covenant, being tranfacted be-
twixt two parties who have all imaginable Properties that
can enlure their dealings and transactions, and render them firm \
For it is, 1. Betwixt God unchangeable, with whom there is no
variable nef^ norjhadowof turning Jam. 1. 17. I am the Lor d^
I change not^ Mai. 3. 6. And Jefta Chrifi , the fame yefterday^
and to day 9 and for ever, Heb. 1 3 . 8. 2. It is betwixt God tte
ftrength
72 Of the Eternity of Chap. I If.
ftrengthof ffrael, who u not as the fon of man , that he fliould
repent, i S*m. 15.29. who hath fworn to Chrift, and will not
repent, Heb. 7. 2 1 . and Chrift Jefus, in whom all the promifes
ol God are yea, and amen, 2 Cor. I. 20. 5. It is betwixt the
true God, Jer. 10. 10. the Godof tr nth, D cut. 32.4. and Jeius
Chrift, who is the truth it {elf, fob. 14. 6. 4. It is betwixt the
faithful God which keepeth Covenant , Deut. 7. y. who abideth
faithful, and cannot deny him f elf, 2 Tim .2. 15. and Jeius Chrift
the faithful wit ne ft, Rev. 1. 6.
$. This muft be a fure and inviolable Covenant, being a fworn
confirmed Covenant *, for God hath not only fworn and con-
firmed his Covenant with us, but he hath alio confirmed this
Covenant with an oath, and fworn to Chrift , Pfal.So. 35,
Once have J fworn by my holinef, that I will not lye unto Lavid.
Heb. 7.21, For thofe Pr lefts were made withvnt an oath, but this
with an oath, by him that faid unto him, The Lord fware, and
will not repent ; thou art a Trie ft for ever, after the order of MeU
chifedee. Now the Argument ufed by the Apoftle, from the
confirmation of a Covenant, to the (lability thereof, holds good
and firm of this Covenant alfo (though it be not the thing
principally intended therej, Gal, $. 1 5, Though it be but a man's
Covenant, yet if it be confirmed) no man difannulleth or addetb
thereuuto.
4. Stability and Inviolablenefsmoft eminently agree to that
Covenant •, for which, and becauie of which the Covenant of
Reconciliation made with us is firm, fure, and inviolable. Now
'tismanifeft, that the (lability of that Covenant fprings out of
this ^ and the inviolablenefs of the one, is given by the Holy
Ghoft, for the ground and caufe of the (lability of the other •
SeePjfc/.8o. 3$, $4> 35, j6, Neverthelef)myloving^ndneftwiU
I not utterly take from him , nor fuffer my faithfulneft to fail.
My Covenant willl not break,, nor alter the thing that is gone
out of my lips. Once nave J fworn by my holinef, that J will
not lye unto David. His feed Jhall endure for ever , and his
throne as the Sun before me. Ifa. 55. 3,4, I will make an evtrlaft-
ing Covenant with) 'ou, even the Jure mercies of David* Behold)
I have given him for a witneftothe people) a leader and comman*
der to the people.
5. This Covenant is above thepoflible reach of all caufes or
^occafions whatfoever , that render Covenants unftable and un-
certain ;
Ghap. IIL the Covznwt of RedmpiM* f%
certain v for here,' ft There can be no place in either of the
parties for unskilftilnefs nor rafhnefe, in contriving or entering
this eternal Compaft, being the deed of parties, whofe under-
ftanding cannot be fearched out, If a. 40. 28, the depths where-
of are to be admired, Row. xl. I 1, O the depth of the riches
both of the wifdom and knowledg of God ; whofe fooiijhnefs is
wifer than men ! 1 Cor . 1. 25. who doth all his matters by coun-
feland eternal deliberation, Eph. 1. 11, whoworketh all things
after the counfel of his mil. Nor, 2. Is there place in either of
the parties for unrighteoufnefs, Rom. 3.5,6, Is god unrighteous ti
Cod forbid : nor for inconftancy or unfaithfulnefs (as is already
proved) or any other thing that is contrary to Covenant-keep-
ing. 1 . Nor is there any weaknefs or wearying in either of the
parries to perform their undertaking , againft difcouragement
and oppofition that ftands in the way of performing what is mu-
tually engaged ; no fuch thing is incident to Jehovah, Luk. 1.37,
For with God nothing jhall be impoffible. Ifa. 40. 28, The creator
of the ends of the earth faint eth not, neither is weary. Nor can
Qirift Mediator be impeached of fuch things, jr/^.42.4. He
fyaU not fail nor be difcour aged, till he have fet judgment on the
earth } and the Ifles fall wait for his Law. And 63.1 , tra-
velling in the great ne ft of his fir 'ength : J that fpeak^in right eouf-
nef, mighty tofave.
. The Parties in this eternal traniaft ion about the work ofRe-
cbnvption,' were Jehovah on the one part ; and the only Son of
God on the other part.. That thefe were the parties, and thefe
only, is generally acknowledged - 7 and it is plain Scripture,
Pfal. 89. 3, / have made a covenant with my chofen. Heb. I. 5,
For unto which of the Angels faid he at any time , Thou art my
Son, this day have I begotten thee ? And again, I will be n him a
Father, and he Jhall be to me a Son. And 5. 5, 6, So alfoChrifi
glorified not himfelfto be made an high prieft , but he that faid unto
him, thou art my>Son, to day have J begotten thee . As he faith alfo
in another place, thou art a yrieftfcr ever, after the order ofMel-
chifedec. And 10. 5,7, Wherefore when he cometh unto the
world, he faith , facrifioe and offering thou would ft riot \ but a
body haft thou prepared me. Then faid 1, lo , I come (in the'
volume of the boosts writtedofme) to do tkywill^ tfh^Tity?
difficulty lyeth in theri^uridtfiftanding how thefe parties are
to be confidered: for clearing whereof, I (hall 1 lay dowftfour
Aflertians. L jtfferu
74 Of the Parties of Chap. IIF.
Ajfert. I. Although God be on both fides of this Cove-
nant ' 7 yet God is not to be the iame way confidered upon both
parts of the Covenant ; for upon the one part God is to be con-
sidered ejfentially , and it is opm ejfentiale y an aft common to all
the three Perfons of the Godhead. The one party covenanting
is Jehovah; God h common to all the three: upon the. other
part the Son of God is to be confidered personally, an acl: pe-
culiar to the Son of Gody thefecond Peribn ; elie there could
be no diftinftion of -parties, no diftinftion of confents , and 1
confequently no Covenant of Redemption, no compact about
that work -, and according to this diftinftion, we are to under-
stand the Scriptures before-mentioned .
AJfert. 2.. The Covenant' of Redemption is tranfafted with
Chrift per final, not with-Chrift. tnyftical :, not with the ekft:
Company, but fingly with the Captain of Salvation , not with
the head and body, the Church*, but with the chofen head,
unto whomGod promifed and had appointed a numerous feed,
that fhould become a body to him. It was made with Chrift,
not as. a public k perfon, reprefenting many ; but as an eminent'
chofen peribn, chofen .-out among his brethren, Pfal. 89. ip,
L have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chofen '
cut of the people. Heb. 5. 1, For every high priefi taken from
among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that
he m/iy ojfcr both gifts and facri fees for fin ; for though the my-
fticaf body of Chrift were to reap the benefit of this tranfa-
ftion j yetthey were not parties in the tranfafting their own
Redemption. The Covenant of peace, kindnefs, reconcilia-
tion and life, . was indeed made with Chrift my ftical, head and
members 5 with him as" a publick perfon, reprefenting all his
feed and heirs that were chofen in him*, but the Covenant of
Redemption was not fo.
■Th'dethirigs confirm this Aflertion.. 1. The work and bufi-
nefs tranfafted by this Covenant,was peculiar to Chrift's perfon,
the fatisfying divine Juftice, by paying a price*, the aft of
Suretifhip,.and taking the broken-man's Law-place, &c- Sure
this was peculiar to Chrift perfonal. 2. • It was he to whom a
feed of his own begetting, comprehending ail. the eieft, was
promifed r, to whom a bride and a j body, whereof he fhould bi
head and husband, with whom this Covenant was tranftfted. : *
Now this was Chrifts perianal ; for it could not be, that God '
pxomifed"-
Chap. IIL the Covenant of Redemption. 75
promifed this feed to the feed $ he did not prpmife a people to
themfelves :, but to Chrift their cbpfen head. 3. By this Cove-
nant, God did prbmife'and give the headfhip to Chrift over,
that body, and did veft him with powers and authorities futa-
ble:, even with all power in Heaven and Earth : Now the
head/hip and thefe great Authorities, were neither promifed
nor given to the head and body, to Chrift my ftical *, but to
Chrift perfonal. 4. Chrift plainly claims the work of this Co-
venant to himfelffmgly and perfonally confidered, and leaving
out all others, even his own body, as having no acceflion to
this that he was fingly engaged in , Heb. 2. 10, For it became
him, for whom are all things , and by whom are all things ; m
bringing many Sons to glory , to make the Captain of their Sal-
vation per ft A through fujfering. And 5. 9, And, being made
perfect J he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them
that obey him. Joh. 17-4, I have glorified thee on the earthy I
have finijhed the workjvhich thou gave ft me to do. Ifa. 6 3 . 3 , 1 have
trodden the wine pre ft alone , and of the people there was none
with me.
After f. 1. The Covenant of Redemption which was tranfa-
£ted with Chrift perfonally confidered, even with the only Son
of God, the fecond perfon : was not made with Chrift God \
but with Chrift God- man, the perfon tranfafting with Jehovah,
was not the Son of God, confidered as God, as the natural Son
of God ; but confidered as God-man, as Mediator*, this : Cove-
nant w r as ftricken with Chrift t« 9ii^f»ff«,' not w ao>».
And i . That it was not made withChrift God, or confidered as
the natural only Son of God, ismanifeft: For, 1. Chrift God »•
could not be under the Law- 2. Norreprefent man, and take /
his Law-place. 3. Nor can Chrift God fuffer and pay a price
ofblood. 4. Nor coulctiDfrfiftf God receive a Million and
Mandates *, . he could not be a Meffenger, nor be fen| , if we
fpeak properly. ' 5. Nor to Chrift God could there be promifes
made, or any reward given, &c. Thefe,and manyluchinftances
may ferve for eftablifhing the negative part of this Aflertion , to
wit, that the Covenant of Redemption was not made with
Chrift God : befide , that this will receive further con-
firmation by eftablifhing the affirmative part of the Af-
fertion. .
2. The Covenant of Redemption was made with Chrift
L 2 God-
; ..
7£ Of the Partus inr Chap. III.
God-wan : For, I. In this re{pe& only, Chrift could make a
party diftinft from the other party covenanting ; to wit, Je-
hovah 5 it could not have been a Covenant except there Jiad
been two parties agreeing together. Now Chrift God, the
fecond perfon, could not conftitute a party covenanting diftinft
from God considered eflentially, as common to all the three,
Father, Son and Spirit, Joh. 10. 30, / and my Father are one :
It was therefore Chrift Goc'-oian, that made the Covenant of
Redemption. 2. Chrift had a will diftinftfrom Jehovah's will,
only as he was God-wan : for as God, his will is one and the fame
with his Father's will, ahdundiftinguifoed from it, Joh. 1. 13,
Not of the will of man *, but of God. Now where there is a Co-
nantbetwixttwo, there muft be two wills, elfe how can there
be any agreement or ccnfent of two ; for confent is an ad of
the will : It follows therefore, that the Covenant was made
with Chrift God-man, fmce in this refpeft only, there are two
wills meeting , confenting, and agreeing on the lame thing.
3. In what refpett only Chrift had a will capable of bowing,
yielding, and obeying, in that refpeft he is to be confidered in
the Covenant of Redemption \ whereby he voluntarily yielded
to do thefe things, which no natural neceflity obliged him to,
Heb, \o. 7, Then J aid I, lo, J come (in the volume of the boof^
it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Now it is evident, that
Chrift only as he was God man, had a will capable of bowing
and yielding, Mat- 16. 39, Neverthelefs, not as 1 will ,* but as
thou wilt '•) for the will of Chrift as God was not capable of bow-
ing and yielding-, for who hath re fi fled his will? Rom. 9. 10.
the Covenant therefore was made with Chrift God-man. 4. In
what refpeet Chrift was inferiour to God, or fubordinate to
him, and did receive offices, truft, miflion, commands, &c. and
did obey : In that refpecl only , was the Covenant of Redemp-
tion ftri£fcen with him *, for by the tenor of that Covenant he
did all theie things, Joh. 10. 18, This commandment have J re-
ceived of my father. And 6. 38, 39, For I came down from
heaven, not to do mine own will , but the will of him that fent me.
And this is the fathers will that hath fent me. And it is mani-
feft, that in this refpeft only, Chrift as God-man is inferior to
God , Joh. 14. 28, My Father is greater then I •, for Chrift
God is equal with his Father, Ffal. 2. 6. It follows therefore
neceiTarily> that the Covenant of Redemption was made with
m Chrift
Chap. TIT. the Covenant of Redemption. 77
Chrift: God man. 5. In this confideration only as Chrifl: is
Ged-man, the conditions and fatisfa&ion performed by him,
are performed by one party, and accepted by another*, in this
reipeft only there is fending and coming, asking and receiving,
commanding and obeying, giving fatisfattion and receiving it ',
for if Chrift be confidered as God, then there could be no per-
forming and accepting of fatisfattion *, for fo the party giving
and receiving , fending and going , working and rewarding,
being the fame, all Jatisfaction is taken away *, for the party
the fame every way, cannot be the giver and receiver of the
fatisfavtion 5 fo all diftinclion of parties is taken away, and
confequently all Covenant-dealings enervated. 6. The Cove-
nant of Redemption muft be with Chrift God-man , in regard
that the fatisfa£Uorfrequired upon God's part to be performed
by Chrift, and undertaken by him, was fuch as might ftand in
Law for our fm. Now it is not imaginable how the fatisfaction
of Chrift God j could meet with the curfe of the Law of
works that had gone forth againft man, Gal. 4. 4, 5, But
when the f nine ft of time was come , God fent forth his Son %
made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were
under the Law , that % we might receive the Adoption of Sons.
It refts therefore, that it was a fatisfaction undertaken by God-
wan in the Covenant (^Redemption, 7. In that confideration
that Chrift was Surety^r his people, and Mediator betwixt
God and man -, in the fame confideratien was the Covenant of
Suretifhip and Redemption made with him *, for he could not
be a Suret^a one refpeft, andacl: himfelf unto it in another •,
but it is vmm Scripture that it was not Chrift God that was
Mediator and Surety •, but Chrift God-man , 1 Tim. 2. 5, For
there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man
Chrifl; Jefw. Heb. 7. 22, By fo much was Jefus made fnrefy of
a better teflament. 8 . In what eonfideration Chrift did perform
the Covenant of Redemption, in the famerefpeft he is to be
confidered as a party'Undertaker (for no man can probably think
that one party undertook, and another performed); but it is
above queftion, that Chrift God-man did perform this Covenant,
and fulfil the conditions, therein required, iTim. $. 16, And
without controverfe, great is the myflerie of Godlinef, God was
manifefted in the fiejh , jnftified in the fpirit , fe en of angels ,
preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up
into'
78 Of the Parties in Chap. II{.
into glory. Gal. 4. 4, But when the f nine $ of time w/u
cove- God fent forth his Son made of a woman , made under
the Law. Rom. 8. $, For what the Law could not do in that
it was weakjhrough the flejh , God fending his own Son in the
iilgnefi of ftnful fleft , and for fin condemned fin in the JleJJj.
I conclude therefore, that with Chrift God man was the Co-
venant of Redemption made. Befides thele arguments, many-
more might be framed, from the particular commands, condi-
tions and-promiies of the Covenant of Redemption, which are
competent only to Chrift God-man, and no ways to Chrift God.
From this which hath been faid of Chrift confidered as God
and as God-man, we may anfwer the queftion, How thejuftice
of Godcanhavealatisfac"tion from," and by a perfon or party
who is God? Anf i.-If Chrift God had^een the party with
whom the Covenant of Redemption had been tfanfac"ted, then
indeed the party giving, and the party receiving the fatisfa&ion,
had been the fame. But the Covenant being made with
Chrift God-man, a perfon different from offended God efTen-
tially confidered:, lb it is another party that makes the fatis-
"' faction, than the party which was offended, and doth receive
the fktisfacl:ion. 2. Chrift God-man in one perfon , having
man's nature that offended, united into a perfonal union with
the Godhead *, was thereby fitted fo to ftand in our place, and
upon our fide, as a party different fr#m God, that he might
therein fatisfie wrath, and therein merit by making a full and
real compenfation to offended Juftice. 3 . Chrift God-man ,
who makes the fatisfattion as he is God, being one with the
Father, while he fatisfies the Father's Juftice, h^itisfieshis
<own ; but as he is God-man, being a party diro'ent from
the Father, he is by the Soveraignty of free Grace given to be
a Surety *, and the fatisfa&ion which he makes in our Na-
ture as our Surety, is accepted by his Father, as by another
party.
Affert.Of. Chrift was chofen and predeftinated Lord Me-
diator, and we are chofen in him before he is a party cove-
nanting with Jehovah , about the work of our Redemption :
I fay, i. He is firft in order, in the eternal purpofe of God,
deflgned and fet apart to do this work, before he 1 gave an
aclual confent unto the Covenant of Suretiftiip. This followeth
neceflarily upon the former Aftertion •, for if the Covenant
be,
Chap. III. the Covenant of Redemption. j$
be made with Chrift God-man , with Chrift Mediator
betwixt God and man , then he muft needs be Mediator
by fome eternal ad of the counfel of God antecedent in
order of nature to this Covenant with him , which is made
with him confidered as God to be made manifeft intheflefh.
2. I lay, not only- Chrift is choien *, but we alio are chofen
in him, unto the fruit of that great labour and fervice which
he was defigned to undergo *, for a Covenant of Suretifriip and
Redemption, does not only iuppoie a Redeemer and Surety
predeftinated to be undertaker for a loft people ^ but alio a
people defigned to be partakers of the Redemption which he
was to work. So%at I fay, this Covenant that was made with
Chrift God ^#,doe$fuDpoie Chrift's headfhip,and our member-
fhip by eternal predefflnation, and by a co-ordination, which
maybeexpreis'din this order*, firft, the choien head, and then
the body, God did not not firft chufe a body x and then
had a head to feek for them •, nor did he chufe a head to be
Without a body, or as one that knew not of a body for that
head ; but Election, which was the firftaft of God's Iove*n
eternity, fell firft upon Chrift, whom God did chufe to be the
head of his body the Church , and the Captain of Salvation
to all the choien company r, and having chofen him, he chuied
us in him, as our head, and as the firft-born of the elect houfe
and family, Rom. 8.29, For whom he did foreknow , he alfo did
predefiinate, to be conformedto the ImageMhis Son y that he might
be the fir fl- born among many brethren . Epn . 1.4, -According as he
hath chofen m in him, before the foundation of the world 5 that we
{hould be holy i and without blame before him Move*
■
._ tk. -±-
:<mAP/<
8o ~ Chap. IV.
CHAP. IV.
Of the tenor , Articles , and SubjeSl-matter
of the Covenant of Redemption ; or of
the Commands 5 Conditions, and Promifes
thereof
TH E Subjeft-matter and Ankles of the Covenant of Sure-
tifhip, which were agreed and concluded betwixt Jehovah
and Chrift by an eternal Compact fwhiclialfo may be divided
into commands, conditions, :andpromifes of that Covenant^,
were mainly thefe feven. Who fhould be the Redeemed ? Who
the Redeemer ? What his work ? When to be done ? How to
be applied ? What his reward ? And what affurance- given be-
twfxt the parties for mutual performance ?
Now becaufe fome of thefe Articles may feem to be the fame
upon the matter, which I have before after ted to be fuppofed as
antecedent in order of nature to the Covenant of Redemption *
Let it be reraembred , that they may well be fuppofed in our
manner of conceiving thereof, as antecedent in God's purpofe^
and yet be Articles of ^iis Covenant , and fall under Chrift's
actual content , which^akes a clofed Covenant about them :
for it is not repugnant, that the fame thing be concluded in the
eternal purpoie of God's Will , and in his eternal agreement
with Chrift.
i. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and
Chrift God-man, who fhould be the Redeemed people :, there
was a definite certain number of Redeemed ones agreed upon ,
for whom Chrift fhould pay a price *, he was not Surety and
undertaker for all Mankind, nor for all the vifible Church to
whom the Gofpel fhall be preached*, for his undertaking is no>
wider nor larger than his dying, purchafiog Redemption, bear-
ing Iniquity , Praying, &c. thefe being of equal extent an*
efficacy: for whom Chrift was undertaker to his Father, for
them he dyed, andpurchafed Redemption by his death*, for
tHem he did pray and make interceflion, &c. Now 'tis ma-
nifeft
Chap. IV. the Covenant of Redemption. 8 1
nifeft that he did not purchafe Redemption, and make intercef-
fion for all Mankind ; but for a chofen people, Heb. 9.15, And
for this canfe he is the Mediator of the New Teftamem , that by
means of death for the redemption of the tranfgreffions that were
under the firftTeftament, they who are called might receive the
fromife of eternal inheritance. Joh. 17-9, / fray for them , /
pray not for the world , but for them that thou haft given me • for
they are thine. Neither was Chrift undertaker for a people un-
der any general notions or qualifications (fuch as them that
fliould believe in him, or the like), not knowing definitely who
the peribns were : but he was Surety and undertaker only for
the elecl, and for a definite number of people, who were by
number and name given to him by his Father, and received by
him, to be redeemed by his blood *, which doth plainly appear
by the defcription of the Redeemed people, who are ordinarily
called thofewhom the Father gave unto Chrift Joh. 1 7. 5,6,9, 1 1. ck
6. 57) 19' and who were chofen in him,TLph. 1.4. and whofe names
are written in the book, of life, and in the Lambs book^of life -
as if the Father, who gave them to Chrift , had kept one
record of their number and names , and the Lord Me-
diator, who undertook for them, had kept another \ Rev.iQ. 12.
and 21. 27.
2. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and
Chrift, who fhould be the Redeemer ; I fay, it was agreed who
fhould be the peribn to undertake this great work of Redemp-
tion and Salvation for thefe elec*t people -, for although we may
conceive that Chrift was predeftinated unto this work before his
actual confent ', yet we muft conceive the agreement is by his
own actual coni en t and compact with God . See the agreement
andconfent of both the parties, that Chrift fhall be the Lord
Je hovah his iervant in this work, If a* 49. 5,6, And now faith
the Lord that formed me from the womb to be hisfervant, to bring
Jacob again to him *, though Ifrael be not gathered, yet Jhall I be
glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God ftiall be my ftrength.
And he faid, it is a light thing that thou jhonldft be my fervanty
to raife up the tribes of Jacob, and to refiore the preferred of Ifrael',
J will alj ogive thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou may ft be my
falvation unto the end of the earth- And under this part of the
agreement,! comprehend, 1. The defignation of the perfon who
fhall be the redeemer,that it fhall be the fecond perfon,theSon of
M God
82 The Matter of Chap. IV.
God only, not the Father, nor the Spirit, Ifa* 59. 20, Andthe
Redeemer fh all come to Zion, and unto them that turn from tr an f-
greffion in Jacobs faith the Lord. A&. $. 26, Vntoyoufirft, God
having raijed up his Son , fent him to blefl yotiy in turning away
every one of 'you from his Iniquities, 1 Joh. 4. 9, God fent his only
begotten Son unto the wsrla\ that we might Ike through him,
2. The conftituting of that Peribn, Surety and Mediator to take
that place upon him, which the work of our Redemption did
require, Heb- 7. 22, By fo much was J* fat made a furety of a
better teflament, 3. The confent and agreement of Chrift to
both thefe, to be the perfon that (hall work this work, and to
be fubftitute in this place for doing the work, Heb. 1 0. 7, Then'
faid /, Iq I come {in the volume of the boof^ it is written of me)
to do thy willy God •, thus did the Creditor and the Cautioner
ftrike hands together.
$. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and
Chrift, What fhould be the Redeemer's work •, or what fhould
be the price that he fhould pay , and the fatisfa&ion that he
fhould make to divine Juftice, for the fins of the elecl that were
given to him , under this, I take in, 1 . The concluding betwixt
the parties, that Chrift (hall take upon him our Law-place and
room, and in order to that his taking our nature upon him, that
Juftice might reach him in our ftead and place, Gal. 4. 4,
God fent forth his San made of a woman, made under the Law.
2. That Chrift as our Surety fhould dye, and lay down his life
for us,that he fhould pay for us the whole fura that was owing }
even all that the Law and Juftice could exaft of the broken
man, Joh. 10. 18, No man takerh it from me \ but J lay it down
of my f elf . Rom, 8. 3, God fending his own Son in the liken eft
of finful flefhy and for fin condemned fin in the flejh. Gal. 3. 1 $,
Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the Law, being made
acurfefor us ^ this is at length held forth,//**. 53-5, 6, 7,10,12.
3. That the payment and fatisfa&ion that fhould be made to
Juftice, by our Surety in our nature, and in our room, fhould
be accepted as our payraent,and as a condign price for our right
to Heaven, Heb, 9. 15, And for this caufe he is the Mediator
of the new Teflament , that by means of death for the redemp-
tion of the tranfgreffwns that were under the fir ft Teflament , they
which are called might receive the promife of eternal inheritance.
4. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and
Chrift.
Chap. IV, the Covenant of Redemption. -§? *
Chrift,whatfhould be the term of paying this price, and ma-
king this fatisfattion to Juftice. A time and term-day is conde-
scended upon, fuch as 1 eemed fit to infinite wifdom to appoint,
Cah^. 2, 4, until the time anointed of the Father- — but when
the fulnef of the time was come. Heb. 9. 10, 1 1, until the time
cf reformation . But Chrift being come , an high priefi of good
things to come. Dan. 9. 26, And after three fcore and two weeks.
fhallMeffiab be cutoffs but not for himfelf I fay, though the
price was agreed upon from eternity, yet God in his wifdom
thought fit to put off the time of actual paying this price, till
the Redeemer that fhould come out of Zton fhould be long
waited for, Luk± 2. $8, — andjpakf of him to all them that looked
for redemption in Jerufalemfiut though the payment was fufpen-
ded till the fulnefs of time; yet neither Chrift's a&ing as Media-
tor, nor the force of the biood of this Covenant ', but in contem-
plation of the price to be payed at the.time appointed by theFatber^
he was the Lamb fain from the foundation of the world^Rcv. 1 5. 8.
5. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and v
Chrift , how the Redemption wrought by him fhould be ap-
ply ed to his elec~t people. And under this, I comprehend,. 1 .The
eternal appointment of the Gofpel-Ordioances , efpecialiy the
Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation, as means by divine ap-
pointment, fitted to give the knowledge of the Redeemer, and
of the Redemption and Salvation wrought by him , Luk^ 1 . 77,
^78, 7p, To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people , by the
remiffion of their fins : Through the tender mercy of our God y
whereby the day-fpring from an high hath vifited us *, To give
light to them that ft in darkgef? and in. the Jhadow of death? to
guide our feet in the way of peace. 2. The conclufion , that the
Gofpel fhould be preached to all Nations ^ that for the ElecYs
fake it might come unto all the Societies of men in the world,
among whom there are any of the redeemed ones, Pfal. 110.2,
The Lord jhall fend the rod of thy frength out of Zton , rule
thou in the midfl of thine enemies. \. The appointment of the
times and feaibns, and of the particular Inftruments that fhould
carry the Gofpel to the bounds of each ele& Soul's habitation,
that it might meet with them, Alt. 1 7. 26, 27, And hath deter*
mined the times before appointed? and the bounds of their habitation.
That they fwuld feekjhe Lord? if haply they might feel after him y
an^fndhim? though he be not far from every one of w. Accord-
M 2 ing
84 7J&e Matter of Chap. IV.
ing as we fee it brought to pafs in the execution , fo it was con-
cluded from eternity, Alt.%.19. and 1.6, 17. and 9. 15. and
18. 9, 10. 4. The pouring out of the Spirit to make the
Golpel-ordinances and means of Salvation effectual to the Re-
deemed people *, this alfo was comprehended under this Article
of the agreement, that this fhould be procured by him, for his
elect people, Joh. 16. 7,8, Neverthelefl I tell yon the truth, it
is expedient for you that I go away •, for if I go not away , the
Comforter will not come unto you ', but if I depart, J will fend
him unto you. And when he is come , he will reprove the world of
fin , and of right eoufnef, and of judgment, Pfal. 1 10. 3, Thy people
fliall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holinefi
from the womb of the morning.
6. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and
Chrift, what fhould be the reward and wages that he fhould
have for this great Service , for working the work of our Re-
demption ; his reward and wages in the general Notation there-
of, vras 9 askjtnd have ; it was a grant of whatfoever he would
ask of God for fo great a work and fervice ^ his recompence
was at his own asking, Pfal. 2. 8, As\^ of me , and I fliall give
thee, &c. and according to his own heart , full con-
tent and fatisfaction , I fa, 53.11, He fliall be fatis-
fied, &c. but more particularly, his reward and wages, which
was all his own asking, comprifed thefe three things ( which
fpeaks thefe particulars to have been much upon his heart, and
inhisdefign). 1. That he fhould have a feed, and a people \
that for all his labour he might have a redeemed people : when
he had his reward and fatisf action at his own asking, he made
the redeemed ones, his end 5 his asking, his fatisfaction *, this
was the refult of his tranicendent love, that he might be Imma-
nuel , God with m \ that he might enjoy his poor worthlefs
people, I fa. 53. 10, il, Tet it pleafed the Lord to bruife him,
he hath put him to grief : when thou fli alt make his Soul an of-
fering for fin, he fliall fee his feed , he fliall prolong his days y
and the pleafure of the Lord fliall pro/per in his hand. He.
fliall fee of the travel of his Soul, and (hall be fat is fed. 2. That
he might have a Crown to himfelf •, I mean, a peculiar glory of
being Lord Mediator and Redeemer , and of working this
great work \ and this he had in Heaven before the foundation
of the world, even fince the eternaldefignation and deftination
of
Chap. IV. the Covenant of Redemption. 85
of him unto this work ; for thenceforward he was the Lamb of
God flain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 1 $.8. And
was fet up from everlafting, Prov .8.23, and was glorified with
the Father , not only with the eflential glory that is common
to all the three peribns, which was obicured in his humiliation
for the work of Redemption * 7 but alio with a peculiar glory,
as Lord Mediator, which he had with him before the world began,
Joh. 17. 5. and this glory he fhall have in Heaven, throughout
eternity, even after the laft Judgment, there fhall be in Heaven
a peculiar throne , and glory following y and a peculiar long
to the Lamb , whereof read Rev. 22. 3. and 7. 10, 17. and 5.9.
3. That he might have a crown and throne for each of thefe
redeemed ones, whom he took for a iatisfa&ion to his Soul,
their crown, and throne, and robes was part of the reward and
wages that he wrought for, and asked of his Father, Joh. 17.24,
Father, I will that they alfo whom thou haft given me, be with me
where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou haft given.
me. And 14. 3, I will come again and receive you unto my felf,
that where I am, there ye may be alfo. Luk . 12. 32, Fear not little
flock;, for it is your father* $ good pleafure to give you the King"
dom. Rev. 5.21, To him that over cometh will I grant to fit in my ,
throne withme^ even as I alfo overcame, and am fet down with my
Father in his throne .
7. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt the parties, what ,
fhould be the mutual aflurances given betwixt the parties for
the performance of the Articles agreed upon. - There needed ,
no Solemnities betwixt parties who knew one another, and
trufted one another fo perfectly *, but for our lakes , that we ,
might be helped to conceive of this eternal inviolable tranla-
£Hon : Therefore upon the one part, 1 . Jehovah giveth his word
and faithful promife unto Chrift, Ffal. no. 1, The Lord faid.
to my Lord', and not his faithful promife only, but his -oath,
alio, Pfal.89. 35, Once have I fw or n by my holinef, that I will .
mt lye unto David. Heb.7.21, For thofe priefts were made without.^
an oath, but this with an oath , by him that faid unto him, The .
Lordfwore, and will not repent , Thou-art a prieft for ever, after,
the order of Melchife dec. 2. Upon the other part, Chriftdoes
not only give his word of promife and conient to do this work, ,
Ffal. 40. 6, Sacrifice and offering thoudidft not de fire, mine. ears-
haft thou opened, burnt offering and finroffering haft thou not re~
quired \ ,
B5 The Conditions required of Chriji in Chap. IV.
quired, &c. But he alio comes under a Jndicial and Law-acl of
Suretifhip, whereby he did from eternity acl himfelf, in the
volume of the book^ of God's eternal Records, that he would ful-
fil all his undertaking, Heb. 10.7, Then [aid I, lolccme^ in the
volume of the book^ it is written of me , to do thy mil , O God.
And under this acl: of Suretifhip, I comprehend, 1. His eternal
confent to take our Nature and Law-condition upon him . 2. His
plighting of his faith and truth to acl: our part , and to anfwer
the Law, and Demands of Juftice in our Law-place and condi-
tion. 3. His eternal agreement that by his own confent a ju-
dicial acl: fhould be put upon him , and ftand in record for ever
in Heaven, and irt the volume of books that are there, that this
perfon had voluntarily undertaken, and promifed by ftriking
hands with Jehovah^ to anfwer all demands of Law and Juftics
againft his eleel: people.
Having offered the before-mentioned fum of the Articles
concluded and agreed upon in the Covenant of Redemption be-
twixt Jehovah and Chrift :, 1 come in the next place to diftribute
and divide that fum , and the things compriled under it, into
the reciprocal and mutual engagements of the parties covenant-
ing-, to wit, 1. What were the commands and conditions hid
upon Chrift, and voluntarily yielded unto by him, in the Co-
venant of Redemption. 2. What the promifes and engage-
ments that were given to Chrift by the fame Covenant.
And, 1. Concerning the commands, conditions and engage-
ments, which were required of Chrift Mediator by the Cove-
nant of Suretifhip : I (hall in thefe eight Aflertions open the
nature of them, and what they were.
Affert. 1. AH the commands of the Covenant of Redemp-
tion, are conditions*, and are to be confidered as fuch^ when
they are laid upon Chrift, who came not under commands, but
upon terms and conditions. It is not fo in God's Covenant-
dealings with us, all the commands of the Gofpel are not to us
conditions of righteoufnefs and life (unlefs we underftand con-
ditions in a very large and improper fenfe) •, neither is it of the
effence of commands laid upon us to be conditions-, for God
oweth nothing to our obedience, nor is he obliged to make any
promifes to it *, but the commands of the Covenant of Redemp*
tion are all of them conditions of that fame Covenant : For,
1. They are commands, to the obedience whereof, promifes
arc
Chap. IV. the Covenant of Redemption* 87
are n\ade, I fa. 5$. 12, Therefore will I divide him a portion
with the great , and he foall divide the [foil with the ftrong, be-
caufe he hath poured out his foul unto deaths and he was num-
bred with the tranfgreffors , and he bare the [in of many , and
made interceffion for the tranfgreffors. 2. They are commands
unto which Chrift yielded upon terms, Phil. 2. 7,8, But made
himfilf of no reputation , and tooh^ upon him the form of a fer-
vant, and was made in the likenefof man. And being found in
fafluon as a man , he humbled himfelfr and became obedient
unto deaths even the death of the Crofi j therefore God hath highly
exalted htm* k
Affert. 2. All the conditions of the Covenant of Redemp-
tion , both thefe more general of obeying the Law, and ful-
filling all righteoulhefs, Mat. 3. 15, For thus it becometh tt$ to
fulfil allrighteaufnefi; and the more ipecial condition of laying
down his life, were voluntary free at"ts of Chrift's will and infi-
nite love, wherein he was aclred by no neceflity , without his
own free confent, Joh. 10. 18, No man takethmy life from me ,
but I lay it down of my felf^ 1 have power to lay it down, and 1
have power to tak* it again ; this commandment have J received of
my Father.
Affert. 3. All the conditions required of Chrift, and under-
taken by him m the Covenant of Redemption, were eniiired and
certain conditions, there was 110 hazard of failing, nor coming
fhort upon his part in any the commands or conditions of that
Covenant : therefore it was laid of him, Ifa. 42. 4, Hefhallnot
fail j nor be difc our aged till he have fet judgment in the earth.
Three things evidence this. 1 . The peribnal union of the two
Natures, exempted the man Chrift from all hazard and poflibi^
lity of finning or coming fhort in the obedience of any command
or condition required of him. 2. Chrift as man had the Spi-
rit above meafure, and the confirming Grace which is given to
ele£l Angels in their head Chrift} he had not only thepromiie
of the Spirit and heavenly influences to all duties and conditions
required of him *, but he had thefe actually, even from his Mo-
thers womb, Ifa. 42. 1, Iwillputmy fpr it upon him. Ifa. 11. 2,
The Spirit of the Lord fhall re fl upon him. $. There were no
threatnings in the Covenant of Redemption (though there were
promifes) j becaufe there was no hazard of Chrift's failing in the
conditions thereof -, nor poffibility of his falling fhort of the
promiled reward. Affert. 4.
83 The Conditions required of Chrijl in Chap. IV.
Affert. 4. Although it was eminent pure Grace that made the
Covenant of Redemption ; yet the conditions thereof required
from Chriit, were works j it was doing , not believing , that
was required of him , Rom. 5. io> By the obedience of one flail
many be made righteous. Joh- 9.4,/ mnjl work^the works of him
that fent me. 1 acknowledg there was a kind of faith required
of Chrift-man, which cannot be excluded the conditions of
this Covenant. ( underftanding conditions in that large ienfe as
comprehending all thefe tyes, obligations and duties which the
man Chrift took upon him, by taking on our Nature, and our
Law-place) * 7 whereof he maketh profefTion , If a. 50. 7, For
the Lord God will help me , therefore flail I not be confounded *,
therefore have I fet my face like a flinty and I know that I flail
not be aflame d. And Pfal. 16. 8, / have fet the Lord always
before me *, becanfe he is at my right hand y I flail not be moved ,&c.
compared with Act. 2. 25, for David fpeaketh concerning him ,
I fore f aw the Lord always before my face ; for he is on my right
hand, that I flonld not be moved. And Heb. 2. 13, I will put my
truft in him. But, i .This faith profefTed by Chrift, was faith of
another kind, than that faith which is the condition of the
Gofpel-covenanttous*, it was the faith of dependance and re-
lying on God, foraffiftance and acceptance in doing the work,
which- was the eminent condition of the Covenant of Suretifhipr,
but not -a faith whereby he went out of himfelf to rely on ano-
ther for righteoufnefs ; it was works, not Grace; not the Evan-
gelical Inftrument , but the att and work of faith, 2. This
faith profefled by Chrift, was upon another account, and for
another ufe \ it was a debt which the holy humane nature of
Chrift, being a creature, owed unto God j a debt, I fay, fuch
as did not exclude that from being meritorious, and part of his
fatisfa&ion (fince it was part of his obedience taken on by vo-
luntary compact) no more than his being made under the Law,
whereby he was debtor to fatisfie the penalty thereof, did ex-
clude his fuffering from being fatisfa&ory *, yet he was not by
this kind of believing juftified , and conftituted righteous, by
•any righteoufnefs received by his faith , or imputed to him *,
as we are juftified by faith. 3. This faith profefTed by Chrift,
was neither the whole condition of the Covenant of Suretifhip,
nor the chief and eminent part of it (as (hall be made to appear)*,
butatmoft it could amount to no more of the condition of
his
^Chap. IV, the Covenant of Redemption. $?
hisSuretifliip, than fuch a faith of dependency in Adam be-
fore his fall , fhould have been in the conditional part of
the Govenant of works that was made with him , and
that was but one fingle aft and work of righteoufnefs ;
which was a foiall part of the condition of that Covenant-
AJfert. 5. The conditions of the Covenant of Surety •
(hip made with Chrift, did fully and perfectly aniwet
the intent of the Covenant of works * 7 and that in both
the parts of it copulatively , which did but alternatively
oblige manjfor the Law does not oblige man in an abiblute fenfe,
both to perfect doing and iufFering, but to one of them j for if
we keep the Law,we are not obliged to fuffer, Gen. £. 1 7, But of
the tree of th? knowledg of good and evil, thou ft alt not eat of it \
for in the day thou eatefi thereof thou ft alt fur ely die. But Chrift
by the conditions of the Covenant of Redemption , 1 . He is a
full doer and obedient fulfiller of the commands thereof in all
points, Mat. 3. 15, For thus it behoveth us to fulfil all righteouf-
nefi. 2. He fully iiiffers the penalty of that Covenant, and
fatisfies for the broken commands thereof, I fa. 53.5,6, He
was wounded for our tranfgrefifions The Lord Laid upon him
the iniquity of u4 all. Hence, \ . By the conditions of this Co-
venant which he performed, he had right to Law-juftification,
and life eternal , even by the Law of works j for the righte-
oufnefs which he wrought was perfect Law-righteoufnefs,
though the imputation of it to us be an act of Grace *, and our
receiving it by faith , make it Gofpel-righteoufnefs to us ,
1 Joh. 1. 7, But if we walk^in the light as he is in the light , we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jefus Chrift his
Son cleanfeth us from all fin. Compared with Rom. 4. ^, But
to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that jufiifieth the un-
godly, his faith is counted for righteoufnefi.
AJfert. 6. Neither Ghrift's active nor paflive obedience are to
be excluded from making up the adequate condition of the
Covenant of Suretiihip : For, 1 . The man Chrift his paflive
obedience could not have amounted unto a iatisfaction for us,
if by his active obedience, his habitual and actual conformitv
unto the holy Law of God, he had not been fuch a high priefi
as became us, as is holy, harmlefi, &c. Heb. 7. 26. 2. Although
Chrift as man was obliged to obey the Moral Law *, yet confi-
dering that he voluntarily took that obligation upon himfelf,
N and
90 The Matter of Chap. IV.
and being Lord and Law-giver, he made himfelf under the Law
by this Covenant of Suretifhip. I do not fee how his obedience
to the Law can be excluded from among the conditions of this
Covenant. $. The whole courfe of ChriftVs obedience, from
his Birth to his Grave , by doing and differing, is to be confi-
dered as the doing and iufrering of fo excellent a perfon who
was God-man •, and lb all thefe being a&s fo excellent , and fo
undue (except by voluntary condelcenfion), they muft needs
be fuch conditions as were part of the price payed by him.
4. The obedience of Chrift, and all that he did in obedience to-
the Law, being performed by him in the ftate ©f his humilia-
tion in which he was , whatfoever he was , for hs^ 2 Cor. 8. %
for your fakes he became foor *, all thefe muft have refpeft of con-
ditions of his Covenant with Jehovah , which he performed
for us.
Affert. 7. The conditions of the Covenant of Redemption
required from Chrift,and performed by him, were meritorious ;
that is, they were not confequent conditions, which denote on-
ly a connexion and order betwixt the thing promifed, and the
condition required *, but they were antecedent conditions, when
the condition is the caufe of the thing promiied \ as in contracts
of Juftice, where one thing is given for another. So the con-
ditions of this Covenant performed by Chrift, did by order of
ftritt ]uftice, and )ure emptionis, claim the reward that was pro-
mifed and covenanted with him , to be given to himfelf the
head, and to his elect people, in whole ftead he fatisfied Juftice
by paying their debt with a price of blood } hence it is that he
craves the reward to be given, and that in Juftice, for the work
he had done, J oh. 1 7. 4, 5, 24, / have glorified thee on the earthy
I have finiflied the work^ which thou gave ft me to do. And now,
O Father, glorifie thou me with thine own [elf. Father , / will
that they alfo whom thou haft given me, be with me where lam ,
that they may behold thy glory which thou haft given me - for
thou lovedft me before the foundation of the world. Hence it
$ alio, that his Advocation is grounded upon Juftice, and he
{lands in Heaven, Jefus the righteous, 1 joh. 2. 1. who being
nowjuftified and acquitted of the debt that he took upon him
by his bond of Suretifhip , whereby he was made fin, and made
a enrfe for us, 2 Cor. 5.21. Gal. ^.13. He pleads now the me-
at of blood-
Jfcrs.%,
Ctiap. IV. the Covenant of Redemption. 9 X
Affert. 8. The condition of the Covenant of Suretifhip, is
either more general and adequate, or more fpecial and formal ^
and accordingly we muft aniwer the queftion , when 'tis asked,
what was the condition of this Covenant i An fa. i . The gene-
ral adequate condition of the Covenant of Suretifhip can be no
narrower than Chrift's whole undertaking ; fo that whatfoever
he undertook to do, whether in his own perlbn, or inhispeo
pie ^ for carrying on, and perfecting the work of Redemption
from beginning to end, muft be part of the conditions required
at his hand •, whereof read Pfal. 40. 6, to 1 1 . compared with
Heb. 10. 5, to 1 1 *, all which may beiummed up in fix compre-
henfive heads, 1. Chrift's accepting the grand charge of this
work of Redemption, even the Mediatory-office that was put
upon him ^ he receives the keys of the houfe of David, the truft:
and weight of the loft, but elect world ; and all the burthen
and care of them is devolved upon him, with this office, Ifa. 22.
22, 24, And the ksy of the houfe of David will I lay ttpon hit
Jhoulder ', fo hejhall open, and none Jhall Jhut *, and he fall jhutj
and none Jhall open : And they fall hang upon him all the glory
of his Father's houfe, the offspring and the iffue • all veffels of
fmall quantity, from the veffels of cups, even to all the veffels of
fiaggons. 2. His taking our nature upon him , and that not in
its primitive virgin integrity, but when it was at the worft •, it
was a condition of this Covenant, that Chrift fhould humble
himfelf to take on him the likenefi of ft nfulflejh, Rom. $. $ , that he
fhould take the fame nature that offended divine Juftice, even
the fame flejh and blood, whereof the children are partakers,
and no other, Heb. 2. 14. $. His taking our Law-place, was
another condition ^ not our nature only, but our Law-place
and room *, that is, to put his Soul in our Soul's ftead, that the
Law of God might reach him , who otherwife could not be
reached by the Law ; and that. Divine Juftice executing the
curfc and penalty of the Law, might fmite him, as the guilty man
being by his own confent , and his bond of Suretifhip become
legally the debtor and finner f though not intrinfecally),
Gal. 4. 4, made under the Law, and made fin form, 2 Cor. 5. 2 1.
though he knew no fin. 4. His acting our part, not in a fcenick,
but in a real manner *, he came upon the ftage to represent o^ir
perfon, and in our nature and Law-place he really acted our
part*, and this was another condition required of him , who
N 2 per-
9* the Matter of Chap. IV.
perfectly obeyed the command of the Law, and fuffered the
threatning thereof for us, even all that Juftice had threatned to
infliit upon the offender and tranlgreflbur of the Law,GW. 3. 1 3.
"he was made a curfe for us , Ifa. 55.5, the chaftifement of our
-peace was upon him , &c . 5. His ta-ing a new Covenant-right
unto God his own Father, and not to God only, but to heaven^
and glory, and all the New-covenant bleflings, whereby the
Covenant-right and rites of his redeemed people might be con-
folidated in him, as their head \ and whereby he might for ever
carry their names and interefts before his Father, as being there
reprefented by him, Ffal. 89. 26, He Jball cry unto me, thou,
art my Father , my God, and the rock^ of my Salvation. Heb. 2.
11. 13, For both he that fanBifieth, and they who are fantli fed ,
are all of one \ for which caufe he is not ajhamed to call them bre-
thren. And again, 1 will put my truft in him\ and again, behold
1, and the children which thou haft given me. And 9.24, For Christ
is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the
figures of the true , but into heaven it fclf, now to appear in the
prefence of God, for us. 6. His effectual application of the Re-
demption purchaied by his Suretifhip unto all his redeemed
ones. And under this, I comprehend Chrift's undertaking for
the pouring out of the Spirit, to fend to them his Spirit, to
draw them to him,to caufe them to believe ek receive his Surety-
nghteoufnefs,to keep them in his favour and love, to caufe them
t.opedevere,to prefent them perfefted,and without fppt to God,
Joh. 15. 26, But when the Comforter is come, whom J will fend
unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth , which fro-
ceedcth from the Father , he jhallteftifieofme. Joh. 1 2. \2,And
if I be lifted up from the earth , I will draw all men* unto me.
"(oh. 6. 37, All that the Father giveth me [hall come to me : and
him that cometh to me , I will in no wife caft out . Joh. 6. 39,40,
And this is the Father's will that hath fent me, that of all which
he hath given mt, I fiould lofe nothing, but flwuld raife it up at the
laft day. And this is the will of him that fent me, that every one
which feeth the Son, and bclievcth on him, may have everlaftmg
life, and I will raife him up at the laft day. Joh. 14. 3, And
ff 1 go and prepare a place for you , / will come again and
receive you unto my felf, that where I am , there ye may
be alfo.
2. But if ye enquire after the formal condition^ the Co-
venant
Chap. IV, the Covenant of Redemption, , 93
venant of Suretifhip •, I fay it was hte whole obedience a&ive
and paflive , even unto death , Phil. 2. 8, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the crop \ though the fpecial, prin-
cipal eminent condition of this Covenant may be referred to
the principal, eminent , laft aft of his obedience to that fignal
fpecial command of laying down his life for the ele<ft, Joh. 10. 18,
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my felfc I have
power to lay it down-, and 1 have power to take it again :, phii com-
mandment have I received of my Father. For, 1 . This Cove-
nant being a bargain betwixt Jehovah and Chrift, of buying a
people to God; then the whole price and ranfom told down and
paved for them, muft be the formal condition of that Covenant,
whereby we are bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6. 20. 1 Pet, 1 . 18, 19,
For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corrupt
tible things, as filver andgold, from your vain converfatwn recei-
ved by tradition from your Fathers : but with the precious blood
ef Chrifl , as of a Lamb without {pot , and without blemijla.
2. Chrift was under a fpecial explicite command for the per-
formance of this condition of laying down his life ', as is clear
from Joh. 10. 18, and Chrift was under a fpecial aft to obey
this command, as himfelf acknowledges , Heb. 10.7, Then
faid I, lolcome , in the volume of the beck^it is written of me,
to do thy will, O my God-, and therefore we may well call it
the fpecial condition of the Covenant of Suretifhip. 3. This
lolemn acl: of obedience, in offering himfelf a Sacrifice to death
for our fins, is the condition of his bond of Suretifhip, that is
moft notifed by the Holy Ghoft, and frequently referred unto - 7
as may be gathered from Heb.y. 14, 15,26, How much more
fljall the blood of Chrisl , who through the eternal Spirit offered
himfelf without jpot to God, purge your confeiences from dead
works, to ferve the living God. And for this caufe he is the
Mediator of the New Teftament , that by means of death for
the Redemption of the tranfgreffions that were under the firft Te-
ftament , they which are called might receive the promifc of eternal
inheritance. — but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared
to put away fin by the facripce of himfelf Rom. 8. 1, — God
fending his own Son in the likenefi of finful fie fin , and for fin
condemned fin in the fie fl?. And therefore when we fbeak of
the condition of the Covenant of Suretifhip, this is to be held
the fpecial eminent condition thereof. 4. The Father "of our
Lord
94 ?% e Conditions required of Chrift in Chap. IV,,
Lord jefus Chrift ftates the condition of this Covenant upon
this eminent iblemn aft of his obedience, even his making his
foul an offering for fin, &c. for-vent which he makes the great
promiies of his glorious reward, J fa. 5 $. throughout. 5. Our
Lord Jefus Chrift himfeif does own this as the ipecial condi-
tion of his Coovenant of Suretifhip , and that both at his
entringinto the world, Heb. 10. 5,7, Wherefore when he cometh
into the world, he faith, facrifice and offering thou wonldft not\
but a body baft thou p re pared me. Then faidj, lo I come, in
the volume of the boohjit is written of me y to do thy will, O God :
And about, or at th* time of his leaving the world 9 when he
had fulfilled, or was about to fulfil all his undertaking and con-
ditions to his Father, Job. 17.4, / have glorified thee on the
earth , / have finijlied the worh^ which thou gave ft me to do.
With 1 p. 50, When Jefus therefore had received the vinegar,
he f aid, it ufinifhed, and he bowed his head, and gave up
the ghoft.
StiMr Huthctf. Thefe being the fum of the conditions required from Cht 1ft,
Trut.'ofthcco- and undertaken by him-, let us enquire alio after the promiies
vinant, p. 2. made to Chrift, and the encouraging-conditions that were
ch. 11. And raa de to him by Jehovah, for undertaking fo hard a work
Mr. Robert* as was tn e redemption and recovery of loft man : Thefe were
C, 2. °* ei 8 nt * 0rtS *
The firftkindof promifes made to Chrift in the Covenant
of Redemption, were fuch as relate to the offices, authorities,
trufts and powers that were covenanted to hiro, for the doing
of this work. 1. I lay, Jehovah promifeth to inveft Chrift
with offices iutable to that great work of Redemption, to
make him Lord Mediator of the new Covenant ', to make
him great Lord Ambaflador, that he might go and travel in
that bufineis of our Redemption ; to make him a King, a Prieft,
and a Prophet,for effecting this bufinefs, Pfal.i 10. throughout,
The Lord f aid to my Lord, fit thou at my right hand,^-he foall
judge among the heathen, — the Lord hath fworn^ and will not
repent , thou art a Prie& for ever, Ifa.49. 6. And 42. 6,7,
J will alfo give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou may ft
be my Salvation unto the ends of the earth, — to open the blind
eyes, Sic. Pfal. 2. 6, 7 , Tet have J fet my King upon my holy
hill ofZion ; I will declare the decree, the Lord [aid unto me, &c.
2. God did not only promife to inveft Chrift with offices and
■trufts ^
Chap. IV. the Covenant of Redemption. . c/5
trufts •, but with authorities and powers alio , with headffiip
and power of judgment over Men and Angels, that fhall make
them all bow to him, Rom. 14. 10. II, We [hall all ft and before
the judgment feat of Chris! *, for it is written. As I live, faith
the Lord., every knee jhall bow to me, and every tongue ft) all con-
feft to God* He was not a titular King or Prieft , nor a
fcenick one, a King upon a ftage-, but a King upon a throne,
Luk± 1. }2, 11, And the Lord God ft) all give unto him the
throne of his father David. And he fhall reign over the houfe
if Jacob far ever, and of his kingdom there jhall be no end. A
King that had power to bow the hearts of his Subjects, and
to crufh the greateft Heads and Rulers in the world that op-
pofe him , TfaL 110. $. 5, 6, Thy people ft) all be willing in the
day of thy power. — 7 he Lord at thy right hand ftiall ftrike through
kings in the day of his wrath. He ftudl ]udg among the hea-
then, he ft all fill the places with the dead bodies, he jhall wound
the heads over many countries. And 2. 9, Thou ft) alt breaks
them with a red of iron, thou ft)alt daft) them in pieces like a
potter's vejfei And 45. %, 4, 5, Gird thy fword upon thy thigh,
Omofh mighty, with thy glory and thy majefty. And in thy ma-
jefty ride profperoufty, becaufe of truth andmeeknefs, an d right e-
eufneft, and thy right hand Jhall teach thee terrible things.
Thine arrows are ftiarp in the heart of the kings enemies,
whereby the people fall under thee. A perfonin offices, who
had all judgment committed unto him, who had power given him
over, all flejh, Joh. 17. 2. and all power in heaven 
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