CHAP. VII.—Of God’s Covenant with Man. I. THE distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant (Isa. 40:13-17; Job 9:32-33 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment. 33 There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both. ; 1 Sam. 2:25; Ps. 113:5-6; 100:2-3; Job 22:2-3 2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain `to him', that thou makest thy ways perfect? ; 35:7-8; Luke 17:10 10 Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do. ; Acts 17:24-25 24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; ). II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works (Gal. 3:12), wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity (Rom. 10:5; 5:12-20), upon condition of perfect and personal obedience (Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10). III. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second (Gal. 3:21; Rom. 8:3; 3:20-21; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 42:6), commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved ( Mark 16:15-16 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. ; John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. ; Rom. 10:6, 9; Gal. 3:11), and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe (Ezek. 36:26-27; John 6:44-45 44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. ) IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed (Heb. 9:15-17; 7:22; Luke 22:20 20 And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, `even' that which is poured out for you. ; 1 Cor. 11:25). V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel (2 Cor. 3:6-9): under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ to come (Heb. 8–10; Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 5:7); which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah (1 Cor. 10:1-4; Heb. 11:13; John 8:56 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. ), by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called, the old Testament (Gal. 3:7-9, 14). VI. Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance (Col. 2:17), was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25): which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy (Heb. 12:22-27; Jer. 31:33-34), to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles (Matt. 28:19; Eph. 2:15-19); and is called the new Testament ( Luke 22:20 20 And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, `even' that which is poured out for you. ). There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations (Gal. 3:14, 16; Acts 15:11 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they. ; Rom. 3:21-23, 30; Ps. 32:1; Rom. 4:3, 6, 16-17, 23-24; Heb. 13:8).