The Humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines/Chapter 7

by Westminster Assembly

Chap. VII.

Of Gods Covenant with Man.

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 Gods part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant^[1].

II. The first Covenant made with Man, was a Covenant of Works^[2], wherein Life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity^[3], upon condition of perfect and personall obedience^[4].

III. Man by his Fall having made himself uncapable of Life by that Covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a Second^[5], 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^[6], and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto Life, his holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to beleeve^[7].

IV. This Covenant of Grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a Testament, in reference the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the evelasting Inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therin bequeathed^[8].

V. This Covenant was differently administred in the time of the Law, and in the time of the Gospel^[9]: Under the Law, it was administred by Promises, Prophecies, Sacrifices, Circumcision, the Paschal Lamb, and other Types and Ordinaces delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come^[10], 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^[11], by whom they had remission of sins and eternal Salvation: and is called, the Old Testament^[12],

VI. Under the Gospel, when Christ the substance^[13], 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 Lords Supper^[14]. Which, though fewer in number, and administred with more simplicity, and lesse outward glory: yet, in them, it is held forth in more fulnesse, evidence, and spirituall efficacy^[15], to all nations, both to Iews and Gentiles^[16]; and, is called the New Testament^[17]. There are not therefore Two Covenants of Grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations^[18].

1. Isa. 40. 13. 14 15 16. 17
   Iob 9 32 33
   1 Sam. 2. 25
   Psal. 113. 5. 6.
   Psal. 100. 2. 3.
   Iob 22. 2. 3.
   Iob 35. 7 8.
   Luke 17. 10
   Acts 17 24 25
2. Gal. 3. 12
3. Rom 10 5
   Rom 5. 12 to 20
4. Gen 2. 17
   Gal. 3. 10
5. Gal, 3, 21
   Rom, 8, 3
   Rom. 3, 20, 21
   Gen. 3, 15
   Isa. 42. 6
6. Mark 16, 15 16
   Iohn 3, 16
   Rom, 10, 6, 9
   Gal. 3, 11
7. Ezek. 36, 26 27
   Iohn. 6. 44. 45
8. Heb. 5. 15, 16 17
   Heb. 7, 22
   Luke 22, 20 1 Cor. 11, 25
9. 2 Cor. 3, 6, 7 8, 9
10. Heb. 8, 9 10 chapters
    Rom, 4, 11
    Col, 2, 11, 12
    1 Cor, 5, 7
11. 1 Cor, 10, 1, 2, 3, 4
    Heb, 11, 13
    Iohn 8, 56
12. Gal, 3, 7, 8, 9, 14
13. Gal, 2, 17
14. Mat, 28, 19, 20
    1 Cor, 11, 23, 24, 25
15. Heb. 12. 22. to 28.
    Ier. 31. 33. 34
16. Mat. 28. 19
    Eph. 2. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
17. Luke 22. 20.
18. Gal. 3. 14. 16
    Rom, 2. 21, 22, 23, 30.
    Psal. 32. 1. with Rom. 4. 3, 6, 16, 17, 23, 24
    Heb. 13. 8
    Act. 15. 11.