Of God’s Covenant with Man
Of God’s Covenant with Man
Of God’s Covenant with Man - Chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith
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.145
- 145. Isaiah 40:13-17.
- Job 9:32,33.
- 1 Samuel 2:25.
- Psalms 113:5,6.
- Psalms 100:2,3.
- Job 22:2,3.
- Job 35:7,8.
- Acts 17:24,25.
The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,146 wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity,147 upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.148
- 146. Galatians 3:12.
- 147. Romans 10:5.
- Romans 5:12-20.
- 148. Genesis 2:17.
- Galatians 3:10.
Man, by his Fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second,149 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,150 and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.151
- 149. Galatians 3:21.
- Romans 8:3.
- Romans 3:20,21.
- Isaiah 42:6.
- 150. John 3:16.
- Mark 16:15,16.
- Romans 10:6.
- Romans 10:9.
- Galatians 3:11.
- 151. Ezekiel 36:26,27.
- John 6:44,45.
This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the 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.152
- 152. Hebrews 9:15-17.
- Hebrews 7:22.
- Luke 22:20.
- 1 Corinthians 11:25.
This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel:153 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 fore-signifying Christ to come,154 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,155 by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation, and is called the Old Testament.156
- 153. 2 Corinthians 3:6-9.
- 154. Hebrews 8:1-13.
- Hebrews 9:1-28.
- Hebrews 10:1-39.
- Romans 4:11.
- Colossians 2:11,12.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7.
- 155. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
- Hebrews 11:13.
- John 8:56.
- 156. Galatians 3:7-9.
- Galatians 3:14.
Under the gospel, when Christ the substance157 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;158 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,159 to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;160 and is called the New Testament.161 There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.162
- 157. Colossians 2:17.
- 158. Matthew 28:19,20.
- 159. Hebrews 12:22-26.
- 160. Matthew 28:19.
- Ephesians 2:15-19.
- 161. Luke 22:20.
- 162. Psalms 32:1.
- Galatians 3:14,16.
- Romans 3:21-23.
- Romans 3:30.
- Hebrews 13:8.