(seq. 17)

7

Is conditionall, yea of a covenant in general among men: the promise
is with a condition necessary: Mark 16.16. the call conditional. Math.
11.28.
[obj.?] A conditional covenant contradicts free grace; how can it be free, &
conditional too?
A.1. The condition is not meritorious, no more than a pepper corne, in
acknowledgment for the tenure of some great living.
2. The condition is such as is of the very nature of spiritual peace:
viz. a forsaking of sinful & false trusts, & confiding in a sure ob-
ject of peace:
3. The giving the condition is an act of free grace. Eph. 8, 9.
4. It contradicts Christs owne Doctrine: Luk. 5.31. & anointing: Jsa.
61.1, 2, 3.
5. It tends to establish bold presumption in sinners, by making
them thinke themselves well, when they are not, it is a soule de-
luding Doctrine:
6. It takes away Gods glory, which is advanced by the preaching of
the Law, wherein sinners are made to see their sins, & soe their
need of a savior, whereby they are taught soe much the more to
prize him: in a word, Gods designe of grace in the Gospell is to
advance his mercy upon sinners, whom hee will have to see their
sins, & soe come to Christ, & beleeve in him that they may be sa-
ved, & therefore before faith no man hath [hold?] of a promise of
salvation, till then they are without peace:
[vse.?] 2. See here that the Doctrines of the Law had need to be preacht
in Gospel times: Isaiah that Evangelicall prophet, is not on-
ly sent to speake of peace to the penitent, but woes to the
wicked: God would have men to know what their tru con-
dition is: Christ himself gives the warning. Math. 10.34.
he did not intend all peace in the dayes of the Gospel: to what
a height of frenzy then are they growne, & spiritual mad-
nesse, that cannot endure to heare the Law preacht, & ter-
rors thereof prest upon the people: I confesse, to preach the
Law alone, is, as they plead, to lead persons to desperation,
but to preach the Law, as it was preacht at first, in the
hands of a Mediator, the Lawa as leading to Christ, is evan-
gelical & necessaryfor how shall we set forth Christ, that
great saviour acceptably, unlesse we tell me what they are,
& what Christ came to do, & what is their great need of
him? all which are shewne by the Doctrines of the Law: with-
out this Christ would appeare little worth, but when the soule
is made to see itselfe undone, cursed, peacelesse, now a Redeemer
is something worth.
[vse.?] 3. Learn hence that it is the duty of ministers to be carefull
how they apply; & people how they appropriate the truths of
the word of God.