that the Church shall have the benefic of any labours, which be bath left for publike use, and in speciall of this subje&t (the Covenant of Grace) foneedfull: and profitable. And tbat acquaintance which we bad with this faithfull servant of lesus Chrift, doth incline us with all wilingnese, to give our approbation of this piece, altbouzbour manifoldimployments bave not suffered us to peruse it, so exactly, as otherwife we should have done. We fball defire, that by thy faitbful improvement bereof, thy knowledge of the fæderall transactions betwixt God and his people through lesus Cbrift; may be much'augmented unto his bonour, and thine everlasting happinesse,in him,in mbona we areas Thy faithfull Friends, DANIEL CAWDREY. EdwarÐ REYNOLDS. OSTuomas. Hill. 32 HO ANTHONY BURGESS, To the Reader. He worthy Authour of this Treatisc posing the enlargement of it, if the : Lord had continued his life and health: and I am confident, it would have come abroad becter polished; it he having compleared it, had then survayed the whole fa-, brick, when set together. Although at the first I was unsatisfied in mine own thoughts, whether I should advencure the printing of it, because imperfect, yet uponthe importunity of Friends, being incouraged by the judgement of some Reverend Divines, who had perused it, I have row niade it publike, without any addition, diminution, or alceration. The subject of the book is excellent, profitable and necessary; even, the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to Col.loase. the saints. That bleffed Apostle, who experimentally understood the utmost worth of humane learning, did yet conteinne it, in comparison of that knowledge which is raught in this Treatise. I determined not (faith he) to know *COM.2.2. Any thing among yon (among you; knowing Corinthians,), Save Jefus Christ. Yea,doubileße, I count all things but lose,- phil.3.& for : A 3 a a Cor.1.10. Ifai 58.1,3 for the exzellency of the knowledge of Chrift Féfus my Lord. Oh hox incomparably sweet and satisfying is it unto a self-studying Christian soul, to be acquainted with the faithfull engagements of the Aknighty Majestie, unto the poor peniceat fi iner, through chat Son of his loves, in a Covenant of free,rich, everlasting grace! This . Covenant being cransacted betwixt Christ and God, here, here lyes the first and most firm foundation of a Christians com fort. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people, and will Ifai.49.8. establish the earth,&c. All the promises of God in him are Tea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God. Therefore the Servants of the most High (notwithstanding their own changeableneffe and unworthineffe ) may hold up their hearts and hopes to enjoy all Gospell-Prerogatives through him, because God hath said, I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the Jure mercies of DAvid. The right understanding and the fruitfull improvement hereof, will be seasonably supporting and folacing to Gods people in these dolefull distracted times. We have, through Gods mercy, a glorious work, the work of Church-Reformation under hand, now, though difficulties, delayes, and opposicions, doe cast discourage menes upon our hearts, yet from hence, we have heartlai. 4. to, ning. The mountains shall depart, and the hils beremoved,but mykindnesle shall not depart from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my peacebe removed, faith the Lord, that baih mercy on thee. oh thox affiited, and tossed with tempests, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with faire colours, and lay the foundations with Saphires, &c. And when bloudy oppressours prevail and prosper, we may thus plead with our God, Have respect unto the Covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. For the tenour of the Covenant which God makes with Christ and I. Ffal. 74.102 32. his spirituall seed, runs thus, If they break my ftarutes, and Pfal 89.35, , my loving kindnessa.will í not utterly take from him: nor . Thy faithfull Friend and Servant, SIMEON A SH... 1:0 me femifications of the Word Covenant. bis fal. The Contents of the severall Chapters. of the first part, pag. r. of the Cov. God made with max in the fate of Innocency. p.6. 3. Of the Covenant of grace in generall. 4. Of ehe Covenant of promise. 5. Of the Covenant of promise made with Adam immediately upon 6. Of the Covenant of grace,as it Was made and manifefted to Abra- 7. Ofthe Covenant of grace under Moses till the returne of Israel from the Babylonish captivity. 8. A particular explication of the Covenant, that God made witb Ifrael, and what Moses brought to the further expreffure of the 9. Of the Covenant that God made with David. 10. Of the Covenant that God made with Ifraell after the Babylo- 11. Of Truth' and uprightnesse. 1. Of the New Testament, or Covenant, and how God hath revea- 3. Christ the Mediatour of the New Testament, for whom he dyed 3. How Chrift harh fulfilled the office of Mediatour, or how he is the Mediatour of the New Testament. 4. How Christ doch bring his people into Covenant, or fellombip with 5. How Chriftians answer to the call of Chift, and so come to have Errata, Ag.b.l.i.marg. min2 p.13.1.83 r. how chat faith which the exa& justice in the Covenant of nature presupposeth p.x6. l penult. r.vvith Chrift, p:37. . . |