As embraced under one or other of these two great covenants of works or of grace, every man in the world stands in God's sight. It is to be remembered, however, that in the several dis- pensations, or modes of administration of the eternal covenant of grace, Christ has contracted various special covenants with his people, as administrative provisions for carrying out the engage- ments, and for applying to them the benefits of his covenant with the Father. Thus, the covenant of Jehovah (the Second Person, see above, Chapter VIII., question 12,) with Noah, the second natural head of the human family, Gen. ix., 11, 15. The cove- nant with Abraham, the typical believer, bearing the visible sign and seal of circumcision, and thus founding the visible church as an aggregate of families. This covenant continues to be the char- ter of the visible church to this day, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper now attached to it, signifying and sealing
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the benefits of the covenant of grace, to wit, eternal life, faith, repentance, obedience, etc., on God's part, as matters of promise; on ours as matters of duty, i. e., so far as they are to be performed by ourselves. Compare G-en. xvii., 9-13, with Gal. iii., 15-17. The national covenant with the Jews, then constituting the visi- ble church, Ex. xxxiv., 27. The covenant with David, the type of Christ as Mediatorial King, 2 Sam. vii., 15, 16 ; 2 Chron. vii., 18. The universal offers of the gospel during the present dispen- sation, also, are presented in the form of a covenant. Salvation is offered to all on the condition of faith, but faith is God's gift secured for and promised to the elect, and when given exercised by them. Every believer, when brought to the knowledge of the truth, enters into a covenant with his Lord, which he renews in all acts of faith and prayer. But these special covenants all and several are provisions for the administration of the eternal cove- nant of grace, and are designed solely to convey the benefits therein secured to those to whom they belong.
For the statements of our standards upon this subject, com- pare Confession of Faith, Chapter VII., Section 3, with L. Cat., question 31.
3. Prove from Scriptures that there is a covenant of grace between the Father and Son providing for the redemption of men.
1st. The Scriptures declare the existence of the promise and conditions of such a covenant, and present them in connection.— Isa. liii., 10, 11.
2d. The Scriptures expressly affirm the existence of such a covenant. — Isa. xlii., 6 ; Ps. lxxxix., 3.
3d. Christ makes constant reference to a previous commission he had received of his Father.—John x., 18 ; Luke xxii., 29.
4th. Christ claims a reward which had been conditioned upon the fulfillment of that commission. — John xvii., 4.
5th. Christ constantly asserts that his people and his expected glory are given to him as a reward by his Father. — John xvii., 6, 9, 24 ; Phil, ii., 6-11.
4. Who ivere the parties to this covenant of grace ; what
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were its promises or conditions on the part of the Father ; and what its conditions on the part of the Son ?
1st. The contracting parties were the Father representing the entire Godhead in its indivisible sovereignty ; and, on the other hand, God the Son, as Mediator, representing all his elect people, and as administrator of the covenant, standing their surety for their performance of all those duties which were involved on their part.
2d. The conditions upon the part of the Father were, (1.) all needful preparation, Heb. x., 5 ; Isa. xlii., 1-7 ; (2.) support in his work, Luke xxii., 43 ; (3.) a glorious reward, first in the exaltation of his theanthropic person " above every name that is named/' Phil, ii., 6-11, and the universal dominion committed to him as Mediator, John v., 22 ; Ps. ex., 1 ; and in committing to his hand the administration of all the provisions of the covenant of grace in behalf of all his people, Matt, xxviii., 18 ; John i., 12 ; xvii., 2 ; vii., 39 ; Acts ii., 33 ; and, secondly, in the salvation of all those for whom he acted, including the provisions of regene- ration, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glory, Titus i., 2 ; Jer. xxxi., 33 ; xxxii., 40 ; Isa. xxxv., 10 ; liii., 10, 11. — Dicks' Theo. Lee, Vol. L, pp. 506-509.
3d. The conditions upon the part of the Son were, (1.) that he should become incarnate, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal. iv., 4, 5 ; (2.) that he should assume and fully dis- charge, in behalf of his elect, all violated conditions and incurred liabilities of the covenant of works, Matt, v., 17, 18, which he was to accomplish, first, by rendering to the precept of the law a perfect obedience, Ps. xl., 8 ; Isa. xlii., 21 ; John ix., 4, 5 ; viii., 29 ; Matt, xix., 17 ; and, secondly, in suffering the full penalty incurred by the sins of his people. — Isa. liii. ; 2 Cor. v., 21 ; Gal. iii., 13 ; Eph. v., 2.