(2.) This opinion is liable unto a great prejudice, in that, Avhereas it is in such a fundamental aiiicle of our religion, and about that wherein the eternal welfare of the church is so nearly concerned, there is no mention made of it in the Scripture ; for is it not strange, if this be, as some speak, the sole effect of the death of Christ, whereas sundry other things are frequently in the Scripture ascribed unto it as the effects and fruits thereof, that this which is only so should be nowhere mentioned, — neither in express words, nor such as will allow of this sense by any just or lawful consequence? Our redemption, pardon of sins, the renovation of our natures, our sancti- fication, justification, peace with God, eternal life, are all jointly and severally assigned thereunto, in places almost without number; but it is nowhere said in the Scripture that Christ hy his death merited, procured, obtained, the new covenant, or that God should enter into a new covenant with mankind ; yea, as we shall see, that which is contrary unto it, and inconsistent with it, is frequently asserted.
(3.) To clear the truth herein, we must consider the several notions and causes of the new covenant, with the true and real respect of the death of Christ thereunto. And it is variously represented unto us : —
[1.] In the designation and preparation of its terms and benefits in the counsel of God. And this, although it have the nature of an eternal decree, yet is it not the same with the decree of election, as some suppose : for that properly respects the subjects or persons for whom grace and glory are prepared ; this, the preparation of that gTace and glory as to the way and manner of their communication. Some learned men do judge that this counsel and purpose of the will of God to give grace and glory in and by Jesus Christ unto the elect, in the way and by the means by him prepared, is formally the covenant of grace, or at least that the substance of the covenant is comprised therein ; but it is certain that more is required to comi^lete the whole nature of a covenant. Nor is this purpose or counsel of
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God called the covenant in the Scripture, but is only proposed as the spring and fountain of it, Eph. i. 8-12. Unto the full exemplifica- tion of the covenant of grace there is required the declaration of this counsel of God's will, accompanied with the means and powers of its accomplishment, and the prescription of the way whereby we are so to be interested in it, and made partakers of the benefits of it: but in the inquiry after the procuring cause of the new covenant, it is the first thing that ought to come under consideration; for nothing can be the procuring cause of the covenant which is not so of this spring £i,nd fountain of it, of this idea of it in the mind of God, of the pre- paration of its terms and benefits. But this is nowhere in the Scrip- ture affirmed to be the effect of the death or mediation of Christ; and to ascribe it thereunto is to overthrow the whole freedom of eternal grace and love. Neither can any thing that is absolutely eternal, as is this decree and counsel of God, be the effect of, or pro- cured by, any thing that is external and temporal.
[2.] It may be considered with respect unto i]ie federal transac- tions between the Father and the Son, concerning the accomplishment of this counsel of his will. What these were, wherein they did con- sist, I have declared at large, Exercitat., vol. ii.^ Neither do I call this the covenant of grace absolutely; nor is it so called in the Scrip- ture. But yet some will not distinguish between the covenant of the mediator and the covenant of gi'ace, because the promises of the covenant absolutely are said to be made to Christ, Gal. iii. 16; and he is the vpiZrov dsxTixov, or first subject of all the grace of it. But in the covenant of the mediator, Christ stands alone for himself, and under- takes for himself alone, and not as the representative of the church ; Ijut this he is in the covenant of grace. But this is that wherein it had its designed establishment, as unto all the ways, means, and ends of its accomplishment ; and all things are so disposed as that it might be effectual, unto the eternal glory of the wisdom, grace, right- eousness, and power of God. Wherefore the covenant of grace could not be iwocured by any means or cause but that which was the cause of this covenant of the mediator, or of God the Father with the Son, as undertaking the work of mediation. And as this is nowhere ascribed unto the death of Christ in the Scripture, so to assert it is contrary unto all spuitual reason and understanding. Who can con- ceive that Christ by his death should procure the agreement between God and him that he should die ?
[3.] With respect unto the declaration of it by especial revelation. This we may call God's making or establishing of it, if we please; though making of the covenant in Scripture is applied principally, if not only, unto its execution or actual application unto persons, 2 Sam.