The peculiar covenant under which the Jews were, is altogether abrogated : and, as we have never been under it, we, of course, have never transgressed it. But we have transgressed,
1 . The covenant of works —
[Under this covenant all are by nature : we are burn under it : and it is as much in force against us at this time, as it ever was against those to whom it was first given. It re- quires perfect and perpetual obedience to the two tables of the moral law: and it denounces an everlasting curse against every the smallest violation of God's commandments0. It is needless to shew that we have transgressed this covenant; for there has not been one day of our lives, wherein we have not trans- gressed it in ten thousand instances.]
2. The covenant of grace —
[This is the new covenant which God has made with us, to remedy our breaches of the former covenant. The old covenant said, " Do this, and live;" but the new covenant says, " Believe, and be saved." It proposes to us a Saviour, who has made atonement for our sins, and wrought out a righteousness for us by his own obedience unto death. In, and through, Him reconciliation is offered to us ; and God engages to restore to everlasting happiness and glory all who will come to him in the name of Christ.
Now one would imagine that all should eagerly embrace this covenant, and hold it fast, with a determination never to lose the benefits it so freely offers. But the fact is, that men are even more averse to this covenant than to the covenant of works. They cannot endure to depend so entirely on another for their acceptance with God. They think they can make some compensation for their violations of the former covenant, and in some way or other fulfil its conditions so as to secure its rewards. They perhaps will borrow somewhat from the new covenant, just to supply their deficiencies; but they can- not be prevailed upon to renounce the old covenant altogether, and to accept salvation by faith alone.
Let every one look back upon his past experience; and see whether he himself has not been leaning thus to something which he either has done, or has purposed to do, instead of prostrating himself at the Saviour's feet, and imploring mercy solely through his blood and righteousness? Yes; whatever we may imagine, this has really been the experience of every living man ; such transgressors have we been against the new covenant itself, and against Christ the Mediator of it.]
c Gal. iii. 10. f2