The Mystery and Marrow of the Bible

SECTION I.

THe More Neer and Immediate End of this Sinai- Covenant, was God's fulier Revealing of Jesus Christ the Promised Savior of Sinners, to his people Israel. God had already Revealed Jesus Christ more darkly and imperfectly in all the fore-going Expressures of his Covenant: but in this Covevenant he would declare and reveal this Mystery of Christ more fully. He had now made his Church to grow exceedingly: and his Manifestations of Grace and Mercy towards them in Christ, shall grow proportionably.

That, God's fuller Revealing of Jesus Christ, the Promised Savior of Sinners, to his people Israel, was his more Neer and Immediate End in this Sinai- Covenant, may be evinced by these ensuing Particulars, viz.

I. By sundry Scripture-Testimonies: Evincing; 1. That Moses wrote of Jesus Christ of his Prophetical and Mediatory office, and of his Humiliation and Exaltation wherein he should execute his Office for Sinners Salvation. 2. That this Sinai -Covenant did lead Israel from all Opinion of Justification by their own Works, to God's true and only way of Justification by supernatural Faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Law shutting them up unto the Faith that after should be revealed: and being their Schoolmaster towards Christ, that they might be justified by Faith. As hath been formerly cleared more at large. 3. That Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness to everyone that believeth. So that when a man, as a Jew, or any other believers in Christ for justification and salvation by him, the Law hath attained its intended End and Scope: its Perfective, not its Destructive End. By all which Testimonies its plain that Jesus Christ was God's more immediate End intended in this Covenant: Their Illumination, Justification, &c. being mediately intended by him.

II. By the peculiar Nature of this Covenant from Mount Sinai. It is often styled a Covenant, by God, Moses, the Prophets, and the Apostle Paul; And the Nature and Properties of a Covenant evidently agree to it, As I have already shown. And it was given by Moses as an Evangelical Covenant of Faith in Jesus Christ: as I have abundantly proved by many Arguments. Now; this Sinai-Covenant being a Covenant of Faith in Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ, as the Sinners Savior, must needs be the Immediate End of this Covenant, he being the Eminent and Immediate End of every Covenant of Faith.

III. By the Gradual excellency and Perfection of this Sinai- Covenant above all former expressures of the Covenant of Faith. Though Every Discovery of the Covenant of Faith from First to last Reveal Christ, yet in them all God hath kept this beautiful Order, that every succeeding Covenant-discovery Reveals Jesus Christ more fully then the former: as is plain to every intelligent eye. Consequently it must needs be God's more Immediate End in this Covenant to Reveal Jesus Christ to Israel, more fully then he did reveal him to any of his people in any fore-going Covenant.

IV. By the Order and Dependance of God's Ends intended in this. Sinai- Covenant. These Ends are especially, God Glory, Mans Happiness, Jesus Christ, and Faith in Christ. Let these ends now be duly compared together, according to their Order of Nature, and mutual dependence: And it is plain, That the more Mediate and Remote Ends of this Covenant, were, Ultimately God's Glory; Subordinately Israel's Happiness: And That the More Immediate End, in order to the advancement of God's glory and Israel's Happiness, was a Fuller Revealing of Jesus Christ as the Material Mean, and of Faith in him as the Instrumental Mean, without which their Happiness could not be promoted nor God therein glorified. Subordinate and immediate Ends may have the Nature of Means in reference to Ends More Mediate and Remote.

V. By the General tendency of this Sinai- Covenant in one regard or another towards Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Redeemer of Israel. Let this Covenant be deliberately considered in what Notion or Capacity you will, it still tends to Christ, aims at Christ, leads to Christ, looks towards Christ, more immediately, in one respect or other. As,

1. In the First Revealing or Manifestation of it to Israel at Mount Sinai. It was Manifested in such sort, as to Reveal Christ. As The Preparation for it, Preface to it, and Ceremonials annexed do abundantly evince.

2. In the solemn Sanction or Dedication of it. It was stablished in such sort, as that its ultimate foundation was Jesus Christ, the true Sacrifice of Sacrifices.

3. In the Lord's gracious Renovation of the broken Tables and Covenant: which he did of mere Grace and favor in Jesus Christ. The Covenant of works without Jesus Christ, admits of no Reparati on, when once violated.

4 In the Preface, First Precept, and Promises, of the Moral Law; which, being the Marrow and Abstract of the Covenant, is by way of Eminency called God Covenant. In all which Jesus Christ is necessarily implied. For God is not the special and spiritual Redeemer of Sinners, nor the Covenant-God of any people, Nor makes he Promises unto any, but only in and through Jesus Christ.

5. In all the additional Adumbrations of the Ceremonial Law, annexed to the Moral, and digested with it into one Covenant. All those Ceremonies being Types and shadows of good things to come: but the body was Christ. What were all the Ceremonies? but Christ veiled; but this Sun of righteousness under a cloud: but the Promised Seed and blessed Babe wrapped up in Levitical swadlingclothes. This see more particularly demonstrated in the VII. Aphorism next following, Corollary 7.

6. In the Explanations of this Covenant, by Moses and the Prophets, both in Morals and Ceremonials. Their Explanations in great part being clearer Promises, Predictions and Descriptions of Jesus Christ under manifold Notions and Considerations.

7. In the Administration of this Covenant from Moses till the Coming of Christ, which was in such Form and Manner, as to lead the Jews along by the hand, as children under age, towards the Lord Jesus Christ, till at last Christ was actually presented and exhibited to them in Person, according to God's Covenants and Promises from age to age.

Thus all the Streams of this Covenant flow towards this Sea; All the Lines of this Covenant tend to this Center; All the beams of this Covenant meet in this Sun, Jesus Christ. These Particulars •… have formerly cleared in several places, and therefore do but now briefly mention them.

SECTION II.

THE more Remote and Mediate End of this Covenant, was twofold. 1. Less Principal and subordinate. 2. Principal and Ultimate.

I. The less Principal and Subordinate End of this Covenant, was, The great furtherance of Israel's present and future Happiness. One eminent branch of this happiness. Paul mentions; Jesus Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness, &c. The Lord singularly intended and aimed at the Good and Happiness of his Israel in this Covenant: and that both in Temporals, Spirituals and Eternals; As is abundantly evident 〈◊〉 Partly▪ by God's Liberal Promises of all these three forts of blessings to Israel in this Covenant; Partly, by the Covenant-Duties restipulated by Israel: both which have been formerly explained. Why did the Lord Promise in this Covenant such a Confluence of all these Blessings; and require from Israel such Duties; but because it was his gracious aim and intention therein highly to promote and further Israel's welfare and Happiness in every regard? So that if all these sorts of blessings Covenanted and promised to Israel on God's part, and of D •… ties restipulated to God on Israel's part, be duly considered, nothing more at all need to be added for proof of this Particular.

II. The Principal and ultimate End which God intended in this Covenant, was a fuller advancement of his own Glory, then by any or all former Covenant-Expressures. God's glory is the chief End of all his Acts; Before Time, or in Time. And therefore God's Glory must needs be his last and highest End, in all his Gradual Discoveries of his Covenant: Every subsequent degree thereof tending to advance his most excellent Glory, beyond the former. God advanced his own Glory in this Sinai-Covenant, far more then in the discoveries of fore-going Covenants. Herein he Eminently magnified▪

1. The glory of the Riches of his free grace. And this sundry ways. 1. By selecting them, and appointing them by this Covenant to be his Segullah, his peculiar-treasure above all the people of the world, (though all the world be his): setting his love upon them, and choosing them, not for anything in them, but because the LORD loved them. 2. By renewing this violated Covenant to Israel again, of mere Grace: Promising, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

2. The Glory of his Goodness, Mercy, Loving-kindness, &c. 1. By replenishing this Covenant, beyond all the former, with Precious Promises of Temporals, Spirituals and Eternals. Of Mercy Promises are made: of Truth they are made good and performed. 2. By accepting Israel to be his Covenant people in express terms: which in former Covenants was but implied. 3. By Proclaiming his name, and making all his goodness pass before Moses, at the Renewing of the Covenant broken by the people's Idolatry: which Goodness was so proclaimed for the Consolation of repenting Israel. 4. By Revealing Jesus Christ more abundantly and clearly in this, then in any former Covenant: Especially in all the Ceremonials, which were shadows of good things to come, but the body was of Christ. 5. By taking Israel for his own Family, his own Church, his own Common-wealth.

3. The Glory of his infinite Wisdom. 1. By his most wise contrivance of this Covenant: making it up of Law and Gospel of the substance of the Covenant of works, and of the Covenant of Faith. That Israel might see, how the Covenant of works must be performed and satisfied by the Exactness of the Obedience and sufferings of Christ their Surety, that God's truth and justice might not be mipeached: And how the Covenant of Faith must be performed by the uprightness of all Christ's members true Faith and Obedidience in Christ, that God's goodness, mercy, &c. might be exalted. 2. By his most wise Revealing of this Covenant in ten words, or ten Commandments; so Concise in sentences, so comprehensive in Sense: That, There's no Sin, for kind, degree or aggravation, but is therein condemned; There's no Duty to God, man, or ourselves, but is therein commanded: There's no Curse or Misery due to sin, but is therein implied; There's no Promise for the life that now is, or that which is to come, but is therein virtually comprised. 3. By his most wise Administration of this Covenant in such sort, as might most avail, To force Israel out of themselves; To conduct Israel towards Christ; and To prepare Israel for Christ.

4. The Glory of his most vigilant and accurate Providence, in managing all the affairs of Israel continually, in an infallible subordination to, and subservience of this Covenant. And this, 1. In the wilderness for forty years together. 2. In Canaan for many hundreds of years together. 3. In their Enemies Lands, even under their deepest Captivity.

5. The Glory of his Truth and Faithfulness. 1. By bringing all things exactly to pass according to this Covenant and Promise. He cast out the Canaanites, he possessed Israel of Canaan, giving them rest round about. There failed not ought of any good thing, which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass. 2. By performing his Covenant most accurately; ( ¹ ) Against all interposing difficulties, and seeming impossibilities. No wilderness wants or Miseries, No death of all that whole Generation of Warriours, No proud waves of the River Jordan which they were to pass, No numerous enemies, No fenced Cities, with walls reaching up to heaven, No sons of Anak, &c. could hinder their promised settlemnt in Canaan. ( ² ) Against all tract or length of time betwixt Promise and Performance. Canaan (one Covenant-Mercy) was performed after their 40 years sojourning in the wilderness: The Temple (another Covenant-Mercy) was built about 440 years after their entering Canaan: Jesus Christ (the great promised Prophet) was raised up to them about 930 years after the building of Solomon's Temple. Yet at last in their Season these Promises were fulfilled, not one failed. ( ³ ) And (which is most of all) contrary to Israel's many and heinous sins, justly endangering and deserving the avoidance of God's Covenant, yet God's Covenant was fulfilled to them of his infinite faithfulness.

6. The Glory of his Patience and Long-suffering. By forbearing them so long in the wilderness, in Canaan, and in their Enemies Lands, (notwithstanding all their many and grievous provocations, for which they had justly and often deserved to be destroyed;) yea, By laboring to overcome their evil with his goodness in keeping his promised blessings upon them.

7. Finally, By this Covenant God Magnified the Glory of his infinite Power and Majesty. For, 1. How glorious was his Might and Majesty in promulging this Covenant at Mount Sinai! 2. How glorious his power and Majesty in the establishment of his Covenant, enabling his mortal people to behold a vision of his greatness without harm! 3. How great his Power and Majesty, when he renewed this Covenant, in putting such glory upon a Mortal creature, Moses his face, that Israel was not able to look upon him but through a veil! 4. How great his Power and Majesty, ( ¹ ) In Conducting and sustaining such a people so long in the wilderness; ( ² ) In possessing them peacebly of Canaan, in despite of all their enemies; (3) In returning their Captivity into their own land beyond all probability; ( ⁴ ) And especially, in raising up Jesus Christ, the Prophet promised of the Seed of Israel, against all ordinary possibility, A virgin bringing forth a Son without the loss of her virginity, yea, a Sinner bringing forth a Savior for sinners, a true and perfect man without any propagation or derivation of sinful impurity to him.

So that by all this its clear, God in this Covenant had a singular, a principal intent and eye to his own glory.

Inferences. Are these the chief Ends of this Sinai -Covenant?

1. Then, One and the self-same Covenant may have several Ends. And this without any inconvenience or absurdity: provided those Ends be some of them More near and Immediate, others More Remote and Mediate; Some of them subordinate, others of them Ultimate. And such are all these forementioned Ends in this Covenant. Jesus Christ, the life and Salvation of Israel, was the More▪ N •… er and Immediate end of it: Israel's Temporal Spiritual and eternal Happiness by Jesus Christ through Faith was the more Remote and Subordinate end of it: The further advancement of God's Glory in and by both was the Principal and ultimate end of it.

2. Then, This Sinai- Covenant was not a mere Carnal and Temporal Covenant touching a Temporal Canaan, and outward earthly blessings there: as some have fondly imagined: but was a spiritual Covenant, principally intending Christ Jesus the Savior, Israel's spiritual and eternal happiness by him, and God's eminent Glory in all. The Lord did not feed the fathers under the Old Testament only with the husks of earthly Blessings; but by them as Types he led them on to the truth of Spiritual and Eternal benefits especially intended. Though it cannot be denied that God dealt with his Israel (then his Church under age ) more darkly, carnally and outwardly, in tendering Spirituals and Eternals to them: but now more clearly, Spiritually and inwardly, in tendering Spirituals and Eternals to his riper Churches under the New Testament.

3. Then, The End of this Covenant was not merely or partly Legal, viz. to lead Israel unto Justification by works without Jesus Christ: but was purely and only Evangelical, viz to carry Israel on to Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ alone. True, The manner of this Covenants Promulgation and Administration, the frequent and exact pressing of works and Doing to the uttermost Perfection, and that upon pain of the Curse in case of the least failing, may at the first blush make a man suspect this was a Law or Covenant of works: But, if the inward nature and substance, The many Evangelical Promises, Duties and Passages, The Truth of all the Types and Ceremonies, and the intended ends of this Covenant be intentively & judiciously considered; it is plain, beyond contradiction, that this is a pure Evangelical Covenant of Faith, As hath formerly at large been proved, and the Contrary Objections refelled.

4. Then, This Sinai- Covenant did gradually much transcend and excel all the Former Covenants since the Fall, with Adam. Noah or Abraham. For, All the ends of this Covenant are gradually advanced higher, then the ends of those Covenants. For Substance the ends were the same in them all: but those in this Covenant excel in Degree. Christ, one end of this Covenant, is in this Covenant more fully Revealed▪ Israel's happiness in Christ, another end of this Covenant, is in this Covenant more advantageously promoted; And God's glory in both, the last and chief end of this Covenant; is herein more eminently advanced. Thus God enlarged the Expressions of his grace unto his Church, from age to age, as the waters of the Sanctuary swelled up higher and higher till they became unpassable. Proportionably Israel should have enlarged their Hearts Affections and Duties towards God under this Covenant, beyond those of their Fathers under former Covenants.

5. Then, The Carnal Jews that rested only in the Letter and carnality of this Law and Covenant, not penetrating into the inward mystery and end thereof, but stumbled at Jesus Christ and Justification by him through Faith, did quite mistake and miss the great end of this Sinai- Covenant. ^1. Their gross ignorance of God's Righteousness revealed in this Covenant; ^2. Their Erroneous opinion about their own righteousness, that the Law intended it, and God would have accepted it; ^3. Their prejudice against Christ, and Justification by faith alone in him; ^4. Their blind zeal in pursuing their own, but opposing God's righteousness; These deprived the carnal Israelites of the true ends and intended benefits of this Covenant.

6. Then, Those Spiritual Jews, Israelites indeed, that in this Covenant did seek and find, Jesus Christ, their own Justification and happiness by him▪ and God's glory in all, did attain the right ends of this Covenant, and rightly improved the same.

7. Then finally, If in reading the Old or New Testament touching this Sinai- Covenant we would reach to the inward mystery and very marrow of it, we must rightly fix our Eye upon these ends of this Covenant, Christ, Israel's happiness by Christ, and God's glory in both, and consider well, how all things in this Covenant peculiarly tend to these ends. Otherwise we shall read the Old Testament with a veil upon the face of Moses, and a veil upon our hearts, darkening all things to us, yea making us grossly mistake by reason of darkness. But by eying Christ, and life by him herein, we shall remove this veil, and very evidently behold the great mystery of the Old Testament, which now under the New Testament is set forth to us with much spiritual glory.

COROLLARY I.

THat, The Law given at Mount Sinai was given to Israel as a Covenant and that not a Covenant of works, but of FAITH. No Federal Discovery is more, or so much, mistaken by writers and Christians, as this at Mount Sinai. Many supposing it to be given merely as a Law, or at least as a Covenant of Works. But, by what hath been already said, I think it is sufficiently cleared to unbiased judgments; 1. That the ten Commandments, comprizing all Morals, Ceremonials and Judicials were not given at Mount Sinai, Absolutely, as a Law, but Relatively as a COVENANT. Or, A Law digested into a Covenant. 2. That this Covenant at Sinai was not given or intended by God as a Law of works, or Covenant of works, holding forth Justification and life to Israel, upon the mere condition of their own perfect and perpetual Personal Do •… ng: but was given and intended only as A Law of Faith, or Covenant of Faith, tendering Justification and life to Israel upon Condition of true Evangelical believing in Jesus Christ alone. For, of this Sinai -Law Paul saith; Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness to everyone that believeth. And, — The Law was our Schoolmaster towards Christ, that we might be justified by Faith. But touching the Law of Works he saith; And the Law is not of Faith, but the man that doth them shall live in them. And elsewhere, — Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what Law? Of works? Nay, but by the Law of Faith. Therefore we conclude, That a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law.

COROLLARY II.

THat, This Covenant from Mount Sinai was at first Manifested, and afterwards administered, very mysteriously, and somewhat extraordinarily. For,

1. It was Promulged with great Majesty and terror at first: but afterwards solemnly established with much Sweetness; and renewed after the violation of it with much Compassionateness, Loving-kindness, and Comfortableness. At the promulgation God spake to them, out of the midst of devouring fire, with a great voice that made the Earth itself to shake: But at the Establishment of this Covenant, they had a sweet vision of the Lord as a well-pleased God; And at the Renewing of the Covenant, God proclaimed and made all his goodness pass before Moses. This the mystery; God promulgated his Covenant immediately without a Mediator, then Israel could not endure it: The Sinner cannot endure to deal with God immediately, without the intervention of a Mediator. But he stablished, and Renewed his Covenant Mediately by Moses a typical Mediator, promising also Christ the true Mediator; then Israel could behold God, and approach towards him with Comfort: A Mediator brings sweetest terms of peace betwixt God and Sinners.

2. The Moral Law seemed to be, for Substance, Only The Law of Nature, or Covenant of works, Revived; The Ceremonial Law, only the Covenant of Faith Revealed in Jesus Christ the Truth of all those Types: yet both these are incorporated together and digested into one and the same Covenant with Israel. This seems very strange, that the Law of works and Faith should thus be married together, which seemed irreconcilable! The mystery is; God hereby would have us know, That the Covenant of Nature, or of Works, must be accomplished and fulfilled upon Man, or by man one way or other: Upon man, by his enduring the penalty of Death therein threatened; or by man, by performing the perfect obedience therein required, either in his own Person, or in his Surety. The Covenant of works exacts this Obedience in every man's own person, else no way but to die the Death: The Covenant of Faith accepts this Obedience in the Siners Surety Jesus Christ received by Faith. The Substance of both are here digested into this one Covenant, that the Sinner may be driven quite out of himself, to Jesus Christ his surety for obtaining of life, by performance of God's Covenant.

3. This Covenant was made with Israel now newly redeemed out of Egypt's bondage; and yet it was laid upon them as an heavy servise yoke of bondage, which seems to be, not a removal, but an exchange of one bondage for another. The mystery is; ^1. The Lord would put a difference betwixt his Churches Minority, and her Maturity; that, before Christ, this, after Christ. A spirit of bondage did best •… uit with the Church in her Minority: A Spirit of Adoption better agrees with her in her Maturity. The heir whilst he is a child, differeth nothing (in Condition) from a servant, though (by hereditary right) he be heir of all, &c. ^2. Besides, the bondage or yoke of Christ is perfect freedom, in comparison of the thralldom of Sin and Satan shadowed out in Egypt's bondage. They who labor and are heavy laden under sin, coming to Christ, shall find rest to their Souls: but must take upon them Christ's yoke, which is easy, and his burden, which is light.

4. This Covenant was no sooner made and stablished with Israel, but presently it was violated: and yet after that breach by Moses mediation speedily restored and renewed. The Mystery is; The Sinner cannot of himself keep Covenant with God, no not the Covenant of Faith, without Jesus Christ the true Mediator: but through the Mediator all Covenant-failings are pardoned upon repentance, and Covenant-favors are renewed from the Lord.

Yea, the main carriage of this Covenant was so Extraordinary and Mysterious as may appear in the Form of this Covenant that it may well be styled, A Map of Mysteries, wherein Christ is the chiefest Mystery. Therefore well-advised wisdom and judgment are very necessary for finding out God's intents and purposes therein, Seeing the Well is deep.

COROLLARY III.

THat God's Covenant of Works hath its Eminent accomplishment in the Covenant of Faith. The accomplishment of the Covenant of Works might be two ways; ¹ Actively, by exact performance of Duty required, this was first and chiefly intended. ² Passively, by just enduring of the Penalty threatened, Death itself. Actively, the Covenant of works was accomplished by Adam whilst he stood: Passively, it was accomplishit upon Adam, after he fell. But his Active Doing, continued not: His Passive Enduring satisfied not; his sufferings being as himself, finite, could not fully satisfy offended •… ustice, which is infinite. But this Covenant of Works hath its best accomplishment in the Covenant of Faith by Jesus Christ the Sinners Surety: Actively, by his perfect and constant personal Obedience; Pas •… ively, by his Satisfactory Sufferings and Death, All being of infinite value, through the infiniteness of his Person. Both which are not obscurely intimated and intended in this Sinai-Covenant: requiring most exact personal obedience in the Moral-Law, which for Sinners Christ exactly performed; and describing most extreme sufferings and Death, deserved for sin, both in the Moral and Ceremonial Law, which Jesus Christ for Sinners fully endured. So that this Sinai-Covenant most lively represents The Covenant of Works receiving its fullest accomplishment in the Covenant of Faith, not by the Sinner, but by the Sinners Surety Christ Jesus, Perfectly Doing for us in the Moral Law, (containing the sum of the Covenant of Works ); and Satisfactorily Dying for us in the Ceremonial Law, (containing the mystery of the Covenant of Faith ). Jesus Christ is the End, and Soul of them both. Both of them are contrived into one Covenant of Faith: as showing the most eminent accomplishment of the Covenant of Works therein, through Jesus Christ.

COROLLARY IV.

HEnce, we may discern, What are the true Properties of this Sinai- Covenant. And they are principally these and such like, viz. The Lord's Covenant from Mount Sinai with his people Israel, was, 1. Evangelical. 2. Spiritual. 3. Political. 4. D •… stinctive. 5. Preceptive. 6. Testamentary. 7. Obscure. 8. Servile. 9. Holy. 10. Just. 11. Good. 12. Wise. 13. Exact. 14. Sure and faithful. 15. Consolatory. 16. Perpetual for Substance, though for Administration waxing Old, and vanishing away upon the Commencing of the New-COVENANT.

I. Evangelical. This Sinai Covenant, was so Law, as that it was also Gospel. Not a Legal Covenant of Works, tendering Life and Happiness to Israel upon terms of their own exact Doing: but an Evangelical Covenant of Faith, tendering life and happiness to Israel upon terms of Sincere Believing in Jesus Christ. Cast but an unprejudiced Eye upon, 1. The Nature and kind of this Covenant formerly demonstrated; 2. The Federate par •… es, and in what Notion they were Federates in this Covenant; 3. The Substance or Matters Covenanted, Gospel-Mercies on God's part▪ Gospel-Duties on Israel's; 4. The Evangelical Form or Manner of Covenanting; 5. The Evangelical Scope and End of this Covenant: And then it will be easy to conclude, That this Covenant from Mount Sinai was purely Evangelical. It was Gospel veiled; Gospel shining through the dark clouds of Levitical Types; Gospel in its Minority: Jesus Christ, and Salvation by him through Faith, being the Foundation, Center, Substance, and End thereof.

II. Spiritual. This properly hath been formerly explained.

III. Political. All the former Covenant-Expressures were more Private and Domestical, being made with particular persons and their Families only, as with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and their posterity! But this Covenant was More Public and Political, being made with the whole Nation of Israel and their Seed. And by this Covenant, Israel was Constituted and formed up into a double Politie, viz. Ecclesiastical and Civil: 1. Into a more public Ecclesiastical Politie, or National Church, by the Morals and Ceremonials of this Covenant. Family-Churches were before: but National-Church none, till now▪ Israel was the first National Church; called The Church in the Wilderness. 2. Into a Civil Politie, and that immediately under God's own Government, by the Judgments, or Judicial Laws, annexed to the Morals and Ceremonials, and digested with them into one Covenant. This Civil Politie, is called by Josephus a Theocracy, because immediately under God's own Laws and Government. And the Apostle stiles it, The Common-wealth of Israel because the people Israel, and proselytes adjoining themselves to them, were the members of this body politique, and subjects of this Common-wealth.

IV. Distinct. v •… . As this Covenant was Political and National, taking in the whole Nation of Israel, as Federates with God: So it was Discriminative, distinguishing the Nation of Israel, as God's Covenant people and Peculiar treasure, from all the Nations and people in the whole world. When God was first Preparing Israel for this Covenant, he tells Moses, and them by Moses, that if they would obey his voice indeed and keep his Covenant, then they should be a peculiar-treasure unto him above all people, &c. Then, this Covenant should be a Distinguishing Character or Mark, whereby Israel should be known and differenced from all others. They alone should be God's Covenant-people: all others remaining aliens to the Covenants of Promise. Hereupon Paul compares this Covenant-Dispensation, especially in reference to the Ceremonials thereof, to A Middle wall of Partition, that disparted and divided betwixt God's own Nation Israel, and all the Nations of the world, and made as it were an enmity betwixt them, whereupon it is called The Enmit •… : And so long as this Covenant-Ministration stood: so long this Wall of Partition stood, viz. till the Death of Jesus Christ. During all which time Israel was within; All other Nations without: Israel was, near unto God; All others▪ afar off: Israel was, God's own People; all others, Not a people: Israel had obtained Mercy in Christ; All others, had not obtained Mercy.

V. Preceptive. This Covenant was not only Promissory, in regard of Mercies which God promised to Israel: but also Preceptive or Mandatory in respect of Duties which God commands from Israel. And the stream of the Covenant promulgated did run upon Commands, much more then upon promises. And he declared unto you his Covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even Ten Commandments; and he wrote them upon two Tables of Stone. Whence Note; ^1. That God's declaration of his will to Israel at Mount Sinai was a Covenant. ^2. That this Covenant then declared was the ten Commandments. ^3. That God Commanded Israel to perform this Covenant of the ten Commandments. ^4. That this Covenant of the ten Commandments, thus Commanded to Israel, God wrote in two Tables of Stone, thereby denoting, not only the stoniness and hardness of their hearts in reference to this Covenant, but also the Perpetual Nature of this Covenant which with constant obedience and duty Israel was to observe.

VI. Testamentary. It was not only established as a Covenant: but also, in some sort, as a Testament. The Apostle counts this the First Testament, distinguishing it from the New Testament, declaring that a Testament hath its force and confirmation from the Death of the Testator. For this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of Death for the redemption of the transgressions under the First Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a Testament is, there must also of Necessity be the Death of the Testator. For a Testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth. Whereupon neither the First Testament was dedicated with blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people, according to the Law, he took the blood of Calves, and of Goats, with water and scarlet wool, and Hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people; Saying, This is the blood of the Testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Now, forasmuch as no Will or Testament is Confirmed but by the Testators Death, And the Testator is only Christ Jesus, therefore the Apostle here intimates that Jesus Christ the Testator died two ways, viz. ^1. Typically: ^2. Really and truly. 1. Typically Christ died in the Death of all those Sacrifices whereby the First Testament was Dedicated and Established: All those slain Sacrifices being Types of Christ that was to be slain for our sins. And thus, Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, viz. in typical Sacrifices. And by this Typical Death he Confirmed this First Testament, or Old Covenant. 2. Really and truly Christ died, when he by the Eternal Spirit offered himself actually to God as a lamb without spot: and by this his Real death he established the New Testament. So that, Hence; ^1. This Sinai -Covenant was the First Will and Testament of Jesus Christ the Testator. ^2. All the Covenanted-mercies in and under this Testament, were Christ's gracious Legacies and Bequests to his people Israel. ^3. All these Bequests and Legacies were typically confirmed and ratified to Israel by the Death of the Testator in a Figure: that they needed not to scruple their right and Title thereunto. ^4. This First Testament was (as to the Form of Ministration) revoked and disanulled by Christ's own actual Death, whereby he dedicated and stablished his Second or New Testament. The Last Will and Testament being that which stands.

VII. Obscure. This Covenant was Clear in Comparison of all 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 Covenant-expressures that went before: but Obscure and dark in Comparison of the New Covenant that came after. That was as the Sun-shining after the Rising thereof: This as the Sun shining in his full strength at mid-day. In that there was a veil upon Moses face; betokening. Both the Darkness of that Ministration, And the Darkness of Israel's apprehensions thereof: In this, the double veil is done away in Christ, so that we all with open face behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, &c. That had the shadow: this the Body. That the Types: this the Truth. That represented the Patterns of things in the Heavens: This the Heavenly things themselves.

VIII. Servile, and sl •… vish. The Sinai-Covenant is compared to Hagar the Bond-woman, gendering to Bondage. Israel under it were God's children, but under age, in Condition of Servants, under Tutors and Governors, The Law being their Schoolmaster, &c. whereupon the Spirit of bondage to fear, was upon them, by reason of this heavy yoke of bondage, till Christ came, and brake this yoke off their necks. But of this formerly in the Form of this Covenant.

IX. Holy. Paul saith; The Law is Holy, and the Commandment Holy. He here specially intends the Law of the ten Commandments, as the fore-going verses do plainly evince: and this was the Covenant from Sinai. The whole Law: and every particular Commandment was Holy. It was in every regard Holy. 1. The Author of it, The most Holy God, infinitely Pure. 2. The Federates with God in it, were an Holy People, separated, sanctified, and dedicated to God from among all other people on earth. An Holy Nation. Hence God's calls them; My Saints: Saying; Gather my Saints together to me, those that have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice. 3. The Mercies therein Promised were Holy: as all the Spirituals and Eternals especially. 4. The Duties therein conditioned and restipulated were Holy: even the whole way of Holiness towards God in the First Table. 5. The Form of Manifesting, Establishing and Administring it was Holy: as may at large appear by that Form already described. 6. The Ends of it were Holy: as the further revealing of Jesus Christ the Holy one of God, &c. 7. The Mediator of it was Holy, viz. Typically, Moses the Man of God. Truly and Antitypically Jesus Christ Holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from Sinners. No wonder therefore that David said, Thy Word is very pure, (Heb. tried, refined:) therefore thy servant loveth it. It's all perfect gold, there's no dross of folly or defilement in it.

X. Just. So Paul adds; And the Commandment just. And Moses pathetically saith; What Nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous, as all this Law which I set before you this day? David also notably expresseth himself; The judgments of the LORD are truth, and righteous altogether, And elsewhere; — Thy Word is true from the beginning: and everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.—Thy Testimonies that thou hast Commanded, are righteousness and very faithfulness.—I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right. This Covenant of the ten Commandments must needs be very righteous: For, ^1. The Author is the most righteous God, whose will is the Rule of all righteousness. He hath not given these Laws because they are righteous: but they are righteous because he hath given them. Righteous art thou O LORD; and upright are thy judgments. ^2. The Federates with God herein are righteous, viz. Israel as Christ's professed members in Christ, in Covenant already with God. ^3. The Matter of it righteous. Its the exactest discoverer of iniquity, and Rule of all righteousness. No unjust or unequal thing is therein imposed. ^4. The end of it righteous, viz. The glorifying of God by further Revealing of Jesus Christ for Israel's righteousness of Faith.

XI. Good. So Paul addeth: The Commandment holy, just and good, &c. He hath special reference to the last Commandment. And, as that, so all the rest being of like Nature must needs be Good. This Covenant was given by God, who is the only supreme absolute and infinite Good. None Good, save one, that is God. Was promulgated and established as a Gospel-Covenant of Faith, and the Gospel is, The good word of God. And intended the Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal good of Israel. And, as it was good to them in these respects, so is it still good to all the Israel of God under the New Testament, so far as it remains of use to them, as hath formerly been declared.

XII. Wise. For, ^1. He that framed this Covenant, is God only wise. ^2. The Matter, Mystery and Intended Scope in this Covenants contrivance, evince an excellency of wisdom therein: As, That, All Duties to God and man should be required, and all contrary sins forbidden, in ten words; That the Substance of the Law of works should be digested into the Law of Faith, and formed up into one Covenant of Faith; That, Christ should be the end of this Law for righteousness by believing, which seems to urge nothing but Working and Doing; That this Covenant should be so promulgated, as to fright Israel out of themselves, and force them to cry out for a Mediator; That this Covenant should be so established and administered afterwards as to shut them up unto the Faith that after should be Revealed, and be their School-Master towards Christ; That this Covenant should be so accurately accommodated to the dull capacity and present necessity of Israel representing Christ and the Gospel to them under familiar visible rudiments of Ceremonies, and filling their hands with religious observances to himself in much outward glory to keep them from wandering away from him into the by-paths of idolatry, &c. ³ The effect of this Covenant, duly kept and observed, was singular wisdom and understanding to God's people▪ Hereupon, Moses speaking of the Statutes and judgments of this Covenant, saith; Keep therefore and do them, for this is your wisdom and this is your understanding in the sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these Statutes, and say, Surely this great Nation is a wise and understanding people. And David saith; The Testimony of the LORD is sur •… , making wise the simple. And he offers us his own experience to this effect, saying; Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser, then mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding, then all my teachers: for thy Testimonies are my Meditation. I understand more, then the ancients: because I keep thy precepts.—Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Now all this hath special respect to this Sinai-Covenant, and to the word of God by Moses and the Prophets expounding the same.

XIII. Exact, Compleat and Perfect. Perfect in the Substance of it. The Law of the LORD that is Perfect. It is spoken emphatically, and as it were by way of correction: It far transcends all the perfection and excellency of the Book of the Creature, so magnified in the former part of the Psalm. But of the Perfection of this Law and Covenant, enough formerly. Though it was Imperfect for the Ministration of it, in comparison of the New Covenant. Hence God is said to find fault with this Covenant when he promised the New Covenant: For if that first Covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a New Covenant, &c. And Paul saith: The Law made nothing perfect: but the bringing in of a better hope did.

XIV. Sure and Faithful. Hence David saith; The Testimony of the Lord is sure. And — Thy Testimonies which thou hast commanded are righteousness and very faithfulness. Joshua testifies There failed not ought of any good thing, which the LORD had spoken to the House of Israel: all came to pass. Notwithstanding all Difficulties, Delaies, or Sins of Israel, interposing betwixt Promise and Performance, as hath been shown. How can this Covenant choose but be Sure and Faithful? For, ^1. God himself spake and uttered it, by his own voice: ² God stablished it by the Solemnity of Sacrifices at the Dedication thereof 〈◊〉 . God wrote it with his own Finger in two Tables of stone of his own preparing: ^4. God renewed it again of free grace, after Israel had notoriously broken it: ^5. God wrote it a second time in two Tables of stone of Moses preparing: ^6. And God founded it upon Christ Jesus, yesterday and today and forever the same.

XV. Comfortable. Considering the former Properties of this Covenant, it must needs be Comfortable: reflect upon them advisedly to this End. And yet further Consider: ¹ The LORD assured Israel he would be their God: and he is the Father of tender-Mercies, and God of all Consolation. ^2. Jesus Christ is promised to be raised up a Prophet and Mediator to them from among themselves: and he is the consolation of Israel. ^3. The Spirit is promised to be bestowed upon them, to Circumcise their Hearts: And he is The Comforter abiding with God's people forever ^4. Yea, a rich Confluence of Temporals, Spirituals and eternals are Covenanted: and these very Comfortable. ^5. And finally, though this Covenant required exactness, yet it accepts uprightness of obedience in Christ: and this is very sweet and Comfortable.

XVI. Finally, This Covenant was Perpetual for Substance, though in regard of Administration waxing old and vanishing away upon the Commencing of the NEW-COVENANT.

That it was and is Perpetual and everlasting for Substance, is plain. For, 1. Jesus Christ and Sinners Happiness by him, is the Substance of it, as hath been proved: Now Christ abideth forever; is yesterday and today and forever the same: is a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek: shall reign forever and ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end. 2. The Gospel, or Glad-tidings of Sinners Salvation by Christ through Faith, is the Substance of it: And the Gospel is an Everlasting Gospel. ^3. The Moral Laws imposing Moral Duties upon the Federates in Christ, are also of the Substance of this Covenant: But these Morals are still of force even under the New Testament as well as under the Old. The New Testament stablishing the Law, and frequently pressing the performance of these Moral precepts by believers: and these Morals shall have their fullest accomplishment in Heaven, when Love to God and to our neighbor (which is the fulfilling of the Law) shall be completely full and perfect. Concerning thy Testimonies I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.

That notwithstanding in regard of the Manner and way of Administration this Covenant was waxing Old and vanished away upon the Commencing of the NEW-COVENANT: is also as Evident. For, 1. The Apostle Testifies in effect thus much, saying; For, if that First Covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith; Behold, the days come (saith the Lord) when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah; Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers.—In that he saith a New Covenant, he hath made the first OLD. Now that which decayeth and waxeth Old, is ready to vanish away. 2. All the Ceremonials were of the manner of Administration and they all being shadows of good things to come, but the body of Christ, vanished and gave place at Christ's appearing, as the shadows of the night disappear at the rising of the Sun. 3. The servile Tutor-age and Schoolmastership of the Law over Israel as a Church under age, was another mystery in this Administration, leading to Christ that should be revealed afterwards: but Christ being come, and that Church at his Coming being grown to a kind of fullness of age, they were no longer under this School-Master and servile Tutor-age, but received the Adoption of Sons. Whence the Apostle exhorts; Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. These Ceremonials and Administrations, were Always Mortals, Mortal, of a Dying, Perishing and Vanishing Nature: At Christ's death, Mortuae, Dead, though the use of them was a while continued, in favor of the weak Jews; and Mo •… es was to be honourably buried: But afterwards when the Apo •… les had sufficiently instructed the Churches in the true Christian liberty, they became Mortiferae Deadly to the users of them.

Thus of the Properties of this Covenant.

COROLLARY V.

THat, This Sinai- Covenant in many things Agrees with, and in many other things disagrees from, and in some things excels all the former Covenants. This Agreement, and Disagreement will yet further illustrate the excellent Nature of this Covenant. As for this Old Covenants Agreement with, or Difference from the New Covenant, they will come more fitly to be considered in the unfolding of the New-Covenant

I. This Covenant from Mount Sinai had Agreement with the three former Covenants.

1. In the kind or sort of Covenant. Those three being Covenants of Faith in Christ promised: and this being a Covenant of Faith, not of works; An Evangelical not a Legal Covenant, as hath been proved. Yea all these four Covenants were Covenants of Promise, revealing life and recovery to lapsed sinners in Jesus Christ Promised and in fullness of time to be performed.

2. In the efficient and Impulsive Cause. God alone being the efficient cause or Author of all these four Convenants. The Inward Impulsive or Moving Cause in them all, being his own mere Grace: The Outward Impulsive or Motive being the Merit of Jesus Christ the Mediator. There being nothing in Adam, Noah, Abraham, or Israel, that might move or incline the Lord at first to make or stablish his Covenant with them.

3. In the General Consideration of the Federates. For, as in the three former Covenants, so in this, The LORD God is the Party Covenanting Promising Mercies, Christ and his Seed are the Party Restipulating and Re-promising Duties.

4. In the General Nature or Substance of Mercies Promised, and Duties required and Restipulated. For the Sum and Substance of all Covenant-Mercies in them all four, is The Restauration and happiness of lapsed sinners in and by Jesus Christ Promised: All may be reduced to this grand Mercy. And the Sum of all Conditioned and restipulated Duties in them all being a true lively working fruitful Faith in Jesus Christ.

5. In the Mystery of God's Justification of lapsed Sinners Revealed: which was in them all by Faith in Jesus Christ alone. For, as under the First Covenant, Abel obtained Testimony by his Faith that he was righteous: under the Second Covenant, Noah became heir of the righteousness, which is by Faith; And under the third Covenant Abraham believed in the LORD and that was imputed to him unto righteousness, So under this Sinai-Covenant David describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered: Blessed is the man, to whom the Lord will not impute sin. •… nd Paul proves the Righteousness, of Faith out of Moses: and declares, that Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every believer; and that, the Law was Israel's School-Master to bring them to Christ, that they might be justified by Faith.

6, In their Common foundation and establishment. One way or other all these 4. Covenants are founded and established on Christ, and on the Promises of Christ: as hath been abundantly evinced.

7. In their Sameness of end. The singular advancement of God's Eminent glory in the Recovery and Salvation of lapsed Sinners by Jesus Christ through Faith, being the Primary End and intended Scope of them all.

II. This Sinai- Covenant Disagrees and differs notwithstanding from all these three fore-going Covenants, in these nesuing particulars. viz.

1. In the Peculiar Notion and Consideration of God as Efficient Cause or Author thereof. For, God was Author, Of the First Covenant, as a Destroyer of the Serpent in Christ the woman's Seed; Of the Second, as Preserver and Savior of an Elect remnant by the blood of Christ, typified by water, from the common destruction coming upon the world of the ungodly; of the Third, as a God All-sufficient to give Abraham a Seed, and an Inheritance of Canaan, and in his Seed Christ to make him and all the Families of the earth blessed: But God was Author of this Sinai -Covenant, as JEHOVAH giving actual existence to his Promises, Their Covenant-God, Redeemer, Law-giver and Husband.

2. In the Special Consideration, or Capacity of the Federates with God. Jesus Christ and his Elect Seed were the Federates with God in them all: But with this difference; In the first Covenant, As the Seed of the woman; In the second Covenant, as the Seed of Noah; In the third Covenant, as the Seed of Abraham in which all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed; And in all these three Federal Dispensations God dealt with them in a more private Family-capacity: But in this Sinai-Covenant Israel in Christ became Federates with God, As Abraham's Seed now in Covenant with God, as the Lord's Redeemed, As God's Espoused people, And as Heirs (though under age) of the Promised Inheritance, the Type whereof they were going forth to possess; and in all this, God dealt with Israel in a More public and National Capacity, as a National Church in the wilderness under age, and as a National Common-wealth, Constituted by this Covenant, of whom according to the flesh Christ came, who is over all God blessed forever, Amen.

3. In the Individual Mercies Promised, and Duties Restipulated. In the two first Covenants, The mercies promised were, The enmity of the two Seeds, The bruising of the Serpents head by the woman's Seed, The Saving Noah and his Family in the Ark from the Deluge, The Continuance of the universal Course of Nature, with Security never more to be generally destroyed by a flood, &c. The Duties restipulated, were; Implicitly, Faith in Christ, and offering Sacrifices: Explicitly, Conflicting with the Serpent, Making and entering into the Ark In the third Covenant, The Mercies promised to Abraham, were, Divine Benectiction, A very numerous Seed, a mighty Name, His Seeds victoriousness over their Enemies, The Inheritance of Canaan, The closing up of his days in a good old age in peace, The Lord's being his shield, His exceeding great reward, and a God to him and his Seed by an Everlasting Covenant: And the Restipulated Duties, were, Walking before God, viz. in Faith and Obedience, Being Perfect, and being God's Covenant-people. But in this fourth Covenant from Mount Sinai, the Covenant-Mercies Promised from God to Israel, were, To be a God to them, To raise them up from among themselves, a great Prophet and Mediator Jesus Christ, •… o give them the Spirit of Christ, To confer upon them abundantly in Christ a confluence of blessings Temporal and Spiritual, and at last to crown them with Eternals. And in order hereunto, the Duties Conditioned and restipulated by Israel, were, To be a Covenant people unto God; To keep God's Covenant and all the Commandments thereof, both Moral, Ceremonial and Judicial, by true Faith, and by Sincere Entire constant obedience; And, in case of any failings herein to return again to the Lord by Repenting.

4. In the way of Revealing that grand Mystery of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. The two first Covenants Revealed it only Implicitly, Consequentially and Obscurely. The Covenant with Abraham Revealed it Explicitly, and Directly: Abraham believed in the LORD, and that was imputed to him unto righteousness: yet this very sparingly, it is but once touched upon, and passed without anymore express mention. But this Active, and the Mystery of it, is much more evidently demonstrated and explained in this Sinai -Covenant. For, ¹ Hereby God did clearly convince Israel of their extreme sinfulness and misery, especially by the ten Commandments: that so they might not rest upon any self-righteousness for Justification, especially by the Ceremonial-Law annexed to this Covenant: That so they might fly out of themselves unto Jesus Christ for his righteousness by believing. Christ was the end of the Law for righteousness to every believer; and their Schoolmaster towards Christ, that they might be justified by Faith. 3. Hereby the full accomplishment of the Covenant of works in the Covenant of Faith by Christ and his Seed, is discovered. Christ exactly performing the Duty, and enduring the curse of the Covenant of works in his own person, as surety for his elect Seed, who without such satisfation to divine Justice could not be redeemed and saved. And his Seed sincerely walking on towards exactness of obedience in Jesus Christ through Faith. To unveil this Mystery, the Substance of the Covenant of works is here digested into the body of the Covenant of Faith.

5. In the peculiar Manner of Manifestation, Confirmation and Administration, 1. The first Covenant was, ( ¹ ) Manifested by voice of God to Adam; ( ² ) Confirmed probably by slaying and Sacrificing of Beasts, with whose skins God clothed the man and the woman; (3) And Administred afterwards by use of Sacrifices and offerings in private families. 2. The second Covenant was, ( ¹ ) Manifested by voice of God to Noah; ( ² ) Confirmed, explicitly by the Rainbow: Implicitly, by the Oath of God as the Prophet intimateth; (3) And Administred afterwards by Noah's preaching righteousness, Blessing his sons prophetically, and offering Sacrifices in Families privately. 3. The third Covenant was, ( ¹ ) Manifested by God's immediate voice to Abraham alone; ( ² ) Confirmed, and (3) Administred, By God's Promises propounded, Repeated, and in part fulfilled; By God's inviolable Oath; By killing and dividing Sacrifices, a burning lamp and smoking furnace passing between those pieces; By the two Ordinary Sacraments: By the four extraordinary Sacraments: By many observable intimations and adumbrations of the Sufferings and Death of Jesus Christ, &c. 4. But this Sinai-Covenant was, ( ¹ ) Manifested, not only by God's immediate voice out of the midst of the fire, with much terror and many tokens of Divine Majesty, but also by writing, God himself writing it with his own finger in two Tables of stone, and giving them into the hands of Moses as a Typical Mediator; ( ² ) Confirmed and Established, Most solemnly at the skirt of Mount Sinai by slaying of Sacrifices, Sprinkling the blood half of it upon the Altar, and half upon the People, the words of the Covenant being publicly read before all Israel who expressly consented thereunto▪ (3) And Administred afterwards with much outward Glory: with some Darkness veiling that Glory: with a Servile Poedagogy as to a Church under age: with a Successive Ministry, both Ordinary and Extraordinary, for the better application of this Covenant and Poedagogy to Israel: with universal respect to the whole National 〈◊〉 of Israel▪ with distinctive differencing of Israel from all people upon the face of the whole Earth▪ and with such a Church o •… God •… s was also a Theocracy▪ viz. God's own peculiar Common wealth. So that the Manifestation, Establishment and Administration, of this Covenant, formerly at large described, was altogether singular and extraordinary. Besides that both Sacraments Ordinary and extraordinary, begun under the former Covenant, were continued under this, viz. these till their entrance into Canaan, those till the expiration of this Administration, and the commencing of the NEW-COVENANT.

6. In the particularity of Ends. For, In the first Covenant, God particularly intended his own Glory, in Lapsed man's Recovery by Christ the woman's Seed, from the malice and mischief of the Serpent and his Seed. In the second he peculiarly intended his own Glory, by saving an Elect remnant of mankind in the Ark by water (typing out Christ's blood) from the common destruction that fell upon the world of the ungodly. In the third he specially intended his own Glory, in making Abraham and all his children Jews or Gentiles, that after him should believe, and walk in the steps of his Faith, Blessed both in this and in the world to come. But in this fourth Covenant from Mount Sinai God singularly intended his own Glory, by a more Compleat and clear Revelation of Jesus Christ therein, then in all the foregoing Covenants, for the greater furtherance of Israel's Happiness as his only Church and people by Jesus Christ, thereby leading them on by the hand to Jesus Christ, till at last he was actually exhibited in their own flesh unto them.

7. Finally, This Covenant differs from all the former in the Gradual Perfection and completeness of it. This results from all the former differences. For, God herein discovering himself under more excellent Evangelical Considerations; Israel being embraced by God in this Covenant in more large spiritual Capacities; The Mercies promised being more complete and clear; The Duties restipulated being more Fully; The Mystery of Justification by Jesus Christ through Faith being more plainly discovered; The Manifestation, Confirmation and Administration of this Covenant being much more Eminent; And the Ends thereof being far more illustriously declared, then in any former Covenants: This Covenant must be acknowledged gradually more perfect and excellent then them all, though for kind they are all Covenants of Faith, and Covenants of Promise. Therefore, if. The First Covenant was as the Day-dawning; The second, as the Morning light before Sunrising mixed with darkness; and The third as the Sun-rise of the Gospel; Surely this Covenant, (comprizing in it God's Covenant with David and with the Captive- Jews ) was as the Sun-shining out more and more till the perfect day of the New-Testament.

III. This Sinai- Covenant, as it differs from the three former Covenants, so it excels them all in regard of the Additionals therein Revealed, for completing of the Covenants of Promise. The forementioned Differences do hold forth in them many Additional Excellencies of this Covenant beyond all the former: deliberately Consider them. But more Particularly this Covenant surpasseth all that went before, in these Additionals, viz.

1. In a more large and Comprehensive Extent. All the three former Covenants were directed to three several Particular Families, and their Seed, viz. of Adam, Noah, and Abraham: But this Covenant is not limited and restrained to any single Family, but extended to a whole Nation, and to all the Families therein; even to all the twelve Tribes of Israel, as a National Church. Herein the Grace, Love and Mercy of God becomes more extensive and diffusive: and the more diffusive, the more excellent.

2. In a more Clear Revelation and Compleat representation of Jesus Christ. All the fore-going Covenants dimly and more imperfectly pointed at Christ: But this, more abundantly Reveals him. This is clear; 1. By the Preparation to this Covenant. 2. By the Preface of it. 3. By the Promises and promised Mercies in it. 4. By the typical Mediator of it. 5. By the Sanction of it. 6. By the Renewing of it after violation. 7. By the Many Explanations of it by Moses, The Prophets, and the New Testament. 8. By the Scope and End intended in it. 9. But especially, by the many Types and Figures of Christ, and the things of Christ, in the whole Ceremonial Law, which is part of this Covenant. By these particulars, to mention no more, its very clear that this Covenant speaks much of Christ, is full of Christ,. (as shall after appear more at large in Corollary VII. ) And so many New discoveries of Christ are excellent Additionals.

3. In more plentiful Promises of Mercies. As is evident in the Matter of the Covenant promised on God's part.

4 In a More exact Rule of Covenant-Duties laid before Israel in this Covenant-expressure, In former Covenants the Covenant-Duties of Faith and Obedience are required, either only implicitly, or if explicitly, yet without exact Rules and Directions for performance thereof. But in this Covenant are laid down the most exact and perfect Rules for all Covenant-Duties in Morals, Ceremonials, and Judicials: So that Israel was not permitted in the least, to add thereto, or to take thence from. This exact Rule was an excellent Additional: By it Israel might walk on with God most certainly, safely, and securely.

5. In a More Solemn and famous Sanction of this Covenant at the skirt of Mount Sinai. As hath been at large explained.

6. In a More Evident unfolding of God's admirable and Mysterious Contrivance of Sinners salvation by Jesus Christ. The Salvation of Sinners by Christ is declared in all the former Covenants: but the admirable Mystery of this Salvation by Christ, is not so displayd and laid open in any, as in this Covenant. For, 1. Herein, An exact Moral Law is propounded: which, in the substance of the mere preceptive part of it, is the same with the Covenant of works engraven in Adam's heart in innocence. This, requiring perfect obedience, discovers, what man innocent could once do, but what man lapsed cannot now do▪ and so convinces him of his own sinfulness, and utter inability of obtaining righteousness by his own Doing. Takes him utterly off his own bottom. 2. Herein, This exact Law is propounded and promulgated in a most terrible manner by God's own mighty voice out of the great fire, immediately to Israel. But Israel, being extremely terrified, and unable to endure that which was commanded, or to deal anymore immediately with God, fly to Moses, and desire him to Mediate betwixt God and them, which God highly approved: giving them Moses as a Typical, and promising Christ as the true Mediator. Thus the selfcondemned sinner, forced out of himself, flies to a Mediator, by whom he may enter into Covenant with God, and by whom he deals with God mediately, without terror or amazement. 3. Herein, this promised Mediator Jesus Christ, is abundantly represented to them in the whole Ceremonial Law: that they might truly know him. Especially as their Surety and great High Priest, offering up unto God, as a spotless Sacrifice, his pure Human Nature, to make atonement for his sinful people, and so by his own blood, through the New and living way the veil of his flesh, to enter for them, and open to them, the true Holy of Holies, heaven itself. Thus the Mediator Christ, to whom the Sinner flies, satisfies the Justice and Truth of God according to the Covenant of works; in dying the Death for the sins of his Elect as their Surety, according to the Covenant of Faith. So, in the Nature that had sinned, Death was endured as God's Truth threatened, and his Justice would have inflicted, that neither his Truth nor Justice might remain unsatisfied: and for this Death of Christ, the Elect are spared and embraced in the Arms of Mercy; hereupon Mercy and Truth meeting together, Justice and Peace Kissing each other. 4. Herein, The way of applying Jesus Christ promised is also insinuated: The blood of the Sacrifices, whereby this Covenant was dedicated, being sprinkled with a bunch of Hyssop; this signifying true Faith whereby the blood of Christ is applied to the Conscience. Hyssopus est fides, Hyssop is Faith, a Type of Faith: as I have formerly noted out of Augustine. 5. Herein, Israel having applied Christ by Faith, are directed (as by a perfect Rule) to walk before God exactly and uprightly in Christ, in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of their lives; till they come to walk with him in white, in heavenly glory. By all this, to mention no more, The mystery of God's grace and wisdom in saving sinners by Christ is more admirably laid open, then in any former Covenant: this therefore is an excellent Additional.

7. Finally, This Covenant excels all that went before, In the Eminent accomplishment of the Grand Promises laid down both in this and in all the fore-going Covenants. This Covenant, (while it was in force, viz. till Christ's death,) was crowned with the Performance of many of their chiefest Promises: which Performances were excellent Additionals to the Glory of this Covenant. Performances being the End and Perfection of the Promises. For,

(1) Under this Covenant Jesus Christ, the true Messiah and Mediator, that Mercy of Mercies, was exhibited in man's flesh, and Sacrificed for his people's sins as their Surety. For this Old Testament did not expire, The New Testament did not Commence, till Christ's Death. Therefore, ^1. Now, the Seed of the woman, the Eminent Seed Christ, did bruise the Serpents head indeed, and actually destroy the Devil: according to the Promise of the First Covenant. ^2. Now, the true Noah did by water and blood save his Family from perishing in the deluge of God's wrath which sweeps away the world of the ungodly; according to the Tenor of the second Covenant. 3. Now, the Primary Seed of Abraham was exhibited and performed, to Bless not only the Family of Abraham, the Jews; but all the Nations of the Earth, even the Gentiles, especially with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ: according to the great Promise again and again repeated in the third Covenant. 4. Now, the great Prophet, like Moses, was raised up from among the people Israel; and the body of all the Levitical Sacrifices and Shadows was come: according to this fourth Covenant from Mount Sinai. Thus Jesus Christ, The gift of God, The grand Blessing promised in all these four Covenants, was actually exhibited and performed only under this fourth Covenant, in the close of it, as the high accomplishment thereof.

(2) Under this Covenant the promised place of God's solemn worship which God should choose out of all their Tribes to put his name there, even his special Habitation, was notably accomplished. For, Not only the Moving Tabernacle, (A type of the Moving and Militant State of the Church of God on Earth) was erected according to God's appointment in the Wilderness: But also the Fixed Temple (A Type of the fixed and Triumphant condition of the Church of God in Heaven) was built by Solomon, at Jerusalem, in Mount Moriah, according to God's particular Direction: An House full of magnificence, beauty and glory, far surpassing the Tabernacle. Herein the Promise was evidently accomplished, as Solomon intimated in his Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple; and as the Lord implied in Answering his Prayer. And after Solomon's Temple was destroyed by the King of Babylon's forces, There was, under this Covenant-Ministration, a second Temple built by Zerubbabel, after the Jews return from the Babylonish Captivity, by the singular Providence of God: the hands of Zerubbabel laid the foundation of this house, and his hands finished it. And though the outward foundation and fabric of this House came far short of Solomon's; yet the true spiritual Glory of it was far greater then that of Solomon's by reason of Jesus Christ the Desire of all Nations, who came in human Nature, and glorified this House with his sacred and blessed presence. For, thus saith the LORD of Hosts; yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the Heavens, and the Earth, and the Sea, and the dry Land: and I will shake all Nations, and THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS shall come, and I will fill this House with glory, saith the LORD of Hosts. The Silver is mine, and the Gold is mine, saith the LORD of Hosts. The Glory of this later House shall be greater then of the former, saith the LORD of Hosts.

(3) Under this Sinai Covenant, the Inheritance of the land of Canaan, (the peculiar land of Immanuel, that Eminent Type of Heaven itself that better Country and Everlasting Rest of the Saints) promised of old to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and afterwards to Israel, was fully performed to Israel, with all the Blessings thereof; not one thing failed, that God in that respect had promised unto Israel.

Seeing then, that the accomplishment of the grand Promises both of this and former Covenants, were reserved for this Sinai-Covenant; In these Additional, this Covenant had a singular Preeminence above all the fore-going Covenants.

COROLLARY VI.

THat, This Sinai- Covenant was Israel's Eminent Privilege, although they were constantly hell under it in a very servile Condition. Though it was a great Bondage; yet it was a greater Blessing: Though it was Onus magnum, a great Burden; yet was it Honos major, a far greater Honor. By being under this Covenant, they were kept in much servile slavery: but had they not been under it, they had been exposed to utter Misery. For; ^1. Then, they had lain open to all idolatrous profane and unrighteous Seducements; ^2. Then, they had soon degenerated into mere Paganism, The former Covenant with Abraham almost utterly obliterated out of mind; 3. Then, they had been an heedless confused heap of tumultuous people without all order and Government; ^4. Then, they had not been digested into a Divine Common-wealth; 5 Then, they had not been advanced to the dignity of a National Church of God; ⁶ Then, they had been left destitute of this Eminent Discovery of Jesus Christ for their Salvation.

More Particularly, though this Covenant kept Israel in a servile state, yet this Covenant was every way an Eminent Privilege to them: As may appear by these Particulars, viz.

1. By the Covenant-Relation herein established betwixt God and Israel. This Relation was various, and precious. ^1. He contracted with them, as JEHOVAH, giving subsistence to his Promises: They as Heirs of those Promises. ^2. He as their Covenant-God by his Covenant with Abraham: They as his Covenant people being the Seed of Abraham. 3. He as their Redeemer, literally from the bondage of Egypt, spiritually and mystically from the bondage of Sin, Satan, &c. They as his Ransomed and Redeemed. ^4. He as their Supreme Law-giver in Jesus Christ: They as his Subjects owing to him and his Laws all possible allegiance and obedience. 5. He as their dearest Husband: