§. 40. Of a divine covenant.
A Divine covenant is a mutuall agreement betwixt God and man, whereby the one bindeth himself to the other. Hos. 2. 23. Zec. 13. 9.
Of this covenant there are two parts.
- 1. A promise on Gods part, which is in generall to make man happy. Herein and hereby, the Lord sheweth himself to be a God, Gen. 6. 18. and 17. 2.
- 2. A retribution on mans part, which is to perform his duty in way of gratitude, even such duty as God requireth of him. Neh. 9. 38.
The nature of a divine covenant will more clearly be manifested by a due conside∣ration* 1.1 of the four causes thereof: the Efficient, Materiall, Formall, and Finall cause.
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1. The principall Efficient is God. For none can binde the Creator to a crea∣ture* 1.2 but God himself: and that of his own meer pleasure and good will. But the Creator hath power to bind his creature to him: and that in what duty he pleas∣•…•…h: to which duty the creature is bound readily to yeeld it self: and that as a crea∣•…•…re and servant of God: but more especially as a confederate: as one of those that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in covenant with God.
The procuring cause is Gods pleasure and good will, Eph. 1. 11. Luk. 12. 32.* 1.3 Matth. 11. 26. For there is nothing out of God to move him. He is every way perfect and compleat in himself. He needeth nothing that any crea∣ture can do: neither can a creature do any thing that may move him to this or that, further then he in his own good pleasure seeth meet.
Besides, though there might be something without God to move him, that something cannot be in a creature: because the creature it self is of God: and whatsoever it hath, it hath from God: and all the ability that is in it to any good, is from God.
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2. The matter of a divine covenant consisteth in the things that are covenanted.* 1.4 These are of two sorts.
One on Gods part: which is the good promised.
The other on mans part: which is the duty engaged: and that in way of gra∣titude.
- 3. The formall cause consisteth in the mutuall binding of the persons covenan∣ting* 1.5 one to the other. A covenant is a bond, Ezek. 20. 37. Herein it is like a vow and an oath, which are strong bonds, Numb. 30. 3. The bond on Gods part is most sure, arising from himself, Eph. 1. 11. On mans part it is enjoyned to him and im∣posed on him, Gen. 17. 7, 9.
- 4. The ends of a covenant are of two sorts. Supreme and subordinate.* 1.6
- 1. The supreme end is Gods glory. This is the supreme end of all things: and the best end that can be. Now wisdome teacheth men to aime at the best end. God being wisdome it self, must needs aime at the best: which, because his glory is, he aimeth at it. As he sware by himself: because he had no greater to swear by (Heb. 6. 13, &c.) so he aimes at his own glory, because he hath no higher nor better end to aim at. At this he aimed in his exter∣nall decree, Rom. 9. 22, 23. Eph. 1. 6. At this he aimed in creating the world (Prov. 16. 4.) and in his providence, Isa. 45. 7. So likewise in entring into covenant with man. Herein is set out the glory of his Soveraignty, by en∣gaging man to what he pleaseth: and of his wisdome, by ordering matters so, as mans failing of blessing ariseth from his own fault, namely from breach of covenant: So likewise of his truth, in performing covenant on his own part: of his justice in dealing with man according to his covenant: of