Chonoyterion he Sion. The refinement of Zion: or, The old orthodox Protestant doctrine justified, and defended against several exceptions of the Antinomians, methodically digested into questions, wherein many weighty and important cases of conscience are handled, concerning the nature of faith and repentance, or conversion to God: of his eternal love, and beholding of sin in his dearest children: of justification from eternity, of of [sic] preparations to the acceptance of Christ, of prayer for pardon of sin, and turning to God: of the gospel covenant, aud [sic] tenders of salvation, on the termes of faith and repentance. For the establishment of the scrupulous, conviction of the erroneous, and consolation of distressed consciences. By Anthony Warton, minister of the word at Breamore in Hampshire.

SECT. VI. How the promises of the Gospel, or of the new Testa∣ment, are said to be better then the promises of the old, or of the Law.

[Object.] BUt against this that hath been said, it is further ob∣jected, The Law promised life upon condition; for so it saith,* 1.1 hoc fac & vives, do this, and thou shalt live.

* 1.2The promises of the Gospel therefore, seeing (as the Apostle saith) they are better then those of the Law, are absolute, and not conditional.

[Answ.] But I answer, No such thing followeth hereupon. For the Apostles words are, That Christ is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better pro∣mises, to wit, then the former covenant was, which God by the Ministry of Moses, made with the Israelites. Now by this former covenant, if he meaneth the covenant of

grace, as it was administred unto the Israelites of old, un∣der the Law of Moses, and by this latter and better cove∣nant, the same covenant of grace, as it is plainly laid down in the Gospel: the promises of this latter covenant are better then those of the former.

First, Because they are clearly delivered in express and plain words, whereas those were darkly shadowed out under types and figures, and dimly represented in ob∣scure Prophecies.

Secondly, Because there is a greater measure of the spirit, and of the graces thereof, both promised and ex∣hibited, now under the new Testament, since the com∣ming of Christ in the flesh, then was formerly in the old Testament: This may well be the meaning of the A∣postle. But if we shall say, that he doth in these words of his compare together, the covenant of works, and the covenant of grace, then I say, that the promises of the Gospel are better promises, then are the promises of the covenant of works.

First, Because remission of sins is promised in the Gospel, which is not to be had by the Law. For whoso∣ever fulfilleth not all the Commandements thereof,* 1.3 it shutteth him up under the everlasting wrath, and curse of God, without any hope of pardon.

Again, The promises of the Gospel, are said to be better then those of the Law, because the Gospel promi∣seth grace, whereby we are inabled to perform the con∣ditions thereof, which the Law doth not. For the Law only forbiddeth sin, and commandeth that which is ho∣ly, and just, and good, but ministreth no power to per∣form that which it requireth; but in the new covenant of the Gospel, the Lord promiseth, that he will write his Lawes in our hearts, and put his spirit within us,* 1.4 and cause us to keep his Commandements, and to do them. Thus by the grace of God in Christ, we are strengthened, and inabled to keep the covenant of the Gospel: whereas it is altogether impossible for us, so to keep the Law, as to be justified and saved thereby.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lev. 18.5.
• * 1.2

  Heb. 8.6.
• * 1.3

  Deut. 27.26.
• * 1.4

  Heb. 8.