A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace

p. 1CHAP. I. Of the significations of the word Covenant.

THE word translated Covenant, some derive [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gen. 26. 28, 30. & 31 46, 54.] of another that signifies to chuse, or to eate; because usually they had a feast at making of Covenants: or it is a thing which two choose, and of which they mutually agree and promise betwixt themselves: although the word be used, when one alone doth promise with a simple promise, and so it may be referred to the Testamentary disposition. Others derive it of a roote that importeth to cut, divide or smite: [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which being joyned to the word Covenant, signifieth to make or strike covenant or agreement. Gen. 15. 18. [Sept. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , 1 Reg 8. 21. Jer. 31. 31. Gen. 31. 44. LXX. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : Edit. Conp▪ disponamus testamentum. LXX. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . The holy Ghost in Greek expresseth this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sundry waies, as by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Heb. 8. 9. Jer. 34. 18. Jer. 34. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Heb. 8. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Heb. 8. 10. & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Heb. 9. 20. Exod. 24. 5, 6, 7. Numb. 18. 19. 2 Chron. 13. 5. Septuagint 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Pactum, salis, firmum stabile, quod rescindi nequit, ut nec salita car • corrumpi, Gen. 15. 9, 10. Jer. 34. 18. Pactum perpetuum hebraicè diceretur, pactum seculi simul utrum que obvium. Sal pecuniae benignitas: ut sal carnem conservat, sic benignitas opes & pecuniam, Et caesa jungebant foedera porca. Virg. In humane affaires also, they use the same word, 1 Sam. 11. 1. 1 King. 5. 12. Vid. Jun. Par. lib. 3. cap. 9. ad Heb. v. 15. &c. Job 31. 1. It is to be understood of a solemne condition to take heed to his eyes. Budae: Comment. ex Aristop 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , pag. 705. Maldon. in Mat. 26. Genebrard. on Psal. 24. Act. 3. 25.] In the same day the Lord made a Covenant with Abraham. Jer. 34. 18. They have not performed the words of the p. 2Covenant, which they had made before me.

p. 2Psal. 83. 5. They are confederate against thee, Psal. 89. 3. I have made a Covenant with my chosen. But else where to promise, appoint or ordain, 2 Chron. 7. 18. As I have promised (or ordained, or covenanted) with David thy Father. And so in the new Testament, the word used by the Septuagint doth signifie (Luk. 22. 29) And I appoint unto you a Kingdom. Erasm. Ego dispono vobis regnum. Beza, Ego paciscor. Syr. Ego polliceor. And amongst all Nations, Covenants were established by the oblation of Sacrifice: Example beyond all exceptions, we have in that Sacrifice, wherein God made a Covenant with the people of Israel, and bound them to the obedience of his Law: whence it is also called a Covenant of Salt, that is, perpetuall; either, because salt expels corruption, or rather, because salt was used in Sacrifices; as if it had been said, a Covenant being striken, and such ceremonies used, as are ordinary in making Covenants. Amongst the Greeks also, that it was most usuall, appeares not only by infinite examples, but by common phrases, as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which is as much as to sweare the Sacrifice being slaine, or to establish a Covenant. And in Homer, Iliad. 3. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that is, bringing or bearing those things, which were necessary in performing an Oath, or making a Covenant. The word Covenant or testamentall bond or league, which hath in Hebrew the signification of brotherly or friendly parting, and of explaining the conditions of agreement; The Greek Interpreters doe frequently and almost perpetually render by 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a testament or disposition, Psal. 25. 10, 14. Psal. 44. 17. & 50. 16. & 55. 20. seldome 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Covenant, Isa. 28. 15. which is used elsewhere, Sap. 1. 16. 1 Mac. 10. 26. 2 Mac. 13. 25. & 24. 26. But in the old Testament, the word Berith is never read for a testamentary disposition, which of the Rabbins, as Drusius witnesseth, is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 from the word that signifieth to command, and so to set his house in order, or to make his will, Isa. 38. 1. Which word is yet generall, p. 3and must be restrained according to the circumstances of the place, Where the LXX. and Theodotio translate it 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Symmaechus and Aquila turne it 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Psal. 25. 14. Nor is it a thing unusuall with classicall Authors of the Greeke tongue to use the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in the generall signification; For Camerarius citeth out of Aristophan. de Avibus, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, used for to make a Covenant. The Papists carpe at our Interpreters, because they render the word Covenant, rather then Testament: for they would have it to signifie a testamentary disposition. But they are deceived, for the signification of the word is more generall: and the Apostle Heb. 9. 16. argueth not from the simple signification of the word, but the circumstances of the Covenant. In a Covenant and Testament both, there is an ordination and disposition of things according to pleasure: and the Greeke phrase in the New Testament doth follow the received Interpretation of the Septuagint; although in this the Covenant of Grace is like to a Testament, that it is not established but by the death of the Mediatour as of a Testator.

p. 3The Covenant in Scripture doth sometimes signifie an absolute Promise of God, without any stipulation at all, such as was the Covenant which God made with Noah presently after the Floud, promising freely, that he would never destroy man and beasts with an universall deluge of water any more. Gen. 9. 11. And that Covenant of Peace, and everlasting Covenant which [Sept. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .] God made with Phinehas, that he and his seed after him should have the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood. Numb. 25. 12, 13. Of this kind is the Covenant wherein God promiseth that he will give his elect faith and perseverance, to which promise no condition [Jer. 33. 20.] annexed can be conceived in mind, which is not comprehended in the Promise it selfe. Heb. 8. 10.