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that the Church hall have the benefit of any labours, which be bath left for publike use, and in fpeciall of this fubject (the Covenant of Grace) fontedfull and profitable. And that acquaintance which we bad with this faithfull fervant of Iefus Chrift, doth incline us with all willingneße, to give our approbation of this piece, although our manifold imployments bavenot suffered us to peruse it, fo exactly, as otherwife we should have done.

We fball defire, that by thy faithfull improvement bereof, thy knowledge of the fœderall transactions betwixt God and his people, through Iefus Chrift, may be much augmented unto his honour, and thine everlasting happinesse in him in whom we are

Thy faithfull Friends,

EDWARD REYNOLDS. THOMAS HILL.

25THOMAS

DANIEL CAWDREY. ANTHONY BURGESS

EDMOND CALAMY, S SANTHON

To the Reader.

Good READER,

He worthy Authour of this Treatise (who was my very dear and much honoured friend) bequeathed unto me,as a legacie of his love, this, with the reft of his Manufcripts. This piece he prepared for the Preffe, purpofing the enlargement of it, if the Lord had continued his life and health: and I am confident, it would have come abroad better polished, if he having compleated it, had then furvayed the whole fabrick, when fet together. Although at the firft I was unfatisfied in mine own thoughts, whether I fhould adventure the printing of it, because imperfect, yet upon the importunity of Friends, being incouraged by the judgement of fome Reverend Divines, who had perufed it, I have now made it publike, without any addition, diminution, or alteration. The fubject of the book is excellent, profitable and neceffary, even, the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifeft to Col.i.as. the Saints. That bleffed Apoftle,who experimentally understood the utmoft worth of humane learning, did yet conteinné it, in comparison of that knowledge which is taught in this Treatife. I determined not (faith he) to know Cor.2.2 any thing among you (among you, knowing Corinthians,), feve Jefus Christ. Yea,doubileße, I count all things but loße, phil.3.8

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for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift félus my Lord. Oh how incomparably fweet and fatisfying is it unto a felf-studying Chriftian foul, to be acquainted with the faithfull engagements of the Almighty Majestie, unto the poor penitent fi iner, through that Son of his loves, in a Covenant of free,rich, everlafting grace! This. Covenant being tranfa&ted betwixt Chrift and God, here, here lyes the first and most firm foundation of a Chriftians comfort. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people, and will eftablish the earth, &c. All the promises of God in him are Tea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God. Therefore the Servants of the most High (notwithstanding their own changeableneffe and unworthineffe) may hold up their hearts and hopes to enjoy all Gofpell-Prerogatives through him, because God hath faid, I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the fure mercies of David. The right understanding and the fruitfull improvement hereof, will be feafonably fupporting and folacing to Gods people in thefe dolefull distracted times. We have, through Gods mercy, a glorious work, the work of Church-Reformation under hand, now, though difficulties, delayes, and oppofitions, doe caft difcouragements upon our hearts, yet from hence, we have heartning. The mountains shall depart, and the hils be removed,but my kindneffe fhall not depart from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed, faith the Lord, that bath mercy on thee. Oh thou afflicted, and tossed with tempests, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy ftones with faire colours, anil lay the foundations with Saphires, &c. And when bloudy oppreffours prevail and profper, we may thus plead with our God, Have respect unto the Covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. For the tenour of the Covenant which God makes with Chrift and

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his fpirituall feed, runs thus, If they break my ftatutes, and Pfal 89.31, keep not my commandments: Then will I vifite their tranfgreffions with the rod,and their iniquities with stripes. Neverthelefs, my loving kindnesse will I not utterly take from him: nor fuffer my faithfulnese to fail. My Covenant will I not break,nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips,&c. And, As for Zech 9.11. thee alfo, by the bloud of the Covenant, I have fent forth thy prifoners out of the pit, wherein is no water. How pretious be yond all expreffions are the treasures of Gods love in the Covenant of Promife! Thefe mines are digged up and discovered in this discourse, many obfcure Scriptures, full of rich Gofpell-Grace are here interpreted from the ori ginall fanguages, and by a judicious comparing of one place with another. The book (I believe) will commend it felf unto the confiderate Reader: and because so many godly,learned, well-approved brethren, have been pleased to honour it with their atteftation, therefore my further testimony would be altogether needlefs and unfeafonable. If the phrase of speech feeme fometimes knotty and unufuall, I defire that ferious attention may take off that dif couragement. A little diligence doth often conquer greatappearing difficulties,and love of truth will make labori ous in fearching after the knowledge of it. The Lord direct and profper thy perufall of this Treatife, that thereby thy foul may be edified in grace and comfort, through the accomplishment of his glorious Promifes in the Lord our Saviour,in whom,and for whom, I will endeavour to approve my self,

June 12.. 1645.

Thy faithfull Friend and Servant,

SIMEON ASH.

I.

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10. Of the Covenant that God made with Ifraell after the Babylo-

nish captivity.

P.323.

5. How Chriftians answer to the call of Chift, and fo come to have
Fello Whip with him.

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Ag.1.1.1.marg. p.1.l.az r. how that faith which the exact juftice
in the Covenant of nature prefuppofeth p.6. penult. r.with Chrift. p.37.
marg.reißol aiavion. & post. aiguin. p.41.l.ult.dele is. p.54.mar xlu Sns.
p.s6.marg parve nefciat. p.70. l. 26. r. challenge that. p. 73 lin penult.
p.143. lin.ult. & Jaras, p.204.1.30.politions. p.25 8. lin.ult. and then p 262.2.1.
believe not. p.268.1.5.dele aso p.278 1.1 1. furrogation.p.279.1.22.p.280.
1.35. dele which is penall only,not finfull. p. 287.1 s. duri Lux☺.p.290.l. 30.
payeth. p.301.1.13. never. p. 309, mar. úfnad, vļisus. &c. p.317. 1.20, the
former by reall union, that is. p.320.1 2.or which are...are the works. p. 330.
1.19.deferred, l.1. deferred no longer.p. 149.4.1.2 Sam. 23.5.

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