7. The Covenant of Grace (Qs 30-35)
30
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God
doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery,(1) into which
they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the Covenant of
Works;(2) but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and
bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly
called the Covenant of Grace.(3)
(1)1 Thess.
5:9.
(2)Gal.
3:10,12.
(3)Tit. 3:4-7; Gal. 3:21; Rom. 3:20-22
31
With whom was the covenant of grace made? A. The covenant of grace was made with
Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.(1)
(1)Gal.
32 How is the grace of God manifested in the
second covenant? A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in
that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator,(1) and life and
salvation by him;(2) and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in
him,(3) promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit(4) to all his elect, to work in
them that faith,(5) with all other saving graces;(6) and to enable them unto all
holy obedience,(7) as the evidence of the truth of their faith(8) and
thankfulness to God,(9) and as the way which he hath appointed them to
salvation.(10)
(1)Gen. 3:15;
Isa. 42:16; John 6:27
(2)1 John
(3)John 3:16;
John 1:12
(4)Prov. 1:23
(5)2 Cor.
(6)Gal.
5:22,23
(7)Ezek.
36:27
(8)James
2:18,22
(9)2 Cor.
(10)Eph. 2:18.
33 Was
the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner? A. The
covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the
administration of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the
New.(1)
(1)2 Cor. 3:6-9.
34 How
was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament? A. The covenant
of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises,(1)
prophecies,(2) sacrifices,(3) circumcision,(4) the pass-over,(5) and other types
and ordinances, which did fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that
time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,(6) by
whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.(7)
(1)Rom. 15:8.
(2)Acts
(3)Heb. 10:1
(4)Rom.
(5)1 Cor. 5:7
(6)Heb.
Chapters VIII, IX and X; Heb.
(7)Gal. 3:7,8,9,14.
35 How
is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament? A. Under the New
Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace
was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word,(1) and the
administration of the sacraments of baptism(2) and the Lord's Supper;(3) in
which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and
efficacy, to all nations.(4)
(1)Mark
(2)Matt.
28:19,20
(3)1 Cor.
(4)2 Cor. 3:6-18; Heb. 8:6,10,11; Matt. 28:19