Chapter 15: Of the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace

Q. How does Christ as Mediator reconcile God and man again?

A. By making a new covenant and agreement between them, which is called the covenant of grace?

Q. Is the covenant of grace made with respect to Christ?

A. Yes, had it not been for Christ's sake, and through his mediation, God would never have made such covenant with man.

Q. How may that be proved?

A. This covenant is said to be confirmed in Christ and Christ is said to be the Mediator of the covenant, the Angel of the covenant, and sometimes the covenant itself.

Q. What is this covenant of grace?

A. That wherein God for Christ his sake promises forgiveness of sins, and everlasting happiness to them that believe on Christ.

Q. Is there not mention in Scripture of some other covenant of God to man, besides this covenant of grace in Christ?

A. Yes, there is that general covenant with mankind, that the world should not be drowned any more with water, and that the succession of day and night, and other seasons, should be maintained as long as the earth shall endure (Genesis 9:11 & 8:22).

Q. These covenants are only concerning external and earthly blessings; but is there not some covenant concerning everlasting happiness, besides that covenant of grace in Christ?

A. Yes, that which is usually called the covenant of works (Galatians 4:24, 25; Romans 10:5).

Q. What is that covenant of works?

A. That whereby God promises all life and happiness, upon condition of perfect obedience to the law in a man's own person, with a threatening of everlasting death and cursedness for the least transgression (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10; Genesis 2:17).

Q. Wherein do these two covenants differ?

A. The covenant of works being made with man in innocency may be called a covenant of amity or friendship between God and man being friends; but the other is a covenant of gracious reconciliation, when sin had brought in enmity between them (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20).

Q. What is another difference?

A. The one belongs to Adam, and all his posterity; the other belongs only to the elect, or at the most only to such as have the Gospel preached to them (Ephesians 2:12).

Q. Is there not some difference in regard of the blessings promised to either of them?

A. Yes, for the one promises life upon condition of perfect obedience; but if sin be once committed, it knows of no forgiveness, nor recovery; but the other promises forgiveness of sins and renovation of our natures, and to write the law in our hearts.

Q. How do they differ in regard of the conditions of them?

A. The one promises nothing but upon condition of fulfilling the law in our own persons, which to man since the fall is utterly impossible; but the covenant of grace promises life upon condition of believing in another, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. What are the effects of either of these covenants?

A. The one now works nothing but the discovery of sin, and bondage, and wrath, requiring many things, but not giving any power to perform; but the other works in us what it requires of us, being the ministration of the Spirit, and righteousness and life, and the power of God to salvation.

Q. What is the continuance of either of them?

A. The one is broken by the sin of man, and abrogated to them that are in Christ; but the other shall never be removed nor annulled to them that have once truly believed in him.

Q. Was the covenant of grace revealed and dispensed in the times before Christ's Incarnation, or only since his coming in the flesh?

A. There has been the same covenant of grace for substance, in all times and ages of the Church, since the fall of man till this day (Genesis 3:15 & 15:5, 6; John 8:56; Acts 15:11; Hebrews 13:8).

Q. But has there not been some difference between the administration of the covenant of grace in former times, and in these days?

A. Yes, there has been difference in regard of the manner of administration, and therefore it is that they are called two covenants, or Testaments, the Old and the New, when for substance it is but the same.

Q. Wherein stands that different manner of administration?

A. Then it was more burdensome in regard of the multitude of ceremonies and sacrifices, now it is more easy; then it was more dark, in regard of types and shadows, now apparent and clear.

Q. What may be the further difference?

A. Now there is more power and efficacy of the Spirit, and the graces of it, in the hearts of God's people generally, than was then; and whereas then it was only to one people, now it is to all nations.