C****i
发帖数: 1776 | 1 第七章 论上帝与人所立的圣约
一．上帝是人的创造者，人是有理性的受造物，所以，人本当顺服上帝。但是，上
帝与受造者之间的不同如此巨大，所以，人绝不能享有祂，以此为自己的福分和赏赐，
除非是上帝自愿俯就，这俯就乃是祂乐意用立约的方式显明的（赛40:13－17；伯9:32，
33； 撒上2:25；诗100:2－3；113:5，6；伯22:2，3；35:7－8；路17:10；徒17 :24，
25）。
二．上帝与人所设立的第一个圣约是行为之约（加3:12），以完全和个人的顺服为条件
（创2:17；加3:10），将生命应许给亚当，以及在他里面的后裔（罗5:12－20；10:5）
。
三．因着堕落的缘故，人完全没有能力使自己靠那约得生命，主按祂自己的美意设立第
二个圣约（加3:21；罗3:20-21；8:3；创3:15；赛42:6），通称为恩典之约。在此约中
，上帝藉着耶稣基督白白地向罪人提出了生命和救恩的邀约，吩咐他们归信耶稣，从而
得救（可16:15－16；约3:16；罗10:6，9； 加3:11），并应许将圣灵赐给一切预定得永
生的人，使他们愿意并且能够相信（结36:26，27；约6:44-45）。
四．这恩典之约在圣经中常称为遗命，是指立遗命者耶稣基督的死，又指由遗命所留下
的永远的产业及其所附属的一切（来9:15－17；7:22；路22:20；林前11:25）。
五．此约在律法时代和福音时代（林后3:6-9）的施行各有不同：在律法时代，它藉应许
、预言、献祭、割礼和逾越节的羔羊，以及其他交付犹太人的预表和蒙恩之道而施行。
它们都预表基督要来（来8-10；罗4:11；西2:11，12；林前5:7）。在那时代，藉着圣灵
的运行，它们足以有效地使选民因相信所应许的弥赛亚而受训诲，得建立（林前10:1-4
；来11:13；约8:56）。选民藉着弥赛亚而有完全的赦罪和永远的救恩。此约称为旧约（
加3:7-9，14）。
六．在福音时代，当所预表的实体――基督（西2:17）显现的时候，施行此约的蒙恩
之道乃是圣道的传扬、施洗与圣餐这两个圣礼（太28:19，20;林前11:23－25）；这些蒙
恩之道虽然为数较少，并且施行起来比较质朴，少有外表的荣耀，但是在它们里面，此
约对万民，连犹太人带外邦人（太 28:19；弗2:15-19），显明得更丰富，更清晰，有更
大的属灵果效（来12:22－28；耶31:33－34）。此约称为新约（路22:20）。所以，并不
是有两个实质不同的恩典之约，而是同一个恩典之约，只是在不同时代，施行的方式不
同（加3:14，16；徒15:11；罗3:21－23，30；诗32:1；罗4:3，6，16，17，23，24；来
13:8）。 | C****i
发帖数: 1776 | 2 CHAPTER VII
Of God’s Covenant with Man
I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reas
onable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could
never have any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward, but by some
voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to expres
s by way of covenant.[144]
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,[145] wherein l
ife was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity,[146] upon condition o
f perfect and personal obedience.[147]
III. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenan
t, the Lord was pleased to make a second,[148] commonly called the covenant
of grace; wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesu
s Christ; requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved,[149] and p
romising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life his Holy
Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.[150]
IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name
of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and
to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein beq
ueathed.[151]
V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in
the time of the gospel:[152] under the law, it was administered by promises
, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types an
d ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ
to come;[153] which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through
the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in
the promised Messiah,[154] by whom they had full remission of sins, and ete
rnal salvation; and is called the old testament.[155]
VI. Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance,[156] was exhibited, the or
dinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word,
and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper:[
157] which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, a
nd less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evid
ence and spiritual efficacy,[158] to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;[15
9] and is called the new testament.[160] There are not therefore two covenan
ts of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dis
pensations.[161]
[144] Isaiah 40:13-17. Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being hi
s counseller hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed
him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and s
howed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of
a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taket
h up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn
, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before
him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vani
ty. Job 9:32-33. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and
we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt u
s, that might lay his hand upon us both. 1 Samuel 2:25. If one man sin again
st another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, wh
o shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice o
f their father, because the Lord would slay them. Psalm 113:5-6. Who is like
unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold
the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! Psalm 100:2-3. Serve the L
ORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the L
ORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his
people, and the sheep of his pasture. Job 22:2-3. Can a man be profitable un
to God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasur
e to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him that thou m
akest thy ways perfect? Job 35:7-8. If thou be righteous, what givest thou h
im? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as tho
u art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. Luke 17:10. So likew
ise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, sa
y, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Acts 17:24-25. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that
he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Nei
ther is worshipped with men?s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing h
e giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.
[145] Galatians 3:12. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth t
hem shall live in them.
[146] Romans 10:5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the la
w, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Romans 5:12-20.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and
so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law s
in was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Neverthele
ss death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned afte
r the similitude of Adam?s transgression, who is the figure of him that was
to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through th
e offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by g
race, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as
it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to c
ondemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For i
f by one man?s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive ab
undance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one
, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all m
en to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came u
pon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man?s disobedience man
y were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous
. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abo
unded, grace did much more abound.
[147] Genesis 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou
shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt sure
ly die. Galatians 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under
the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in al
l things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[148] Galatians 3:21. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbi
d: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily rig
hteousness should have been by the law. Romans 8:3. For what the law could n
ot do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 3
:20-21. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousn
ess of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the
prophets. Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, a
nd between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt b
ruise his heel. Isaiah 42:6. I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, a
nd will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of
the people, for a light of the Gentiles.
[149] Mark 16:15-16. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and pr
each the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall b
e saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 3:16. For God so lo
ved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:6, 9. But the
righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine hea
rt, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:
)... That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt bel
ieve in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be sa
ved. Galatians 3:11. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of
God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
[150] Ezekiel 36:26-27. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit w
ill I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh
, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you
, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and
do them. John 6:44-45. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath s
ent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in t
he prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that h
ath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
[151] Hebrews 9:15-17. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new test
ament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that
were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the pro
mise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of ne
cessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men
are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. H
ebrews 7:22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Luke
22:20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testa
ment in my blood, which is shed for you. 1 Corinthians 11:25. After the same
manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the ne
w testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance o
f me.
[152] 2 Corinthians 3:6-9. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new t
estament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but
the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engrav
en in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfas
tly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory w
as to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather g
lorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth th
e ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
[153] Hebrews 8-10. Romans 4:11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a
seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised
ircumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Colossians 2
ands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision o
f Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him thr
ough the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 1
Corinthians 5:7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new l
ump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us
.
[154] 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should b
e ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed th
rough the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritu
al drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that
Rock was Christ. Hebrews 11:13. These all died in faith, not having receive
d the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, a
nd embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth. John 8:56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it
, and was glad.
[155] Galatians 3:7-9, 14. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, t
he same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God
would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abr
aham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.... That the blessing of Abraham mi
ght come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the pro
mise of the Spirit through faith.
[156] Colossians 2:17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is
of Christ.
[157] Matthew 28:19-20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing th
em in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teachin
g them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That
the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when
he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, whi
ch is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner al
so he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testamen
t in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[158] Hebrews 12:22-27. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city o
f the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of a
ngels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are writte
n in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men mad
e perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood o
f sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye ref
use not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spak
e on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that spe
aketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promise
d, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And th
is word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are sha
ken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken ma
y remain. Jeremiah 31:33-34. But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my l
aw in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Go
d, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his n
eighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall a
ll know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD
; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
[159] Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Ephesians
2:15-19. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandme
nts contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so
making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you w
hich were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have
access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more stranger
s and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household o
f God.
[160] Luke 22:20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is th
e new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
[161] Galatians 3:14, 16. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gen
tiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.... Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He sai
th not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is C
hrist. Acts 15:11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus C
hrist we shall be saved, even as they. Romans 3:21-23, 30. But now the right
eousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law an
d the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Chr
ist unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.... Seeing it is one Go
d, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through
faith. Psalm 32:1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered. Romans 4:3, 6, 16-17, 23-24. For what saith the scripture? Abra
ham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.... Even as
David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth rig
hteousness without works.... Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by g
race; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only
which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who
is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of ma
ny nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead,
and calleth those things which be not as though they were.... Now it was no
t written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, t
o whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lo
rd from the dead. Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day,
and for ever.
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