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Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.1

The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.

See also in WCF: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 Compare: Of God's Covenant
Isa. 40:13, 14, 15, 16, 17
[13] Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? [14] Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? [15] Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. [16] Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. [17] All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
Job. 9:32, 33
[32] For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. [33] There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.
1 Sam. 2:25
[25] If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
Ps. 113:5, 6
[5] Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, [6] who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
Ps. 100:2, 3
[2] Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! [3] Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Job. 22:2, 3
[2] “Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. [3] Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?
Job 35:7, 8
[7] If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? [8] Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man.
Luke 17:10
[10] So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
Acts 17:24, 25
[24] The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25] nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
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Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant

The covenant of works and the covenant of grace

Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.1

The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.

Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.2

The first covenant made with man, was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.

Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.3

Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the Covenant of Grace; wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.

Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.4

This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the 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 bequeathed.

Of God's Covenant with Man

Section 7.5

Although this covenant hath been differently and variously administered in respect of ordinances and institutions in the time of the law, and since the coming of Christ in the flesh; yet for the substance and efficacy of it, to all its spiritual and saving ends, it is one and the same; upon the account of which various dispensations, it is called the Old and New Testament.