Sword & Trowel 2016: Issue 2
Mediator of the new covenant is the Son of God himself. The covenants differ in their subject
matter, both in precepts and promises. The old covenant renewed the commands of the covenant of works. But the new covenant announces that the cove- nant of works has been accomplished and fulfi lled by the obedience and suffering of a Mediator (for all who are in him). The old covenant, strictly con-
sidered, had no promise of grace to communicate spiritual strength, or to assist obedience. It had no promise of eternal life, except one without hope contained in the covenant of works, ‘The man which doeth those things shall live by them.’ The covenants differ in their aims. The principal end of the fi rst cove- nant was to condemn sin and to limit it. The aim of the new covenant is to declare the love, grace and mercy of
TABERNACLE INFANT PRESENTATION SERVICE
God; and to give repentance, remis- sion of sin, and life eternal. The covenants differ in their effects.
The fi rst covenant, being the ministra- tion of death and condemnation, brought the minds and spirits of them that were under it into servitude and bond- age; whereas spiritual liberty is the immediate effect of the new covenant. Scripture frequently emphasises the difference between these two cov- enants in terms of the liberty of the one and the bondage of the other. (See Romans 8.15; 2 Corinthians 3.17; Galatians 4.1-7, 24, 26, 30, 31; Hebrews 2.14, 15.) The covenants differ in their effi cacy, for the old covenant made nothing per- fect. It could not bring about any of the things that it taught in types and shadows. Lastly, the covenants differ in their
duration: for one was to be removed, while the other abides for ever.
On 9th October, fi fteen couples brought infants to a brief presentation service following the morning service.
John Owen on the Covenants
page 37
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