The following recommendations were prefixed to the former English trans. lation of this work :

“ The famous HERMAN WITSIUS, Professor of Divinity at Leyden, in Holland, and the author of a treatise entitled, The Oeconomy of the Covenants between God and Man, and various other learned and theological tracts, was a writer, not only eminent for his great talents, and particularly solid judgment, rich imagination, and elegancy of composition ; but for a deep, powerful, and evangelical spirituality and savour of godliness: and we most heartily concur in the recommendation of his works to serious Christians of all denominations, and especially to ministers, and candidates for that sacred office,

JOHN GILL, D. D.
JOHN WALKER, L. L. D. .
THOMAS HALL,

JOHN BRINE,
WILLIAM KING,
THOMAS GIBBONS, M. A.”

And the late excellent Mr. Hervey, in his Theron and Aspasio, vol. iii. p.90. of his works, Edinburgh edition, 1769, having mentioned a work of this aua thor, adds, “ The Oeconomy of the Covenants, written by the same hand, is a Body of Divinity, in its method so well digested; in its doctrine so truly evangelical ; and (what is not very usual with our systematic writers) in its language so refined and elegant; in its manner so affectionate and animating ; that I would recommend it to every student of Divinity (and to every Christian.) I would not scruple to risk all my reputation upon the merits of this performance: and I cannot but lament it, as one of my greatest losses, that I was no sooner acquainted with this most excellent author; all whose works have such a delicacy of composition, and such a savour of holiness, that I know not any comparison more proper to represent their true character, than the golden pot which bad manna;, and was outwardly bright with burnished gold, inwardly rick with heavenly food.”

THE Author of the Ozconomy Of The Covenants was a Professor of

Divinity in Holland, very eminent for his piety, and justly celebrated for a writer of great talents, accurate judgment, and refined taste. Among his works which are all in high estimation with the learned of every denomination, there are none more interesting and universally admired than this upon the Covenants. Great erudition, solid argument, and accurate criticism, are here happily employed in establishing the truth and vindicating the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel. No book that has been published since the reformation of the Church is more worthy the attention and study of candidates for the ministry; and every pious reader, who wishes to have his faith confirmed, and religious affections raised, will here be fully gratified. Those who can peruse it in the original Latin, will discover a beauty and sublimity of style, which the translator has not been able to reach; the version however is abundantly accurate to convey the ideas, and is not destitute of sufficient neatness to please a candid reader.

As it has been our wish that an American Edition of this invaluable work might appear, we comply without the least hesitation with the request of the Editor, to express our sentiments respecting the work, and earnestly recommend it to all those who have a relish for sound doctrine and a taste for elegant literature. While the press is daily teeming with the frivolous productions of romance, or the more pernicious effusions of infidelity, we have no doubt there are still many to be found who prefer edification to amusement, and truth to error, and therefore hope the proposals will meet with immediate and suitable encouragement.

J. H. LIVINGSTON, SAM. MILLER, (Signed) WM. LINN,

JOHN MKNIGHT,
JOHN M. MASON, G. A. KUYPERS,
JOHN N. ABEEL, BENJ. FOSTER,
JOHN RODGERS, PHILIP MILLEDO LER.

We the Ministers of the Gospel, in Philadelphia, heartily concur with our Brethren of New-York, in the foregoing recommendation.

J. HENRY CH. HELMUTH, WM. ROGERS,
ASHBEL GREEN,

WM. HENDEL,
WM. MARSHALL,

THOMAS USTICK.
ROBERT ANNAN,

TO THE FRIENDS OF PURE CHRISTIANITY,

OF EVERY DENOMINATION.

THE FOLLOWING WORK

OF THE

GREAT DOCTOR WITSIUS,

A W O R K

CONSPICUOUS FOR

ELEGANCE OF STYLE,
PURITY OF DOCTRINE,
SOLIDITY OF JUDGMENT,
STRENGTH OF REASONING,
CANDOUR OF SENTIMENT,
WARMTH OF ADDRESS,

AND

FERVOUR OF PIETY ;

CALCULATED
TO PROMOTE GENUINE CHRISTIANITY,

INSTRUCT THE IGNORANT,
RECLAIM THE ERRONEOUS,
ESTABLISH THE ORTHODOX,

AND
VINDICATE GOSPEL TRUTH,
AGAINST ALL ADVERSARIES WHATEVER,

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

BY

THE EDITOR.

1

CONTENTS.

9

Page

THE life of the author,

A pacific address to the professors of divinity and

29

ministers in the United Provinces,

OECONOMY OF THE DIVINE

COVENANTS.

BOOK I.

CHAP. I.

Of the divine covenants in general,

41

II. Of the contracting parties in the covenant

of works,

53

III. Of the law, or condition, of the covenant of

works,

66

IV. Of the promises of the covenant of works, 80

V. Of the penal sanction of the covenant of

works,

95

VI. Of the sacraments of the covenant of works, 125

VII. Of the first Sabbath,

141

VIII. Of the violation of the covenant of works on

the part of man,

166

IX. Of the abrogation of the covenant of works

on the part of God,

188

.

BOOK II.

CHAP. I.

Page

Introduction to treating on the covenant of grace, 203

II. Of the compact between the Father and the

Son,

206

III, The nature of the compact between the Fa-

ther and the Son more fully explained, 222

IV. Of the person of the Surety,

242

V. Of the Sureliship and satisfaction of Christ, 255

VI. What sufferings of Christ are satisfactory, 266

VII. Of the effect of Christ's satisfaction, 298

VIII. Of the necessity of Christ's satisfaction, 313

IX. Of the persons for whom Christ engaged and

satisfied,

327

X. After what manner Christ used the Sacra-

ments.

848

BOOK III.

CHAP. I.

Of the covenant of God with the elect,

361

II. Of the oneness of the covenant of grace, as

to its substance,

374

III. Of the different æconomies or dispensations

of the covenant of grace,

395