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 any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.₁

1. Isa 40:13–17; Job 9:32–33; 1 Sam 2:25; Ps 113:5–6; 100:2–3; Job 22:2–3; 35:7–8; Lk 17:10; Acts 17:24–25.

2. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works₁, wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity₂, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience₃.

1. Gal 3:12
2. Rom 10:5; 5:12–20
3. Gen 2:17; Gal 3:10

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 eternal life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.

4. 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 bequeathed.

For further study see:

1. WSC Q20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
2. WLC 30: Does God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
3. WLC 31: With whom was the covenant of grace made?
4. WLC 32: How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant?
5. WLC 33: Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?
6. WLC 34: How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
7. WLC 35: How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?
8. WLC 36: Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace?