A view of the covenant of grace - Boston - XVII - Head V

Required reading
A view of the covenant of grace by Thomas Boston (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Fifth Head.

My summary
Today Boston moves onto his fifth head, which is a presentation of the marks of those who are in the covenant of grace.

Those in the covenant of grace:
(i) have fled for refuge from the covenant of works;
(ii) cordially approve of, and acquiesce in the plan of the covenant, as suited to the honour of God, and to their case in particular: looking upon it as well ordered in all things;
(iii) satisfy themselves in their covenanting;
(iv) have the love of God in Christ habitually predominant in them;
(v) have Jesus Christ the head of the covenant as their head with their own consent;
(vi) have the condition of the covenant fulfilled by Jesus Christ as the only ground of their confidence before the Lord;
(vii) have the promises of the covenant as a satisfying portion to their hearts;
(viii) have the Spirit of the covenant in them;
(ix) have the laws of the covenant in their hearts.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the point about love as a mark of a covenant member: 'The Love of God in Christ, is habitually predominant in them, Prov. viii. 17. 'I love them that love me.' Great was the Love to them, appearing in the Covenant. The parties-contractors about them, acted therein from a principle of free, and yet greatest love. From thence sprung the first motion for a covenant of life and salvation unto them: Thence it was the Father was content to give his own Son for them ; the son was well pleased to become man, and suffer death for them; the holy Spirit, to take them for his habitation, to quicken, sanctify, and perfect them. The love of God produced the proposal of the great and precious promises in their favour, upon terms consistent with his justice: Christ as second Adam, out of love to them accepted of these terms. And when the eternal transaction was, in the gospel, by the demonstration of the Spirit, opened and brought home to their souls; this love shone forth to them, so as they believed it. And that believed love of God in Christ kindled in their souls a superlative love to him again: 1 John iv. 19, 'We love him; because he first loved us.''

Love distinguishes a true believer.

Next week's reading
Commence the Sixth Head by reading up to the heading 'II. The faith of the gospel-offer'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.