Systematic Theology (Vol 2) - Hodge - XXIV - Chapter 2 (The covenant of grace) commenced

Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 2 (The covenant of grace) by reading up to the heading '6. The identity of the covenant of grace under all dispensations'.

My summary
Today Hodge begins discussing the covenant of grace.

He teaches us:
(i) that the plan of salvation is indeed a covenant;
(ii) the different views of the covenant of grace
(iii) the parties to the covenant of grace;
(iv) the difference between the covenant of redemption and the covenant of grace;
(v) the mediator of the covenant of grace;
(vi) the condition of the covenant of grace;
(vii) the promises of the covenant of grace.

What grabbed me
I liked how Hodge demonstrated the different views within the Westminster standards on the covenant of grace and the covenant of redemption: 'This is a matter which concerns only perspicuity of statement. There is no doctrinal difference between those who prefer the one statement and those who prefer the other ; between those who comprise all the facts of Scripture relating to the subject under one covenant between God and Christ as the representative of his people, and those who distribute them under two. The Westminster standards seem to adopt sometimes the one and sometimes the other mode of representation. In the Confession of Faith it is said, " Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant [i. e., by the covenant of works], 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." Here the implication is that God and his people are the parties ; for in a covenant the promises are made to one of the parties, and here it is said that life and salvation are promised to sinners, and that faith is demanded of them. The same view is presented in the Shorter Catechism, according to the natural interpretation of the answer to the twentieth question. It is there said, " God having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer." In the Larger Catechism, however, the other view is expressly adopted. In the answer to the question, "With whom was the covenant of grace made ? " it is said, " The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in Him with all the elect as his seed." '

Although there may be disagreements about whether there are two covenants or one, there is no disagreement on the work of Christ.

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 2 (The covenant of grace).

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