by Samuel Petto
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
The Great Mystery of the Covenant of Grace by Samuel Petto is a rich and illuminating study of God’s covenant with His people, masterfully tracing its unfolding throughout biblical history and revealing its profound significance for salvation and the Christian life. This work masterfully unpacks the biblical doctrine of the Covenant of Grace, distinguishing it from the Covenant of Works and illuminating its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Petto's careful handling of Scripture, coupled with his precise theological reasoning, makes this book an invaluable resource for those who desire to grasp the unity of God's redemptive purposes from Genesis to Revelation.
One of the most compelling aspects of Petto's work is his detailed exploration of the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. He addresses difficult questions concerning the Sinai Covenant—whether it was an administration of the Covenant of Grace or bore a legal, conditional character. Through his meticulous analysis, Petto demonstrates that the Covenant of Grace, while progressively revealed throughout biblical history, remains fundamentally one in substance, though differing in administration. His exposition clarifies how Christ stands as the Mediator of this covenant, fulfilling its conditions and securing its blessings for His people.
This book will appeal to those who cherish Reformed covenant theology and seek to deepen their understanding of God's unchanging purpose in redemption. Readers will be drawn in by Petto’s pastoral concern—he does not treat covenant theology as a mere academic exercise but as a doctrine that brings deep assurance and comfort to believers. He emphasizes the full sufficiency of Christ's atonement and righteousness, dispelling any notion of salvation by human merit. His treatment of justification, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and the necessity of faith is particularly edifying and serves as a firm defense against legalism and antinomianism alike.
Another compelling feature of The Great Mystery of the Covenant of Grace is the foreword by John Owen, which testifies to the work's doctrinal soundness and theological depth. If one of the 17th century’s greatest theologians commended Petto’s insights, it is reason enough for serious students of Scripture to take up and read.
Samuel Petto (c. 1624–1711) was a Puritan minister and theologian known for his covenantal writings and his pastoral labors in England. A contemporary of John Owen, Petto's work on covenant theology was deeply influential in the development of federal theology within Reformed orthodoxy. His writings reflect a robust biblical fidelity, a keen exegetical mind, and a heart concerned with the spiritual well-being of the Church. His legacy endures in the theological richness of his writings, which continue to instruct and edify believers centuries after his death.
For those seeking to understand the Covenant of Grace more fully, to see Christ magnified in the unity of God's redemptive work, and to be strengthened in faith, The Great Mystery of the Covenant of Grace is an essential read.
-----
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO THE READER
Christian Reader by John Owen
Chap. 1. Of a Covenant in general and the distribution of the Covenant into that of works and of gra
Chap. 2. Of the Oneness of the Covenant with Jesus Christ and us.
Chap. 3. Of Christ as the Sum of the Covenant.
Chap. 4. Of the date of Covenant mercies.
Chap. 5. General Inferences from the whole.
Chap. 6. Of the Old and New Covenant, what they are, and how distinct.
Chap. 7. Of the Nature of the Mount Sinai Covenant.
Chap. 8. Of the Sinai Covenant, whether ceased or continuing?
Chap. 9. Of the good that was in the Sinai Covenant.
Chap. 10. Of the Differences between the Old and New Covenant, and the excellency of the later above
Chap. 11. Of the time of first coming into Covenant.
Chap. 12. Of the evidences of interest in the New Covenant.
Chap. 13. Of the Use of Absolute Promises.
Chap. 14. Of those that are called Conditional Promises.