The xvj. Chapter. Of the likenesse and vnlikenesse of the Old and New league or couenant.
THE word league in Latine Foedus, 1 is deriued of the verbe Ferire, To strike; bicause the ambassadors of each partie killed a hog: from which etymologie perhaps the Hebrue word Kerith differeth not much. By which outward signe also, they wished by praier the destruction of that part, which should violate the couenant: as we may gather out of Liuie, in his first booke after the building of the citie: and as the same author writeth in his fourth booke De bello Macedonico. There be thrée kinds of leagues. The first kind is, where the conquerours make lawes vnto them, whom they haue conquered, in punishing and commanding them in such things, as they will afterward haue them to doo. The second kind is, when things being yet in their owne state, and neither partie ouercome, they agrée togither, that such things, as are taken from ech partie, may be restored, and that couenants of peace may be established. The third kind is, when there hath béene no war betwéene the parties; and when certeine cities or princes are ioined togither by some couenants, either to liue the more peaceablie, or else to take some publike affairs in hand. These things being on this wise declared, let vs shew what a league is. A league is that bond betwéene men, 2 whereby they testifie, both by words and signes one to another, that they are bound to performe certeine things, so long as they deale faithfullie either towards other.
And if it be a bond, and perteine to relation, it is grounded vpon humane actions; and is referred to those things, which the parties confederate ought to performe one towards another. It is expressed by words, and for the most part, signes are added. When God made a couenant with mankind, after the floud, 3 he not onelie set foorth the forme of the bond by words; but he also put the rainebowe in the clouds as a witnesse. And in the couenant, which he made with Abraham, 4 he put the signe of circumcision. Furthermore, in the same, which was made by Moses at the mount Sina, 5 there were twelue pillers erected, and the people was sprinkled with bloud. 6 Iosua also, when he should die, erected vp a verie great stone; thereby as it were to signe the league renewed betwéene God & the people. And what the promises were, which should be kept of ech partées, the scripture oftentimes teacheth. 7 For GOD promised, that he would be the GOD of his people; namelie, that he would be with them, to helpe them, to deliuer them, and by all meanes (as touching all kind of good things) to blesse them. The people againe promised, that they would count the Lord Iehouah for their God, in beléeuing, worshipping, and obeieng him. And Christ was in the league, as the mediatour betwéene ech partie. This is the exposition and nature of the couenant betwéene God and man.
8 2 League is diuided into the new, and into the old: which diuision is not of a generall thing, into speciall things; but of the subiect into accidents. Forsomuch as in either league, the thing it selfe, and the substance, is vtterlie one and the selfe-same: onelie certeine qualities doo varie. For the old league was made with one onelie nation of the Iewes, and had certeine things annexed; I meane the possession of the land of Chanaan, the kingdome of the Iewes, and the priesthood of Aaron, and also the promise of Messias, according to the birth of the flesh, and the ministerie of his owne person. Moreouer, it had verie manie signes of ceremonies, and sacrifices verie méet for that age. In it also were mysteries of saluation, and promises of eternall life; although farre more obscure than they were afterward taught vnto vs. And on the other side, in the new league there be properties, in a maner contrarie. For it perteineth not to anie one certeine nation, but to all nations, how farre so euer the world be extended: neither is there anie peculiar ciuill administration ioined thereto.