The Westminster Larger Catechism

Questions 30—35: On the Covenant of Grace

Q. 30. Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

A. God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery^a, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Works^b; but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Grace^c.

^a 1 Thess. 5:9 ^b Gal. 3:10,12 ^c Tit. 3:4-7; Gal. 3:21; Rom. 3:20-22

Q.31. With whom was the covenant of grace made?

A. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed^a.

^a Gal. 3:16; Rom. 5:15-21; Isa. 53:10,11 

Q. 32. How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant?

A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator^a, and life and salvation by him^b; and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him^c, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit^d to all his elect, to work in them that faith^e, with all other saving graces^f; and to enable them unto all holy obedience^g, as the evidence of the truth of their faith^h and thankfulness to Godⁱ, and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation^k.

^a Gen. 3:15; Isa. 42:6; John 6:27 ^b 1 John 5:11 ,12 ^c John 3:16 ; John 1:12 ^d Prov. 1:23 ^e 2 Cor. 4:13 ^f Gal. 5:22,23 ^g Ezek. 36:27 ^h James 2:18 ,22 ⁱ 2 Cor. 5:14,15 ^k Eph. 2:18

Q. 33. Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?

A. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New^a.

^a 2 Cor. 3:6-9

Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?

A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises^a, prophecies^b, sacrifices^c, circumcision^d, the passover^e, and other types and ordinances, which did all fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah^f, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation^g.

^a Rom. 15:8 ^b Acts 3:20,24 ^c Heb. 10:1 ^d Rom. 4:11 ^e 1 Cor. 5:7 ^f Heb. 8,9,10; Heb. 11:13 ^g Gal. 3:7-9,14 

Q. 35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?

A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word^a, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism^b and the Lord's supper^c; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations^d.

^a Mark 16:15 ^b Matt. 28:19,20 ^c 1 Cor. 11:23-25 ^d 2 Cor. 3:6-18; Heb. 8:6,10,11; Matt. 28:19