Monergism Books

Description: The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man, first published from Utrecht in 1677. Witsius is an excellent example of a classic covenant theologian. In a prefatory statement to The Economy of the Covenants, written to William III, Witsius, in explaining the impetus for his writing, emphasized the importance of a proper understanding of the threefold covenant arrangement between God and man. He wrote, "Forasmuch as the doctrine of the covenant of grace, by which the manner of the reconciliation of sinners to God is shewn, and the manifold dispensation of that covenant, have been the unhappy object of controversy in the Netherlands, so that whatever points are now disputed upon… I have thought this subject in the first place deserving my notice… I have found it absolutely necessary to oppose different opinions; either those of the public adversaries of the reformed churches, amongst whom I reckon first the Socinians and the Remonstrants, who, by their daring comments have defiled the doctrines of God's covenants; or those of some of our brethren, who have taken it into their heads to form new hypotheses and thereby almost root out all true divinity."

The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man carries forth the covenant or federal theology tracable to Calvin, Ames, Cocceius, Owen, and the Westminster Confession. It is that theological framework which best accounts for the biblical teachings on God's role and man's in salvation, divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the relationship between law and grace, and the unity of Scripture.

"But I esteem much more dangerous the opinions of some men, in other respects very learned, who deny that a covenant of works was made with Adam; and will scarce allow that by the death with which he was threatened, in case he sinned, a corporeal death is to be understood; and deny that spiritual and heavenly blessings, such as we now obtain through Christ, were promised to Adam on condition of perfect obedience."