Immanuel
Protestant Reformed Church
Lacombe, Alberta

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• The Idea of the Covenant
• The Terms for the Covenant
• Elements of the Covenant

• Covenant

• A Relation of
  Fellowship
• A Spiritual
  Seed
• Gathered in the
  Generations
• Unconditionally
  of Grace
• Realized and
  Perfected

• Believers And
  Their Seed
• The Idea of
  the Covenant
• An Exposition
  of the Doctrine
  of the Covenant
• Unconditional
  Covenant
• Keeping
  God's Covenant
• The Covenant
  Of Grace:
  An Organic
  Unity
• Predestination
  The Heart
  Of The Gospel

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In that part of the Form for the Administration of Baptism to Infants of Believers in which a word of admonition is directed to the parents who present their children for baptism in the midst of the congregation it is said that “baptism is an ordinance of God, to seal unto us and to our seed His covenant.” Moreover, it is emphasized that baptism “must be used for that end, and not out of custom or superstition.”

It lies in the nature of the case, therefore, that if the congregation of Jesus Christ is to live out of that faith when she receives Holy Baptism for herself and her seed, then it is and remains a prime requisite that she should understand the truth concerning that covenant of the Lord her God. The doctrine of the covenant is a basic truth of our Reformed faith. According as God’s people better understand His covenant, in its essence and its historical development in the generations of believers, so they will stand more firmly in the truth, and so the danger will be lessened that they will be carried about by every wind of doctrine. Especially in our country and in our day there are many currents which would carry us away from the truth of God if we are not founded in the truth of God’s covenant. Many errors, among which not the least dangerous is that of Premillennialism, are exactly characterized by the fact that they either do not understand or do not take into account or reject God’s covenant, and thereby arrive at a conception of Israel and the Church as separate entities, at a separation of the old and the new dispensations, a view which blinds the eyes of God’s people for the riches of Scripture in connection with the organic development of things. Hence, it is important that our people indeed do not use baptism out of custom or superstition, but out of a clear and firm faith in the eternal covenant of God.

The following pages intend to serve the purpose of instruction in the doctrine of the covenant. The contents of this little book were offered earlier to our people in the form of a series of articles in the Standard Bearer. No changes have been made in the original articles. May the Lord bless this publication unto the establishment of the readers in the truth of His faithful covenant.

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Translator's Preface

These chapters were first written in the Dutch language more than forty years ago in the form of a series of articles in the Standard Bearer. Later they were twice published in brochure form, again in the Dutch language.

The author himself always looked upon this little work as a concise presentation in popular form of the idea of the covenant and its relation to infant baptism; and he had frequently expressed the desire for an English translation, believing that such a translation could serve for instruction of many of God's people in the Scriptural and Reformed truth of God's everlasting covenant of grace.

In preparing this translation I have tried as much as possible to adhere to the author's style and language while at the same time striving for a smooth-flowing English rendering. The only changes made are in paragraphing and in the addition of chapter titles. I wish to acknowledge the valuable help of the draft translation prepared by my colleague in the ministry, Rev. George C. lubbers. My prayer is that our covenant God may use this work for the instruction of many in the truth of the covenant of grace.

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This translation was originally published in the Standard Bearer volumes 44-46 and was subsequently published in book form with some revision.

Published by: Reformed Free Publishing Association

Copyright © 1971. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reprinted in any form without permission from the publisher, except in the case of a brief quotation used in connection with a critical article or review. For information, address

The Reformed Free Publishing Association
Box 2006
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501

Library of Congress: 95-68231
ISBN 0-916206-54-8

This book is used by permission of the Reformed Free Publishing Association, for which permission we express our thanks.

Immanuel PRC - Rev. Thomas Miersma

• Foreword - by Herman Hoeksema
• Translators Preface - by H.C.H.

1. The Covenant Problem
   
   
2. Arminianism Injected
   Into The Covenant
   
   
3. The Kuyperian View:
   Presupposed Regeneration
   
   
4. The Theory Of Presupposed
   Regeneration Evaluated
   
   
5. The Meaning Of The Covenant
   
   
6. The Historical Realization
   Of The Covenant
   
   
7. In The Line Of Continued Generations
   
   
8. A Two-Fold Seed
   
   
9. The Organic Idea In Scripture
   
   
10. The Reprobate In The Sphere Of The Covenant
    
    
11. Covenant Children
    Who Die In Infancy

• As To Conditions
  By Herman Hoeksema