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Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

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equirements of the covenant. The Church treats them as covenant children, offers them<br />

the seals of the covenant, and exhorts them to a proper use of these. They are the guests<br />

who are first called to the supper, the children of the kingdom, to whom the Word must<br />

be preached first of all, Matt. 8:12; Luke 14:16-24; Acts 13:46.<br />

d. They are in the covenant also as far as the common covenant blessings are<br />

concerned. Though they do not experience the regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit,<br />

yet they are subject to certain special operations and influences of the Holy Spirit. The<br />

Spirit strives with them in a special manner, convicts them of sin, enlightens them in a<br />

measure, and enriches them with the blessings of common grace, Gen. 6:3; Matt.<br />

13:18-22; Heb. 6:4-6.<br />

It should be noted that, while the covenant is an eternal and inviolable covenant,<br />

which God never nullifies, it is possible for those who are in the covenant to break it. If<br />

one who stands in the legal covenant relationship does not enter upon the covenant life,<br />

he is nevertheless regarded as a member of the covenant. His failure to meet the<br />

requirements of the covenant involves guilt and constitutes him a covenant breaker, Jer.<br />

31:32; Ezek. 44:7. This explains how there may be, not merely a temporary, but a final<br />

breaking of the covenant, though there is no falling away of the saints.<br />

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