The Usefulness of the Covenant of Works

If we are to speak of a "Dutch Reformed" view of the covenant, then it is that of classic Reformed federal theology as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. Granted, there are a few modern lightweights who deny this theology, but a few exceptions do not make a rule. Johannes Coccejus (1603-1669) is often thought of wrongly as the founder of federal theology. His followers, the Coccejans, did have some distinctives in their formulation of this doctrine. However, their opponents, the Voetians (following Gisbertus Voetius [1589-1676]), also adamantly and vehemently defended, in common with the Coccejans, the classic federal theology and the covenant of works/covenant of grace distinction.

One of the Voetian defenders of orthodoxy was Melchior Leydekker. Leydekker was born in Middelburg in 1642. He completed his studies for the ministry at Utrecht (under Voetius) and entered into the ministry in 1662 in the towns of Renesse and Nordwille on the island of Schouwen. He later obtained his doctorate at Leiden University, but he pastored in the forementioned places for 15 years. During this time, he began to write defending Reformed orthodoxy. In 1678, he was called to serve as professor of theology at the University of Utrecht. During this time (and perhaps before) he was a friend to and correspondent of Francis Turretin. He served at Utrecht as professor for many years, and he died at a ripe old age in 1721.

Leydekker's writings are a good illustration of the varied interests and talents of most 17th century theologians. The majority of his writings dealt with the controversies of his day. However, he also demonstrated his ability in the Eastern languages by his writings on the Hebrew Republic. He also wrote a book (which I would love to read!) De mente Pauli in epistola ad Rom. et Gal.

Unlike Voetius and Hoornbeeck, Leydekker wrote several summaries of theology for instruction purposes. He wrote one on morals entitled, The Marrow of Practical Theology (in Latin) and several on systematic theology. In the year 1700, he loosely translated his own Synopsis Theologiae into the Dutch language with the title De Verborgentheid des Geloofs (The Myster of Faith). In this work, he sets forth for the laypeople a summary of his theological teaching.

In Book 3, Chapter 1, he discusses the covenant of works. In paragraph 7, Leydekker lists several reasons why the covenant of works is useful. There were those in Leydekker's day, as there are in our own, who condemned the doctrine of the covenant of works as useless and speculative. In Leydekker's day, most of them were Arminians and Socinians.

In response, Leydekker says that a proper understanding of the covenant of works can help the Christian understand many of the key points of Christian doctrine. Here is a summary:

1. It helps explain the imputation of Adam's sin to his posterity.
2. It makes very clear the position of the sinner under God's wrath and curse.
3. It helps us understand the use of the law, particularly for those in the Old Testament. That is, it could only condemn them. They could not gain life by it.
4. It helps us properly understand the redemption of Christ. The covenant of works structure shows how and why Christ was born under the law to become a curse for us;
5. And how He fulfilled the righteousness of the law in order to gain for us a right to eternal life.
6. By understanding the covenant of works, we can better understand, by way of contrast, the covenant of grace. This is an aid in defending the grace of the Gospel against all those who bring in a works righteousness or works salvation.
7. Along those lines, it makes very clear the proper distinction and division of the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of the Gospel in the matter of justification.
8. It helps us to properly understand the law language of "do this live" and "cursed is everyone who does not obey perfectly." When we understand that these words express the fundamental promise and threat of the covenant of works, then it will be easy to see that the covenant of works was re-published but not re-established with the people of Israel or anyone else after the fall.

These matters are all extremely important to the proper understanding of our salvation. The covenant of works is a Biblical and helpful way of explaining and understanding these crucial matters in a systematic and Biblical way. In teaching on the covenant of works, we can emphasize these important lessons. This will help people see the connection of the covenant of works with the proper understanding of their relationship with God.