Paragraph 7.4
Chapter VII. Of God’s Covenant with Man
In the authorised English version of the New Testament, the covenant of grace is frequently designated a testament; and it is generally admitted, that the original word signifies both a covenant and a testament. There is, at least, one passage in which it is most properly rendered testament, namely, Heb. ix. 16, 17. Some learned critics, indeed, have strenuously contended against the use of that term even in this passage; but the great majority allow that the common translation is unexceptionable.1
1 The reader will find a summary of the views of critics on this subject in a long and able article by Dr Fraser, appended to his Translation of Witsius’ Dissertations on the Apostles’ Creed, vol. i., note 42. The learned Professor Stuart of Andover (in his Commentary on the Hebrews) also mentions the commentators who prefer the word covenant in the passage referred to, and declares that “his difficulties in admitting it are insuperable.”