A34674:115
The Covenant of Grace
The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodadation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregationall churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.
London: printed by M.S. for Francis Eglesfield and John Allen, 1655
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This is in the first place for Instruction concerning what is the first gift, which the Lord giveth unto the soul, before any work or Promise; he giveth saving communion in spiritual union with his Son; this standeth firm from ⟨p. 55⟩the Tenor of the Covenant, and the nature of it, to my best understanding, and therewith giveth us Faith, and all other saving Qualifications and Conditions, as it is held forth in the Scriptures of God.
This is in the first place for Instruction concerning what is the first gift, which the Lord giveth unto the soule, before any work or Promise; he giveth saving communion in spirituall union with his Son; this standeth firm from ⟨p. 55⟩the Tenor of the Covenant, and the nature of it, to my best understanding, and therewith giveth us Faith, and all other saving Qualifications and Conditions, as it is held forth in the Scriptures of God.
Quest 2. In what order the Lord giveth the Covenant and the blessings of it, whether Faith before them, or those blessings before faith be able to apply them?
Answ. He doth give himself in working Faith, before Faith can be there, and therefore it is the fruit of the Spirit that Faith is wrought in the soul, and this Faith doth receive the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ himself by his Spirit, and it doth also receive Adoption and Justification: but to be able actually to apply it, our first birth will not bear it: for a man is as passive in his Regeneration, as in his first generation, only the Lord giveth us his Spirit that doth unite us unto Christ, which is received by Faith, together with Adoption and Justification. And yet by the Act of believing we are justified also, Gal. 2.26. that is, manifested to be justified in our own consciences.