A34674:118
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.
Quest. 3. Whether do we receive the Lord Jesus Christ in an Absolute or in a Conditional Promise?
Quest. 3. Whether doe we receive the Lord Jesus Christ in an Absolute or in a Conditionall Promise?
Answ. We know the Lord can convey himself in an Evangelical Commandment, as well as in a Promise, as we find it, Isa. 41.14. Fear thou not worm Jacob, I will help thee, &c. He can also convey himself in a threatening to the Devil, as unto our first Parents he did convey himself, wrapping up a Promise in it, as Gen. 3.15. from whence the Lord gave them to suck a sweet and comfortable Promise of his free grace: And when the like is conveyed in a Commandment, the Lord undertaketh to work that which he so commandeth.
Answ. We know the Lord can convey himselfe in an Evangelicall Commandement, as well as in a Promise, as we find it, Isa. 41.14. Feare thou not worme Jacob, I will help thee, &c. He can also convey himselfe in a threatning to the Devill, as unto our first Parents he did convey himselfe, wrapping up a Promise in it, as Gen. 3.15. from whence the Lord gave them to suck a sweet and comfortable Promise of his free grace: And when the like is conveyed in a Commandment, the Lord undertaketh to work that which he so commandeth.
But now it is questioned, Whether the Promise wherein the Lord giveth himself, be Absolute or Conditional? Faith to receive Christ is ever upon an Absolute Promise, if you will say it is a Promise to a Condition, what kind of condition was it? there is no Condition before Faith, but a condition of misery, a lost condition, or if a gracious Condition, it is a Condition subsequent, not prae-existent, no Condition before