A34674:131
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.
You know what was said of Saul, 1 Sam. 10.10. The Spirit of God came upon him, and so did it likewise upon Judas and Demas, acting them mightily in their Administrations; and as they were thus carried along by the Spirit, ⟨p. 62⟩so likewise the spirit of bondage will marvellously prevail with the Sons of men to draw them on to strong works of Reformation, from whence they reap no small Consolation, but think and say (as Abijah did) that the Lord is with them whilst they are with him: And as sometimes David said of himself, I believed, therefore I spake, so the Israelites also (Psal. 106.12.) believed and sang the praises of the Lord upon the red sea shore, and yet were they but an Hypocritical Generation; and if Hypocrites may work Miracles in the name of Christ (as they did, and expostulate with Christ about it, Mat. 7.22.) then may a temporary Faith work ordinary works in Christianity also: and therefore you shall read (Mat. 13.22.) that there is no fault found with the thorny soil for their want of root, or depth of earth, for the want of both which the stony soil was taxed; but look as it is with the branches of a Vine, what depth of earth the root hath, they have, it being grafted into the Vine though they be but branches of the wild Olive, and will bring forth but wild fruit; for though the branch ⟨p. 63⟩of the wild Olive be grafted into the fat Olive, and may flourish there, yet will it bring forth his own fruit, but in the root you will find no difference. And yet there is a difference, but it is very hard to be discerned.
You know what was said of Saul, 1 Sam. 10.10. The Spirit of God came upon him, and so did it likewise upon Judas and Demas, acting them mightily in their Administrations; and as they were thus carryed along by the Spirit, ⟨p. 62⟩