A34674:140
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.
Answ. 3. the end. It is true and in time will appear that every hypocrite thinketh to outreach God in all the gifts that he hath ⟨p. 71⟩received; but in the mean while it is much that an hypocrite will do, and so much that a poor Christian will be put to much exercise to find a difference between himself and him. Jehu did not only think that he had zeal for the Lord, as he said, Come see my zeal for the Lord of hosts; but good Jonadab did likewise so persuade himself, and therefore did readily join with him in his reformation: and when he proclaimed a sacrifice for Baal, he thought that Jehu would not pollute himself in the Temple of Baal. Thus therefore sometimes it cometh to pass, because that an hypocrite may for a long time find all his own ends attained in seeking the glory of God, as Jehu did: but in conclusion, when a man and his own glory must part, then either he must hold to his own honour, or he must neglect it & keep him close to the honour of God: but in the mean time what can I tell, will an honest soul say, but that I may shake hands with, and bid farewell unto Gods glory, when his and mine lye at stake together?
Answ. 3. the end. It is true and in time will appeare that every hypocrite thinketh to outreach God in all the gifts that he hath ⟨p. 71⟩received; but in the meane while it is much that an hypocrite will doe, and so much that a poore Christian will be put to much exercise to finde a difference between himselfe and him. Jehu did not only thinke that he had zeale for the Lord, as he said, Come see my zeale for the Lord of hosts; but good Jonadab did likewise so perswade himselfe, and therefore did readily joyne with him in his reformation: and when he proclaimed a sacrifice for Baal, he thought that Jehu would not pollute himselfe in the Temple of Baal. Thus therefore somtimes it cometh to passe, because that an hypocrite may for a long time finde all his owne ends attained in seeking the glory of God, as Jehu did: but in conclusion, when a man and his owne glory must part, then either he must hold to his owne honour, or he must neglect it & keepe him close to the honour of God: but in the meane time what can I tell, will an honest soule say, but that I may shake hands with, and bid farewell unto Gods glory, when his and mine lye at stake together?