A34674:147
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.
Wherein then lieth the difference? Doth the Spirit of God leave the heart of an Hypocrite stony and unmelted? It is so indeed with the stony, but not with the thorny soil; for the hearts of some Hypocrites are melted, as iron stones, they may come to melt about their own estates, through fear, and so all those melt that want not depth of earth, as the thorny soil did not; but mind you, they will grow hard again, as iron or lead will do after it is melted. Now look at the Spirit of God when he cometh to work effectually, and he doth not only melt the heart, but taketh away the heart of stone, and giveth an heart of flesh; for it is not enough to break a stone, it will be a stone though it be broken; but when the Lord changeth it into flesh, then it will be hard no more: But though a ⟨p. 80⟩man may have many temptations, yet the Lord will keep his heart soft for ever. And this is that which I do believe touching the witness of Sanctification unto Justification.
Wherein then lyeth the difference? Doth the Spirit of God leave the heart of an Hypocrite stony and unmelted? It is so indeed with the stony, but not with the thorny soile; for the hearts of some Hypocrites are melted, as iron stones, they may come to melt about their owne estates, through fear, and so all those melt that want not depth of earth, as the thorny soile did not; but mind you, they will grow hard again, as iron or lead will doe after it is melted. Now look at the Spirit of God when he cometh to work effectually, and he doth not onely melt the heart, but taketh away the heart of stone, and giveth an heart of flesh; for it is not enough to breake a stone, it will be a stone though it be broken; but when the Lord changeth it into flesh, then it will be hard no more: But though a ⟨p. 80⟩man may have many temptations, yet the Lord will keep his heart soft for ever. And this is that which I do believe touching the witnesse of Sanctification unto Justification.
You see what works of God are found in Hypocrites, and therefore what dangerous deceits we are subject unto, if God be not more merciful.