A34674:155
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.
Thus have we seen particularly the difference between legal and Evangelical holiness.
Thus have we seen particularly the difference between legall and Evangelicall holinesse.
We proceed still in the fourth Use, to a fifth Question.
If Jesus Christ be the first gift that is given to the Children of God, before he giveth right unto Promises, or to ⟨p. 86⟩me to challenge Promises, yea, before he giveth me any other gifts of his saving Grace: then any soul may ask this Question.
If Jesus Christ be the first gift that is given to the Children of God, before he giveth right unto Promises, or to ⟨p. 86⟩me to challenge Promises, yea, before he giveth me any other gifts of his saving Grace: then any soule may ask this Question.
Quest. 5. Of what use are Promises, if it be not to bring me to Christ? yea especially to what end are conditional Promises made (that is to say, Promises to such and such Qualifications) if I may not take a Promise in one hand, and a Qualification in the other hand, and bring them both to God, and lay hold upon Christ with both hands, in the strength of this Promise made to this Qualification? Thus ariseth the Question, if God give Jesus Christ first, before any other blessing, as we read before, to Abraham and to his seed were the Promises made (he meaneth unto Christ) and all the Promises are in him Yea, and in him Amen: No having of Promises then before Christ. To what purpose are they given, if not to bring me unto Christ? It is a point needful to be known, because we read Promises in Scripture daily, and certainly great use is to be made of them; and if we shall make no other use of them, but to bring us unto Christ, and God hath not sanctified them to that end, then