A34674:174
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.
2 They serve for Instruction, to direct us whither to look for Qualifications, and the blessings promised unto them also, namely, to the Lord Jesus Christ, to receive the blessing through him, and the Qualification by the same hand; for they are first fulfilled in him: there is no good Condition but it is found ⟨p. 97⟩in Christ, no blessing thereunto, but it is found in him also; in him therefore they are to be sought for: so that though a poor soul see himself wretched, and blind, and naked, yet he hath an husband in whom all riches are laid up; this he is taught to know by the promise, and directed also to go to Jesus Christ, that enjoying him, he may enjoy all good things in him.
2 They serve for Instruction, to direct us whither to look for Qualifications, and the blessings promised unto them also, namely, to the Lord Jesus Christ, to receive the blessing through him, and the Qualification by the same hand; for they are first fulfilled in him: there is no good Condition but it is found ⟨p. 97⟩in Christ, no blessing thereunto, but it is found in him also; in him therfore they are to be sought for: so that though a poor soule see himselfe wretched, and blind, and naked, yet he hath an husband in whom all riches are laid up; this he is taught to know by the promise, and directed also to goe to Jesus Christ, that enjoying him, he may enjoy all good things in him.
3 They are of use to stir up unto Prayer, for now I see that all these good things are in Christ, and in him they must be enjoyed, if they be enjoyed at all; hereupon the soul is set a work (the Holy Ghost concurring therewith) to consider, Is there so much grace in Christ, and in him abundantly? Hath the Lord made so many gracious promises unto such and such gracious Qualifications? whether then should I go, either for the one, or for the other, but unto Christ, that he may work in us a spirit of Faith, of Love, and of a sound mind? and whatsoever else we stand in need of? Give unto thy Servant a wise and an understanding heart, saith Solomon, when the Lord bad him ask what he should give him,