A34674:176
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.
4 They are of use to help us to Know our spiritual state, and means to discern thereof: All these qualifications to which the promises are made, are fruits of the Spirit, and will more or less declare unto you, your sanctified state, which is a marvellous blessing: Upon the promises made unto such conditions, the Lord stirreth up the hearts of his people, to seek for such conditions to which the promises are made, and when the Lord hath given them, he then openeth their hearts to see what he hath given them, and so to discern their sanctified estate. Now I know that thou fearest me, seeing thou hast not with-held thy Son, thine only Son from me; so the Lord saith to Abraham, Gen. 22.12. wherein he bare witness to his work, and this doth fill Abraham with strong Consolation, together with the Oath of God unto him: for now the Lord doth not only know it, but cause him to know it also: so that if ⟨p. 99⟩the Lord doth but breath in such fruit of the Spirit, if he doth but give power to the soul to do such a work unto which the promise is made, and do make it appear unto the soul to be indeed such by the revelation of his blessed Spirit, then doth the Lord fill the soul with Consolation: But though the Holy Ghost himself doth not so sweetly and strongly breath, and clear up his own Testimony, by the comfort which he giveth unto the soul in such a promise, yet a man by the Promise may (being enlightened of God) discern what God hath done for him; and hereby the soul may stay it self, Psal. 9.18. The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever: When the poor soul is meekened by Gods hand, and the Lord letteth him so discern it, that now he quietly resteth upon the Lord, now the Spirit of God doth help David along to be supported with some stay; and besides the waiting of a Christian upon him, who hath made the promises, doth make him yet more patient and hopeful. And this is a fourth use of Conditional promises, to strengthen Faith.
4 They are of use to helpe us to Know our spirituall state, and means to discern thereof: All these qualifications to which the promises are made, are fruits of the Spirit, and will more or lesse declare unto you, your sanctified state, which is a marvelous blessing: Upon the promises made unto such conditions, the Lord stirreth up the hearts of his people, to seek for such conditions to which the promises are made, and when the Lord hath given them, he then openeth their hearts to see what he hath given them, and so to discern their sanctified estate. Now I know that thou fearest me, seeing thou hast not with-held thy Son, thine onely Sonne from me; so the Lord saith to Abraham,