A34674:177
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.
5 They are of use to work all these qualifications in us, to which the blessings are promised, by the exceeding precious Promises, we are made partakers of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and this is no small work or use of these promises, that from them should spring all our gracious qualifications; for the Lord having promised such blessings in them, these promises being received and enjoyed, and meditated on by us, we beholding them, and the glory of the Lord Jesus in them, are changed into the same Image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. This great power there is in the Promises, to help an end the work of God in the soul of a Christian: so that though they were never given to bring us to Christ, yet to this end they were given, to work all those qualifications in us, to which the blessings are promised. Yea, and they may truly be said to be given to bring us to Christ, in this sense, That though our Faith be not begotten by any promises to gracious qualifications prae-existent in us; yet they may beget such qualifications of Faith, to which promises are made.
5 They are of use to work all these qualifications in us, to which the blessings are promised, by the exceeding pretious Promises, we are made partakers of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and this is no small work or use of these promises, that from them should spring all our gratious qualifications; for the Lord having promised such blessings in them, these promises being received and enjoyed, and meditated on by us, we beholding them, and the glory of the Lord Jesus in them, are changed into the same Image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. This great power there is in the Promises, to help an end the work of God in the soul of a Christian: so that though they were never given to bring us to Christ, yet to this end they were given, to work all those qualifications in us, to which the blessings are promised. Yea, and they may truly be said to be given to bring us to Christ, in this sense, That though our Faith be not begotten by any promises to gratious qualifications prae-existent in us; yet they may beget such qualifications of Faith, to which promises are made.