A34674:179
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.
7 They are of use further, to strengthen Faith: for the Lord that hath made such Promises, will accomplish them for his Servants, Gen. 32.9,10. Jacob there putteth the Lord in mind of his Promise, and said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy Country, and to thy Kindred, and I will deal well with thee; and he was now returned according to the appointment of God, but what now, doth he plead the condition? mind in the next words, I am not worthy the least of all the mercy, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed ⟨p. 102⟩unto thy Servant? yet now though he pleadeth not any worth at all, yet seeing the Lord had promised such a mercy to him, he prayeth for it, ver. 11. Deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother. Thus his faith is strengthened, though he doth not plead any worthiness to receive mercy. So also do absolute promises strengthen faith, and the prayer of faith, 2 Sam. 7.13,14, &c, The Lord there promiseth David, that he would build him an house, and that he would not take his mercy from his Children, this stirreth up and strengtheneth the faith of David, ver. 28, 29, &c. This well ordered and sure Covenant of God was all his stay, and all his salvation though his house was not so with God, 2 Sam. 23.5. So when the Lord promiseth to heal the backslidings of his people, Ho. 14.5. their hearts are strengthened to come unto the Lord, and say, O Lord thy words are true, let it please thee to heal the backslidings of thy servants. Thus by the promises of God, the Faith and faithful prayers of his servants, are both strengthened together.
7 They are of use further, to strengthen Faith: for the Lord that hath made such Promises, will accomplish them for his Servants, Gen. 32.9,10. Jacob there putteth the Lord in mind of his Promise, and said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Returne unto thy Countrey, and to thy Kindred, and I will deale well with thee; and he was now returned according to the appointment of God, but what now, doth he plead the condition? mind in the next words, I am not worthy the least of all the mercy, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed