A34674:187
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.
1. The Disobedience; for if men had not known sin, it had been some pretence, though they had committed sin, but when men have the knowledge of the Law, and yet commit sin willingly, now they have no cloak for their sin, Rom. 1.21. compared with 32. where the Apostle speaketh of the great sin of the Gentiles, and much more of the Jews, Who though they knew God, and the judgement of God, and that they which commit such wickedness are worthy of death, yet not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. When a man shall not only do such wickedness, but bless himself in it, this aggravateth a mans condemnation, if men will not ⟨p. 111⟩come unto Jesus Christ that they might have life, Joh. 5.40. what saith our Saviour in such a Case, see vers. 45. Moses will judge all those that please themselves in wickedness, and will not turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus there is use of the Law unto disobedient persons, their disobedience will leave them without excuse, when they sin against their consciences, & against the means which the Lord hath administered unto them: for though the Lord never gave them such grace as did accompany salvation, yet such Illumination he did give them, that they needed not to have broken his Law so many ways with such wicked hands as they have done: therefore when they have been enlarged to perform many duties, & might avoid much sin, & yet will sin against their consciences, and tread under foot those means of grace that were committed unto them, It is then most righteous with God, that they should be condemned.
1. The Disobedience; for if men had not knowne sin, it had been some pretence, though they had committed sin, but when men have the knowledge of the Law, and yet commit sin willingly, now they have no cloake for their sin, Rom. 1.21. compared with 32. where the Apostle speaketh of the great sin of the Gentiles, and much more of the Jewes, Who though they knew God, and the judgement of God, and that they which commit such wickednes are worthy of death, yet not onely doe the same, but have pleasure in them that doe them. When a man shall not onely doe such wickednes, but blesse himselfe in it, this aggravateth a mans condemnation, if men will not