A34674:188
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. Of what use is the Obedience of the Law unto such, whom Gods soul takes no pleasure in? Truly it is of sad and dreadful use unto them, for it serveth ⟨p. 112⟩to harden them in their sins, (though that be but an accidental use thereof) their sins are thereby made out of measure sinful, Rom 7.13. They harden their hearts marvellously. 1. By their Obedience to the Law. 2. By the Comfort they find in that Obedience.
2. Of what use is the Obedience of the Law unto such, whom Gods soule takes no pleasure in? Truly it is of sad and dreadfull use unto them, for it serveth ⟨p. 112⟩to harden them in their sinnes, (though that be but an accidentall use thereof) their sinnes are thereby made out of measure sinfull, Rom 7.13. They harden their hearts marvellously. 1. By their Obedience to the Law. 2. By the Comfort they finde in that Obedience.
For the first of these; the Apostle Paul, Acts 23.1. had kept so good a Conscience, that he knew not any sin against the Law that he had lived in, but though he was unrebukeable, he did count it all loss afterward, Phil. 3.7,8. Those things that before he thought had heen his gain, now he counteth them but dung that he may win Christ: when a man attaineth unto outward conformity to the Law, he is then indeed ready to justify himself, and to think that it is indeed good for poor sinful men to look for salvation by Jesus Christ: but for himself he hopeth in his self-devotion, and that he is able to save himself; these are such as justify themselves before men, to whom our Saviour speaketh, Luke 16.15. And of whom he saith, that Publicans and harlots shall go into the kingdom of heaven