A34674:190
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.
or at the best, if he do grieve and find his heart comforted in grieving, and delighting in the Course of humiliation, he then thinketh he hath no need of being further solicitous about his spiritual estate. Thus we see that the Law of God is of marvellous use in the days of the Gospel; of great use unto those that belong unto God, to break their hearts for sin, and to drive them to Jesus Christ; and for others, the disobedience of the Law leaves them without excuse, that so disobey it. Again, the obedience of it and comfort in that obedience doth harden the hearts of others from Christ.
or at the best, if he doe grieve and finde his heart comforted in grieving, and delighting in the Course of humiliation, he then thinketh he hath no need of being further solicitous about his spirituall estate. Thus we see that the Law of God is of marvellous use in the dayes of the Gospell; of great use unto those that belong unto God, to breake their hearts for sinne, and to drive them to Jesus Christ; and for others, the disobedience of the Law leaves them without excuse, that so disobey it. Againe, the obedience of it and comfort in that obedience doth harden the hearts of others from Christ.
2. But what say you then unto men that are under a Covenant of grace, ⟨p. 115⟩and brought unto fellowship with Christ therein? of what use is the Law of God unto such? is it utterly antiquated? or is there any more to be done about it?
Answ. The Apostle answereth this question, when he saith, I am not without the Law to God, but under the Law to Christ, 1 Cor. 9.21. So that (mind you) the Law is of use unto the Apostle Paul, but how? As the Law cometh under Christ, so Paul cometh under the Law; this is the sum of the Answer, but that would be further explained. What meaneth he, when he saith, I am under the Law to Christ? In some sense a Christian is freed from the Law, in some sense he is under the Law; so far as the Law is any way besides or out of Christ, so far the Apostle is without the Law; so far as the Law is under Christ, so far he is under the Law; keep close to these two principles, and you shall safely avoid rocks on every hand, thus by the use of the Law shall you not go aside to a Covenant of works, nor by attendance unto grace, shall you neglect the Law. How far is the Law under Christ? When it hath brought