A34674:192
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.
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 ⟨p. 116⟩the soul nearer unto Christ, and in a remote manner prepared him: the Law is in Christ, and you subject to it in him. 1. As the Law is given by Christ. 2. As in Christ help is given to perform it. First, as the Law is given by Christ, as 1 Thes. 4.2,3. — and many other Commandments he gave them, all which are legal Commandments, and yet the Apostle gave them by the Lord Jesus. So Mat. 5. to the end of the Chapter. Our Saviour would not have us think, that he came to destroy the Law, or the Prophets, but to fulfil them; and to that end he doth there expound the spiritual & true meaning of the Law; that whereas the Pharisees held forth the outward letter of the Law to be observed only, as thinking that unless a man did commit the act of murder, he was not guilty of the breach of the sixth Commandment; and if he committed not the act of Adultery, he transgressed not the seventh Commandment; and so of the rest; Our Saviour Christ expoundeth the Law more spiritually, showing that Anger against a mans brother is a breach of the sixth Commandment, and whosoever shall ⟨p. 117⟩look on a woman to lust after her, hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart, and broken the seventh Commandment. Thus Christ hath as it were revived Moses; but as the Law given by Christ is not a Covenant of works, but a Commandment of well-doing; and he having given it, we take our selves bound to be subject unto it.