A34674:201
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.
But how shall a man use it lawfully? for it is not given unto a righteous man, but he reckoneth up the breaches of every Commandment, and unto them it is given; To the lawless and disobedient, to the ungodly and sinners, &c. 1 Tim. 1.9. The Covenant of the Law is given to such (and to none but such) to convince them of their sins against the Law, to humble them to the death, and to drive them out of themselves, and all confidence in themselves.
But how shall a man use it lawfully? for it is not given unto a righteous man, but he reckoneth up the breaches of every Commandement, and unto them it is given; To the lawlesse and disobedient, to the ungodly and sinners, &c. 1 Tim. 1.9. The Covenant of the Law is given to such (and to none but such) to convince them of their sinnes against the Law, to humble them to the death, and to drive them out of themselves, and all confidence in themselves.
But how doth it appear that the Covenant of the Law is not given to the Children of God?
From hence it is manifest, because a Christian man neither looketh for justification and salvation from his obedience to the Law, nor seareth condemnation, though he fail in his obedience, ⟨p. 126⟩and this is a fruit of his exemption from under the Covenant of the Law; for if a man should look for life by his obedience to the Law, and fear condemnation by the breach of it, this would bring a man under the Covenant of the Law; for the sanction of the Covenant of the Law is Life to them that obey, and to them that disobey death and the curse; but a Christian looketh not for life by his obedience, and that is plain,