A34674:205
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.
Truly this is a great snare, and this doctrine will be scandalous to many a poor soul, but without cause; indeed if God give a man to be under the Covenant of grace, and not to see it, then he may fear; but if a man know himself to be under the Covenant of grace, then he doth not fear condemnation from his disobedience; notable to this purpose is the confidence of David, Psal. 49.5. where the Prophet calleth upon all people in the world ⟨p. 127⟩to take notice of it, both men of high and low degree: Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquities of my heels shall compass me about? Wherefore? Truly if there be any fear in the world, one would think this should procure it? what should a man fear, if not this: David yet professeth it, and would have all men to know it, that there is no cause therein why a Christian man should fear; wherefore should I fear? &c. Though it should follow you to the Stocks, or to Prison, yet there is no cause why it should make you fear. Men that trust themselves in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, that be should still live for ever, and not see corruption. Had David had nothing but the wealth of his Kingdom, he might have feared well enough, but here's his confidence, vers. 15.
Truly this is a great snare, and this doctrine will be scandalous to many a poor soule, but without cause; indeed if God give a man to be under the Covenant of grace, and not to see it, then he may fear; but if a man know himselfe to be under the Covenant of grace, then he doth not feare condemnation from his disobedience; notable to this purpose is the confidence of David, Psal. 49.5. where the Prophet calleth upon all people in the world ⟨p. 127⟩to take notice of it, both men of high and low degree: Wherefore should I feare in the dayes of evill, when the iniquities of my heeles shall compasse me about? Wherefore? Truly if there be any fear in the world, one would think this should procure it? what should a man fear, if not this: David yet professeth it, and would have all men to know it, that there is no cause therein why a Christian man should fear; wherefore should I fear? &c. Though it should follow you to the Stocks, or to Prison, yet there is no cause why it should make you fear. Men that trust themselves in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransome for him, that be should still live for ever, and not see corruption. Had David had nothing but the wealth of his Kingdome, he might have feared well enough, but here's his confidence, vers. 15.