A34674:215
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.
So that the children of the Covenant of grace will only tell you, that they are free from the Covenant of the Law, but not from the Commandment of it: for as it is given by Jesus Christ, and ratified in the Gospel, and as Christ hath given us his Spirit, enabling us to keep ⟨p. 136⟩it, we are under it, so far as to take our selves bound by the Authority of it: and if we do transgress against it, we know it is sin in the sight of God, & therefore it is, that the soul in such a case is sensible of the wrath and displeasure of God, whether it be his own sin, or the sin of his brethren; therefore he runneth unto God for mercy, which he would not do, if he did not know that his desert according to the Law did utterly cut him off from mercy; else would he never pray for pardon of sin, nor rejoice when the Lord helpeth him to do that which is right and just in his sight, nor bless the Lord for strengthening him unto obedience, unless he thought it to be his duty; and therefore.
So that the children of the Covenant of grace will onely tell you, that they are free from the Covenant of the Law, but not from the Commandment of it: for as it is given by Jesus Christ, and ratified in the Gospell, and as Christ hath given us his Spirit, enabling us to keep ⟨p. 136⟩it, wee are under it, so farre as to take our selves bound by the Authority of it: and if we doe trangresse against it, we know it is sin in the sight of God, & therefore it is, that the soule in such a case is sensible of the wrath and displeasure of God, whether it be his own sin, or the sin of his brethren; therefore he runneth unto God for mercy, which he would not doe, if he did not know that his desert according to the Law did utterly cut him off from mercy; else would he never pray for pardon of sin, nor rejoyce when the Lord helpeth him to doe that which is right and just in his sight, nor blesse the Lord for strengthning him unto obedience, unlesse he thought it to be his duty; and therefore.
Use 2. It is of use also to Teach the servants of God, how far we are freed from the Law; to wit, from the Covenant of it, so that we neither look for justification, nor salvation from it; and let it not be grievous to any soul, that a Christian should say, he doth not fear condemnation by his disobedience, he will be apt to fear in this kind, until he be assured of the favour of God;