A34674:216
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.
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; ⟨p. 137⟩but when he knoweth his portion in the Covenant, then indeed he doth not fear condemnation by his sin, nor doth he think, that the Lord will cleave unto him because of his fruitfulness: he casteth not off his comfort, nor looketh at himself as divorced from Christ, because of his barrenness, nor doth he look for his daily bread from all his obedience, but expecteth all goodness and blessing from the treasures of the free grace of God.
Ʋse 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 looke for justification, nor salvation from it; and let it not be grievous to any soule, that a Christian should say, he doth not feare condemnation by his disobedience, he will be apt to feare in this kinde, untill he be assured of the favour of God; ⟨p. 137⟩but when he knoweth his portion in the Covenant, then indeed he doth not feare condemnation by his sin, nor doth he thinke, that the Lord will cleave unto him because of his fruitfulnes: he casteth not off his comfort, nor looketh at himselfe as divorced from Christ, because of his barrennes, nor doth he looke for his daily bread from all his obedience, but expecteth all goodnesse and blessing from the treasures of the free grace of God.
Use 3. This may also serve to Teach men some discerning of their own spirits and state; if you look for justification no longer than you are obedient, and fear eternal condemnation, then you are disobedient; if you are afraid of divorce from Christ because of your sins, or if you look for any virtue or challenge right to any promise by virtue of any well-doing of your own, in such a case, either you are under a Covenant of works, or you are gone aside to a Covenant of works; and if ever the Lord open your eyes, and bestow his free grace upon you, you will know your redemption from such dependences as these be. I know a Christian