A34674:217
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 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 ⟨p. 138⟩man that hath not been clearly taught the distinct differences between these two Covenants, may be misled into dangerous ways that might tend unto the utter undoing of his soul; but it is a sin of ignorance, and the Lord will not leave his servants, but clear up his truth and grace unto them.
Ʋse 3. This may also serve to Teach men some discerning of their owne spirits and state; if you looke for justification no longer than you are obedient, and feare eternall condemnation, then you are disobedient; if you are afraid of divorce from Christ because of your sins, or if you looke for any vertue or challenge right to any promise by vertue of any well-doing of your owne, in such a case, either you are under a Covenant of workes, 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 dependances as these be. I know a Christian ⟨p. 138⟩man that hath not been cleerely taught the distinct differences between these two Covenants, may be misled into dangerous wayes that might tend unto the utter undoing of his soule; but it is a sin of ignorance, and the Lord will not leave his servants, but cleare up his truth and grace unto them.
Use 4. May serve to Teach the servants of God, that desire to walk in a way of constant obedience, how to build their faith and hope; truly if they be grounded upon your own obedience or righteousness of sanctification, if they depend upon you, you will find your hearts ever unsettled: you may find comfort, as under the Law you shall, for the Law will cast in comforts upon a man because of his obedience, if he be married to the Law; but if you shall believe that Christ is yours, and comfort your selves because you have been by the power of the Law constrained to duties, and restrained from sin, and thereupon build your conjugal communion with Christ, you will find your souls full of sadness and fear ere long; especially if you have true grace in your hearts: and therefore it is the