A34674:219
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.
If a man rejoice in the sparks which he hath kindled, this shall he have at the hands of God, he shall lie down in sorrow, Isa. 50.11. Whereas the light of God shall graciously break forth unto the servants of God that wait upon him, though they be for present in darkness, and see no light; trust not therefore in any legal comforts, but wait upon the free grace of God, both to justify, sanctify, comfort and glorify your souls. This is the way of constant peace, and if the Lord do at any time check his servants when they walk in by-ways, it is that he might build them upon a sure foundation, so that their salvation will not lye upon their obedience, nor damnation upon their disobedience. This is the way of constant ⟨p. 141⟩peace and s•ety unto all the Israel of God.
If a man rejoyce in the sparks which he hath kindled, this shall he have at the hands of God, he shall lie downe in sorrow, Isa. 50.11. Whereas the light of God shall gratiously breake forth unto the servants of God that wait upon him, though they be for present in darknes, and see no light; trust not therefore in any legall comforts, but wait upon the free grace of God, both to justifie, sanctifie, comfort and glorifie your soules. This is the way of constant peace, and if the Lord doe at any time checke his servants when they walke in by-wayes, it is that he might build them upon a sure foundation, so that their salvation will not lye upon their obedience, nor damnation upon their disobedience. This is the way of constant ⟨p. 141⟩peace and s•ety unto all the Israel of God.
Quest. 7. This Doctrine may serve in the next place to Answer a seventh Question touching the necessity of sanctification. For it may be demanded, If the Lord will give himself unto the soul in the Covenant of his grace, not only his Attributes but his Person, all that is God, is given by virtue of this Covenant; If God hath himself not only chosen us to life and glory, but given his Son to redeem us, and holy Spirit to sanctify us,