A34674:227
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.
1. That there is need of the holy Ghost, that he should keep these in us. 2 Tim. 1.14. there is a worthy thing committed unto us; how shall we keep it? not by our own wit or wisdom, careful watchfulness and faithfulness (though such things ought not to be wanting) but the charge is, Keep those things, by the holy Ghost which dwelleth in us; we stand in need of gifts to be fit instruments in the hand of God: we stand in need of the Spirit of God to maintain that which God giveth us; though Adams gifts were in perfection, yet not having the holy Ghost to keep them for him, they all ⟨p. 147⟩fly from him as soon as ever he had tasted of the forbidden fruit, and left him naked and desperate; therefore in the Covenant of grace, the Lord giveth the holy Ghost to keep strong possession in his servants against the strong man armed.
1. That there is need of the holy Ghost, that he should keepe these in us. 2 Tim. 1.14. there is a worthy thing committed unto us; how shall wee keepe it? not by our owne wit or wisdome, carefull watchfullnes and faithfullnes (though such things ought not to be wanting) but the charge is, Keepe those things, by the holy Ghost which dwelleth in us; we stand in need of gifts to be fit instruments in the hand of God: we stand in need of the Spirit of God to maintaine that which God giveth us; though Adams gifts were in perfection, yet not having the holy Ghost to keepe them for him, they all ⟨p. 147⟩fly from him as soone as ever he had tasted of the forbidden fruit, and left him naked and desperate; therefore in the Covenant of grace, the Lord giveth the holy Ghost to keepe strong possession in his servants against the strong man armed.
2. Its the holy Ghost that Acteth the gifts given to us, and enableth them in us: for the holy Ghost, who keepeth possession, doth derive continued strength into our faith, which putteth life into all the gifts of God: and if you shall ask, how love, and patience, and all the rest of the gifts of God do work? The holy Ghost stirreth up faith to look unto Christ, who returneth strength by his Spirit unto faith, & so faith worketh by love, and by meekness, and by all the rest of the fruits of the Spirit: thus the Spirit of God acteth according to what we read,