A34674:229
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.
3. It is the same Spirit of God also ⟨p. 148⟩that witnesseth to these gifts, and showeth what gifts he hath given us; for such is the blindness of the nature of all the sons of men, and it is a wonder to see, that generally Christians, when the Lord first worketh these gifts in them, not one of a thousand but they think they are in a sad and fearful condition, and so they are very uncomfortable when they have greatest cause of rejoicing. But now least that we should always mistake that which the Lord hath given us, we have received the Spirit of God, that we might know the things that are freely given unto us of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. He indeed taketh his own time to discover it unto us, to some sooner, to some later; but this is his intendment, that he might honour his grace upon us by all the rich and gracious gifts, which he hath given us. He doth also reveal unto us the duties which he helpeth us to do; •om. 9.1. The holy Ghost, that wrought in him this brotherly love, beareth him witness also that he doth not lye, and that he had continual sorrow in his heart, and that he could have wished to have been accursed from Christ, that ⟨p. 149⟩they might be saved; it grieved him so much that the whole Nation should be destitute of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. It is the same Spirit of God also ⟨p. 148⟩that witnesseth to these gifts, and sheweth what gifts he hath given us; for such is the blindnes of the nature of all the sons of men, and it is a wonder to see, that generally Christians, when the Lord first worketh these gifts in them, not one of a thousand but they thinke they are in a sad and fearefull condition, and so they are very uncomfortable when they have greatest cause of rejoycing. But now least that we should alwayes mistake that which the Lord hath given us, wee have received the Spirit of God, that wee might know the things that are freely given unto us of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. He indeed taketh his owne time to discover it unto us, to some sooner, to some later; but this is his intendment, that he might honour his grace upon us by all the rich and gracious gifts, which he hath given us. He doth also reveale unto us the duties which he helpeth us to doe; om. 9.1. The holy Ghost, that wrought in him this brotherly love, beareth him witnes also that he doth not lye, and that he had continuall sorrow in his heart, and that he could have wished to have been accursed from Christ, that