A34674:23
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.
TO THE READER.
IF either Author or Matter may tend to commend any Treatise, I might take occasion from both these respects to speak to the high commendation of all these three ensuing Treatises; the Authors of them being such as whose commendations are in the gates of all the daughters of Zion, and therefore need not Epistles of Commendation from any others. The Name of Mr. John Cotton (the Author of the two former) being like a precious Ointment poured forth; and although his ⟨image 7⟩blessed soul be now amidst the spirits of just men made perfect in the heavenly Jerusalem that is above; yet his holy works and labours left behind him, do (and I trust ever will) speak to the Saints, to the Churches here below, both in the present and also future Generations yet unborn. Neither doth the other (viz. the third, that concerning the Power of Magistrates in matters of the first Table) seem to claim any lower descent, being indeed a Result of a meeting of divers reverend and godly Elders of several Churches in the Masa•usets Plantation in New-England, An. 1646. where both the head and heart of the forenamed reverend and precious man was also present, amongst those approved workmen who need not to be ashamed.
IF either Author or Matter may tend to commend any Treatise, I might take occasion from both these respects to speak to the high commendation of all these three ensuing Treatises; the Authors of them being such as whose commendations are in the gates of all the daughters of Zion, and therefore need not Epistles of Commendation from any others. The Name of Mr. John Cotton (the Author of the two former) being like a precious Ointment powred forth; and although his ⟨image 7⟩blessed soul be now amidst the spirits of just men made perfect in the heavenly Jerusalem that is above; yet his holy works and labours left behind him, doe (and I trust ever will) speak to the Saints, to the Churches here below, both in the present and also future Generations yet unborn. Neither doth the other (viz. the third, that concerning the Power of Magistrates in matters of the first Table) seem to claim any lower descent, being indeed a Result of a meeting of divers reverend and godly Elders of severall Churches in the Masausets Plantation in New-England, An. 1646. where both the head and heart of the forenamed reverend and precious man was also present, amongst those approved workmen who need not to be ashamed.