A34674:244
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.
4 A fourth Use of our sanctification is, that the Spirit of God helpeth us by it in point of Rejoicing; and therefore it is that you shall see the Servants of God rejoicing in their holiness, ⟨p. 163⟩so doth the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 1.12. — This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, &c. He rejoiceth at what the Lord doth by him, and with him, Gal. 6.4. But what is it that maketh the Apostle rejoice before God? When he rejoiceth in his work before the Lord, you shall ever find him rejoicing at the Lords acting these gifts in him, and blessing him in his work. Let us look upon two or three Scriptures for this end, 1 Tim. 1.12,13. So that (mind you) as he •eeth God giving him these gifts, and enabling him unto the work, so he blesseth God in that behalf. You shall find him also blessing God that had prospered this work of the Ministry wheresoever he came, 2 Cor. 2.14. The Lord working in him and for him, maketh him to triumph and to over-wrestle all the difficulties that he meeteth withal. The Lord had given him gifts, & taught him to exercise those gifts, and doth accept him, and therefore he expresseth himself in a marvellous strong speech, Phil. 1.20,21. I am in nothing ashamed, &c. for to me to live is Christ, and to dye is gain. To me to live is Christ; as if he had ⟨p. 164⟩said, I have no life but from Christ, I put forth no act of life but for Christ; this is the sum of all his conversation; and if Christ be his life, then death will be his advantage, and Christ will be magnified in either.
4 A fourth Use of our sanctification is, that the Spirit of God helpeth us by it in point of Rejoycing; and therefore it is that you shall see the Servants of God rejoycing in their holinesse, ⟨p. 163⟩