A34674:246
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.
5 Furthermore, as we receive it from Christ, and trust not in it, but in Christ, ⟨p. 165⟩and receive the witness of it in Christ, and in the Holy Spirit of Christ; and as we receive joy and comfort also which the Lord doth minister to us in a Sanctified course by his Holy Spirit, so we grow up and perfect our holiness which we have received in his name.
5 Furthermore, as we receive it from Christ, and trust not in it, but in Christ, ⟨p. 165⟩and receive the witnesse of it in Christ, and in the Holy Spirit of Christ; and as we receive joy and comfort also which the Lord doth minister to us in a Sanctified course by his Holy Spirit, so we grow up and perfect our holinesse which we have received in his name.
There is growth in grace, this Sanctification is not bedrid, Christians are not as weak now, as they were seven years ago, nor do they stand at a stay, but go forward in Christianity; and hereupon the Apostle exhorteth the Ephesians, Chap. 4.16. To speak the truth in love, that they may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ: Implying, that men that enter into the ways of holiness, ought to grow on unto perfection in the fear of God, Job 17.9. And many sweet means the Lord hath appointed for this end; the communion of Gods people tendeth hereto, Prov. 13.20. He that walketh with the wise, shall learn wisdom: All the Ordinances of God are appointed for this end also, to beget and increase Faith and holiness; therefore a Christian in the use of all these Ordinances, ⟨p. 166⟩doth not stand at a stay, but is still thriving and growing, and that not in his own strength, but in the strength of Jesus Christ, seeking for his acceptance and help in every duty he goeth about; and this is that the Apostle doth exhort the Colossians unto, Chap. 2.6,7. This ought Christians mainly to attend unto, that as you see the branch, the more juice it sucketh, the more fruitful it is; so also it becometh the people of God to know, that the more need we stand in to be fruitful, the more need we have to derive a continual fresh supply from the Lord Jesus Christ; that by his Spirit renewing grace in us, we may be enlarged, and carried an end in the ways of God; whereas otherwise, the hearts of Christians would soon fail to go on in those things wherein they desire to be growing up unto perfection.