A34674:249
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.
But you will say, may not a Christian be full of himself, and depend upon the strength of his own ⟨p. 169⟩gifts? Yes, God forbid I should deny that, for the best Christians have gone astray in the exercise of their best gifts; and hereupon Abraham hath been wanting in faith, Moses in meekness, Peter in courage, and Sarah in her modesty, they have been so apt to trust upon those graces of God, wherein they have most abounded, that they have principally failed therein: but this you shall find, that (if they have been overtaken once or twice) as the burnt child dreads the fire, so they grow to be more sensible of their need of Christ, more fearful of departing from him, more careful to cleave unto him, that they might grow up in his Name unto all well pleasing in his sight. If therefore there be a sanctification that standeth at a stay in any man, it is a great suspicion whether the gifts thereof flow from fellowship with Christ, or no; if gifts be truly spiritual, a man shall usually grow up in them, Habenti dabitur. Employ them, and multiply them; but if you employ the gifts you have received, in your own strength, and you are now full of your own sanctification, truly this is but frothy work, and doth not convey ⟨p. 170⟩true nor lively nourishment and comfort: but the comfort and life is to him that in his most spiritual gifts & best performances, is empty of himself, and only full of Jesus Christ, to live or dye is his advantage.
But you will say, may not a Christian be full of himselfe, and depend upon the strength of his owne ⟨p. 169⟩gifts? Yes, God forbid I should deny that, for the best Christians have gone astray in the exercise of their best gifts; and hereupon Abraham hath been wanting in faith, Moses in meeknes, Peter in courage, and Sarah in her modesty, they have been so apt to trust upon those graces of God, wherein they have most abounded, that they have principally failed therein: but this you shall finde, that (if they have been overtaken once or twice) as the burnt childe dreads the fire, so they grow to be more sensible of their need of Christ, more fearfull of departing from him, more carefull to cleave unto him, that they might grow up in his Name unto all well pleasing in his sight. If therefore there be a sanctification that standeth at a stay in any man, it is a great suspition whether the gifts thereof flow from fellowship with Christ, or no; if gifts be truly spirituall, a man shall usually grow up in them, Habenti dabitur. Imploy them, and multiply them; but if you imploy the gifts you have received, in your owne strength, and you are now full of your owne sanctification, truly this is but frothy work, and doth not convey