A34674:287
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.
Because, such Churches, (for the Matter of them) consist of visible Saints, (at least a principal part of them) especially when they present themselves to sit down before the Lord at his Table. ⟨p. 2⟩And for the Form; they do agree together in choosing their own Minister, in attending duly to the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and in submitting to the Doctrine of the Gospel: which implieth a real and visible (though implicit) profession of the Covenant of grace requisite to Church-estate.
BEcause, such Churches, (for the Matter of them) consist of visible Saints, (at least a principall part of them) especially when they present themselves to sit downe before the Lord at his Table. ⟨p. 2⟩And for the Forme; they doe agree together in choosing their owne Minister, in attending duely to the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and in submitting to the Doctrine of the Gospel: which implyeth a reall and visible (though implicite) profession of the Covenant of grace requisite to Church-estate.
Object. The Parish-Churches in England were Antichristian, if not in their first Institution, yet at least for these many hundred years; and were never since unchurched, nor new moulded out of their Antichristian Apostasy.
Object. The Parish-Churches in England were Antichristian, if not in their first Institution, yet at least for these many hundred yeares; and were never since unchurched, nor new moulded out of their Anchristian Apostacy.
Answ. 1. The Gospel of Christ was preached and received in England ten years before it was in Rome (as may appear by Gildas, and may be inferred from Baronius also, Annal. Anno Christi 35.5. & 45.1.) and that by the Ministry of Apostles and Apostolic men, who doubtless did at first institute Churches, not after the Pattern of Rome (which then was not a Church) but according to the Pattern of the Apostles.