A34674:288
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.
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.
Answ. 1. The Gospel of Christ was preached and received in England ten yeares before it was in Rome (as may appeare by Gildas, and may be inferred from Baronius also, Annal. Anno Christi 35.5. & 45.1.) and that by the Ministry of Apostles and Apostolick men, who doubtlesse did at first institute Churches, not after the Pattern of Rome (which then was not a Church) but according to the Patterne of the Apostles.
2. Neither were they unchurched by the Antichristian Apostasy which afterwards ⟨p. 3⟩grew upon them (as a Leprosy) but were only corrupted and polluted, even in many fundamentals, both in Doctrine, Worship, & Government, which made them like unto the Israelites under the Apostasy of Jezebel, the generality being carried away by the Corruption of the times, but a Remnant reserved (through grace) which bowed not the knee to Baal.