A34674:304
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.
The 7. Query.
The 7. Querie.
Yea, suppose a godly Christian do continue ⟨p. 8⟩Presbyterian in his Judgement, and yet do approve also of a Congregational way, and is desirous to join in Covenant with a Congregational Church, whether may he not in due order be lawfully admitted and continued a Member of a Congregational Church? Yea further, Notwithstanding the different state and way of Presbyterian and Congregational Churches, and the Defects which the one or the other may observe or surmise either in other; yet (even whilst they so stand and walk) whether may not the Members of either without just offence, mutually Communicate one with another (as occasion shall be offered) at the Lords Table?
Yea, suppose a godly Christian doe continue ⟨p. 8⟩Presbyterian in his Judgement, and yet doe approve also of a Congregationall way, and is desirous to joyne in Covenant with a Congregationall Church, whether may he not in due order be lawfully admitted and continued a Member of a Congregationall Church? Yea further, Notwithstanding the different state and way of Presbyterian and Congregationall Churches, and the Defects which the one or the other may observe or surmize either in other; yet (even whilest they so stand and walke) whether may not the Members of either without just offence, mutually Communicate one with another (as occasion shall be offered) at the Lords Table?
The Affirmative seemeth probable; For as Error in Judgement about Discipline is not an Heresy against the Foundation of Christian Religion. And the Apostle instructeth Christian Churches to receive the Christian Jews into their Church-fellowship, who ye dissented from them about the observation of Levitical Rites, which were as much discrepant from the Truth of the Gospel in the Order of worship, as these other be in Order of Government.