A34674:308
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 9. Query.
The 9. Querie.
If the godly Members of a Congregation formerly subject to Episcopacy, but repenting of their sinful subordination thereunto, ⟨p. 11⟩and (being studious of Reformation) have solemnly Covenanted to endeavour the same, and have chosen their former godly Ministers (one or more) into the Pastors or Teachers Office; Whether may not those Ministers withhold their Ignorant and carnal Hearers from the Lords Table (though they had their consent to their Election) until they be able to discern the Lords Body, and befit to receive it without profaning it? But yet, in the mean time, whether may they not dispense some other Ministerial Acts unto them, as to Preach the Word, and also to Catechize them and their Families? And if hereby they shall attain unto so much knowledge of the Principles of the Doctrine of the Gospel, as to profess before the Church both their need of Christ and his Covenant to themselves, and the Seal thereof unto their Seed, and also their own Duty of subjection unto Christ in his Ordinances; and shall likewise be found free from any open scandal, or else openly judge themselves for the same; Whether may it not be lawful for the Minister to admit them to the Lords Table, and their Children to Baptism?
If the godly Members of a Congregation formerly subject to Episcopacy, but repenting of their sinfull subordination thereunto, ⟨p. 11⟩and (being studious of Reformation) have solemnly Covenanted to endeavour the same, and have chosen their former godly Ministers (one or more) into the Pastors or Teachers Office; Whether may not those Ministers withhold their Ignorant and carnall Hearers from the Lords Table (though they had their consent to their Election) untill they be able to discerne the Lords Body, and befit to receive it without prophaning it? But yet, in the meane time, whether may they not dispence some other Ministeriall Acts unto them, as to Preach the Word, and also to Catechize them and their Families? And if hereby they shall attain unto so much knowledge of the Principles of the Doctrine of the Gospel, as to professe before the Church both their need of Christ and his Covenant to themselves, and the Seale thereof unto their Seed, and also their owne Duty of subjection unto Christ in his Ordinances; and shall likewise be found free from any open scandall, or else openly judge themselves for the same; Whether may it not be lawfull for the Minister to admit them to the Lords Table, and their Children to Baptisme?