A34674:313
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 10. Query.
The 10. Querie.
When any Christians desire to be admitted into the Church, & the Covenant thereof, whether is it regular that the Elders should take all the Trial of them in a private Consistory alone? unless it be in way of preparation, that so they may more fitly and safely commend them to the public Trial of the whole Church? But were it not meet, that the last Trial of Members, upon which they (being approved) are received either ⟨p. 14⟩into the Church in a Congregational way, or to the Lords Supper in a Presbyterial way, should be transacted before the Church?
When any Christians desire to be admitted into the Church, & the Covenant thereof, whether is it regular that the Elders should take all the Tryall of them in a private Consistory alone? unlesse it be in way of preparation, that so they may more fitly and safely commend them to the publick Tryall of the whole Church? But were it not meete, that the last Tryall of Members, upon which they (being approved) are received either ⟨p. 14⟩into the Church in a Congregationall way, or to the Lords Supper in a Presbyteriall way, should be transacted before the Church?
For as no Members are to be cast out of the Church-Communion, but by the Judgement and Consent of the Church (as well the Brethren as the Elders) so none should be received into the Communion of the Church, but with the approbation and Consent of the Church.