A34674:358
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.
The Result of the Disputations of the Synod, or Assembly, at Cambri… › Part › Question 1
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.
11. That thereby we shall encourage and harden Papists and Turks in their cruel persecutions of the Saints; whereas for the Magistrate to command or forbid according to God, as it is not persecution, so neither doth it of it self, tend to persecution. Power to press the Word of God and his truth, doth not give warrant to suppress or oppress the same: the times are evil indeed when the pressing of obedience to the rule shall be counted persecution.
11. That thereby we shall incourage and harden Papists and Turks in their cruell persecutions of the Saints; whereas for the Magistrate to command or forbid according to God, as it is not persecution, so neither doth it of it selfe, tend to persecution. Power to presse the Word of God and his truth, doth not give warrant to suppresse or oppresse the same: the times are evill indeed when the pressing of obedience to the rule shall be counted persecution.
12. That thence are caused all the wars in Christendom at this day; when it is evident that the pressing men to obey the will and word of God in matters either of the second or fi•st Table, is not of it self any cause of war, but the lusts rather of such as abuse their power contrary to the Word.
12. That thence are caused all the warres in Christendome at this day; when it is evident that the pressing men to obey the will and word of God in matters either of the second or fi•st Table, is not of it selfe any cause of warre, but the lusts rather of such as abuse their power contrary to the Word.
By this already spoken we have seen the ruin of twelve of our opposites Castles in the air, imaginarily framed to withstand the civil Magistrates coercive power in matters of Religion.