A34674:368
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.
The last thing to be explained in the state of the Question is, touching the coercive power of the Magistrate, namely, Godly peace. Now by Godly peace (to which the Magistrate immediately looketh) we mean a peaceable living, as in all honesty, so in godliness, as the Apostle hath it, 1 Tim. 2.1,2. So far as any matters of Religion, coming under the Magistrates cognizance as a public Officer in the Commonwealth, do either further or hinder such a peace of a Christian Commonwealth, so far is he to put forth his coercive power accordingly.
The last thing to be explained in the state of the Question is, touching the coercive power of the Magistrate, namely, Godly peace. Now by Godly peace (to which the Magistrate immediately looketh) we mean a peaceable living, as in all honesty, so in godlines, as the Apostle hath it, 1 Tim. 2.1,2. So far as any matters of Religion, coming under the Magistrates cognizance as a publick Officer in the Commonwealth, doe either further or hinder such a peace of a Christian Commonwealth, so far is he to put forth his coercive power accordingly.
Hereby also, with reference to things before explained, other Objections may receive answer, as
1 Will you have Magistrates put forth their coercive power to the full, in Laws, with Sanctions of punishments; as that men shall pray in their Families, so long, or so oft, or else suffer? That a Minister in preaching, if he exceed a just hour, he must suffer, and the like? we say, if either the matters be merely circumstantial, or if ⟨p. 19⟩