A34674:374
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.
Argum: 1
1 In that it is evident that Rulers of old, and those Rulers in the Commonwealth of Israel, they are commended in Scripture for the exercise of such power in the matters of the first Table; and therefore it is according to the mind of God that now civil Rulers do the like. Abraham, who was not an ordinary master of a family, but a Prince among them, Gen. 23.6. He is commended for laying the force of his command upon those under his power, in matters of Religion, Gen. 18 19. And if he had been considered as a Master, yet less would not be granted that way to a Ruler of a Common-wealth, than of a Family, but rather more. Job as a civil Ruler, as a King in an Army of persons under his command, did not leave each of them to chose out their own way of Religion or justice, but he chose it, he determinatively set it down for them. I sate as King in an Army, I chose out their way, &c. Job 29.25. The King of Nineveh, with his Princes, did not barely commend that duty of fasting and prayer, to his people, as very convenient to be attended, yet leaving them to their liberty to omit the ⟨p. 22⟩same: but he positively commands the same, that the wrath of God might be prevented, 1Jonah 3.7. The word is used for a coercive command or decree, Ezra 4.21. & 6.11. Dan. 3.10,11. & 29. & 6.7,8,9. & 13. and the act of the civil Authority of Nineveh, having so much influence into the people act,