A34674:410
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.
Object. 2. The Church hath sufficient power to reach her ends, in curbing or curing offences in any matters of Religion; therefore what need is there of such coercive power therein of the Civil Magistrate.
Answ. 1. Suppose it were granted, that therefore the Church, as a Church, stood not in need thereof: yet the Church, considered as a Civil Society, stood in need thereof, and so far the state of the question were yielded. Or what if the Church had no need, yet in respect of other subjects enjoying the light of the Gospel, though not actually of the Church, as persons not yet joined to any Church, or such as are actually cast out of the Church, that power might be most needful; else they might vent things as well against the light of nature, as Law of Nations, or deny things obstinately, which are fundamental, albeit not against the light of nature, or Law of Nations; as for example, that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer and only Mediator; that the Scriptures are the word of God, &c. should yet not be restrained: yea, that were to suppose some under the shining of the Gospel, left of the Lord in a lawless condition (in respect of any Authority to restrain them) in matters of Religion; the Civil power may not meddle with them, and Ecclesiastical cannot, as not being actually of the Church.
Answ. 1. Suppose it were granted, that therefore the Church, as a Church, stood not in need thereof: yet the Church, considered as a Civil Society, stood in need thereof, and so far the state of the question were yielded. Or what if the Church had no need, yet in respect of other subjects enjoying the light of the Gospel, though not actually of the Church, as persons not yet joyned to any Church, or such as are actually cast out of the Church, that power might be most needfull; else they might vent things as well against the light of nature, as Law of Nations, or deny things obstinately, which are fundamentall, albeit not against the light of nature, or Law of Nations; as for example, that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer and onely Mediatour; that the Scriptures are the word of God, &c. should yet not be restrained: yea, that were to suppose some under the shining of the Gospel, left of the Lord in a lawlesse condition (in respect of any Authority to restrain them) in matters of Religion; the Civil power may not meddle with them, and Ecclesiasticall cannot, as not being actually of the Church.