A34674:421
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.
2 Of an universal extirpation of all, and every reprobate, from among the company of the Elect; neither of wch hinders, but that
1 To such particular offenders as may be rooted up by Civil and Church ⟨p. 45⟩power, without danger and hurt to godly ones; as are obstinate seducers, Heretics, and they may and ought so to be.
1 To such particular offendours as may be rooted up by Civil and Church ⟨p. 45⟩power, without danger and hurt to godly ones; as are obstinate seducers, Hereticks, and they may and ought so to be.
2 Such particular Offenders, which by their continuance amongst Gods people, do over-run, and over-top them, in such sort as they are hurt and endangered by them, and they cannot grow and thrive spiritually by reason of them, they may & ought to be rooted out by both powers; for if there be any force in the Parable in this way, it is to show, that the tares are to be suffered, in reference, not to the hurt, but to the good of the wheat; so that which tends to the corrupting, blasting, and destruction of the wheat, is therefore to be removed, because hurtful and pernicious to the wheat; so that our opposites would gain nothing to their cause, by pressing this Parable, as directory that way to us; but we rather (upon the reasons before going) conceive it to be set down not as a direction, or any Command of Christ enjoining us thus or thus to do; but as a doctrinal instruction, that God may and will in his providence suffer ⟨p. 46⟩for a time, mixtures of good and bad together, elect and reprobate, in his visible Church; nor are we to fret, or be discontented at his providence in it, or to think that by any course we can take, it will be otherwise, whilst, and where ever we are in this world; like to that speech of Paul,