A34674:47
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.
God did effectually call him, which call he did also obey (ver. 2, 3, 4.) though as yet he knew no Circumcision.
God giveth him a trial of his faith, wherein he found Abraham faithful, ver. 5, 6, 7. God promised to give him the Land of Canaan for a possession, but he gave him not a foots breadth. He promised to give it unto his seed, when as yet he had no Child: and when God gave him seed, yet they should sojourn in a strange Land, and be in bondage 400 years.
God giveth him a tryal of his faith, wherein he found Abraham faithfull, ver. 5, 6, 7. God promised to give him the Land of Canaan for a possession, but he gave him not a foots breadth. He promised to give it unto his seed, when as yet he had no Child: and when God gave him seed, yet they should sojourn in a strange Land, and be in bondage 400 years.
God gave him the Covenant of Circumcision, ⟨p. 3⟩in the words of the Text; and Abraham in the strength of the blessing of God begat Isaac, and Circumcised him according to Gods direction, and all this before Moses gave any Ordinances unto them to keep, and before either Temple or Tabernacle was built. From hence we have heard, That the soul may have very spiritual and gracious communion with God, before it partake in Church-fellowship, or in any Seal thereof; for Abraham's faith was throughly tried, before he had the Seal of Church-Covenant given him. We heard also this propounded, wch is the words of the Text, that God gave unto Abraham the Covenant of Circumcision; which Doctrine doth imply in it four principal parts, all of them serving to clear Stevens meaning, and to prove his scope. 1 The Author and manner of dispensing it, God gave: so it was by gift. 2 The Articles of it; and they are to be inquired into. 3 The Confederates; and they are expressed, God on the one side, and Abraham and his seed on the other side. 4 The Seal of it, Circumcision, which