A34674:52
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.
This is the sum of the Articles, and of the Confederates: What the Articles be, is not here mentioned, but Gen. 17.7. they be (for to speak of Circumcision before a Covenant, it is but a seal to a blank) where the Lord expresseth himself, thus saying, I will establish my Covenant between me, and thee, and thy seed after thee in their Generations, for an everlasting Covenant, to be a God unto thee, and unto thy seed after thee. As for other parts of the Covenant, ⟨p. 5⟩they were more properly unto Abraham himself, as to be exceeding fruitful, to be the father of many Nations, those things were more peculiarly proper unto Abraham, though they have a moral and universal use and force in all the faithful, whom the Lord doth make fruitful, and giveth them a nail in his Tabernacle. In the Covenant these three things are implied.
This is the sum of the Articles, and of the Confederates: What the Articles be, is not here mentioned, but Gen. 17.7. they be (for to speak of Circumcision before a Covenant, it is but a seale to a blank) where the Lord expresseth himselfe, thus saying, I will establish my Covenant between me, and thee, and thy seed after thee in their Generations, for an everlasting Covenant, to be a God unto thee, and unto thy seed after thee. As for other parts of the Covenant, ⟨p. 5⟩they were more properly unto Abraham himselfe, as to be exceeding fruitfull, to be the father of many Nations, those things were more peculiarly proper unto Abraham, though they have a morall and universall use and force in all the faithfull, whom the Lord doth make fruitfull, and giveth them a naile in his Tabernacle. In the Covenant these three things are implyed.
1 God gave himself to be a God unto Abraham, and to his seed. This is such an Argument as the strength and wisdom of men and Angels cannot unfold: It is a Catechism point, and by way of Catechism to be opened (as the Lord hath revealed it) I mean, plainly and familiarly.