A34674:63
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 He is also the first thing in order that is given; for, doth he give the world first, or Ordinances first? or any other spiritual or temporal blessings first? No doubtless, the Lord is the first thing that he giveth by his Covenant, and with himself all things else also, Rom. 8.32. And there is the precedency of Jesus Christ, he is given, and in him all spiritual blessings, as the Apostle saith, Ephes. 1.3. and this for the order of Nature in giving the ⟨p. 15⟩Covenant: not Obedience first, nor Faith first, nor any thing else first, but himself is Donum primum & primarium, and in him, all his goodness, Exod. 33.19.
2 He is also the first thing in order that is given; for, doth he give the world first, or Ordinances first? or any other spirituall or temporall blessings first? No doubtlesse, the Lord is the first thing that he giveth by his Covenant, and with himselfe all things else also, Rom. 8.32. And there is the precedency of Jesus Christ, he is given, and in him all spirituall blessings, as the Apostle saith, Ephes. 1.3. and this for the order of Nature in giving the ⟨p. 15⟩Covenant: not Obedience first, nor Faith first, nor any thing else first, but himselfe is Donum primum & primarium, and in him, all his goodnesse, Exod. 33.19.
3 For the Manner of giving; in that he giveth himself, there is implied both the freedom and eternity of the gift, firmness therefore and that unto eternity. In that he giveth himself, it must of necessity be done freely; for what can any Creature give to purchase God? If a man could give thousands of worlds they were not enough to purchase or redeem one soul; and if he had millions of worlds to give, what were they all to purchase so great a gift as God himself is? Therefore it must needs be of free gift, for the Creature can do nothing to prevent God. God indeed may give with a purpose to receive back again, as God doth require this of Abraham, that he should have no other Gods before him, &c.