A34674:64
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.
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. Gen. 17.1. But though Abraham shall perform this and all the Commandments in an Evangelical manner, yet God himself doth undertake in this Covenant to be the Author and ⟨p. 16⟩finisher of this his faith and obedience, Heb. 12.2. And this doth argue the marvellous freedom of the Covenant of Grace, for the Lord offereth it out of his grace without the foresight of faith or works, for he undertaketh to give both will and deed of his good pleasure, Phil. 2.13.
3 For the Manner of giving; in that he giveth himselfe, there is implyed both the freedome and eternity of the gift, firmnesse therefore and that unto eternity. In that he giveth himselfe, 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 soule; and if he had millions of worlds to give, what were they all to purchase so great a gift as God himselfe is? Therefore it must needs be of free gift, for the Creature can doe nothing to prevent God. God indeed may give with a purpose to receive back againe, as God doth require this of Abraham, that he should have no other Gods before him, &c. Gen. 17.1. But though Abraham shall performe this and all the Commandements in an Evangelicall manner, yet God himselfe doth undertake in this Covenant to be the Author and ⟨p. 16⟩