A34674:65
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.
Object. But it may be said, Did not the Lord exact it that he should give himself back again? or else God would not give himself?
Object. But it may be said, Did not the Lord exact it that he should give himselfe back againe? or else God would not give himselfe?
Answ. Truly then the Covenant had not been of free Grace, but as you see sometimes great Princes will take in a Neighbour Nation into League with them, and not tell them of it: so doth the Lord deal with his Elect ones, otherwise he should not at all intend it, nor ever give himself unto us, for we are not able to give our selves unto him, for if Abraham did give himself, it was because God did take him first, and therefore it is that the Apostle telleth us that the Lord took hold of Paul that he might take hold of the Lo•d, Phil. 3.12. I follow after, if that I may &c Deut. 32.6. If we give up our selves unto the Lord, it is because the Lord hath ⟨p. 17⟩taken hold upon our hearts first.
Answ. Truly then the Covenant had not been of free Grace, but as you see sometimes great Princes will take in a Neighbour Nation into League with them, and not tell them of it: so doth the Lord deale with his Elect ones, otherwise he should not at all intend it, nor ever give himselfe unto us, for we are not able to give our selves unto him, for if Abraham did give himselfe, it was because God did take him first, and therefore it is that the Apostle telleth us that the Lord took hold of Paul that he might take hold of the Lo•d, Phil. 3.12. I follow after, if that I may &c