A34674:72
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.
1 For Preparation, the Lord prepareth them by a double work of his Spirit, which are manifest in all the seed of Abraham, Elect of God.
1 By a Spirit of Bondage, whereby he cutteth off the seed of Abraham from all worldly entanglements and delights; thus God took Abraham, and brought him from beyond the Flood, and so doth he take men off from their Countries and Fathers houses, he separates them from all such things that he might draw them unto himself: Thus he dealt with the Children of Israel, and called them to be a singular people unto himself, and yet but in a Covenant of works, Deut. 7.6,7,8. Thus doth the Lord deal with all those whom he receiveth to be a people unto himself; and by this spirit of bondage he draweth them from all their sinful lusts and passions, so as that they can find no hope of mercy in any thing; and this is properly a Seal of the Covenant of works, as the Spirit of Adoption is a seal of the Covenant of Grace, Rom. 8.15. Now by ⟨p. 21⟩this bondage the Lord first setteth home unto the Consciences of men the weight and danger of their sins, and it is the usual manner of God to give a Covenant of Grace by leading men first into a Covenant of works (as it is his constant manner to work by contraries) and so to thrust men out of doors that they may have fellowship with himself at length; I had a gracious father (will the poor soul say) but now I may go and shake my ears like a poor wretch) for so indeed he is cast out of the Covenant and favour of God to his sense and feeling; but thus the Lord doth even shut him out of doors, that he may open to him another and a better way.
1 By a Spirit of Bondage, whereby he cutteth off the seed of Abraham from all worldly intanglements and delights; thus God took Abraham, and brought him from beyond the Flood, and so doth he take men off from their Countreys and Fathers houses, he seperates them from all such things that he might draw them unto himselfe: Thus he dealt with the Children of Israel, and called them to be a singular people unto himselfe, and yet but in a Covenant of works,