A34674:75
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 may Hypocrites reach unto in their judgements, so as that they may be convinced, that they have neither root within them, nor branch growing upon them, and yet in the mean while they may not come unto a Spirit of Adoption, but hereby also the Lord useth to prepare his people. Some bless themselves in worldly courses, and never come unto a spirit of bondage: some do find comfort in their performances, and never saw the vanity of their ⟨p. 24⟩own righteousness, but there are those whom the Lord doth carry further unto a spirit of burning, even unto a sensible feeling of Gods wrath burning against whatsoever is as stubble (& such is a mans own gifts, and parts, and worth) so that now the poor soul findeth that he hath no root of any good Covenant, but seeth it to be an outward face of the Covenant that he doth rest upon; and now he seeth no green branch of righteousness remaining, but all is blasted and broken in pieces, according to what the Prophet Isaiah saith, Chap. 40.6,7. and so the Lord cometh to leave a man neither root nor branch, for by a spirit of bondage the Lord blasteth all flesh: but when it cometh unto the goodliness of flesh, that is consumed by a Spirit of burning.
This may Hypocrites reach unto in their judgements, so as that they may be convinced, that they have neither root within them, nor branch growing upon them, and yet in the mean while they may not come unto a Spirit of Adoption, but hereby also the Lord useth to prepare his people. Some blesse themselves in worldly courses, and never come unto a spirit of bondage: some doe find comfort in their performances, and never saw the vanity of their ⟨p. 24⟩own righteousnesse, but there are those whom the Lord doth carry further unto a spirit of burning, even unto a sensible feeling of Gods wrath burning against whatsoever is as stubble (& such is a mans own gifts, and parts, and worth) so that now the poor soule findeth that he hath no root of any good Covenant, but seeth it to be an outward face of the Covenant that he doth rest upon; and now he seeth no green branch of righteousnesse remaining, but all is blasted and broken in pieces, according to what the Prophet Esay saith, Chap. 40.6,7. and so the Lord cometh to leave a man neither root nor branch, for by a spirit of bondage the Lord blasteth all flesh: but when it cometh unto the goodlinesse of flesh, that is consumed by a Spirit of burning.