A34674:79
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 The same Spirit worketh faith in the soul to yield himself unto the Lord, and the soul being emptied of himself, now the Holy Ghost hath infused Faith to receive the Lord Jesus Christ; and this is a true saving work though the soul thinketh it self in a very sad condition, that he should so long live without believing in Jesus Christ. But he is clearly convinced what his case is, and how vain his best ⟨p. 27⟩works are; and he lieth under this work not only in his judgement, but in his heart; he now freely submitteth unto the will of God. So that the Spirit of God becometh unto the soul, not only as a Spirit of burning to consume all that is like stubble, but doth also melt the iron-stone of the heart, and softeneth it into flesh, that the word may take deep impression in it: Now there is room for Jesus Christ, now faith is wrought there, and now a soul can plead with God by faith in prayer; he seeth there is no former Covenant that he can plead, nor any righteousness of his own, but such as Hypocrites will quarrel for, and rise up to maintain, as they did against John Baptist, pleading their Covenant and their righteousness; with these things a poor soul is not satisfied, but unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, &c. Mal. 4.2. Herein is implied such a reverent fear that dare not disaffect this kind of yieldingness to the Son. In the old Testament it is called Fear, in the new Testament it is more generally called Faith; yet the Apostle saith, ⟨p. 28⟩Rom. 11.20. Be not high-minded, but fear, whereby he provoketh them to live by Faith; and indeed it is that, whereby the soul doth yield unto the Lord: and this is indeed our Effectual Calling; the Spirit of God taking possession in our hearts, and working this faith in us, whereby we submit unto the Lord. This is that faith in Jesus Christ that maketh us one with Christ, for our effectual calling bringeth us to be one with him, 1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithful by whom ye are called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ. This fellowship or communion standeth in two things. 1 In the Unity of the Spirit,