A80637:157
A treatise of the covenant of grace, as it is dispensed to the elect…
A treatise of the covenant of grace, as it is dispensed to the elect seed, effectually unto salvation. Being the substance of divers sermons preached upon Act. 7. 8. / by that eminently holy and judicious man of God, Mr. John Cotton, teacher of the church at Boston in N.E.
London: printed by Ja. Cottrel for John Allen, 1659
THE COVENANT OF GRACE, As it is Dispensed to the Elect Seed, effect… › Part 5-100
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.
5. They are of use to work all these qualifications in us, to which the blessings are promised: ⟨p. 71⟩By the exceeding precious promises we are made partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and this is no small work, or use of these promises, that from them should spring all our gracious qualifications; for the Lord having promised such blessings in them, these promises being received and enjoyed, and meditated on by us, we beholding them, and the glory of the Lord Jesus in them, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. this great power there is in the promises to help an end the work of God in the soul of a Christian: so that, though they were never given to bring us to Christ, yet to this end they were given, to work all those qualifications in us to which the blessings are promised.
6. They are of use to provoke and stir up Christians to all such duties to which blessings are promised; they stir them up effectually: The Lord maketh a Promise, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. that such as touch no unclean thing, he will receive them, and be a father to them, and they shall be his sons. And mark what use the Apostle maketh of this conditional promise, chap. 7.1. Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Implying, that the having of these promises stirreth up Gods people unto duties, and the Lord is wont to breath in them, and so to set forward the work of cleansing in the hearts and ways of his servants.
6. They are of use to provoke and stirre up Christians to all such duties to which blessings are promised; they stirre them up effectually: The Lord maketh a Promise,