A80637:248
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 100-150
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.
The second Use may give light touching a controversy, if it be stirring in the Country, I know not whether it be, I fear it is, and yet hope that if matters were rightly understood, there would be no material difference: for if the Question be not about grace, but about the discerning of grace, you will find that differences which tend unto the discerning of grace, will be of much less dangerous consequence then the other; for thereupon lieth the very foundation of a Christian mans safe estate. How far there is difference in the Country, I cannot give an account; but I desire that you may all understand what I say.
The second Use may give light touching a controversie, if it be stirring in the Country, I know not whether it be, I fear it is, and yet hope that if matters were rightly understood, there would be no material difference: for if the Question be not about grace, but about the discerning of grace, you will find that differences which tend unto the discerning of grace, will be of much less dangerous consequence then the other; for thereupon lieth the very foundation of a Christian mans safe estate. How far there is difference in the Country, I cannot give an account; but I desire that you may all understand what I say.
If you demand, Quest. 1 upon what grounds cometh the soul to close with Christ aright; whether upon a conditional, or upon an absolute promise? And are they not both free?
I answer, Answ. It is true, they are both free; but when God is said to do any thing to a work, as to apply a promise to a work, it is not so properly said to be a promise of grace: but I will not enter into Dispute: This you will find to be true; that take a soul that is in union with Christ, and apply all the Promises to him, he will make you this answer, before the Spirit of Grace cometh into him, he is clear in this, that there are none of all the Promises of God belonging unto him, till the Lord who hath broken him do bind him up again; for his heart will tell you that his duties and reformations have been such, as have kept him from Christ. You will say, I hope you