A80637:329
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 200-250
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.
there is no faith begotten by any promise: the word of God, and all his works, may beget you some knowledge, if you be not mistaken in them: but to beget the faith of Gods elect, that may be able to stand against all the powers of darkness, and to crush all the temptations of that wicked one; it is not all the works of God, nor all the word of God, of it self, that is able to beget such faith; if there be any, it is but an historical faith, a dead faith that is not able to bring the soul nearer to God.
there is no faith begotten by any promise: the word of God, and all his works, may beget you some knowledge, if you be not mistaken in them: but to beget the faith of Gods elect, that may be able to stand against all the powers of darkness, and to crush all the temptations of that wicked one; it is not all the works of God, nor all the word of God, of it self, that is able to beget such faith; if there be any, it is but an historical faith, a dead faith that is not able to bring the soul neerer to God.
I beseech you therefore consider of it, as a mystery of God indeed, yet marvellous plain in Scripture, as I conceive: That neither the word of grace, nor all the works of grace, are able to clear up the grace of God unto the soul; it is the Spirit of God that must do it; he must reveal the grace of God, if ever we see it, otherwise it is not possible that we should believe: for though we should attain unto [Greek or Hebrew] fullness of knowledge, we shall not attain unto [Greek or Hebrew], fullness of faith. As for our works in justification, the Lord will dash them to pieces, and cast them out of his sight: and though faith comes by hearing, yet it is the Spirit in the word, that maketh the New Testament a lively Letter; otherwise, as not the flesh of Christ, so nor the word of Christ profiteth any thing, it is the Spirit that quickeneth; therefore look for this revelation of the Spirit to show you the need of Christ, and the Lords offering and presenting Christ unto you, and his drawing your hearts to believe upon him; otherwise you neither ⟨p. 201⟩can have any faith, nor can you discern any gift of God bestowed upon you.