A80640:206
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A dissuasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A disswasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book intituled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons for John Bellamie, 1648
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.
For I conceived, Faith it self, which is an evidence of things not seen, and the first saving Qualification that doth Evidence Justification, is it self founded upon a former evidence, even the Free-grace of God in Christ, revealed in the promise of Grace, and applied to the soul effectually by the Spirit of grace both in our effectual Calling (even to the begetting of Faith) and in our Justification. Accordingly, the Apostle reckoning the Evidences that bear witness of our life in Christ, giveth the first place to the Spirit, before any fruit of the Spirit; There are three (saith he) that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood, 1 Joh. 5.8. First, ⟨p. 46⟩the Spirit, to wit, of illumination and drawing, whereby he revealeth Christ to us, and worketh Faith in us, 2 Cor. 4.6. Ephes. 1.17, 18. Joh. 6.44.45. Secondly, the water of Sanctification. And thirdly, the Blood of atonement (or pacification) pacifying the conscience. Calvin also is of the same judgment in this Question, in 2 Pet. 1.10. & in 1 Joh. 3.14. & 19. And Zanchy likewise doth at large dispute this Question, and conclude it against Dr. Marbachius in his Miscellanies, in that part of it entitled, Disceptatio inter duos Theologos, from pag. 598. to pag. 605. Editionis in quarto. QUEST. 5. Whether Christ and his benefits be dispensed in a Covenant of Works? Whereunto my answer was, Christ is dispensed to the Elect in a Covenant of Grace: to others he may be dispensed in some sort, (to wit, in a taste of him) either in a Covenant of works, or in a Covenant of grace legally applied. To give an hint of the reason of mine answer. The Covenant on Mount Sinai, (wherein Christ was dispensed in sacrifices and ceremonies) though to the faithful seed of Abraham it was a Covenant of Grace, (wherein they saw Christ and his benefits graciously dispensed to them,