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.

The 8. Querie.

If a godly Minister called to Office by a People professing Godliness (whether under Episcopacy, or Presbytery) and afterward repenting of any knowne sinne in his way, shall be desirous of a more pure Reformati∣on; whether may not his godly people ac∣knowledge his Ministeriall Calling without sinne?

Why not? For he had the Essence of a lawfull Calling before, in the free choice of his godly People, and in his owne free acceptance of them and of their Call. Nevertheless, if any of his godly People should stumble at his for∣mer Calling, whether may not a more select Company and body of the Peo∣ple renue their Call of him, and there to accept the Concurrence and Con∣sent of the rest of the Congregation? And whether may not he also doe well

(instead of stiff standing upon the va∣lidiy of his former Calling) to con∣descend to renue his Acceptance of them, yea, and to receive a New Ordi∣nation from them, with express desig∣nation to the Office, either of a Pastor or Teacher; and that without preju∣dice or dishonour to his former Cal∣ling? For a renued Act doth not inva∣lidate (much lesse evacuate) the old, but cleare it and confirme it (so farre as there is any thing of God in it) as in Scripture all Ingeminations doe. Saul was thrice Ordained King over Israel, 1 Sam. 10.1. & ver. 24. & 11.14,15. thrice to the same Calling, and with severall solemnities. Neither is Ordi∣nation of the Essence of a Ministeriall Calling, but a solemne Adjunct of it; which may be renued upon occasion of any New spirituall Imployment, or Function, Place or People, Acts 13.2,3.