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.
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Title
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.
Author
Cotton, John, 1584-1652.
Publication
London :: Printed by M.S. for Francis Eglesfield and John Allen ...,
1655.
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Subject terms
Presbyterian Church -- Relations -- Congregational churches.
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A34674.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 10, 2025.
Pages
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The Contents of the Treatise concerning the Covenant.
Doct. THat God in the Covenant gave himselfe to be a God unto A∣braham and his seed, and received Abra∣ham and his Seed to be his people, and took Christ to be the Mediatour and Surety of this Covenant between both. Page 4.
In which are these 3 things.
1 That God gave himselfe to Abraham to be a God to him and his Seed. 5. & 7.
Here is considered,
1 What 'tis for God to give himselfe to Abraham. 7.
...Viz.
1 The whole nature of God in his Persons and Attributes. 8.
2 All the Ordinances, Crea∣tures, and works of God. 10.
2 The Order of Gods giving in the Cove∣nant. 14.
...Viz.
1 God doth first give, and not the Creature. ibid.
2 God also is the first thing that is given. ibid.
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3 The Manner of giving, viz. freely and for ever. 15.
Obj. But the Lord required that he should give himselfe back again. Answered. 16.
Obj. The Lord required him to circumcise his Seed, answered. 17.
2 How the Lord doth take Abraham and his Seed to be his people. 5. & 19.
By preparing them by a spirit of
Bondage. 20.
Burning. 21.
By taking possession of them by his spirit. 24.
Which spirit doth
Convince the soule of unbeliefe. 25.
Work Faith, and unites to Christ by some Pro∣mise of grace. 26.
Qu. Whether may not true Faith be built on a Conditionall Promise, answered. 29. see 56.
From Union followeth Communion with Christ in all spirituall Blessings. 31.
...Viz.
Relative, as
Adoption ibid.
Iustification ibid.
Positive, wrought in us, as
Sanctification. 34.
Glorification. 35.
3 How the Lord did constitute Jesus Christ to be the Mediatour of the Coven: 7. 36.
By receiving him, the Son of the Virgin
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...Mary, to be one person with the second in the Trinity. ibid.
By giving him to be a Covenant or a Me∣diatour of it,
In filling him with all fullnesse, to be a King, Priest, and Prophet. 37.
In his performing whatever is required on our parts. ibid.
...Use.
1 It teacheth the difference between the Covenant of Works & of Grace. 39.
1 In the one, all is given upon the con∣dition of obedience; in the other not. ibid.
2 The Covenant of Grace is built up∣on a free Promise of Grace, the other upon something else, as Ordinances, Duties, &c. 40.
3 In the Continuance: the Benefits of the one (as Justification and Sancti∣fication) doe abide, the other not so. 42.
Two sorts of Hypocrites have a kind of Sanctification.
Viz Washed Swine, and Goates. 44.
The Goates fall short of Sheep in two things. 45.
1 Goats are Capricious, affecting emi∣nency. ibid.
2 They are Rankish, not having the sweetnesse of sheep. 47.
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4 In respect of the Mediator, both of the one and the other. ibid.
2 It yieldeth an Argument against the Body of Arminianisme. 48.
3 Gods people 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to respect them that are under a Covenant of Workes, and not be hopelesse of their Salvation. 49.
4 It helps to clear sundry Questions about the Covenant. 51.
1 Qu. What is the first Gift that ever the Lord giveth to the Elect? 52.
Ans. He giveth Himself, and not saving Preparations fi••st, ibid.
2 Qu. Whether are the Blessings of the Covenant given before faith to apply them? 55.
Ans. The Spirit is given to work faith. ibid.
3. Qu. Whether the Promise wherein the Lord giveth Himselfe, be absolute or conditionall? 56.
Ans. 'Ti•• absolute. ibid.
4. Qu. Whether a mans Union with Christ may be evidenced by his Sanctifi∣cation? Answered in foure Propositions. 58.
1 Propos. That a Sanctification which the Terrours of the Law may produce, is no
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evidence of Union with Christ. ibid.
Here three things are to be attended unto concerning Sanctification. 60.
1 The Root from which it springeth. 61.
2 The Rule by which 'tis guided. 67.
3 The End at which it aimeth. 70.
2 Propos. That true Sanctification is many times dark unto a Christian. 74.
3 Propos. That true Sanctification is not discernable before Faith be discerned. 75.
4 Propos. There is a reall Difference between legall and Evangelicall Sancti∣fication; and wherein it lyeth. 77.
5 Qu. Of what use are Promises (e∣specially Conditionall) if not to bring us unto Christ? 86.
Ans. There is a three fold use of them.
1 Before Union with Christ, both for
Doctrine. 87.
Instruction. 88.
Exhortation. 89.
And a three-fold Effect also the Promi∣ses have before Union.
Viz. Of
Illumination. 90.
Affection, to despise all other things. ibid.
Conviction, so as to leave with∣out excuse. 91.
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2 In our Union with Christ. 92.
3 After our Union with Christ, and that many wayes.
...Viz.
1 For Doctrine, that all treasures are in Christ. 96.
2 For Instruction where to looke for Qualifications. ibid.
3 To stir up to Prayer. 97.
4 To help to discern our spirituall estate. 98.
5 To worke the Qualifications and Conditions of the Promises in us. 100.
6 To provoke to such Duties as to which blessings are promised. 101.
7 To strengthen Faith. ibid.
6 Qu. To what use then serveth the Law of God, which requireth such and such Conditions in us? Is not this to make it voyd unto Christians, as if they were not under the Law at all? 106.
Ans. 'Tis of speciall use both unto them that are
Carnall, either
Elected, to make them see their sin. 108.
Not Elected, to harden them. 111.
Both by their
Obedience to it. 112.
Comfort in their Obed: ib.
Spirituall; being under the Rule of it. 114.
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And the effects of their subjection to it, are,
1 They feele the Fatherly displeasure of God for their transgressing of it. 119.
2 They beleeve Gods gracious acceptance of their Obedience unto it. 120.
2 A Christian is not under the Law, i. e. under the Covenant of it; so as he is not to
1 Look for life by his Obedience, nor to fear condemnation by the breach of it. 124.
2 Seek for any blessing from his obedi∣ence, nor fear any curse from his disobe∣dience. 128.
3 Look for Conjugall
Comfort, from his Obedience 130.
Divorce, from his Disobedience 130.
4
Claime his right to any Conditionall Promise by his Obedience.
Deny himselfe the Blessing of the Promise because of his disobedience. 132.
Hence therefore
1 Let none accuse the Doctrine of the Covenant, of Antinomianisme. 134.
2 The Servants of God may see how far they are freed from the Law. 136.
3 Men may come to have some discern∣ing of their spirituall states. 137.
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4 Gods people may learn how to build their Faith and Hope. 138.
7 Qu. If God gives Himselfe, and so if his Holy Spirit be in us, what need we Gifts or Grace to work by? 141.
Ans. 1. We cannot see God without the same. 143.
2 Thereby we are made fit Temples for the Holy Ghost. 145.
Qu. But if there be Gifts of Holinesse in us, then what need the Holy Ghost to dwell in us? ibid.
Ans. 1 To keep those gifts in us. 146.
2 To act them in us. 147.
3 To witnesse to us by them, to our com∣fort. ibid.
Qu. How are we to imploy the gifts of Sanctification in us? 150.
Ans. 1 See that we receive them from Christ, and that Christ be all in all in them. ibid.
2 Trust not on them. 152.
Either for
The performance of any duty. 153
Justification from them. 160.
3 In point of witnesse, and how. 161.
4 In point of rejoycing. 162.
5 We are to grow up in them to perfe∣ction. 164.
9 Qu. How doth God give Himselfe
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to be a God Covenant with us? 170.
Ans. 1 He gave his Son out of his bo∣some for our Redemption. 171.
2 He giveth us unto Christ, and Christ unto us. 173.
Qu. How doth the Father give, and call us to Christ? 174.
Ans. By his
Word. ibid.
Spirit,
Of
Bondage. 175.
Burning. 177.
Adoption. 184.
Hence we may learne to discerne how we came to saving fellowship and union with Christ. 192.
There are foure sorts that fall short of this Union with Christ. ibid.
Viz. Such as
1 Doe blesse themselves in regard of out∣ward blessings. ibid.
2 Find comfort in their Reformations, ibid.
3 Rest in a Faith of their owne making 193.
4 Waite upon Christ for Faith in their owne strength. 195.
FINIS.
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