A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace, Title page – Errata
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.
The ſecond Edition, by a Copy far larger then the former; and Corrected alſo by the Authors own hand.
This Copy was fitted for the Preſs, by Mr. Tho. Allen Miniſter in Norwich.
LONDON, Printed by Ja. Cottrel, for John Allen, at the Riſing-Sun in Pauls Church-yard. May 1659.
The 13. of the third MonethMonth.
THe Works of this Reverend Author (now with God) have already praiſed him in the gate. The name of Cotton is as an oyntment poured out; nor needs there more to commend a Book to any godly Readers acceptation, then to ſay, 'tis his. But as the name of this Author puts a great value upon the Work, ſo the Subject matter doth it much more. The Covenant of Grace is a taking Title. How free is Grace! how ſure is the Covenant! The freeneſs of grace, and the ſureneſs of the Covenant of Grace, as made with Jeſus Christ for us, or with us in Jeſus Chriſt, is the Subject of this excellent Piece. That unbelievers may be inticed into the bonds of this Covenant, and believers grow up in the joy and comfort of it, and that the unſearchable riches of grace, may be admired by all, are the reaſons of this Publication.
Joſeph Caryl.
THE STATIONER TO THE READER.
THe former Edition of this excellent Treatiſe of the Covenant of Grace (containing the ſum and ſubſtance of divers Sermons preached by that precious ſervant, and man of God, Mr. John Cotton, Teacher of the Church at Boston in New England) having found good acceptance amongſt godly and judicious Chriſtians; and the Book being much deſired and ſought for ſtill by divers, I am encouraged to publiſh this ſecond Edition; and ſo much the rather too, in regard that by the good hand of the Lords Providence, I have of late received (from a neer Friend and Relation, one of the reverend Elders of that Church) another Copy of the ſaid Treatiſe, far larger then the former (above a third part) corrected alſo in ſome places by the Authours own hand before his death: the reaſon of which enlargement, is not from any addition by any other hand, but (as may eaſily be conceived) from the diverſity of the Amanuenſes, who did take the Notes of his Sermons, ſome writing the ſame more largely and exactly then others, and ſeveral Copies ſo taken, being preſented to the reverend Author to correct, He, as he had leaſure (willing and ready to gratifie the deſire of his Friends) did peruſe and rectifie the ſenſe with his pen, as he went curſorily over the ſame. 'Tis not for me to ſay any thing by way of commendation of the Book, and what is contained in it; and therefore I ſhall wholly forbear, it being ſufficient to ſpeak for it ſelf: only I ſhall crave leave to ſay thus much, viz. That in the judgment of ſome who have peruſed it, (were there only one of them to be had) 'twere worth its weight in gold.
J. A.
A Table of the Contents.
Doct. THe Coherence of the Text Pag. 1
In the Covenant which God made with Abraham, God gave himſelf to be a God to him and his ſeed; and received Abraham and his ſeed to be a people unto himſelf; and the chiefeſt of this ſeed, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he took to be the Meditator or Surety of this Covenant between them both Pag. 3
In the Covenant, theſe three things are implyed Pag. 4
Viz.
1. That God gave himſelf to be a God unto Abraham, and his ſeed.
2. That God did receive Abraham, and his ſeed to be his people.
3. That God takes the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to be the Mediator, and Surety of this Covenant.
1. God gave himſelf unto Abraham; containeth three things.
1. The Bleſſing given, viz.
1. The whole Nature of God and all the Perſons Pag. 6
2. All the Ordinances, Creatures, and works of God Pag. 8
2. The Order in which it is given.
1. God doth firſt give, and not the Creature Pag. 11
2. God is the firſt thing that is given ib.
3. The Manner of giving; wherein the
Freedom Of the Gift Pag. 12
Eternity Of the Gift Pag. 12
Object. The Lord did require, that he ſhould give himſelf again. Anſw. Pag. 13
Object. The Lord did require, that himſelf and ſeed ſhould be circumciſed. Anſwered ib.
2. The Lord did take Abraham and his ſeed, by a double act Pag. 15
1. By preparing them by a ſpirit of
Bondage Pag. 16
Burning ibid
2. By giving of himſelf to them, and taking poſſeſſion of them by his Spirit Pag. 19
Queſt. How doth the Lord give himſelf unto his people, and they receive him? ib.
Anſw.
1. The Spirit takes up his ſeat in the ſoul, making it his Temple ib.
2. The Spirit alſo worketh faith in the ſoul, to
Give it ſelf to the Lord. Pag. 20
Receive Jeſus Chriſt. Pag. 20
Which Faith is built upon ſome abſolute Promiſe of grace Pag. 22
From Union with Chriſt, there ſpringeth Communion with him in ſpiritual bleſſings Pag. 24
Viz.
1. Relative bleſſings, not created in us, adoption and juſtification ib.
2. Poſitive bleſſings, created in us, ſanctification and glorification Pag. 25
3. The Lord did take Jeſus Chriſt (the chiefeſt of Abrahams ſeed) to be the Mediator of his Covenant. Pag. 27
Queſt. How did the Lord conſtitute him ſo to be? ibid
Anſw.
1. By taking Jeſus Chriſt the Son of the Virgin Mary, to be one Perſon with the ſecond in Trinity ib.
2. By giving him to be a Covenant ibid.
Wherein He
Receiveth from God all the Promiſes and gracious gifts requiſite for him to be King, Prieſt, and Prophet Pag. 28
Performeth all things needful for Application of redemption, unto the ſouls of his people ib.
Uſe 1. To teach the difference between the Covenants of works and of grace Pag. 29
1. Difference: in the one God offereth himſelf upon condition of obedience, not ſo in the other ibid
2. In that of works, the union that is between God and a ſoul, is by that faith from which people may apoſtate Pag. 30
3. In that Covenant, the fruits which flow from it (viz. the ſemblance of juſtification, adoption, and ſanctification) endure but for a ſeaſon Pag. 32
Queſt. Is that ſanctification the ſame that is in Gods children? ibid
Anſw. No: being the ſanctification either of
Waſhed Swine Pag. 34
Goats ibid
4. In reſpect of the Mediator of the one and the other Pag. 36
Uſe 2. It holdeth ſorth an Argument againſt the whole body of Arminianiſm Pag. 37
Uſe 3. To teach Gods people to bear a gracious reſpect to them that are under a Covenant of works, and not forthwith to condemn them ibid
Uſe 4. To clear up ſundry paſſages that concern the Covenant of grace, by anſwering of divers Queſtions
1. Queſt. What is the firſt gift that the Lord giveth unto his Elect? Pag. 39
Anſw. Chriſt is firſt given, and with him faith to receive him ibid
Queſt. Doth not the Lord give ſaving preparations before Jeſus Chriſt? ib.
Reſp. negatively, and the Reaſon thereof ib.
2. Queſt. In what order doth the Lord give the covenant and the Bleſſings of it; whether faith before them, or thoſe bleſſings before faith to apply them? Pag. 40
Anſw. He doth give himſelf to work faith, before faith can be there: and then faith doth receive the bleſſings of the Covenant, as adoption and juſtification Pag. 41
3. Queſt. Whether do we receive Chriſt in an abſolute or conditional Promiſe? ib.
Anſw. 'Tis alwaies in an abſolute Promiſe Pag. 42
4. Queſt. Whether a man may evidence his union with Chriſt from his ſanctification Pag. 43
Anſw. In four Propoſitions
1. Prop. That ſanctification which may be found in a Covenant of works, is no evidence of union with Chriſt ib.
The difference between the Sanctification which floweth from the
Law Pag. 44
Goſpel Pag. 44
1. In the Root in which it ſprings; which is hard to diſcern Pag. 47
2. In the Rule whereby they are guided, viz. the word of God Pag. 49
Yet the difference here, is not eaſily to be diſcerned Pag. 50
No not by profeſſing univerſal obedience to all Gods Commandments Pag. 51
3. In the end and ſcope which they aim at, that alſo is difficult. Pag. 52
Yea, though they may ſuffer Perſecution Pag. 53
2. Prop. True ſanctification is many times dark to a Chriſtian Pag. 55
3. Prop. True-ſanctification is not diſcerned, neither is it diſcernable, until juſtiſying faith be firſt diſcerned ib.
4. Prop. Though the reſemblance be neer between the Legal and Evangelical holineſs; yet there is a real difference, which is diſcernable by the Spirit of God Pag. 57
Viz. both in the
Root, which is faith Pag. 58
Rule, by which they walk Pag. 60
Scope and end which they aim at Pag. 61
5. Queſt. Of what uſe are Promiſes, if not to bring us unto Chriſt; which it ſeems they do not, if Chriſt muſt firſt be given? Pag. 63
Anſw. There is a threefold uſe of Promiſes ibid
1. Before union with Chriſt,
Viz. for
Doctrine, to teach what things are laid up in Chriſt ib.
Inſtruction, ſhewing whither to look for life and ſalvation Pag. 64
Exhortation, inviting and perſwading to come to Jeſus Chriſt Pag. 65
They have alſo a threefold effect in ſome of all ſorts, good and bad.
Viz. of
Illumination Pag. 66
Taſte of Chriſt, ſo as to be affect-with him ib.
Conviction, ſo as to leave inexcuſable, if deſpiſed ibid
2. In union with Chriſt; for the Lord giveth himſelf to the ſoul in a Promiſe Pag. 67
3. After union with Chriſt, more efficacious ſtill Pag. 68
Viz. for
Doctrine, to teach us what gifts of grace are in Chriſt ib.
Inſtruction, to direct us whither to look for qualifications Pag. 69
Prayer ibid
To know our ſpiritual ſtate, and means to diſcern it ibid
To work all the qualifications in us, to which the bleſſings are promiſed Pag. 70
To ſtir up to ſuch duties, to which the bleſſings are promiſed Pag. 71
To ſtrengthen faith ibid
6. Queſt. To what uſe ſerveth the Law, if God giveth himſelf to his people, without reſpect to any work? Pag. 75
Reſp. 'Tis of uſe both unto them that are
Carnal Pag. 75
Spiritual Pag. 75
1. To carnal, both to
Elect, to aggravate their ſins Pag. 77
Not elect, in regard of
Diſobedience Pag. 78
Obedience Pag. 79
2. To them that are ſpiritual, and under a Covenant of grace Pag. 81
Viz. as they are under the Law to Chriſt, which is explained Pag. 82
There are two effects of Gods people being under the Law Pag. 85
Viz.
1. The ſenſe of Gods Fatherly diſpleaſure, when they tranſgreſs ibid
2. The ſenſe of Gods gracious acceptance of their obedience Pag. 86
Yet a Chriſtian is not under the Law, i.e. the Covenant of it Pag. 89
So as neither to
Look for juſtification and ſalvation from obedience Pag. 90
Fear condemnation by his diſobedience Pag. 92
Look for conjugal comfort, from his obedience Pag. 94
Nor fear conjugal divorce, from his diſobedience Pag. 94
Claim his right unto any conditional promiſe, by his performance of the condition Pag. 96
Application, by way of uſe, it ſerveth to ſhew,
Viz.
1. The Doctrine of the Covenant is free from Antinomianiſm Pag. 97
2. How far Gods ſervants are freed from the Law Pag. 99
3. Men ſome diſcontentment of their ſpirits and ſtate ibid
4. How to build our faith and hope Pag. 100
7. Queſt. If the Lord giveth himſelf, and his holy Spirit, what need is there of any gifts of holineſs to work and act by? He can do all in us without us Pag. 102
Anſw. There is a neceſſity of holineſs, and of following after it Pag. 103
Queſt. What need is there to follow after holineſs, if the holy Spirit dwell in us? Pag. 105
Anſw. To be fitter inſtruments for every good word and work ib.
Queſt. But if there be need of gifts of holineſs, what need the Holy Ghoſt dwell in us? ibid
Anſw.
1. To keep theſe gifts in us Pag. 106
2. To act them in us ibid
3. To witneſs to them in our ſouls Pag. 107
4. To comfort us in the changes that may come upon us Pag. 108
Queſt. How, and to what end are we to imploy and improve our ſanctification? Pag. 109
Anſw.
1. We are to look to Chriſt, for
Our ſupply of it ib.
The perfection of it ib.
2. Not to truſt in the gifts of holineſs and ſanctification Pag. 111
Neither for
The performance of any duties without Chriſt ibid
Juſtification from them Pag. 117
3. In point of witneſs ibid
4. In point of rejoycing Pag. 118
5. To grow up in grace and holineſs Pag. 120
8. Queſt. A further main Queſtion for the clearing of the Point, is, How doth God the Father give himſelf? Pag. 124
Anſw. God the Father doth give himſelf by a threefold work or act
Viz.
1. By giving his Son for the redemption of Abraham and his ſeed, and giving him alſo unto them, in their calling ib.
Queſt. How doth the Father call and draw us to his Son? Pag. 128
Reſp. 1. by his Word and Spirit ibid
2. By giving the Spirit of Adopon Pag. 135
3. By a work of Reconciliation Pag. 130
Hence follow two Acts of God upon the ſoul
1. Adoption Pag. 140
2. Juſtification ib.
1. 'Tis uſeful to teach us how we came to fellowſhip with Chriſt ib.
Four ſorts of perſons fall ſhort of union with Chriſt.
1. Such as bleſs themſelves in their natural eſtate Pag. 141
2. Such as reſt in their Reformations ib.
3. Such as reſt in a Faith in Christ, which is of their own making ibid
4. Such as Wait on the Lord in their own ſtrength Pag. 143
Uſe 2. To ſhew upon what grounds a ſoul cometh to cloſe with Chriſt, viz. upon an Abſolute Promiſe Pag. 146
Uſe 3. Hence ſee that 'tis not ſafe to build upon Qualifications in our ſelves, until Chriſt be firſt received in ſome Promiſe Pag. 150
Uſe 4. Of Conſolation to ſuch as reſt upon the free grace of God in Chriſt Jeſus revealed in ſome Promiſe Pag. 151
9. Queſt. How doth God the Son give himſelf to Abraham and his ſeed? Pag. 152
Anſw.
1. By his taking our nature upon him, and giving himſelf to redeem us by his obedience, whether active or paſſive Pag. 153
2. By revealing the Father unto us, and his free grace Pag. 158
Whence ariſeth liberty
From the burden of fears Pag. 160
Of hope, through the filling of the Spirit Pag. 162
3. By keeping us in this ſtate Pag. 163
Both by
Praying for us Pag. 164
His ruling Providence ib.
Uſe.
1. Then our ſtate before redemption is a ſtate of Bondage Pag. 166
2. To teach ſuch as are in bondage, where their Redemption lieth Pag. 167
3. To teach Chriſtians to hold on in this way Pag. 170
4. To wait on the Lord for this his Redemption ibid
5. To ſtand faſt in our Chriſtian liberties Pag. 171
Queſt. 10. How God the Holy Ghoſt doth give himſelf to Abraham and his ſeed ibid
1. For Inhabitation Pag. 172
Which is neceſſary
1. For Union with Jeſus Chriſt Pag. 173
2. To keep poſſeſſion againſt all adverſary powers Pag. 174
2. For Sanctification, opened at large Pag. 177
3. For Revelation, and what things he doth reveal Pag. 185
How he doth reveal, viz. by
Witneſſing to our ſpiritual ſtate Pag. 188
Making known all neceſſary truth, yea, even our faith and juſtification. Pag. 192
For Application, 'tis uſeful,
1. To teach Chriſtians not to be afraid of the word Revelation Pag. 199
2. Not to look for any Revelation without the Word Pag. 201
3. In Juſtification to look for no word but ſuch as holds forth ſome abſolute Promiſe of free grace ib.
4. The fourth work of the Holy Ghoſt is Conſolation Pag. 203
Viz. by
Bearing witneſs with an abundant meaſure of conſolation Pag. 204
A more conſtant and abiding comfort Pag. 205
A powerful and ſtrong conſolation ibid
Here two Queries
1. What is the Seal of the Spirit? and how it doth ſeal? Pag. 206
1. By confirming the Promiſes to the ſoul ib.
2. By engraving the likeneſs of Chriſt in the ſoul Pag. 210
3. By diſtinguiſhing the Saints from others Pag. 211
2. How is the Holy Ghoſt an earneſt? Pag. 212
Anſw.
1. As he bindeth the bargain between God and the ſoul ibid
2. As he is the firſt fruit of the payment ibid
Uſe.
1. To teach us how to ſpeak of the Seal of the Spirit Pag. 213
2. To teach the danger of laying claim to a Promiſe by any work of grace, before we have the Seal of the Spirit ib.
Yet the Spirit doth not ſeal immediately, but by and in ſome word of Promiſe Pag. 214
3. To teach ſuch as have received the firſt fruits of the Spirit, to know that they have received an earneſt of an everlaſting poſſeſſion Pag. 215
4. To teach us, that if we have received Chriſt, never to reſt till the Holy Ghoſt doth ſtampe more of the image of Chriſt in us Pag. 216
The ſecond branch of the Doctrine.
That God received Abraham and his ſeed to be a peculiar people unto himſelf Pag. 217
For which, three things are opened.
1. That God did take Abraham and his ſeed to be a peculiar people to himſelf Pag. 218
2. How he did ſo take them to be his people ibid
3. Who are meant by Abraham and his ſeed Pag. 219
Queſt. Whether the carnal ſeed had any portion in the Covenant of grace Pag. 219
Anſw.
1. They were called to outward fellowſhip of the Covenant Pag. 220
2. They are not far from the kernel and bleſſing of the Covenant ibid
1. They have not only outward Ordinances, and common gifts of the Spirit, but a liberal uſe of the Creatures, much patience of God ibid
2. They have the Offer of the ſure mercies of David Pag. 222
Now the Cauſes of their being diſcovenanted are Either
Mocking or perſecuting of the Covenant ib.
The love of worldly ſenſual bleſſings Pag. 223
A ſelf-confident cleaving unto gifts received by the Covenant Pag. 224
The Ʋſe.
1. To juſtifie the righteouſneſs of God in the confuſion of the children of Chriſtian Parents Pag. 227
What we may think of the Infants of Parents in Covenant, if they die Pag. 229
2. To teach Parents that are in Covenant, to bring up their children under the wing of the Covenant Pag. 230
3. To teach them that are in Covenant, to be all (themſelves and theirs) for God Pag. 231
Here is a ground
1. For Family-duties ibid
2. To improve all we have for the glory of Gods grace Pag. 232
4. To look to the Lord in all duties to receive us and ours Pag. 233
The third Branch of the Doctrine.
That the Lord took the chief of Abrahams ſeed, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to be the Mediator and Surety of the Covenant between God and Abraham Pag. 234
Chriſt is a fit Mediator in reſpect Of his
Perſon, being Godman, whereby he is
Fit to be the ground of union with God Pag. 235
Able to maintain it ib.
Offices, by
Removing offences ib.
Communicating good things ib.
1. As a Prieſt, offering Sacrifice, making interceſſion, &c. Pag. 236
2. As a Prophet, he teacheth us all things
3. As a King, he applies all to us, ſubdues
Us to himſelf ibid
The creature to us ibid
In particular, He is a Mediator of the Covenant in a threefold reſpect.
1. In that he is the Meſſenger of it, to publiſh it Pag. 237
2. In that he doth ratifie and confirm it by a threefold Seal
1. By his bloud ib.
2. By his Spirit ib.
3. By the Seals of the Covenant Pag. 238
3. In that he is the Prince and Head of it ibid
Which implyeth three things
1. That all the Covenant is made firſt with him ibid
2. That he doth inherit the bleſſings of the Covenant Pag. 239
Therefore He
Fulfilled all the conditions of the Covenant ib.
Communicateth the bleſſings of the Covenant ib.
3. That he doth apply the comforts of the Promiſes to us ib.
Uſe.
1. For refutation of the Popiſh Doctrine, that deviſeth other Mediators Pag. 240
Object. We pray the Saints to pray for us.
Reſp.
1. Chriſt bath bidden us to pray one for another, but not to the Saints in Heaven ibid
2. We do not depend upon the merit of their Prayers 241
2. For Inſtruction how to make an holy uſe of all the gifts of Gods grace, and duties of Gods worſhip Pag. 242
3. A ground to ſtrengthen faith; and for encouragement to the duties and fruits of it Pag. 246
THere ſeems to be a groſs miſtake or Errata through the leaving out of one word [not] in pag. 240. within 3 or 4. lines of the bottom. 'Tis ſaid, it were Idolatry. I think it ſhould be, It were not Idolatry.