The New Covenant, Table of contents – Title page 2

The New Covenant · Table of contents – Title page 2

The Contents of the Treatise concerning the Covenant.

Doct. THat God in the Covenant gave himselfe to be a God unto Abraham and his seed, and received Abraham 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. Page 5.&7.

Here is considered,

1 What 'tis for God to give himselfe to Abraham. Page 7.

Viz. 1 The whole nature of God in his Persons and Attributes. Page 8.

2 All the Ordinances, Creatures, and works of God. Page 10.

2 The Order of Gods giving in the Covenant. Page 14.

Viz. 1 God doth first give, and not the Creature. ibid.

2 God also is the first thing that is given. ibid.

3 The Manner of giving, viz. freely and for ever. Page 15.

Obj. But the Lord required that he should give himselfe back again. Answered. Page 16.

Obj. The Lord required him to circumcise his Seed, answered. Page 17.

2 How the Lord doth take Abraham and his Seed to be his people. Page 5. & 19.

By preparing them by a spirit of Bondage. Page 20.

By preparing them by a spirit of Burning. Page 21.

By taking possession of them by his spirit. Page 24.

Which spirit doth Convince the soule of unbeliefe. Page 25.

Which spirit doth Work Faith, and unites to Christ by some Promise of grace. Page 26.

Qu. Whether may not true Faith be built on a Conditional Promise, answered. Page 29. see 56.

From Union followeth Communion with Christ in all spirituall Blessings. Page 31.

Viz. Relative, as Adoption ibid.

Viz. Relative, as Iustification ibid.

Viz. Positive, wrought in us, as Sanctification. Page 34.

Viz. Positive, wrought in us, as Glorification. Page 35.

… How the Lord did constitute Jesus Christ to be the Mediatour of the Coven: 7. Page 36.

By receiving him, the Son of the Virgin Mary, to be one person with the second in the Trinity. ibid.

By giving him to be a Covenant or a Mediatour of it,

In filling him with all fullnesse, to be a King, Priest, and Prophet. Page 37.

In his performing whatever is required on our parts. ibid.

Use.

1 It teacheth the difference between the Covenant of Works & of Grace. Page 39.

1 In the one, all is given upon the condition of obedience; in the other not. ibid.

2 The Covenant of Grace is built upon a free Promise of Grace, the other upon something else, as Ordinances, Duties, &c. Page 40.

3 In the Continuance: the Benefits of the one (as Justification and Sanctification) doe abide, the other not so. Page 42.

Two sorts of Hypocrites have a kind of Sanctification.

Viz Washed Swine, and Goates. Page 44.

The Goates fall short of Sheep in two things. Page 45.

1 Goats are Capricious, affecting eminency. ibid.

2 They are Rankish, not having the sweetnesse of sheep. Page 47.

4 In respect of the Mediator, both of the one and the other. ibid.

2 It yieldeth an Argument against the Body of Arminianisme. Page 48.

3 Gods people are to respect them that are under a Covenant of Workes, and not be hopelesse of their Salvation. Page 49.

4 It helps to clear sundry Questions about the Covenant. Page 51.

1 Qu. What is the first Gift that ever the Lord giveth to the Elect? Page 52.

Ans. He giveth Himself, and not saving Preparations first. ibid.

2 Qu. Whether are the Blessings of the Covenant given before faith to apply them? Page 55.

Ans. The Spirit is given to work faith. ibid.

3 Qu. Whether the Promise wherein the Lord giveth Himselfe, be absolute or conditionall? Page 56.

Ans. 'Tis absolute. ibid.

4 Qu. Whether a mans Union with Christ may be evidenced by his Sanctfication? Answered in foure Propositions. Page 58.

1 Propos. That a Sanctification which the Terrours of the Law may produce, is no evidence of Union with Christ. ibid.

Here three things are to be attended unto concerning Sanctification. Page 60.

1 The Root from which it springeth. Page 61.

2 The Rule by which 'tis guided. Page 67.

3 The End at which it aimeth. Page 70.

2 Propos. That true Sanctification is many times dark unto a Christian. Page 74.

3 Propos. That true Sanctification is not discernable before Faith be discerned. Page 75.

4 Propos. There is a reall Difference between legall and Evangelicall Sanctification; and wherein it lyeth. Page 77.

5 Qu. Of what use are Promises (especially Conditionall) if not to bring us unto Christ? Page 86.

Ans. There is a three fold use of them.

1 Before Union with Christ, both for

Doctrine. Page 87.

Instruction. Page 88.

Exhortation. Page 89.

And a three-fold Effect also the Promises have before Union.

Viz. Of Illumination. Page 90.

Viz. Of Affection, to despise all other things. ibid

Viz. Of Conviction, so as to leave without excuse. Page 91.

2 In our Union with Christ. Page 92.

3 After our Union with Christ, and that many wayes. Viz.

1 For Doctrine, that all treasures are in Christ. Page 96.

2 For Instruction where to looke for Qualifications. ibid.

3 To stir up to Prayer. Page 97.

4 To help to discern our spirituall estate. Page 98.

5 To worke the Qualifications and Conditions of the Promises in us. Page 100.

6 To provoke to such Duties as to which blessings are promised. Page 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? Page 106.

Ans. 'Tis of speciall use both unto them that are Carnall, either Elected, to make them see their sin. Page 108.

Ans. 'Tis of speciall use both unto them that are Carnall, either Not Elected, to harden them. Page 111.

Ans. 'Tis of speciall use both unto them that are Both by their Obedience to it. Page 112.

Ans. 'Tis of speciall use both unto them that are Both by their Comfort in their Obed: ib.

Spirituall; being under the Rule of … Page 114.

And the effects of their subjection to it, are,

1 They feele the Fatherly displeasure of God for their transgressing of it. Page 119.

2 They beleeve Gods gracious acceptance of their Obedience unto it. Page 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. Page 124.

2 Seek for any blessing from his obedience, nor fear any curse from his disobedience. Page 128.

3 Look for Conjugall Comfort, from his Obedience Page 130.

3 Look for Conjugall Divorce, from his Disobedience Page 130.

4 Claime his right to any Conditionall Promise by his Obedience.

Deny himselfe the Blessing of the Promise because of his disobedience. Page 132.

Hence therefore

1 Let none accuse the Doctrine of the Covenant, of Antinomianisme. Page 134

2 The Servants of God may see how far they are freed from the Law. Page 136.

3 Men may come to have some discerning of their spirituall states. Page 137.

4 Gods people may learn how to build their Faith and Hope. Page 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? Page 141.

Ans. 1. We cannot see God without the s…me. Page 143.

2 Thereby we are made fit Temples for the Holy Ghost. Page 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. Page 146.

2 To act them in us. Page 147.

3 To witnesse to us by them, to our comfort. ibid.

Qu. How are we to imploy the gifts of Sanctification in us? Page 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. Page 152.

Either for The performance of any duty. Page 153

Either for Justification from them. Page 160.

3 In point of witnesse, and how. Page 161.

4 In point of rejoycing. Page 162.

5 We are to grow up in them to perfection. Page 164.

9 Qu. How doth God give Himselfe to be a God Covenant with us? Page 170.

Ans. 1 He gave his Son out of his bosome for our Redemption. Page 171.

2 He giveth us unto Christ, and Christ unto us. Page 173.

Qu. How doth the Father give, and call us to Christ? Page 174.

Ans. By his

Word.

Spirit, ibid.

Of Bondage. Page 175.

Of Burning. Page 177.

Of Adoption. Page 184.

Hence we may learne to discerne how we came to saving fellowship and union with Christ. Page 192.

There are foure sorts that fall short of this Union with Christ. ibid.

Viz. Such as

1 Doe blesse themselves in regard of outward blessings. ibid.

2 Find comfort in their Reformations, ibid.

3 Rest in a Faith of their owne making Page 193.

4 Waite upon Christ for Faith in their owne strength. Page 195.

FINIS.

Some Faults to be Corrected by the Reader.

In the first Treatise.

In the second Treatis.

In the third Treatise

The NEW COVENANT, OR, A Treatise, unfolding the order and manner of the giving and receiving of the Covenant of Grace to the Elect.

As also: Shewing the difference between the Legallist and the true Christian.

Being the substance of sundry Sermons Preached by M^r COTTON At Boston in New-England, some years since, and corrected by his owne hand, not long before his death.

LONDON: Printed by M. S. for Francis Eglesfield, & John Allen, at the Marigold, and Rising Sun in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1654.