Spiritual refining

Its now time to draw nigh to a conclusion concerning this full and quintessential Text. There remain two particulars only to be improved, that were taken notice of in the main division of the Text. For as we told you, here was observable, the precious mercy promised, described both positively, and oppositely. Here was also the efficient cause of this mercy, and the fruit thereof: So we told you there was a two-fold m•dus, or manner observable about this mercy: There was modus rei, and modus dicti; The manner of Gods working this grace in those whom he Converts; and that is, By his mighty omnipotent power, efficaciously, insuperably, irresistibly: For consider with what authority God speaks it, I will take away the heart of stone, I will give an heart of flesh. God will do it, and Mans will shall not hinder: Here is no conditionate, suspended operation, as if God would not convert, or turn our hearts to him, till we also by our Free-will began to turn to him: So that this Text is an Hammer to beat in pieces all those Doctrines of old, and which now of late multiply, concerning Free-will, and the power of man to super natural things. May not this Text satisfy every man? Doth it not make every mans heart by nature a stone, insensible and stupid about holy things? Doth not God here appropriate the whole work of Conversion to himself? I will give an heart of Flesh, I will take away the stony heart: Yea doth he not also declare the manner how he will do this by his Sovereign, Omnipotent, and irresistible power, so that the heart cannot but bow and yield, and give it self up. Whereas now, if the Patrons of Nature and Free-will, who are enemies to Gods grace, did speak truth, then God should have said no more but this, I will give you an heart of flesh if you will; I cannot do it alone, unless your Free-will go along with it also; […] must suspend, or stay my work till I see what you will do. This is the first manner observable. Then there is modus dicti, the second manner how God will vouchsafe this, and that is by way of Gift, by a free absolute Promise, I will do thus, and thus; he doth not suppose any previous, or antecedent Conditions on our part. I shall at ⟨p. 570⟩this time pitch only upon the manner how God works this glorious mercy in us. And from thence observe,

ITs now time to draw nigh to a conclusion concerning this full and quintessentiall Text. There remain two particulars onely to be improved, that were taken notice of in the main division of the Text. For as we told you, here was observable, the precious mercie promised, described both positively, and oppositely. Here was also the efficient cause of this mercie, and the fruit thereof: So we told you there was a two-fold mdus, or manner observable about this mercie: There was modus rei, and modus dicti; The manner of Gods working this grace in those whom he Converts; and that is, By his mighty omnipotent power, efficaciously, insuperably, irresistably: For consider with what authoritie God speaks it, I will take away the heart of stone, I will give an heart of flesh. God will doe it, and Mans will shall not hinder: Here is no conditionate, suspended operation, as if God would not convert, or turn our hearts to him, till we also by our Free-will began to turn to him: So that this Text is an Hammer to beat in pieces all those Doctrines of old, and which now of late multiply, concerning Free-will, and the power of man to super naturall things. May not this Text satisfie every man? Doth it not make everie mans heart by nature a stone, insensible and stupid about holy things? Doth not God here appropriate the whole work of Conversion to himself? I will give an heart of Flesh, I will take away the stony heart: Yea doth he not also declare the manner how he will doe this by his Soveraign, Omnipotent, and irresistable power, so that the heart cannot but bow and yield, and give it self up. Whereas now, if the Patrons of Nature and Free-will, who are enemies to Gods grace, did speak truth, then God should have said no more but this, I will give you an heart of flesh if you will; I cannot doe it alone, unlesse your Free-will goe along with it also; must suspend, or stay my work till I see what you will doe. This is the first manner observable. Then there is modus dicti, the second manner how God will vouchsafe this, and that is by way of Gift, by a free absolute Promise, I will do thus, and thus; he doth not suppose any previous, or antecedent Conditions on our part. I shall at