The position of John Preston, Doctor in Divinity ... concerning the irresistibleness of converting…The position of John Preston, Doctor in Divinity ... concerning the irresistiblenesse of converting…

But you shall easily see how falsely these things are charged upon us, and how truly we say that Arminius derogates more from the grace of God, than the Jesuits; If you will give me leave faithfully to set down their opinions, and briefly to compare them together: For in these four things shall my Discourse consist. First, I will repeat the Opinion of our Adversaries. 2. I will explain our own Opinion. 3. I will add Reasons for the confirmation of our Opinion. 4. I will answer the Objections, at least, one or two of the chief of them, whereby our opinion is opposed.

But you shall easily see how falsly these things are charged upon us, and how truly we say that Arminius derogates more from the grace of God, than the Jesuites; If you will give me leave faithfully to set downe their opinions, and briefly to compare them together: For in these foure things shall my Discourse consist. First, I will repeat the Opinion of our Adversaries. 2. I will explain our own Opinion. 3. I will adde Reasons for the confirmation of our Opinion. 4. I will answer the Objections, at least, one or two of the chief of them, whereby our opinion is opposed.

As to the first, Some Jesuits affirm, That Sufficient grace, as to means is given to all, even to Reprobates; but Effectual grace, which shall certainly and infallibly attain its end, is given only to the Elect. If we ask wherein they place the efficacy of this Grace; they answer, Not in a physical determination of the Will, but in a moral persuasion, and that not of any kind, but congruous (as they call it) that is a persuasion offered with such circumstances of Place, Person, and Time, as to which, God (who from everlasting knows all the inclinations of the Will) foresees the will shall certainly and infallibly yield unto. They distinguish therefore between Sufficient and Effectual grace, that is, those whom God hath chosen unto life, by virtue of that absolute Decree he intends to offer unto them, not only sufficient persuasion, but at a fit time, when he knows that the person so called, will undoubtedly obey the call of God: but those whom he hath not chosen, to them also he offers persuasion sufficient, but not at a time so ⟨p. 3⟩