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…

3. That all to be converted, shall be certainly and infallibly converted, and that only by the power of Converting Grace; but others certainly also, and infallibly, shall not be converted, not only because they will not, but in regard of the defect of congruity in the grace offered. Which Grace, although as to the substance of it (as they say) is sufficient, so that by the help of it men might be converted (if they would) yet as to the circumstances it is not sufficient, because it is not offered at a suitable time. For thus Suarez: Moral persuasion, though abundant, is not sufficient. A physical or real determination is too much, for it taketh away liberty, but the whole efficacy of grace consists in a Certainty, Congruity, or Conveniency.

3. That all to be converted, shall be certainly and infallibly converted, and that onely by the power of Converting Grace; but others certainely also, and infallibly, shall not be converted, not onely because they will not, but in regard of the defect of congruity in the grace offered. Which Grace, although as to the substance of it (as they say) is sufficient, so that by the help of it men might be converted (if they would) yet as to the circumstances it is not sufficient, because it is not offered at a suitable time. For thus Suarez: Morall perswasion, though abundant, is not sufficient. A physicall or reall determination is too much, for it taketh away liberty, but the whole efficacy of grace consists in a Certainty, Congruity, or Conveniency.

But the Arminians, although they seem to assert, that the beginning, progress, and perfection of every good work, is to be attributed unto Grace, so that no man (without preventing, accompanying, and following Grace) is able to think, will, or act any thing that is good: yet when they plead, that all this is done after a manner resistible, so as to leave it in the power of the Will, to use or not to use that grace unto conversion. It is apparent, that they do only in pretence, and not heartily and really attribute these things unto grace. This will easily appear by a distinct opening of the opinion of the Arminians.

But the Arminians, although they seem to assert, that the beginning, progresse, and perfection of every good work, is to be attributed unto Grace, so that no man (without preventing, accompanying, and following Grace) is able to think, will, or act any thing that is good: yet when they plead, that all this is done after a manner resistible, so as to leave it in the power of the Will, to use or not to use that grace unto conversion. It is apparent, that they do onely in pretence, and not heartily and really attribute these things unto grace. This will easily appeare by a distinct opening of the opinion of the Arminians.