A55751:50
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…
The position of John Preston, Doctor in Divinity ... concerning the irresistibleness of converting graceThe position of John Preston, Doctor in Divinity ... concerning the irresistiblenesse of converting grace
London: printed by J.G. for Nath. Webb and Will. Grantham, 1654
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. From this quality so infused, presently there arise in the Will, certain imperfect inclinations, preventing the notice of reason, like unto those which the School-men call the very first Motions of the heart: For by these the will doth not completely, and effectually will that which is good, but is only initially, and incompletely inclined to those good works which please God, from whence such acts may be called, not so much willings, as wishings and wouldings.
2. From this quality so infused, presently there arise in the Will, certaine imperfect inclinations, preventing the notice of reason, like unto those which the School-men call the very first Motions of the heart: For by these the will doth not compleatly, and effectually will that which is good, but is onely initially, and incompleatly inclined to those good workes which please God, from whence such acts may be called, not so much willings, as wishings and wouldings.
3. Those inclinations are presented as an object to the understanding, which weighs them, debates them, takes counsel about them; and at length, when it hath by its ultimate, and conclusive dictates, confirmed them, propounds them to the will as to be chosen.
4. After those initial inclinations, arising from infused Grace, have passed the censure of the understanding, and are allowed by the preceding judgement thereof; then at length doth the Will put forth a complete and effectual willingness, from which conversion immediately doth follow, or rather that very willing is the conversion of a man unto God. In these four things is the conversion of man accomplished:
4. After those initiall inclinations, arising from infused Grace, have passed the censure of the understanding, and are allowed by the preceding judgement thereof; then at length doth the Will put forth a compleat and effectual willingnesse, from which conversion immediately doth follow, or rather that very willing is the conversion of a man unto God. In these four things is the conversion of man accomplished: