A55751:52
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.
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:
1. Here first the reception of the habit of Grace infused is indeed irresistible, but neither free nor voluntary, for the Will is merely passive in the receiving, and therefore exercises not its freedom.
1. Here first the reception of the habit of Grace infused is indeed irresistible, but neither free nor voluntary, for the Will is meerly passive in the receiving, and therefore exercises not its freedome.
2. Secondly, The inclination arising or flowing from Grace is irresistible, for it proceeds from the Will, formed and endued with Grace, not in a moral, but physical way: that is, not in a way of persuasion, but real operation: But it is voluntary, for it is produced by the Will in an active way; yet it is not free, because one of the requisites to freedom, which is the foregoing judgement of the understanding, is yet wanting.