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…

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.

2. Secondly, The inclination arising or flowing from Grace is irresistible, for it proceedes from the Will, formed and endued with Grace, not in a moral, but physicall way: that is, not in a way of perswasion, but reall 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.

3. Thirdly, The judgement of the understanding, concerning this initial and imperfect Inclination, is irresistible, For the understanding being enlightened by Divine Grace, doth irresistibly and infallibly approve this Inclination, and it is so far free as the Understanding is capable of freedom.

4. Fourthly, When the Understanding hath put forth its last and conclusive dictate, then the Will (as I said) puts forth a complete and executive willing, which is actual Conversion unto God: And this Willing is both irresistible and free, and so Conversion it self is both free and irresistible. 1. It is irresistible, because it necessarily follows the real Inclination of the Will preceding, and the last dictate of the Understanding approving and confirming it. It is also most properly free, for it hath those things which are required unto liberty, seeing the Will therein is not passive, but active. 2. It is not brought forth,