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. 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, ⟨p. 7⟩but in the way of moral persuasion, that is, not without the preceding judgement of the understanding, weighing on each part what is best to be done; for every active and complete Willing, which hath had such a deliberation and determination of the Understanding, concerning an object offered, going before it, must be called truly and properly free. And for that definition of freedom whereby that is said to be free, which supposing all things requisite to action, may either act or not; t is a definition settled only in the brains of the Jesuits; and neither hath foundation among the Fathers, nor the ancient Philosophers, nor yet among the more ancient School-men, whom yet Suarez endeavours to wrest to the maintenance of his opinion.

4. Fourthly, When the Understanding hath put forth its last and conclusive dictate, then the Will (as I said) puts forth a compleat and executive willing, which is actuall Conversion unto God: And this Willing is both irresistible and free, and so Conversion it selfe is both free and irresistible. 1. It is irreresistible, because it necessarily followes the reall 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,