A55751:60
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.
3. They hold, That the Will is otherwise concerned in Conversion, than in an active way, We maintain, that the Will in the first act of Conversion is partly passive, and partly active, that is, ⟨p. 4⟩first Passive, then Active, and so it worketh together with God, not partly by a natural ability, and partly by a supernatural strength, received from grace, passing by, but by virtue of a power wholly supernatural, which is conferred by infused and quickening grace, according to that of Augustine, To will, is of our selves, but to will well, both partly and wholly, is of grace.
3. They hold, That the Will is otherwise concerned in Conversion, than in an active way, We maintain, that the Will in the first act of Conversion is partly passive, and partly active, that is, ⟨p. 4⟩first Passive, then Active, and so it worketh together with God, not partly by a naturall ability, and partly by a supernaturall strength, received from grace, passing by, but by vertue of a power wholly supernaturall, which is conferred by infused and quickning grace, according to that of Augustine, To will, is of our selves, but to will well, both partly and wholly, is of grace.
4. The Arminians think, That the quickening grace of the Spirit, and whatsoever else on Gods part is required to the conversion of a man, is communicated as well to the Reprobate, as to the Elect, and that with intention of their salvation, otherwise God should deal deceitfully and hypocritically with them when he offers the Word unto them. Let their own words be read, Coll. Hag. p. 308. But we hold, That the quickening grace of God, which is fit for the healing and renewing of the Will, is peculiar to the Elect, and is imparted to them by virtue of the divine Decree, to the end they might be saved: But 'tis denied to others, and that our God hath not determined to save them