A55751:69
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.
1. That the Will in putting forth this last act of willing, is active, and not passive.
2. Because the moral persuasion, or judgement of the Understanding, thinking that the conversion propounded, that is, either the taking or refusing the object offered, is in the power of man, hath gone before. For we hold, That whatsoever is done in the act of Conversion, either by a mere Reception, or by a physical (or powerful) Determination, is not free. But that every willing is only so far free as it is produced in an active way, and flows from a reasonable persuasion; and that upon this ground, that reason lies indifferent to things opposite, that is, Reason only is the root and foundation of all Liberty; from whence it follows, that every act of the Will, into which Reason hath its influence, is most free.
2. Because the morall perswasion, or judgement of the Understanding, thinking that the conversion propounded, that is, either the taking or refusing the object offered, is in the power of man, hath gone before. For we hold, That whatsoever is done in the act of Conversion, either by a meere Reception, or by a physicall (or powerfull) Determination, is not free. But that every willing is only so far free as it is produced in an active way, and flowes from a reasonable perswasion; and that upon this ground, that reason lies indifferent to things opposite, that is, Reason onely is the root and foundation of all Liberty; from whence it followes, that every act of the Will, into which Reason hath its influence, is most free.
You see now what our opinion is, which we have been the longer in opening, because the explication of it is its chief confirmation, and the confutation of the contrary. Besides, it is a very difficult thing to express what the Arminians hold in this dispute, because they cover and wrap up their opinion in so doubtful and specious words.