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…

Arg. I That there is such an infusion of Grace renewing ⟨p. 11⟩and healing the Will, inclining and determining it to one of the two opposites in the act of Conversion, appears by this, That all Divines hold, that there is in the Will an habitual aversion from God, and an habitual turning to sensible and carnal things: But this habitual corruption of nature cannot be healed by the sole help of Grace, merely exciting: For, as corporal, so spiritual diseases are not cured, but by contraries; and therefore habitual corruption cannot be changed but by an habitual quality, imprinted on the Will. Prosp. therefore saith right, The inward sense is not opened to do spiritual things, until the foundation of Faith, and fervour of Love is planted in the Heart.

Arg. I That there is such an infusion of Grace renewing ⟨p. 11⟩and healing the Will, inclining and determining it to one of the two opposites in the act of Conversion, appears by this, That all Divines hold, that there is in the Will an habituall aversion from God, and an habituall turning to sensible and carnall things: But this habituall corruption of nature cannot be healed by the sole help of Grace, meerely exciting: For, as corporall, so spirituall diseases are not cured, but by contraries; and therefore habituall corruption cannot be changed but by an habitual quality, imprinted on the Will. Prosp. therefore saith right, The inward sense is not opened to doe spirituall things, untill the foundation of Faith, and fervour of Love is planted in the Heart.

2. Unless it be granted, That such an habitual Grace is infused into the Will, by which it is inclined to good after a physical manner; there will be found no formal principle in man, from whence good acts may be produced: for as in corporal things no man fees, unless he first have eyes; nor hears, unless he hath ears: so in spiritual things, no man sees unless God hath first given him eyes to see; nor hears, unless he hath given him ears to hear. By the same reason no man can turn himself to God, unless he have a new Heart; that is, a new Will to turn and love God: For what means that Scripture, An evil Tree bringeth forth evil Fruit, a good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit? But that we should thereby understand, that the Will must first be made good, before it can perform any spiritual work, which must necessarily be done, not by exciting or persuading Grace, but by Grace healing and regenerating.