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…

But who so yet doubts whether this be their Opinion, let him read the Hague Conference, pag. 298. of Bertius Translation; where they do industriously and purposely defend, that in spiritual death, spiritual gifts are not separated from the will of man, neither were implanted in it before that death in the state of Innocency, because if by these kind of gifts the will were inclined unto either part, the liberty of it were taken away, which (they say) consists in this, That it can equally bend it self to either part, when all requisites unto action are afforded.

But who so yet doubts whether this be their Opinion, let him read the Hague Conference, pag. 298. of Bertius Translation; where they do industriously and purposely defend, that in spirituall death, spiritual gifts are not separated from the will of man, neither were implanted in it before that death in the state of Innocency, because if by these kinde of gifts the will were inclined unto either part, the liberty of it were taken away, which (they say) consists in this, That it can equally bend it self to either part, when all requisites unto action are afforded.

It remains now briefly to be proved, that God, whether immediately or mediately, both by infused grace and moral persuasion, turneth sinners unto himself after an irresistible manner. But this caution is to be premised, that by the word Irresistibly we do not understand any force offered to the Will, which is repugnant to its nature, but only an insuperable efficacy of Divine Grace, which inclines the Will sweetly and agreeably to its own nature, but so certainly and necessarily (we understand that Necessity, which even now we called Certainty) that it cannot be put off by the Will.

It remaines now briefly to be proved, that God, whether immediately or mediately, both by infused grace and morall perswasion, turneth sinners unto himselfe after an irresistible manner. But this caution is to be premised, that by the word Irresistibly we doe not understand any force offered to the Will, which is repugnant to its nature, but onely an insuperable efficacy of Divine Grace, which inclines the Will sweetly and agreeably to its owne nature, but so certainely and necessarily (we understand that Necessity, which even now we called Certainty) that it cannot be put off by the Will.