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…

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.

1. The truth of this Opinion is manifest from hence, That every where in Scripture the conversion and regeneration of a sinner is attributed to God alone, and to his good will and pleasure; but every, even the least co-operation is taken away ⟨p. 14⟩from man himself. Rom. 9. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth: which could not be truly said, if a man at his own freedom and pleasure, allowing all the actions of God requisite to conversion, might receive the quickening grace of God in vain, and make it void (as Arminius speaks.) And let it be observed from these words, That this mans repenting, and that mans hardening, is not only attributed to God alone, but the will and endeavours of man, is utterly excluded from having any part in this business. It is not (saith the Apostle) of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, &c. As the wheel doth not run well, that it may be round; but because it is first round: so a man doth not therefore will or run that God might have mercy on him, and regenerate him by the quickening grace of the spirit: but because God first hath mercy, therefore he willeth and runneth in the way of righteousness.