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…

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.

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 himselfe. Rom. 9. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Hee 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 owne freedome and pleasure, allowing all the actions of God requisite to conversion, might receive the quickning grace of God in vaine, 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 businesse. It is not (saith the Apostle) of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, &c. As the wheele 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 quickning grace of the spirit: but because God first hath mercy, therefore he willeth and runneth in the way of righteousnesse.