A64003:179
A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certain doubts concerning predestination together with an examination…A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certaine doubts concerning predestination together with an examination…
A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certain doubts concerning predestination together with an examination thereof / written by William Twice ...A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certaine doubts concerning predestination together with an examination thereof / written by William Twisse ...
London: printed by J.D. for Andrew Crook, 1646
AN EXAMINATION of a Treatise written by Master Cotton, for the clea… › QUESTION •.
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.
For a second ground: In the Covenant of Works you may see, as in a glass, what the purpose of God is, in the manifesting his 1Justice upon the world of mankind; as in the Covenant of Grace you may see, as in a mirror, what the purpose of God is, in manifesting his mercy upon the Elect: For as it is in men renewed after the Image of God; so likewise it is in God himself: Such as his Covenant or Promise is, such is his Purpose. God doth covenant and promise in the Covenant of Grace to give life to the Elect, out of his grace in Christ: So here doth God covenant and promise, in the Covenant of Works, to give life to Adam and all his posterity, if they continue in obedience of his Law; or if, breaking this Law, they return again to him by repentance; as it is described at large, Gen. 4. 7. Levit. 18. 5. Ezek. 18. 5. & 20. 11. & 40. 21. Gal. 3. 12. Surely then, the purpose of Gods just retribution is to give life to the world of mankind, upon condition of their obedience, or of their repentance after disobedience. Say not, Surely God purposed nothing but death to the world of mankind (whom he elected not,) because he offered them life upon such condition which he knew was impossible for them to keep: for, first, in Adam they were enabled to keep it; neither impotency in Adam, nor efficacy of Gods decree did put upon Adam any necessity of breaking ⟨p. 63⟩it. Again, in Christ they have so much knowledge and grace revealed to them, and offered, as is sufficient to bring them on to see their impotency in themselves, and to stir them up to seek for help, and strength, and life, in him where it is to be found: which if they neglect or despise, as the Pharisees did, and all the rest of impenitent sinners do, God and his Covenant are blameless, in offering them life, and the means of it; their destruction is of themselves.