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…

whereas God is nothing at all advantaged ⟨p. 67⟩hereby in his reputation, but only in words, which is no real relief to his honour, but the adding of another injury (if that be an injury unto him, as you conceive;) namely, to mock him also. And if we shall nothing pleasure him by a lye, lying for God, as man doth for man, to gratify him; surely we shall do him no pleasure by thus mocking him. I would you had tried your strength in oppugning their opinion to the uttermost, who maintain God to carry himself as absolutely in the way of Reprobation, as in the way of Election: I would gladly have considered it. But let us consider your present discourse: First, you say, They were in Adam enabled to keep the condition; therefore say not, God intended nothing but death to them. I pray transfer the case to the Angels; were not they also enabled to keep the condition of life, as well as their fellows? yet, did not God grant his Elect Angels such a grace as whereby he knew they would stand; denying such a grace unto the others; and that as absolutely as he granted it unto the other? And could he not as absolutely have granted this grace unto them […] and denied it to them that stood? And what would have […] the issue, but quite contrary? & versis luxisset curia fatis.

whereas God is nothing at all advantaged ⟨p. 67⟩hereby in his reputation, but onely in words, which is no reall reliefe to his honour, but the adding of another injury (if that bee an injury unto him, as you conceive;) namely, to mock him also. And if wee shall nothing pleasure him by a lye, lying for God, as man doth for man, to gratifie him; surely wee shall doe him no pleasure by thus mocking him. I would you had tried your strength in oppugning their opinion to the uttermost, who maintaine God to carry himselfe as absolutely in the way of Reprobation, as in the way of Election: I would gladly have considered it. But let us consider your present discourse: First, you say, They were in Adam enabled to keep the condition; therefore say not, God intended nothing but death to them. I pray transferre the case to the Angels; were not they also enabled to keep the condition of life, as well as their fellowes? yet, did not God grant his Elect Angels such a grace as whereby hee knew they would stand; denying such a grace unto the others; and that as absolutely as hee granted it unto the other? And could hee not as absolutely have granted this grace unto them and denyed it to them that stood? And what would have the issue, but quite contrary? & versis luxisset curia fatis.