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…

Let me touch upon that also, as where you say, It was not the efficacy of Gods decree that did put upon Adam any necessity of breaking it. This, I confess, is a plausible speech now adays, and apt to be taken up; especially coming from good mens mouths, to choke others withal, who fear not to give God the glory of his power, with as much truth, and with a greater distinction and plainness; we say with Aquinas, that, Gods will is so efficacious, as to cause all things to come to pass after such a manner as they do come to pass; to wit, necessary things necessarily, and contingent things contingently, or freely, whether in good or evil. And if you spare to speak with the Holy Ghost, yet we will not; but profess, that, Both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and people of Israel, were gathered together to do that which Gods hand and Gods counsel determined before to be done. And with Austin, Non aliquid fit, nisi Omnipotens fieri velit, vel sinendo ut fiat, vel ipse faciendo.

Let mee touch upon that also, as where you say, It was not the efficacy of Gods decree that did put upon Adam any necessity of breaking it. This, I confesse, is a plausible speech now adayes, and apt to bee taken up; especially coming from good mens mouthes, to choake others withall, who feare not to give God the glory of his power, with as much truth, and with a greater distinction and plainnesse; wee say with Aquinas, that, Gods will is so efficacious, as to cause all things to come to passe after such a manner as they doe come to passe; to wit, necessary things necessarily, and contingent things contingently, or freely, whether in good or evill. And if you spare to speake with the Holy Ghost, yet wee will not; but professe, that, Both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and people of Israel, were gathered together to doe that which Gods hand and Gods counsell determined before to be done. And with Austin, Non aliquid fit, nisi Omnipotens fieri velit, vel sinendo ut fiat, vel ipse faciendo.

So that even those things which God sinit sieri, vult sieri: ¹Good things he will have come to pass, by his working of them; evil things he will have come to pass, by his suffering of them. Nay, otherwise it were impossible he should foreknow them; for unless they are future, they are not knowable to be future.