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…

For, undoubtedly, in Gods word (whereof even Reprobates are partakers as well as the Elect) there is grace sufficient in the way of instruction and revelation; no man makes question of this. Undoubtedly, therein is contained all things necessary both for faith and manners, and so to bring them to salvation, if they will obey it. But all the question is, whether they have any sufficiency of grace to enable them to obey it? I presume your self will not avouch this. And the Pelagians of old acknowledged a sufficiency of grace in the way of doctrine and instruction. Only you say, There is sufficient grace given them to bring ⟨p. 71⟩them to see their impotency. But how do you prove this? The natural man commonly is too preiant of his ability; Dicere solet humana superbia (saith Austin) si scissem, fecissem. What was Pauls meaning when he said of himself, Rom. 7. 9. I once was alive without the Law? I should think this impotency cannot be discerned without the life of grace. For, like as a dead man naturally is not sensible of his death; so he that is dead in sin, is nothing sensible of this his sinful condition. But howsoever, surely grace revealed only hath no congruity to such a work, as to bring a man to see his impotency; for what greater grace in the kind of revelation then the word of God? let this word testify, that a man is shaped in wickedness, and in sin conceived; and that he is dead in sin. Is this sufficient to make him see his impotency? Is the hearing of Gods word sufficient to make him believe it? why then is it not sufficient to take away mens blindness? and why then doth not every one that hears it, cease to be blind; and consequently, cease to be lame, and deaf; yea, and cease to be dead also? Nay, which is more, suppose a Physician discovers a man to be in a dangerous estate, when he dreams of nothing less, and suppose the party believes it upon his word; yet here-hence it followeth not, that he seeth the dangerous estate wherein he is, until he hath some feeling of it. So likewise, if he should believe the word, telling him that he is unable to do any thing that is good; yet he shall not be said to see it, till he hath some feeling of it:

For, undoubtedly, in Gods word (whereof even Reprobates are partakers as well as the Elect) there is grace sufficient in the way of instruction and revelation; no man makes question of this. Undoubtedly, therein is contained all things necessary both for faith and manners, and so to bring them to salvation, if they will obey it. But all the question is, whether they have any sufficiency of grace to enable them to obey it? I presume your selfe will not avouch this. And the Pelagians of old acknowledged a sufficiency of grace in the way of doctrine and instruction. Onely you say, There is sufficient grace given them to bring