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…

as whereby they humble themselves, and which followeth the proving of them, rather than goeth before it;) partly in reference to the third Verse, going before, where it is said more at full, Therefore he humbled thee, and made thee hungry, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know it; that he might teach thee, that man liveth not by bread only. By which words we may gather a fair interpretation of that you allege: If it be spoken of humiliation spiritual, thus, He fed thee with manna to humble thee; that is, to teach thee to humble thy self: and so indeed his providence, providing alike to them all, did equally teach them all to humble themselves. But did God intend that every one should, de facto, humble himself? why then did he not give them eyes to see, and ears to hear, and an heart to perceive, as Deut. 29. 4. Moses tells them plainly, saying, Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. I deny not but God did manifest, by the course of his providence towards them, what he did require and deserve at their hands, namely, that they should humble themselves to walk with the Lord their God; and the phrase, to humble thee, applied even to the most carnal, may have a fair construction, that thou shouldst be humbled, or, humble thy self, understanding it ex officio; for hereby he did manifest that this was their duty, answerable to Gods proceedings with them: and yet further, considering that he representeth his own gracious proceedings with them, by the proceedings of an earthly father with his children, Verse 5. Know therefore in thine heart, that as a man nurtureth his son, so the Lord thy God nurtureth thee; no marvel if he expresseth his affections and desires towards them, suitable to the desires and affections of an earthly father, who being not able effectually to procure their amendment, yet desires it. And this is Gods usual course, to express himself in such language, per [Greek or Hebrew]. But, shall we hereupon take liberty to build doctrines, as touching ⟨p. 83⟩the nature of God, as if that which is figuratively uttered were properly delivered? He proved them all, I confess, and upon the probation some proved good silver, and others no better than dross;

as whereby they humble themselves, and which followeth the proving of them, rather than goeth before it;) partly in reference to the third Verse, going before, where it is said more at full, Therefore hee humbled thee, and made thee hungry, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know it; that he might teach thee, that man liveth not by bread onely. By which words wee may gather a faire interpretation of that you alledge: If it be spoken of humiliation spirituall, thus, Hee fed thee with manna to humble thee; that is, to teach thee to humble thy selfe: and so indeed his providence, providing alike to them all, did equally teach them all to humble themselves. But did God intend that every one should, de facto, humble himselfe? why then did hee not give them eyes to see, and eares to heare, and an heart to perceive, as