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…

First, let us consider the Text it self, then your interpretation and accommodation thereof. Our Saviour doth plainly derive the cause of their unbelief, or disapprobation of the Gospel, signified in these words, They loved darkness rather than light; I say, the ⟨p. 86⟩cause of this our Saviour refers to their works of darkness, expressed in these words, Because their deeds were evil. The full meaning whereof, I take to be this; The works wherein they delight are evil; that is, works of darkness; and therefore no marvel if they hate the light, and prefer darkness before it: —Pulchra Lavernae, Da mihi fallere, da justum sanctumque videri. Noctem peccatis, & fraudibus objice nubem.

First, let us consider the Text it selfe, then your interpretation and accommodation thereof. Our Saviour doth plainly derive the cause of their unbeleefe, or disapprobation of the Gospel, signified in these words, They loved darknesse rather than light; I say, the ⟨p. 86⟩cause of this our Saviour referres to their workes of darknesse, expressed in these words, Because their deeds were evill. The full meaning whereof, I take to be this; The workes wherein they delight are evill; that is, workes of darknesse; and therefore no marvell if they hate the light, and preferre darknesse before it: —Pulchra Lavernae, Da mihi fallere, da justum sanctumque videri. Noctem peccatis, & fraudibus objice nubem.

But give me leave to make an honest motion: As it becomes us to take notice of this cause mentioned here, so it becomes us nothing less to take notice of other causes mentioned in other places. Now, another cause of unbelief is mentioned Joh. 5. 44. and that of the same general nature with this, but expressed in more special manner by our Saviour, thus, How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Yet this is not all the cause of unbelief which the Scripture commends unto us; for the Apostle also takes notice of Satan's illusions, in this work of unbelief,