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…

The motions of the Spirit which are quenched, are godly motions, in the way of admonition, persuasion, exhortation; and they ¹are quenched not only in the men of the world, but too often in the children of God; the flesh too often prevailing in their lustings against the spirit, whereby are quenched for a time the motions of the Spirit; that is, the regenerate part lusting against the flesh; and consequently, the motions also of the Spirit of God admonishing and inviting unto good, either by the hearing of the word, or by the observation of Gods works. This work of moral motion and invitation is wrought sometimes with a purpose to work obedience conformable thereunto; sometimes with no such purpose; as often as God doth not make them effectual to the working of obedience, whether in the unregenerate or regenerate, for even these sometimes (yea, too oft) err from Gods ways, and have their hearts hardened against his fear: for, if God had a purpose to make them effectual, who should hinder him? Who hath resisted his will? cui nullum humanum resist it arbitrium (saith Austin;) for, ex nolentibus volentes facit. Undoubtedly, moral invitations, if they be not yielded unto, are justly said to be resisted, to what end soever they be made, whether to convert them, or to leave them without excuse; even such an excuse as Austin speaks of, when he saith, Dicere solet humana suporbia, Si scissem, fecissem. I see no reason why you should deny the Elect to be saved according to their works; our Saviour doth manifest, Mat. 25. that they are so: Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, &c. For I was an hungered, and you fed me, &c. and can it be denied, but that God rewardeth every man according to his works? I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the ⟨p. 95⟩²faith, saith Paul; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. God is not unrighteous, to forget the labour of ³your love, &c. Look to your selves, saith John, that we may not lose the things that we have done, but we may receive a full reward. Piscator, a precise Divine, spareth not to professe, that fides is causa salutis: They are not, I confess, causa meritoria, as sin is causa damnationis;