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…

all which is incident unto God, and casts us necessarily upon the acknowledgement of an absolute Purpose in God to perform this, as he thinks good; which is not to be found in man. Again, you conceive this Purpose and Covenant of God to be made only with the world, who will never perform it: Man enters upon no such Purposes and Covenants; but rather such, the conditions whereof are as soon performed as not performed. And I wonder you should swallow this comparison, as exact, not considering the foul disproportion that is found therein between God and man: But affection to our own opinion, I confess, is apt to abuse us, and make us take notice only of that which makes for us, not of that which makes much more against us.

all which is incident unto God, and casts us necessarily upon the acknowledgement of an absolute Purpose in God to performe this, as hee thinkes good; which is not to be found in man. Againe, you conceive this Purpose and Covenant of God to be made onely with the world, who will never performe it: Man enters upon no such Purposes and Covenants; but rather such, the conditions whereof are as soon performed as not performed. And I wonder you should swallow this comparison, as exact, not considering the foule disproportion that is found therein between God and man: But affection to our owne opinion, I confesse, is apt to abuse us, and make us take notice onely of that which makes for us, not of that which makes much more against us.

As for the Objection here inserted, in the Answer whereunto, you trouble your self not a little, you might well have spared your pains, and answered in brief, that though it were very strange that any thing should not be accomplished which God doth will absolutely; yet, surely, it is nothing strange, that that should not be accomplished which God doth will to come to pass only upon a condition; for, the condition failing, there is no reason why we should expect the accomplishment thereof. And such is the will of God which here you propose concerning the world, namely, in willing that they shall be saved, on condition of their obedience and repentance; damned, in case of their disobedience and impenitency. Yet, it is not amiss to consider what you let fall in your Answer, to an Objection very needless, and which no wise man, amongst them who are adverse to you in this opinion, would