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…

Our Saviours tears not only argued in him a serious compassion, as man, but a serious desire also of their salvation; and whom he wept over, out of that love he owed unto them (being made under the Law) he was bound to desire their salvation, as we are bound to desire the salvation of all those to whom we are sent; though this desire on all hands ought to have course (and that by the very Law of God) with submission to his will: But, that it argued in him, as God, a will or desire to save them, your modesty would not permit you to express; although the face of your Tenet is as manifestly set towards this mark, as ever our Saviours face was set towards Jerusalem. As for the consideration of their peace, which you attribute unto him, were it extant, it were impossible but as God he should consider it; were it to come to pass, it were no less impossible but he should purpose it and effect it: but seeing it was never to come to pass, he could no otherwise consider it then as a thing possible, but such as should never come to pass; and it was equally impossible, as the former, that he should not so consider it. But I do easily imagine what you mean, though you are very loath to speak it out; (which, to deal plainly with you, is nothing fair) save that I am verily persuaded it proceeds not out of any ill mind in you, but partly out of fear (by speaking plainly) to give offence to good men; and partly out of some conscientiousness of your inability to justify it: namely, that Christ, as God, did consider it as a thing possible, with a tender affection desiring it. And indeed, otherwise the word tender added to consideration, attributed to God, comes in very incongruously; for, in proper speech, to consider a thing tenderly, is to consider a thing passionately; which is incident to man, but not to God. As for the other object which you make of Gods consideration, namely, the providing of means for their peace; this is brought in too too unseasonably; for the time thereof was at this time out of season, as our Saviour himself signifieth when he saith, But now they are hid from thine eyes: And were it never so seasonable, yet were it little or nothing ⟨p. 105⟩to the purpose;

Our Saviours teares not onely argued in him a serious compassion, as man, but a serious desire also of their salvation; and whom hee wept over, out of that love hee owed unto them (being made under the Law) hee was bound to desire their salvation, as wee are bound to desire the salvation of all those to whom we are sent; though this desire on all hands ought to have course (and that by the very Law of God) with submission to his will: But, that it argued in him, as God, a will or desire to save them, your modesty would not permit you to expresse; although the face of your Tenet is as manifestly set towards this marke, as ever our Saviours face was set towards Jerusalem. As for the consideration of their peace, which you attribute unto him, were it extant, it were impossible but as God hee should consider it; were it to come to passe, it were no lesse impossible but hee should purpose it and effect it: but seeing it was never to come to passe, hee could no otherwise consider it then as a thing possible, but such as should never come to passe; and it was equally impossible, as the former, that hee should not so consider it. But I doe easily imagine what you meane, though you are very loath to speake it out; (which, to deale plainly with you, is nothing faire) save that I am verily perswaded it proceeds not out of any ill mind in you, but partly out of feare (by speaking plainly) to give offence to good men; and partly out of some conscientiousnesse of your inability to justifie it: namely, that Christ, as God, did consider it as a thing possible, with a tender affection desiring it. And indeed, otherwise the word tender added to consideration, attributed to God, comes in very incongruously; for, in proper speech, to consider a thing tenderly, is to consider a thing passionately; which is incident to man, but not to God. As for the other object which you make of Gods consideration, namely, the providing of means for their peace; this is brought in too too unseasonably; for the time thereof was at this time out of season, as our Saviour himselfe signifieth when hee saith, But now they are hid from thine eyes: And were it never so seasonable, yet were it little or nothing