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…

for what outward means soever he affords them, yet if he afford them not the efficacious operation of his holy spirit, it is a manifest document, that his purpose is to glorify himself in their everlasting condemnation, rather than in their salvation. But whereas hitherto you have but prevaricated, pleading for that which no man denies, namely, that Gods purpose towards them is but in a disjunct manner, either for salvation if they obey, or for condemnation in case they disobey; or, only in a conditionate manner willing life unto them, and that, upon such a condition as he well knows will never be performed by them; all-along concealing your opinion, and sparing to deal plainly, in an open profession thereof: Now, at length, you are come to broach it; and that is, not only that God wills either their salvation or condemnation, according as they shall be found to repent or not repent; or, that he wills life unto them, upon condition of their obedience and repentance; giving hitherto not the least inkling of your meaning to be this, that he wills also and desires their obedience and repentance. Now you take heart to open this mystery of your meaning also, namely, that there is in God an earnest and serious affection, as concerning the conversion and salvation of the world, which never are, nor shall be saved: Yet here also you give cause to complain, that you walk not with a right foot, sparing to express your meaning home; for you apply it only to the people of Israel, which is an indefinite term, and may be applied to the Elect; concerning whom, there is no question of Gods earnest and serious affection concerning their salvation: All are not Israel, that are of Israel (saith the Apostle;) So that Israel are Gods chosen, in the Apostles phrase: And there is an universitas electorum, yea, and mundus electorum too; as the Author of the books De vocatione Gentium observeth. Again, that which, in the places alleged by you, is applied to Israel only, you, by your Tenet, do, and must extend to all that are not elect, to the very Turks and Saracens of these days, though you have no such exclamations to serve your turn withal, to prove Gods earnest and serious affection concerning their salvation, though this be the most colourable Argument which you have to stand you in stead, in this particular.

for what outward meanes soever he affords them, yet if hee afford them not the efficacious operation of his holy spirit, it is a manifest document, that his purpose is to glorifie himselfe in their everlasting condemnation, rather than in their salvation. But whereas hitherto you have but prevaricuted, pleading for that which no man denyes, namely, that Gods purpose towards them is but in a disjunct manner, either for salvation if they obey, or for condemnation in case they disobey; or, onely in a conditionate manner willing life unto them, and that, upon such a condition as hee well knowes will never be performed by them; all-along concealing your opinion, and sparing to deale plainly, in an open profession thereof: Now, at length, you are come to broach it; and that is, not onely that God wills either their salvation or condemnation, according as they shall be found to repent or not repent; or, that hee wills life unto them, upon condition of their obedience and repentance; giving hitherto not the least inckling of your meaning to be this, that hee wills also and desires their obedience and repentance. Now you take heart to open this mystery of your meaning also, namely, that there is in God an earnest and serious affection, as concerning the conversion and salvation of the world, which never are, nor shall be saved: Yet here also you give cause to complain, that you walk not with a right foot, sparing to expresse your meaning home; for you apply it onely to the people of Israel, which is an indefinite terme, and may be applied to the Elect; concerning whom, there is no question of Gods earnest and serious affection concerning their salvation: All are not Israel, that are of Israel (saith the Apostle;) So that Israel are Gods chosen, in the Apostles phrase: And there is an universitas electorum, yea, and mundus electorum too; as the Author of the bookes De vocatione Gentium observeth. Againe, that which, in the places alledged by you, is applied to Israel onely, you, by your Tenet, doe, and must extend to all that are not elect, to the very Turks and Saracens of these dayes, though you have no such exclamations to serve your turne withall, to prove Gods earnest and serious affection concerning their salvation, though this be the most colourable Argument which you have to stand you in stead, in this particular.