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…

But, why should a slight and colourable interpretation of holy Scripture cast you, or any sober man, upon such an opinion, the absurdity whereof ⟨p. 106⟩is evident by the light of nature? For, doth not God know full well that, notwithstanding all the means which he useth to bring them to obedience, they will still continue in the hardness of their heart? Doth he not also know full well, that he could give them such a grace as should break the hardness of their heart, and make them humble and obedient, with upright hearts? And withal, hath he not resolved to deny them this grace, which he knew full well would prove effectual to their conversion, and to grant them only such a grace as he knew would prove ineffectual? Now, in this case, let every sober Reader judge, whether God hath any affection to all (much less earnest) unto their salvation; and whether he meaneth not rather to glorify himself in their utter condemnation? To pretermit here my former Arguments, as namely, That this serious and earnest affection, concerning their salvation, must still continue, even after they are damned, or else God is mutable. And, that if God doth earnestly desire their obedience and repentance, that they might be saved; in case they do not obey and repent, it followeth, that God is not able to effect it. But nevertheless I am willing to consider the strength of your Argument: it is grounded upon a certain Scripture phrase, Oh that there were in this people an heart to fear me! Oh that they were wise! Oh that my people had hearkened unto me! &c. Is it not great pity that good men, and good Divines, should be carried away into odd opinions, upon the slight consideration of a phrase? The Hebrew phrase runnes thus, Quis dubis ut cor eorum sit hujusmodi (i. e. ità dispositum) illis, ut timeant me omnibus diebus vitae suae? This is, Quis praestabit? Who shall give, or effect, that such an heart were in them, that they might fear me all their days? Now, I pray, consider; if this were spoken properly, might we not answer God according to his own language, and say, O Lord, doest thou ask who shall give or make good unto them such an heart? why who should do such a work as this but thy self? for thou hast made the heart, and thou alone canst change it; we cannot change an hair of our head, much less our heart:

But, why should a slight and colourable interpretation of holy Scripture cast you, or any sober man, upon such an opinion, the absurdity whereof ⟨p. 106⟩