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…

Was it not one of the prodigious doctrines of Vorstius, to maintain that Gods decrees are not eternal? Whence it should manifestly follow, that God is changeable. For, if God should now begin to will that, which formerly he willed not; this would introduce a change in God, as well as if he should cease to will that which formerly he willed. Can it be denied, but that God did everlastingly foresee whatsoever should come to pass? If he did, then he did from everlasting foresee the final infidelity and impenitency of every one that in such a condition departs out of the world. And why then should it not become God from everlasting to ordain all such unto condemnation? Thirdly, who are they that interpret St. Jude in such a manner as you obtrude upon them? I cannot believe any is found so absurd. What? that [Greek or Hebrew] should signify no more then ordain to judgement! What shall become of [Greek or Hebrew] then? a word in this place most significant? I persuade my self you cannot name one, the Author of so loose an interpretation. But let us consider how you carry your self in the clearing of it as you speak, which indeed is to raise a mist rather in the clear. [Greek or Hebrew] you say, in the first place signifies judgement; and, I say, neither do they render it otherwise whom you undertake to confute. Yet, holding the translation here (as it were at bay without specification) it cannot stand with your interpretation; to wit, of Gods ordaining men to judgement (in general) according to their works: a judgement of mercy, in case their works prove good; or of wrath, in case they prove evil, whatsoever you pretend to the contrary, but most improvidently. For, albeit the word judgement be general, and indifferently appliable to either kind, yet, the Apostles phrase here, this judgement, [Greek or Hebrew], cannot be understood, and maintained in any such generality and indifferency. And therefore you could not rest in this sense without much oversight as your self observe, and forthwith confess. Therefore you proceed further to observe, that the Apostle v. 3. thought it needful to exhort them, to contend earnestly for the faith once given to the Saints. That is true, In the v. 4. he adds the reason hereof; that also is true in these words: For there are certain men crept in, of old ordained [Greek or Hebrew].

Was it not one of the prodigious doctrines of Vorstius, to maintaine that Gods decrees are not eternall? Whence it should manifestly follow, that God is changeable. For, if God should now begin to will that, which formerly hee willed not; this would introduce a change in God, as well as if hee should cease to will that which formerly hee willed. Can it be denyed, but that God did everlastingly foresee whatsoever should come to passe? If hee did, then he did from everlasting foresee the finall infidelitie and impenitency of every one that in such a condition departs out of the world. And why then should it not become God from everlasting to ordaine all such unto condemnation? Thirdly, who are they that interpret St. Jude in such a manner as you obtrude upon them? I cannot beleeve any is found so absurd. What? that should signifie no more then ordaine to judgement! What shall become of then? a word in this place most significant? I perswade my selfe you cannot name one, the Author of so loose an interpretation. But let us consider how you carry your selfe in the clearing of it as you speak, which indeed is to raise a mist rather in the clear. you say, in the first place signifies judgement; and, I say, neither doe they render it otherwise whom you undertake to confute. Yet, holding the translation here (as it were at bay without specification) it cannot stand with your interpretation; to wit, of Gods ordaining men to judgement (in generall) according to their workes: a judgement of mercy, in case their workes prove good; or of wrath, in case they prove evill, whatsoever you pretend to the contrary, but most improvidently. For, albeit the word judgement be generall, and indifferently appliable to either kind, yet, the Apostles phrase here, this judgement, , cannot be understood, and maintained in any such generalitie and indifferencie. And therefore you could not rest in this sense without much oversight as your selfe observe, and forthwith confesse. Therefore you proceed further to observe, that the Apostle v. 3. thought it needfull to exhort them, to contend earnestly for the faith once given to the Saints. That is true, In the v. 4. hee addes the reason hereof; that also is true in these words: For there are certaine men crept in, of old ordained .