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 to yield unto them, either hypocritically, either according to the course of gross hypocrisy, or of that hypocrisy which is secret to him that is possessed with it, or, ad exteriorem vitae emendationem; we deny not such a power unto a carnal Christian as you describe him, nor unto any profane person whatsoever. And, I am persuaded, it is only a consideration of things in general, and in a confusaneous manner, holds you on to imply such a power in carnal ⟨p. 142⟩Christians: Whereas if things were distinguished aright, it would more easily appear what is within the region of nature, and what beyond it, as merely imputable to the special grace of God, and operation of his spirit.

but to yeeld unto them, either hypocritically, either according to the course of grosse hypocrisie, or of that hypocrisie which is secret to him that is possessed with it, or, ad exteriorem vitae emendationem; wee deny not such a power unto a carnall Christian as you describe him, nor unto any prophane person whatsoever. And, I am perswaded, it is onely a consideration of things in generall, and in a confusaneous manner, holds you on to imply such a power in carnall ⟨p. 142⟩Christians: Whereas if things were distinguished aright, it would more easily appeare what is within the region of nature, and what beyond it, as meerely imputable to the speciall grace of God, and operation of his spirit.

3 As for dogs and swine, we are forbidden to give our holy things, or to cast our pearls before them at all. And therefore are we not to trouble our selves, in considering to what end this doctrine is to be preached unto them. And yet, as for the testifications proposed as proper unto them, it is nothing so; for not to them only, but to carnal Christians also do such belong, yea, to the very Children of God also; to wit, That God is just in all that cometh on them, and his ways equal. As when after Davids foul sins in the matter of Uriah, the sword pursued his house, and Absalom defiled his fathers concubines, and he was driven to fly from Jerusalem, and Shimei meeting him on the way cursed him, &c. And, I pray you, what unregenerate man throughout the world doth not love the cursed ways of sin, in some kind or other, though not in all kinds? And no marvel, for vice is like a pike in a pond, it devours both virtue and lesser vices: One vice is opposite to another, and not only unto virtue: And therefore, no marvel if no man be found vicious in all kinds.