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…

Surely Jacob in doing that which he did to Manasseh and ¹Ephraim, did neither prefer one to a greater estate then the other, or love one less then the other. But in the spirit of prophecy fore-signified, what would be the condition of each in their race and posterity. But suppose a father in that which lieth in his power, prefers one son before another, and accordingly in that way of Amor beneficentiae, be said to love one less then another, will any sober man say, that he loves the one, and hates the other? is this a decent expression of less love? We know full well, that a less love in the way of beneficence, may be joined with a greater love in the way of complacency: As for example, an earthly Father, though he suffer his eldest son to go away with the Land, yet he may bear greater affection to a younger son, though he assign unto him a far less portion then to his elder brother. And if it were decent to say, he hates him, whom he loves less in respect of beneficence; then he should be said to hate him whom he loves best.

Surely Jacob in doing that which hee did to Manasses and ¹Ephraim, did neither preferre one to a greater estate then the other, or love one lesse then the other. But in the spirit of prophecy fore-signifyed, what would bee the condition of each in their race and posterity. But suppose a father in that which lyeth in his power, preferres one son before another, and accordingly in that way of Amor beneficentiae, bee said to love one lesse then another, will any sober man say, that hee loves the one, and hates the other? is this a decent expression of lesse love? Wee know full well, that a lesse love in the way of beneficence, may bee joyned with a greater love in the way of complacency: As for example, an earthly Father, though hee suffer his eldest son to goe away with the Land, yet hee may bear greater affection to a younger sonne, though hee assigne unto him a farre lesse portion then to his elder brother. And if it were decent to say, hee hates him, whom hee loves lesse in respect of beneficence; then hee should bee said to hate him whom hee loves best.

1. 1Exam.