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…

Amongst Gods elect some are more beloved of God, and some less, according as he ordains one to greater grace and glory then another, and is it fit to attribute that to Esau, which we attribute to Gods elect?

Amongst Gods elect some are more beloved of God, and some lesse, according as hee ordaines one to greater grace and glory then another, and is it fit to attribute that to Esau, which wee attribute to Gods elect?

I grant that to subject Esau to Jacob as a servant, is not to reprobate him, for this subjection is made in time; But reprobation, as we take it in opposition to election Ephes. 1. 4. was made before all times. It is your own phrase, to distinguish the world of mankind from the elect, as if the elect were none of the world of mankind. For the very elect themselves are subjected as servants to the elect, every one unto others: ⟨p. 179⟩though as great as Paul and Apollo, as appears by the very place, your self have now in a contrary sense alleged more then once. And who doubts that we must all serve one another through love, since Christ himself was content to wash his Disciples feet? Lastly, the yoke of Esau unto Jacob was at length shaken off, as appears by Isaacs prophecy it should be; but the yoke of subjection of all things unto the Church, shall never be shaken off.

I grant that to subject Esau to Jacob as a servant, is not to reprobate him, for this subjection is made in time; But reprobation, as wee take it in opposition to election Ephes. 1. 4. was made before all times. It is your own phrase, to distinguish the world of mankinde from the elect, as if the elect were none of the world of mankinde. For the very elect themselves are subjected as servants to the elect, every one unto others: ⟨p. 179⟩