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…

Answ. But in the second place it may be argued, that Gods raising up of Pharaoh, to this intent to show his power in his hardening and overthrow, argueth the like hatred of Esau as of Pharaoh: viz. a purpose of passing both by, without communicating grace, or glory unto them.

Answ. But in the second place it may bee argued, that Gods raising up of Pharaoh, to this intent to shew his power in his hardning and overthrow, argueth the like hatred of Esau as of Pharaoh: viz. a purpose of passing both by, without communicating grace, or glory unto them.

To which I answer, a difference there is between Esau and Pharaoh; though not in their final condition, nor in […] purpose concerning them: Yet in the degree of their present estate, whereunto they were severally come, when God gave out his several Oracles concerning them both: for he saith not of Pharaoh, God raised him up to show his power in his hardening and overthrow, before he had done good or evil, as he said of Esau, that he should serve Jacob, before he had done good or evil. The Hebrew and Greek word signify neither to create, nor bring into the world, but to preserve, or to cause to stand, to stir up, or to advance; which presupposeth Pharaoh already born, yea, and of such a Spirit; that if God preserve him and stir him up, he was become a fit subject upon whom God might show his power in his hardening and overthrow. Otherwise God might as well be said to condemn Pharaoh out of his absolute will, without all respect to sin, as to show his power in hardening of him without all respect to sin.

To which I answer, a difference there is between Esau and Pharaoh; though not in their finall condition, nor in 〈…〉 purpose concerning them: Yet in the degree of their present estate, whereunto they were severally come, when God gave out his severall Oracles concerning them both: for hee saith not of Pharaoh, God raised him up to shew his power in his hardning and overthrow, before hee had done good or evill, as hee said of Esau, that hee should serve Jacob, before hee had done good or evill. The Hebrew and Greek word signifie neither to create, nor bring into the world, but to preserve, or to cause to stand, to stirre up, or to advance; which presupposeth Pharaoh already born, yea, and of such a Spirit; that if God preserve him and stirre him up, hee was become a fit subject upon whom God might shew his power in his hardning and overthrow. Otherwise God might as well bee said to condemn Pharaoh out of his absolute will, without all respect to sin, as to shew his power in hardning of him without all respect to sin.