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…

Hardening, when it falls upon the creature, is both the height of his sin, and depth of his misery, and therefore is it as prejudicial to Gods justice to inflict it without respect of sin going before, and to the creature as dangerous to undergo it, as condemnation to hell it self. Hell hath no greater torment then an heart desperately hardened under the wrath, curse, and judgement of God, which was Pharaohs case.

Hardning, when it falls upon the creature, is both the height of his sin, and depth of his misery, and therefore is it as prejudiciall to Gods justice to inflict it without respect of sin going before, and to the creature as dangerous to undergoe it, as condemnation to hell it self. Hell hath no greater torment then an heart desperately hardned under the wrath, curse, and judgement of God, which was Pharaohs case.

But consider Pharaoh, not in the estate of Esau, as having done neither good nor evil; but in the state wherein he stood, when God gave out his Oracle concerning him, that for this cause he stirred him up, to show his power in his hardening and overthrow; and then may I easily grant more then is required. viz. When God purposed to pass by him, not only in communicating grace and glory unto him, but also to fall upon ⟨p. 183⟩him in his utmost wrath, as well in outward strange calamity, as especially in spiritual judgements, hardness of heart, and blindness of mind to his utter perdition.

But consider Pharaoh, not in the estate of Esau, as having done neither good nor evill; but in the state wherein he stood, when God gave out his Oracle concerning him, that for this cause hee stirred him up, to shew his power in his hardning and overthrow; and then may I easily grant more then is required. viz. When God purposed to passe by him, not only in communicating grace and glory unto him, but also to fall upon ⟨p. 183⟩him in his utmost wrath, as well in outward strange calamity, as especially in spirituall judgements, hardnesse of heart, and blindnesse of minde to his utter perdition.