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…

And I have already showed that the denial of this grace can be no punishment; For as much as punishment consisteth, either in inflicting evil, or in denying some good which formerly was granted them. But in denying saving grace to the world of mankind, he doth not deny them any thing which they formerly enjoyed.

And I have already shewed that the deniall of this grace can bee no punishment; For as much as punishment consisteth, either in inflicting evill, or in denying some good which formerly was granted them. But in denying saving grace to the world of mankinde, hee doth not deny them any thing which they formerly injoyed.

I have already showed, what that hardening is which is for sin, and wherein it doth consist, not in denying saving grace, which they never enjoyed, but in denying that natural restraint from some foul sin, which formerly they enjoyed, as I exemplified it in that, Rom. 1. 27. That in Rom. 11. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. is nothing for you, where there is no mention of sin as the cause of their obduration. As for that in Psalm. 69. 21. Their blinding is referred to their giving unto Christ Gall in his meat, and in his thirst vinegar to drink. I pray consider: Were they not even then blinded, when they persecuted Christ unto death? And yet notwithstanding some of these were converted, Act. 2.

I have already shewed, what that hardning is which is for sin, and wherein it doth consist, not in denying saving grace, which they never injoyed, but in denying that naturall restraint from some foule sin, which formerly they injoyed, as I exemplifyed it in that, Rom. 1. 27. That in