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…

In the cases proposed by you, of casting a servant off for a disease which he can cure if he list, or breaking a vessel for some filthiness which one may cleanse if he will; whether this be not to be resolved into the absolute will of the Master, I am content to appeal to every sober mans judgement: although the comparisons are not congruous to the case we have in hand; for as much as the casting of a servant off, is distinct from the not curing of him; the breaking of a vessel is distinct from the cleansing of it. But the hardening of a man, in opposition to Gods showing mercy on him is nothing distinct from Gods refusing to cure him. If the question were proposed thus; Why will not a man cleanse his vessel when he is able to cleanse it? why will he not heal his servant when he hath power to heal him? Is it a good reason to say, therefore he heals him not, because he is sick? therefore he cleanseth not his vessel, because it is unclean? Neither is it a more sober speech to say, therefore God hardens a man because he is a sinner; For it is as much as to say, therefore he refuseth to cleanse him from his sin, because he finds him unclean by reason of his sin.

In the cases proposed by you, of casting a servant off for a disease which hee can cure if hee list, or breaking a vessell for some filthinesse which one may cleanse if hee will; whether this bee not to bee resolved into the absolute will of the Master, I am content to appeale to every sober mans judgement: although the comparisons are not congruous to the case wee have in hand; for as much as the casting of a servant off, is distinct from the not curing of him; the breaking of a vessell is distinct from the cleansing of it. But the hardning of a man, in opposition to Gods shewing mercy on him is nothing distinct from Gods refusing to cure him. If the question were proposed thus; Why will not a man cleanse his vessell when hee is able to cleanse it? why will hee not heale his servant when hee hath power to heale him? Is it a good reason to say, therefore hee heales him not, because hee is sick? therefore hee cleanseth not his vessell, because it is unclean? Neither is it a more sober speech to say, therefore God hardens a man because hee is a sinner; For it is as much as to say, therefore hee refuseth to cleanse him from his sin, because hee findes him unclean by reason of his sin.