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…

The first ground may be, that God seems to profess, that he had done what he could do; now undoubtedly he could give them power to do more good then they did, in the way of seeking the Lord, which is the thing that you affirm, and therefore he did give this power: but say I, God could give means also to draw effectually unto repentance; and consequently he did draw them hereunto, which is the thing that your self deny, and the Text it self also, for instead of sweet grapes, they brought forth wild grapes.

The first ground may bee, that God seems to professe, that hee had done what hee could doe; now undoubtedly hee could give them power to doe more good then they did, in the way of seeking the Lord, which is the thing that you affirm, and therefore hee did give this power: but say I, God could give means also to draw effectually unto repentance; and consequently hee did draw them hereunto, which is the thing that your self deny, and the Text it self also, for instead of sweet grapes, they brought forth wilde grapes.

Secondly, you may ground upon this, that God expected they should bring forth sweet grapes, and upon such grounds you usually make Collections, and herehence you may infer, that therefore they had power to bring forth sweet grapes. But this consequent is untrue by your opinion; for sweet grapes must needs be grateful unto God, and no less then Faith and Repentance. But you confess that God deprives them of such drawing and effectual means without which none can come, and with which none ever failed to come to faith and repentance.

Secondly, you may ground upon this, that God expected they should bring forth sweet grapes, and upon such grounds you usually make Collections, and herehence you may infer, that therefore they had power to bring forth sweet grapes. But this consequent is untrue by your opinion; for sweet grapes must needs bee gratefull unto God, and no lesse then Faith and Repentance. But you confesse that God deprives them of such drawing and effectuall means without which none can come, and with which none ever failed to come to faith and repentance.