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 fifteenth is Job 33. 14. to the 18. there we read that God speaketh once and twice, and one seeth it not, even in dreams and visions of the night. 15. When this will not serve the turn, he opens ⟨p. 223⟩the ears of man, even by the corrections which he hath sealed, ver. 16. and that which God aims at in this is, That he might cause man to turn away from his enterprise, and that he might hide the pride of man, ver. 17. and keep back his soul from the pit, and that his life should not pass by the Sword, ver. 18. All this represents the power of Gods grace in overcoming the hardness of mans heart, together with the wisdom of God, proceeding various ways to the same end, an instance whereof we have in Manasseh. But as for any power in man to do any more good then he doth in seeking after the Lord, here is not the least indication, much less to justify the distinction here devised by you.

The fifteenth is Job 33. 14. to the 18. there wee read that God speaketh once and twice, and one seeth it not, even in dreams and visions of the night. 15. When this will not serve the turn, hee opens ⟨p. 223⟩the eares of man, even by the corrections which hee hath sealed, ver. 16. and that which God aimes at in this is, That hee might cause man to turn away from his enterprise, and that hee might hide the pride of man, ver. 17. and keepe back his soule from the pit, and that his life should not passe by the Sword, ver. 18. All this represents the power of Gods grace in overcomming the hardnesse of mans heart, together with the wisdome of God, proceeding various wayes to the same end, an instance whereof wee have in Manasses. But as for any power in man to doe any more good then hee doth in seeking after the Lord, here is not the least indication, much lesse to justifie the distinction here devised by you.