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…

As for repentance it self, admonition hereof the Apostle doth so manifestly attribute in such sort unto the ministry of his word as withal he derogates it from the bare administration of his providence in his works, Act. 17. 30. And the time of this ignorance God regarded not, but now he admonisheth all men every where to repent; manifestly giving to understand that the Gentiles were not admonished till now. In the time of extraordinary affliction, brought upon them by the administration of Gods providence in his works, men may be stricken with fears that they have provoked a divine providence, and hereupon they may be stirred up to take a course to pacify the wrath of God according to that counsell. Non te nullius exercent numinis irae, &c. therefore faciles venerare Napaeas: namque dabunt veniam votis irasque remittent.

As for repentance it self, admonition hereof the Apostle doth so manifestly attribute in such sort unto the ministry of his word as withall hee derogates it from the bare administration of his providence in his works, Act. 17. 30. And the time of this ignorance God regarded not, but now hee admonisheth all men every where to repent; manifestly giving to understand that the Gentiles were not admonished till now. In the time of extraordinary affliction, brought upon them by the administration of Gods providence in his works, men may bee stricken with feares that they have provoked a divine providence, and hereupon they may bee stirred up to take a course to pacifie the wrath of God according to that counsell. Non te nullius exercent numinis irae, &c. therefore faciles venerare Napaeas: namque dabunt veniam votis irasque remittent.

But when they neither know God whom they have offended; nor the sidne whereby they have provoked him, nor the right way to pacify him; (as a Jew sometimes being taken in a foul fact of collusion, with the place where he had been kindly entreated, and desiring to make remonstrance of his repentance, out of his familiarity with me, came to me privately, and inquired of me what it was to repent, for saith he, I do fast and macerate my body.)