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 indeed outward means tend no further, then to such like operations as thus, (to wit) instruction, admonition, correption.

But when you make the sufficiency of the means to depend on mans will, so as to be hindered thereby, this must needs be delivered of sufficiency in respect of conversion, of bringing men unto faith and repentance.

But when you make the sufficiency of the means to depend on mans will, so as to bee hindred thereby, this must needs bee delivered of sufficiency in respect of conversion, of bringing men unto faith and repentance.

And withal this is further to imply, that it is in the power of man by these means to be converted unto God to believe and repent: which is a more foul tenet, then any you have delivered yet, though little truth hitherto have I found in this Discourse throughout, saving in things merely delivered to no purpose. And withal it is plainly contradictious to that which here you expressly profess, namely, that no man can believe and repent without some drawing and effectual means, which are far different from the means here spoken of. For the means here spoken of, are such as he affords to Reprobates: but those drawing and effectual means, which he affords only to his Elect, as your self do acknowledge; ⟨p. 229⟩we are so far from denying them to be sufficient to the ends whereto he intends them, as that we willingly profess, they are all effectual (in their kind) unto the ends, whereto he intends them.

And withall this is further to imply, that it is in the power of man by these means to bee converted unto God to beleeve and repent: which is a more foule tenet, then any you have delivered yet, though little truth hitherto have I found in this Discourse throughout, saving in things merely delivered to no purpose. And withall it is plainly contradictious to that which here you expressely professe, namely, that no man can beleeve and repent without some drawing and effectuall means, which are far different from the means here spoken of. For the meanes here spoken of, are such as hee affords to Reprobates: but those drawing and effectuall means, which hee affords onely to his Elect, as your selfe doe acknowledge;