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 example, if God intends them for the converting of some unto God, all such shall certainly be converted; if only to the taking away of excuse from others, they shall be effectual to the removing of excuse; if to the bringing of some ad exteriorem vitae emendationem, to an outward amendment of life and no further, they shall be effectual to that also and no further. And therefore we do nothing derogate from the wisdom of God, but look you well unto it, that you do not derogate from Gods omnipotency whilst you maintain that some things are intended by God, which are never brought to pass, and that because the will of man forsooth stands in resistance unto Gods intention. Directly contrary to the Discourse of Austin, Enchir. cap. 96. whose words are these, Deo proculdubio, quam facile est quod vult facere, tam facile est, quod non vult esse, non sinere. Hoc nisi credamus, periclitatur ipsum nostrae fidei consessionis initium, qua nos in Deum Patrem omnipocentem credere confitemur. Neque enim ob aliud veraciter vocatur omnipotens, nisi quia quicquid vult potest, nec voluntate cujusquam creaturae voluntatis omnipotentis impeditur effectus. And if it be so as you profess; That no man can come to Christ, except the Father draw him; by the same Almighty authority and power, whereby he sent Christ into the world; and withal if you add thereunto, as else-where you do, that this power (I leave out authority as of an alien signification) is showed only in drawing his Elect, what need all these pains that you have taken, since it is clear, that so long as you hold to this, you shall never satisfy any Pelagian or Arminian? and all the absurdities they charge our Doctrine with, are directed against this.

As for example, if God intends them for the converting of some unto God, all such shall certainly bee converted; if only to the taking away of excuse from others, they shall bee effectuall to the removing of excuse; if to the bringing of some ad exteriorem vitae emendationem, to an outward amendment of life and no further, they shall bee effectuall to that also and no further. And therefore wee doe nothing derogate from the wisdome of God, but look you well unto it, that you doe not derogate from Gods omnipotency whilest you maintain that some things are intended by God, which are never brought to passe, and that because the will of man forsooth stands in resistance unto Gods intention. Directly contrary to the Discourse of Austin, Enchir. cap. 96. whose words are these, Deo proculdubio, quam facile est quod vult facere, tam facile est, quod non vult esse, non sinere. Hoc nisi credamus, periclitatur ipsum nostrae fidei consessionis initium, qua nos in Deum Patrem omnipocentem credere confitemur. Neque enim ob aliud veraciter vocatur omnipotens, nisi quia quicquid vult potest, nec voluntate cujusquam creaturae voluntatis omnipotentis impeditur effectus. And if it bee so as you professe; That no man can come to Christ, except the Father draw him; by the same Almighty authority and power, whereby hee sent Christ into the world; and withall if you adde thereunto, as else-where you doe, that this power (I leave out authority as of an alien signification) is shewed onely in drawing his Elect, what need all these paines that you have taken, since it is cleare, that so long as you hold to this, you shall never satisfie any Pelagian or Arminian? and all the absurdities they charge our Doctrine with, are directed against this.