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 I confess that, as Paul hath taught me, even without ⟨p. 234⟩the word natural men are enabled to do some duties wherein their natural conscience doth excuse them, as namely, in doing the things contained in the Law, and that by nature, mark that well, I beseech you, that you may see the uncouthness of that which follows, as when you say; And in that way they sooner find mercy. For what? is a man by nature able to perform some things whereby he may the sooner find mercy? Was ever mercy found at the hand of God by performing some duty by power of nature? What revelation of God hath taught you this? that a work of nature should further us to obtaining the mercy of God? I speak of moral works of nature, not of natural, such as are to go to Church and to hear a Sermon; to go, and to hear, are actions natural, not moral, unless they be considered as joined with affections and intentions moral. And to go to Church and hear a Sermon, with ill affections and intentions, as namely either to mock, or to take a nap, is a natural way I confess, whereby a man may and doth find mercy far sooner, then by keeping at home, though never so civilly employed. And therefore Father Latimer reprehending some for coming to Church to take a nap, yet saith he, let them come, for they may be taken napping; which is as much as to say, they may find mercy at the hands of God whilst they are napping.

And I confesse that, as Paul hath taught mee, even without ⟨p. 234⟩the word naturall men are inabled to doe some duties wherein their naturall conscience doth excuse them, as namely, in doing the things contained in the Law, and that by nature, mark that well, I beseech you, that you may see the uncouthnesse of that which follows, as when you say; And in that way they sooner finde mercy. For what? is a man by nature able to perform some things whereby hee may the sooner finde mercy? Was ever mercy found at the hand of God by performing some duty by power of nature? What revelation of God hath taught you this? that a work of nature should further us to obtaining the mercy of God? I speak of morall works of nature, not of naturall, such as are to goe to Church and to heare a Sermon; to goe, and to heare, are actions naturall, not morall, unlesse they bee considered as joyned with affections and intentions morall. And to go to Church and heare a Sermon, with ill affections and intentions, as namely either to mock, or to take a nap, is a naturall way I confesse, whereby a man may and doth finde mercy farre sooner, then by keeping at home, though never so civilly imployed. And therefore Father Latimer reprehending some for comming to Church to take a nap, yet saith hee, let them come, for they may bee taken napping; which is as much as to say, they may finde mercy at the hands of God whilest they are napping.