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 Authors Epistle unto the Reader.

IT was my purpose and resolution at the first, to let this piece, in answer to Mr. Cotton, pass without a preface; for it was put into a Stationers hand ere I was aware: Neither did I see the mans face until the whole book was printed. And for certain years I knew not what was become of it, which I imputed to the confusion of these times. But so it was, that a Knight of our County, sent over unto me the Minister who lived in his house, to entreat me to communicate unto him my answer to a book, entitled, Gods love to mankind: which I condescended unto; willing to satisfy so noble a friend as Sir Francis Pile. The Minister perceiving this answer of mine to Mr. Cotton lying with it, desired that he might take that also along with him, that Sir Francis might have a sight of that together with the other: whereunto I yielded, upon promise made, that both pieces should be returned into my hands very shortly, within a month or two.

IT was my purpose and resolution at the first, to let this piece, in answer to Mr. Cotton, passe without a preface; for it was put into a Stationers hand ere I was aware: Neither did I see the mans face untill the whole book was printed. And for certaine yeares I knew not what was become of it, which I imputed to the confusion of these times. But so it was, that a Knight of our County, sent over unto mee the Minister who lived in his house, to intreate me to communicate unto him my answer to a book, intituled, Gods love to mankind: which I condescended unto; willing to satisfie so noble a friend as Sir Francis Pile. The Minister perceiving this answer of mine to Mr. Cotton lying with it, desired that hee might take that also along with him, that Sir Francis might have a sight of that together with the other: whereunto I yielded, upon promise made, that both pieces should be returned into my hands very shortly, within a moneth or two.