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…

I answer, it may be said in the same sense wherein it is said of the gods of Damascus that they plagued Ahaz: not that indeed they plagued him, or had any power to plague him, for An Idol is nothing, saith Paul, that is, hath no power to do good or evil, but it was Ahaz his opinion that they plagued him, and so he sacrificed unto them.

I answer, it may bee said in the same sense wherein it is said of the gods of Damascus that they plagued Ahaz: not that indeed they plagued him, or had any power to plague him, for An Idol is nothing, saith Paul, that is, hath no power to doe good or evill, but it was Ahaz his opinion that they plagued him, and so hee sacrificed unto them.

Again, their former profession was such, that they were the redeemed of the Lord as well as any other. So Piscator interpreteth that place in Peter, as spoken, not [Greek or Hebrew], but [Greek or Hebrew], not as it were so indeed, but in their opinion only, or in the common opinion of others. The creature likewise shall be restored by him, Act. 3. For the Heavens must contain him, till the time come that God hath appointed, for the restoring of all things. But that redemption is not yet, neither hath he purchased that redemption with his blood.

Again, their former profession was such, that they were the redeemed of the Lord as well as any other. So Piscator interpretech that place in Peter, as spoken, not 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, not as it were so indeed, but in their opinion onely, or in the common opinion of others. The creature likewise shall bee restored by him, Act. 3. For the Heavens must contain him, till the time come that God hath appointed, for the restoring of all things. But that redemption is not yet, neither hath hee purchased that redemption with his blood.