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…

Of any other end intended towards them I know not, except sometimes, as Austin observeth, Ut proficiant ad exteriorem vitae emendationem quo mitius puniantur. And why I pray may not the covenant of works promise life upon condition of obedience, notwithstanding the purpose of reprobation hath absolutely determined death, upon all them within the Covenant: as well as the Covenant of grace threatens death upon condition of disobedience of faith and repentance: notwithstanding that the purpose of election hath absolutely determined life upon all them within that Covenant. And yet like ⟨p. 263⟩as in election we acknowledge a respect to obedience, consequent thereunto, in as much as it includes a purpose to give grace to work them to obedience, though not any respect thereto, as antecedent to the decree it self; how much more may you easily conceive, that in reprobation we deny not a respect to disobedience consequent, for as much as it includes a purpose to deny grace, which alone can prevent disobedience, though not any respect to disobedience as antecedent to the decree of reprobation? And to repeat by the way, that which formerly hath been delivered.

Of any other end intended towards them I know not, except sometimes, as Austin observeth, Ut proficiant ad exteriorem vitae emendationem quo mitius puniantur. And why I pray may not the covenant of workes promise life upon condition of obedience, notwithstanding the purpose of reprobation hath absolutely determined death, upon all them within the Covenant: as well as the Covenant of grace threatens death upon condition of disobedience of faith and repentance: notwithstanding that the purpose of election hath absolutely determined life upon all them within that Covenant. And yet like ⟨p. 263⟩as in election wee acknowledge a respect to obedience, consequent thereunto, in as much as it includes a purpose to give grace to work them to obedience, though not any respect therto, as antecedent to the decree it self; how much more may you easily conceive, that in reprobation wee deny not a respect to disobedience consequent, for as much as it includes a purpose to deny grace, which alone can prevent disobedience, though not any respect to disobedience as antecedent to the decree of reprobation? And to repeate by the way, that which formerly hath been delivered.