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…

Again, In this case, the Gospel should be bestowed by way of reward of obedience: but obedience is no obedience, unless it be performed upon knowledge, in obedience unto some Law given. Now how could the Gentiles know of any such Law, that whosoever used their naturals should be rewarded with the benefit of the Gospel; seeing this is no where pretended to be revealed but in the Gospel? So that as soon as any man hears of such a Law, he already enjoyeth the Gospel. The two first of these arguments may as well be applied against this doctrine of yours, if by helps of Grace you mean some habits or qualities besides that which may be further alleged upon your specification, what these habits and qualities are.

Again, In this case, the Gospel should bee bestowed by way of reward of obedience: but obedience is no obedience, unlesse it bee performed upon knowledge, in obedience unto some Law given. Now how could the Gentiles know of any such Law, that whosoever used their naturalls should bee rewarded with the benefit of the Gospel; seeing this is no where pretended to bee revealed but in the Gospel? So that assoon as any man hears of such a Law, hee already enjoyeth the Gospel. The two first of these arguments may as well bee applyed against this doctrine of yours, if by helps of Grace you mean some habits or qualities besides that which may bee further alledged upon your specification, what these habits and qualities are.

And here is a fair way opened for a third Covenant; for as for the two covenants commonly acknowledged, they are only for the obtaining of Salvation different ways: besides which here is brought in another Covenant for the obtaining the means of grace, and that different ways also, to wit, either by works or by Grace. But when I look unto your former words and consider them well, as when you say it is not the helps of grace offered or given, that include men within any part of the Covenant of grace, but the condition whereupon it is offered or given, these words, It is offered or given, perhaps are not referred to the helps of grace, but rather to the grace it self, yet I interpret them of the helps of grace, with no other mind then to salve this rule of yours from manifest contradiction.