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…

First, what the condition is upon the performance whereof they shall have power given them to believe and repent. Whatsoever you say, or give instance in, if it be a work of nature, it will necessarily follow that grace shall be possibly, at least resolved into a work of nature; then we are where we are, and still to seek how they came by power to perform that work of grace.

First, what the condition is upon the performance whereof they shall have power given them to beleeve and repent. Whatsoever you say, or give instance in, if it bee a work of nature, it will necessarily follow that grace shall bee possibly, at least resolved into a work of nature; then wee are where wee are, and still to seek how they came by power to perform that work of grace.

Secondly, I am to seek by what means God doth work this power, whether only by persuasion, which is only a moral action, or by an immediate change of their natures by the inspiration of Gods Spirit.

Secondly, I am to seek by what means God doth work this power, whether onely by perswasion, which is onely a morall action, or by an immediate change of their natures by the inspiration of Gods Spirit.

Now the first of these cannot be; for persuasion hath no power to change the nature of ought, and work new powers in it, which are not wrought without giving a new life. And indeed persuasion tends rather to move men to do that which they have power to do, then from thence to receive a power of doing. We do not persuade men, ut possint aliquid facere, ⟨p. 271⟩sed ut velint, & ut faciant, to be able to do ought, but to move them to be willing to do it.