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…

Here we have an argument, and a place of scripture wherewith it is backed: I will consider them severally.¹

Here we have an argument, and a place of scripture wherewith it is backt: I will consider them severally.¹

1. 1Exam. 1.

1. As for the argument; that is grounded upon such a rule as ⟨p. 17⟩I desire no better direction for the right ordering of Gods decrees, which is the matter we have in hand; but in the prosecuting of the argument in hand, upon this rule, I find no soundness, no truth, neither in the matter nor in the method. For first, though the rule be proposed only of two, the first and last; yet in the exemplification there is mention made of three, as if the rule did not only extend to first and last; but also to former and latter, how many ways soever they are in subordination; that look what subordination they have in execution, the contrary subordination they should have in intention; which will be found contrary to all reason: As for example, the last of the good of man is his glory, but how? Both of body and soul in the resurrection. But before this there was a glory of the soul in departure from the body, or a blessed condition of it, accordingly as they are called the spirits of just men perfected, Heb. 12. and they enjoy Christs presence, 2 Cor. 5. Now shall we say, that in Gods intention was the glory of body and soul, jointly first, and secondly the glory of the soul in departure from the body? Come we to the state of grace, there we have in execution, first effectual calling unto faith, and repentance, after this perseverance final in both; shall we therefore say, God did first intend to give them perseverance in faith and repentance, and then intend to give them faith and repentance? Or that God did first intend to give them repentance, secondly intend to permit them to sin? After this manner, I confess, Piscator had sometimes ordered Gods decrees, wherein upon due examination I have scarce found one member sound: But see the issue of it; upon latter thoughts he fell quite off from this order, and embraced the contrary in every particular, and so recompensed his extreme rashness with extreme looseness. And no marvel, for truth alone is stable; as for error, it is a slippery thing, there is no stability in it. Secondly here is nothing but miserable confusion throughout: First in the word glory; for the glory of the Father is delivered in one sense, our glory in another sense. And as for the glory of Christ, in what sense that is delivered, is utterly uncertain;