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, because when the creature is dealt withal according to his deserts, this alone is most sufficient and satisfactory to every one that acknowledgeth it, for the justification of any course taken with such. And it is merely in vain to fly to any other course of justification, especially when it is less satisfactory then this. And how strange were it, that the Apostle should insist so fully and directly upon that other course of satisfaction, upon the consideration of Gods sovereignty, and should only intimate this, and that obscurely, when this doth afford far better satisfaction then the former.

First, because when the creature is dealt withall according to his deserts, this alone is most sufficient and satisfactory to every one that acknowledgeth it, for the justification of any course taken with such. And it is meerly in vain to fly to any other course of justification, especially when it is lesse satisfactory then this. And how strange were it, that the Apostle should insist so fully and directly upon that other course of satisfaction, upon the consideration of Gods soveraignty, and should onely intimate this, and that obscurely, when this doth afford farre better satisfaction then the former.

Secondly, in this case, there were no ground for any such objection, nor any colour of unreasonableness; if God did but deal with them according to their deserts, as often as he hardeneth them.

Secondly, in this case, there were no ground for any such objection, nor any colour of unreasonablenesse; if God did but deale with them according to their deserts, as often as hee hardneth them.

Thirdly, the objection ariseth not upon Gods hardening a man simply, but upon the hardening of whom he will, and that in a conjunct consideration, with his showing mercy therewithal on whom he will. In which case if God be justified from the consideration of their conditions with whom he deals, like as he dealeth differently with them, in showing mercy on some, and hardening others, so there should be acknowledged a different condition, in the persons with whom God dealeth in so different a manner. But it is confessed by you, that the persons here in St. Pauls consideration are equal, with whom nevertheless God deals very unequally.