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…

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.

Thirdly, the objection ariseth not upon Gods hardning a man simply, but upon the hardning of whom hee will, and that in a conjunct consideration, with his shewing mercy therewithall on whom hee will. In which case if God bee justifyed from the consideration of their conditions with whom hee deales, like as hee dealeth differently with them, in shewing mercy on some, and hardning others, so there should bee 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 equall, with whom neverthelesse God deales very unequally.

Fourthly, though this be a plausible course in the judgement of man, especially of the Arminians, for the smothering of the light of Gods truth in this place, yet when it is well considered, in the proper nature of it, I presume it will be very dissonant unto common reason. For what I pray you is hardening in this place, standing in opposition to the showing of mercy, but only the denying of the grace of Faith and Repentance to them that hear the Gospel; like as to show mercy is to give the grace of Faith and Repentance, as appeareth manifestly, both by the same phrase used, Rom. 11. 30, 31. and also by this very place clearing it self? For it is such an operation whereupon it will ⟨p. 286⟩follow, that God shall have cause or occasion to complain, as appeareth by the objection moved hereupon. Now I say, to deny Faith and Repentance is not of the nature of a punishment, neither can it be said with sobriety, that man by sin doth deserve that God should deny him faith and repentance, like as it cannot be with sobriety affirmed, that man by being sick, hath deserved that the Physician should not cure him: or that man being dead, hath deserved thereby that God should not raise him from death; whereas indeed a man could not be raised from death, unless he were first dead, nor cured unless first sick, neither were there any need of Faith in Christ crucified, and of repentance, unless man were a sinner.