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…

The Apostle throughout his whole discourse of Predestination, ¹doth no where oppose grace and power; for God showeth as much power, freedom, and dominion over the creature, in his grace toward the elect, as in his justice toward the world: The Apostle sets forth the like power and sovereign will of God, as well in showing mercy on whom he will, as hardening whom he pleaseth. Do not think he opposeth Gods power and sovereignty over Pharaoh, to his grace and love unto Jacob: for the power he there speaks of, is not sovereignty, but ability, might, and power, showing it self forth in the hardening and overthrow of Pharaoh; in Moses called the power of his wrath. Power natural is one thing, power civill, which we call sovereignty, another: the first is, ability to do a thing; the second is, liberty to do what naturally he can do, without sin. Undoubtedly, the power of God showed in Pharaoh, was in his overthrow, and answerable to the power of Gods wrath.

The Apostle throughout his whole discourse of Predestination, ¹doth no where oppose grace and power; for God sheweth as much power, freedome, and dominion over the creature, in his grace toward the elect, as in his justice toward the world: The Apostle sets forth the like power and soveraign will of God, as well in shewing mercy on whom hee will, as hardening whom hee pleaseth. Doe not think hee opposeth Gods power and soveraignty over Pharaoh, to his grace and love unto Jacob: for the power hee there speaks of, is not soveraignty, but ability, might, and power, shewing it selfe forth in the hardening and overthrow of Pharaoh; in Moses called the power of his wrath. Power naturall is one thing, power civill, which wee call soveraignty, another: the first is, ability to doe a thing; the second is, liberty to doe what naturally hee can doe, without sinne. Undoubtedly, the power of God shewed in Pharaoh, was in his overthrow, and answerable to the power of Gods wrath.

1. 1Answ.