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…

I like well that the power of God showed in Pharaoh, is extended also to the hardening of his heart; only, this is not so congruously ¹applied to the power of Gods wrath, for as much as wrath hath always reference to something in man, as the cause of it; so hath not hardening: in that of Paul, Rom. 9. 18. He hardeneth whom he will, like as, he hath mercy on whom he will. But withal, I confess, hardening in this place seems to consist only in denying of mercy: But Pharaohs hardening was much more; for, undoubtedly, mercy was no more showed him when his heart relented to the letting of Israel go, then when he detained them. So likewise, when God hardened him to follow after them, to ⟨p. 34⟩bring them back, this was more than a bare denying of mercy, even a secret impulsion of him to take such courses as should precipitate him unto destruction: and this may well be accounted a fruit of the power of Gods wrath; and accordingly I am verily persuaded, that Gods power or sovereignty over Pharaoh, are not opposed to his grace and love to Jacob: Only, freedom, in my judgement, doth not so well consent with the execution of justice, whether justice be taken in rewarding or punishing. Neither do we ever read of Gods rewarding or punishing whom he will; freedom and sovereignty is seen only in giving or denying good, according to common account: Albeit, there is a further freedom and sovereignty of God, over his creatures, in doing evil unto them; as in annihilating the most righteous, which Arminius acknowledgeth, and in exposing his holy Son to suffer strange pains and sorrows, for other mens sins, when he had none of his own. Not to speak of the sovereignty wherewith God hath endued man over his fellows, though inferior creatures.

I like well that the power of God shewed in Pharaoh, is extended also to the hardening of his heart; onely, this is not so congruously ¹applied to the power of Gods wrath, for as much as wrath hath alwayes reference to something in man, as the cause of it; so hath not hardening: in that of Paul, Rom. 9. 18. Hee hardeneth whom hee will, like as, hee hath mercy on whom hee will. But withall, I confesse, hardening in this place seems to consist onely in denying of mercy: But Pharaohs hardening was much more; for, undoubtedly, mercy was no more shewed him when his heart releted to the letting of Israel goe, then when hee detained them. So likewise, when God hardened him to follow after them, to