his_o creature_n his_o not_o decree_a of_o sin_n do_v not_o at_o all_o lessen_v his_o providence_n about_o sinful_a action_n 8._o a_o decree_n to_o permit_v sin_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o permit_v be_v not_o to_o act_n and_o not_o to_o act_n be_v nothing_o and_o of_o nothing_o there_o be_v no_o decree_n at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o decree_n no_o more_o be_v needful_a to_o a_o not-being_a than_o god_n not_o willing_a and_o not_o effect_v consequent_o there_o be_v no_o decree_n of_o the_o permission_n of_o sin_n at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o hold_v such_o a_o decree_n it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o a_o nonesse_a be_v the_o object_n of_o god_n will_n when_o he_o will_v that_o some_o evil_a action_n shall_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v the_o answer_n be_v that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o thing_n that_o god_n proper_o will_v be_v his_o restrain_v and_o limit_v of_o man_n evil_a inclination_n and_o action_n and_o the_o nonesse_a of_o those_o action_n be_v say_v to_o be_v will_v by_o he_o but_o improper_o and_o reductive_o as_o be_v the_o consequent_a of_o that_o which_o he_o proper_o wi_n and_o his_o will_n be_v further_o terminate_v on_o the_o good_a consequence_n of_o his_o prevent_v the_o say_v evil_a action_n it_o may_v be_v likewise_o object_v if_o a_o man_n may_v right_o say_v i_o will_v or_o purpose_n to_o permit_v why_o may_v not_o god_n right_o say_v so_o the_o answer_n be_v that_o when_o a_o man_n make_v such_o a_o determination_n it_o common_o mean_v a_o purpose_n of_o restrain_v the_o inclination_n or_o will_n that_o be_v or_o may_v be_v in_o he_o to_o hinder_v the_o thing_n and_o the_o say_a purpose_n be_v further_o terminate_v on_o the_o consequent_n of_o the_o permission_n and_o the_o order_n of_o they_o so_o god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o will_n or_o purpose_v a_o permission_n as_o he_o will_v or_o purpose_v the_o limit_v of_o his_o restrain_v agency_n and_o as_o this_o will_n and_o purpose_n be_v also_o terminate_v on_o the_o consequent_n of_o the_o thing_n permit_v and_o the_o disposal_n thereof_o by_o his_o providence_n 9_o the_o effect_n of_o sin_n may_v be_v the_o object_n of_o god_n decree_n though_o god_n decree_v no_o man_n sin_n yet_o he_o may_v decree_v the_o effect_n which_o sinner_n cause_v by_o sin_n so_o god_n decree_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o passive_a constupration_n of_o david_n concubine_n but_o he_o decree_v not_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o actor_n according_o such_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n as_o seem_v to_o import_v god_n will_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n do_v indeed_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o sin_n as_o will_v by_o he_o though_o sin_n have_v no_o good_a in_o it_o and_o work_v nothing_o good_a in_o itself_o and_o can_v be_v will_v of_o god_n as_o a_o thing_n convenient_a or_o conducible_a yet_o it_o may_v be_v a_o occasion_n of_o the_o great_a good_a and_o it_o may_v work_v a_o effect_n which_o though_o bad_a in_o itself_o i_o mean_v physical_o bad_a may_v be_v conducible_a to_o good_a and_o so_o far_o the_o effect_n may_v be_v will_v as_o convenient_a if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o effect_n one_o will_v think_v do_v imply_v a_o decree_n of_o the_o cause_n the_o answer_n be_v 1._o that_o the_o mere_a decree_a of_o a_o thing_n include_v no_o more_o than_o a_o willing_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v join_v with_o a_o knowledge_n of_o its_o convenience_n and_o so_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o effect_n of_o sin_n do_v imply_v a_o foreknowledge_n of_o the_o conducibility_n of_o that_o effect_n to_o some_o good_a yet_o it_o no_o way_n imply_v a_o decree_n of_o the_o sin_n but_o only_o a_o foreknowledge_n of_o it_o 2._o though_o god_n do_v not_o decree_v man_n sin_n yet_o he_o decree_v his_o own_o concourse_n to_o the_o act_n in_o its_o general_a nature_n but_o not_o as_o moral_o specify_v he_o decree_v also_o the_o dispose_n and_o order_v of_o all_o concause_n and_o necessary_a antecedent_n of_o the_o effect_n which_o sinner_n accomplish_v and_o this_o with_o his_o foreknowledge_n of_o the_o sin_n itself_o suffice_v to_o a_o decree_n of_o such_o a_o effect_n 10._o of_o the_o futurition_n of_o sin_n from_o eternity_n that_o the_o futurition_n of_o sin_n be_v from_o eternity_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o god_n decree_n be_v the_o cause_n thereof_o for_o futurition_n in_o not_o a_o real_a be_v distinct_a from_o the_o thing_n future_a but_o it_o be_v mere_o a_o respect_n of_o reason_n or_o conception_n of_o the_o mind_n about_o it_o and_o it_o require_v no_o distinct_a cause_n from_o the_o future_a thing_n itself_o no_o real_a be_v be_v eternal_a but_o god_n and_o eternal_a futurition_n be_v but_o ens_fw-la rationis_fw-la and_o a_o extrinsic_a denomination_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n as_o conceive_v it_o the_o cause_n whereby_o a_o thing_n do_v exist_v in_o time_n be_v the_o cause_n whereby_o it_o be_v eternal_o future_a though_o the_o cause_n do_v not_o exist_v from_o eternity_n as_o the_o cause_n whereby_o a_o thing_n sometime_o be_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o thing_n past_o even_o to_o eternity_n though_o that_o cause_n do_v not_o exist_v to_o eternity_n 11._o of_o god_n eternal_a prescience_n of_o sin_n god_n do_v foresee_v whatsoever_o be_v future_a and_o of_o determinate_a verity_n by_o the_o mere_a infinity_o and_o eternity_n of_o his_o understanding_n and_o no_o other_o cause_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v necessary_a to_o his_o foreknowledge_n of_o sin_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o futurity_n of_o a_o determinate_a verity_n the_o cause_n whereof_o be_v undeterminate_a must_v be_v prove_v by_o the_o asserter_n thereof_o that_o a_o thing_n will_v be_v suffice_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o futurity_n without_o consideration_n from_o what_o cause_n it_o will_v be_v and_o who_o can_v say_v that_o futurity_n be_v not_o by_o itself_o intelligible_a or_o that_o god_n can_v foreknow_v what_o a_o creature_n act_v free_o and_o contingent_o will_v do_v let_v it_o be_v note_v that_o the_o thing_n under_o consideration_n be_v what_o the_o infinity_o of_o the_o divine_a understanding_n can_v reach_v unto_o 12._o in_o what_o sense_n benefit_n be_v absolute_o decree_v of_o god_n in_o whatsoever_o order_n god_n do_v bring_v any_o thing_n to_o pass_v in_o time_n he_o decree_v from_o eternity_n to_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v in_o the_o very_a same_o order_n there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d use_n of_o mean_n requisite_a to_o the_o bring_n to_o pâ—ss_n of_o that_o good_a which_o be_v decree_v and_o god_n will_v also_o that_o those_o condition_n shall_v be_v perform_v and_o those_o mean_v use_v and_o so_o in_o the_o issue_n he_o absolute_o will_v all_o those_o benefit_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o which_o god_n do_v not_o but_o upon_o condition_n he_o absolute_o decree_v to_o do_v and_o he_o absolute_o decree_v to_o do_v it_o upon_o such_o condition_n so_o that_o the_o decree_n be_v absolute_a though_o the_o thing_n decree_v be_v conditional_a 13._o punishment_n be_v not_o alike_o absolute_o decree_v yet_o in_o some_o sense_n absolute_o though_o the_o favour_n and_o benefit_n that_o be_v give_v conditional_o be_v absolute_o decree_v because_o the_o give_n of_o the_o condition_n be_v decree_v also_o yet_o the_o punishment_n that_o be_v inflict_v be_v not_o alike_o absolute_o decree_v because_o the_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o condition_n or_o the_o meritorious_a cause_n thereof_o be_v not_o decree_v but_o in_o regard_n of_o god_n certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o merit_n the_o decree_v punishment_n the_o decree_n thereof_o do_v not_o hang_v in_o suspense_n and_o it_o may_v be_v right_o say_v that_o the_o punishment_n be_v so_o far_o absolute_o decree_v he_o that_o certain_o foresee_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o free_a event_n absolute_o will_v it_o though_o he_o will_v not_o the_o condition_n and_o so_o god_n omniscience_n prove_v that_o he_o have_v at_o no_o instant_a a_o will_v proper_o conditional_a that_o be_v suspend_v upon_o a_o condition_n as_o to_o the_o act_n itself_o though_o the_o event_n decree_v be_v so_o suspend_v 14._o of_o the_o diversity_n and_o order_n of_o god_n decree_n all_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v one_o as_o in_o he_o but_o they_o have_v a_o formal_a diversity_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o object_n and_o effect_n in_o which_o regard_n we_o must_v necessary_o think_v and_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o divers_a according_a to_o this_o diversity_n predestination_n include_v divers_a decree_n among_o which_o these_o be_v notable_a viz._n a_o decree_n of_o redemption_n a_o decree_n of_o the_o first_o save_v grace_n or_o conversion_n a_o decree_n of_o perseverance_n and_o a_o decree_n of_o glory_n all_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v execute_v in_o certain_a order_n the_o
a_o humble_a endeavour_n of_o some_o plain_a and_o brief_a explication_n of_o the_o decree_n and_o operation_n of_o god_n about_o the_o free_a action_n of_o men_n more_o especial_o of_o the_o operation_n of_o divine_a grace._n write_a by_o mr._n john_n corbet_n late_a minister_n of_o chichester_n london_n print_v for_o tho._n parkhurst_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o three_o crown_n in_o cheapside_n near_o mercers-chappel_n 1683._o the_o preface_n the_o thing_n here_o discuss_v i_o have_v study_v many_o year_n and_o what_o by_o the_o write_n of_o learned_a man_n and_o by_o discourse_v with_o they_o and_o by_o my_o own_o ratiocination_n ground_v on_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o have_v apprehend_v near_a the_o truth_n which_o i_o have_v be_v feel_v after_o i_o have_v collect_v in_o this_o narrow_a scantling_n i_o have_v be_v lead_v into_o this_o search_n not_o out_o of_o vain_a curiosity_n but_o a_o honest_a desire_n to_o gain_v as_o clear_v a_o knowledge_n in_o these_o point_n as_o i_o can_v reach_v to_o that_o i_o may_v be_v able_a with_o more_o assurance_n to_o unfold_v the_o same_o to_o other_o as_o far_o as_o be_v requisite_a for_o their_o edification_n though_o the_o counsel_n and_o way_n of_o god_n can_v be_v find_v out_o unto_o perfection_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o scripture_n and_o nature_n lead_v we_o to_o think_v and_o speak_v of_o they_o so_o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o so_o as_o his_o justice_n and_o truth_n may_v be_v clear_v and_o the_o freeness_n and_o largeness_n of_o his_o mercy_n magnify_v and_o that_o the_o glorious_a power_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o the_o deplorable_a weakness_n of_o fallen_n man_n may_v be_v acknowledge_v and_o that_o penitent_a sinner_n may_v be_v sufficient_o encourage_v and_o that_o the_o impenitent_a may_v be_v evident_o self-condemned_n that_o which_o be_v set_v down_o in_o this_o enquiry_n be_v most_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_n and_o confirm_v of_o the_o principle_n here_o follow_v 1._o the_o help_n of_o divine_a grace_n be_v the_o prime_n and_o main_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o good_a that_o dwell_v in_o we_o and_o that_o be_v do_v by_o we_o but_o our_o own_o will_n be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o the_o evil_a that_o be_v do_v by_o we_o and_o of_o our_o abide_n in_o that_o evil_a state_n into_o which_o our_o nature_n be_v fall_v and_o god_n be_v no_o cause_n thereof_o at_o all_o 2._o god_n do_v decree_n to_o bring_v some_o to_o salvation_n by_o his_o free_a grace_n and_o love_n and_o he_o do_v not_o decree_v to_o damn_v any_o but_o for_o sin_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o damnation_n which_o sin_n he_o do_v not_o decree_n nor_o effect_n but_o foresee_v 3._o god_n do_v ascertain_v the_o conversion_n and_o salvation_n of_o his_o elect_n but_o he_o do_v not_o effect_v it_o without_o their_o own_o concurrence_n in_o a_o subordinate_a way_n i_o speak_v of_o those_o that_o attain_v to_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n not_o of_o infant_n idiot_n and_o madman_n who_o case_n be_v of_o different_a and_o peculiar_a nature_n 4._o though_o election_n do_v infer_v a_o certainty_n that_o the_o elect_n shall_v attain_v to_o grace_n and_o glory_n yet_o nonelection_n do_v infer_v no_o necessity_n of_o the_o sin_n and_o damnation_n of_o the_o non-elect_a save_v only_o that_o which_o be_v call_v necessitas_fw-la consequentiae_fw-la or_o necessity_n in_o order_n of_o argumentation_n and_o be_v necessity_n but_o improper_o so_o call_v and_o imply_v no_o necessitation_n of_o the_o event_n 5._o though_o god_n do_v not_o simple_o will_v the_o event_n of_o the_o conversion_n and_o salvation_n of_o all_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v make_v know_v yet_o he_o will_v it_o so_o far_o and_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o do_v abundant_o declare_v his_o good_a will_n towards_o man_n and_o do_v assure_v the_o diligent_a of_o good_a success_n in_o their_o endeavour_n and_o do_v convict_v the_o negligent_a of_o be_v inexcusable_a despiser_n of_o his_o grace_n towards_o they_o 6._o god_n have_v give_v we_o all_o some_o help_n of_o grace_n more_o or_o less_o in_o order_n to_o our_o spiritual_a recovery_n the_o say_a help_n may_v be_v improve_v by_o we_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o more_o and_o it_o be_v not_o god_n ordinary_a way_n to_o deny_v more_o help_n or_o to_o withdraw_v what_o be_v give_v but_o upon_o the_o abuse_n of_o what_o be_v give_v and_o the_o resist_n of_o what_o be_v offer_v and_o for_o our_o not_o do_v not_o only_o what_o we_o ought_v but_o what_o we_o may_v do_v according_a to_o these_o principle_n i_o have_v proceed_v my_o endeavour_n have_v be_v accompany_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o my_o own_o great_a defectiveness_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o i_o have_v do_v as_o i_o be_v able_a and_o be_o willing_a to_o know_v wherein_o soever_o i_o have_v err_v the_o perfect_a clear_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o solving_a of_o all_o doubt_n in_o these_o mysterious_a point_n may_v be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o mortal_a man_n the_o great_a apostle_n say_v we_o know_v but_o in_o part_n but_o truth_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o evidence_n may_v not_o be_v disbelieved_a or_o doubt_v of_o because_o we_o can_v solve_v all_o difficulty_n about_o lesser_a and_o obscure_a question_n relate_v to_o those_o grand_a truth_n part_n i._o of_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n about_o the_o action_n of_o men._n 1._o what_o the_o divine_a decree_n of_o a_o event_n do_v import_v to_o decree_v a_o thing_n be_v to_o will_v and_o purpose_n its_o come_n to_o pass_v and_o it_o suppose_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v judge_v convenient_a if_o it_o be_v a_o sure_a decree_n it_o imply_v that_o the_o decreer_n can_v and_o will_v so_o provide_v that_o it_o shall_v infallible_o come_v to_o pass_v god_n decree_n of_o a_o event_n be_v a_o willing_a and_o purpose_v of_o it_o as_o convenient_a it_o be_v convenience_n he_o know_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o simple_a intelligence_n and_o be_v decree_v he_o know_v it_o as_o a_o future_a convenient_a by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o vision_n and_o be_v please_v with_o it_o as_o god_n efficience_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o event_n decree_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o event_n include_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o say_a efficience_n that_o whatsoever_o god_n do_v in_o time_n he_o have_v eternal_o decree_v to_o do_v i_o suppose_v be_v unquestionable_a and_o for_o as_o much_o as_o no_o humane_a act_n come_v to_o pass_v without_o his_o concourse_n he_o have_v undoubted_o decree_v the_o concourse_n that_o he_o yield_v to_o it_o and_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o whatsoever_o on_o god_n part_n be_v antecedent_o necessary_a as_o the_o give_v of_o all_o necessary_a power_n preparative_n mean_n concause_n object_n all_o which_o be_v unquestionable_o decree_v of_o god_n 2._o the_o divine_a decree_n do_v not_o infer_v the_o necessitation_n of_o the_o event_n though_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o event_n depend_v upon_o god_n efficience_n yet_o something_o thereof_o he_o may_v put_v under_o the_o creature_n undetermined_a liberty_n under_o this_o liberty_n he_o may_v put_v the_o comparative_a determination_n of_o the_o will_v to_o act_v rather_o than_o not_o to_o act_v and_o to_o act_v towards_o such_o a_o object_n rather_o than_o another_o sure_o it_o be_v too_o high_a presumption_n for_o man_n to_o say_v that_o god_n can_v decree_v or_o firm_o will_v that_o humane_a act_n which_o be_v in_o part_n suspend_v on_o man_n will_n for_o instance_n to_o say_v god_n can_v not_o decree_v adam_n perseverance_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n if_o it_o be_v in_o any_o part_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o liberty_n to_o stand_v or_o fall_v now_o if_o such_o a_o assertion_n be_v a_o apparent_o presumptuous_a limitation_n of_o god_n beside_o other_o great_a inconvenience_n to_o be_v object_v against_o it_o than_o it_o may_v more_o safe_o and_o rational_o be_v hold_v that_o god_n decree_n of_o a_o humane_a act_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o leave_v of_o it_o in_o some_o part_n to_o the_o undetermined_a liberty_n of_o man_n will_n though_o to_o unfold_v the_o agreement_n be_v very_o difficult_a to_o humane_a understanding_n in_o short_a though_o the_o decree_n can_v consist_v with_o the_o contrary_a event_n yet_o it_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o possibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o so_o it_o do_v not_o in_o itself_o infer_v a_o necessitation_n of_o the_o thing_n decree_v 3._o the_o negation_n of_o the_o decree_n do_v not_o infer_v a_o impossibility_n of_o the_o event_n god_n decree_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o a_o event_n by_o way_n of_o causation_n consequent_o the_o negation_n of_o the_o decree_n be_v not_o a_o negation_n of_o what_o be_v causal_o necessary_a thereunto_o and_o so_o it_o do_v not_o infer_v a_o impossibility_n thereof_o as_o for_o
so_o high_a a_o degree_n or_o specialty_n of_o convenience_n to_o such_o a_o particular_a will_n and_o yet_o it_o may_v not_o be_v simple_o incongruous_a but_o so_o far_o congruous_a as_o to_o be_v full_o so_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a and_o sufficient_a to_o produce_v the_o effect_n though_o it_o follow_v not_o 21._o grace_n effectual_a and_o mere_o sufficient_a be_v various_o diversify_v though_o in_o effectual_a grace_n god_n so_o operate_v as_o that_o the_o effect_n shall_v follow_v yet_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v always_o a_o difference_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la influxus_fw-la divini_fw-la between_o that_o which_o effect_n and_o that_o which_o effect_n not_o it_o may_v lie_v in_o the_o different_a congruity_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o circumstantial_a help_n and_o in_o the_o different_a receptivity_n of_o the_o person_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o say_v congruous_a mean_n circumstantial_a help_n and_o receptivity_n of_o the_o person_n be_v all_o of_o god_n own_o ordain_v and_o effect_v by_o receptivity_n here_o i_o mean_v not_o the_o soft_a heart_n opposite_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o stone_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o grace_n effectual_a and_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o conversion_n or_o the_o heart_n turn_v itself_o but_o a_o antecedaneous_a disposition_n which_o be_v also_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v a_o considerable_a while_n before_o conversion_n or_o only_o in_o the_o instant_n immediate_o forego_v it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o better_a disposedness_n to_o the_o use_n of_o divine_a help_v both_o internal_a and_o external_n 22._o of_o man_n ordinary_a preparedness_n for_o grace_n effectual_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o effectual_a grace_n may_v take_v hold_n of_o a_o less_o prepare_a subject_n i_o mean_v less_o prepare_v even_o in_o the_o instant_n immediate_o before_o conversion_n also_o that_o it_o may_v work_v by_o less_o suitable_a mean_n yet_o i_o believe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o work_v of_o nature_n so_o in_o the_o work_v of_o grace_n god_n do_v more_o ordinary_o work_v upon_o the_o more_o prepare_v subject_n and_o by_o the_o more_o congruous_a way_n and_o mean_n that_o scripture_n tit._n 3._o 5._o not_o by_o work_n of_o righteousness_n which_o we_o have_v do_v but_o according_a to_o his_o mercy_n he_o save_v we_o express_o speak_v of_o salvation_n and_o not_o of_o the_o first_o conversion_n and_o it_o do_v not_o intend_v the_o exclude_v of_o faith_n repentance_n and_o obedience_n in_o order_n to_o salvation_n but_o the_o work_n of_o legal_a righteousness_n if_o the_o first_o conversion_n be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o salvation_n there_o speak_v of_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o intend_v the_o exclude_v of_o necessary_a preparedness_n but_o it_o may_v intend_v to_o exclude_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o work_n of_o natural_a righteousness_n and_o that_o kind_a of_o virtue_n that_o be_v in_o mere_a natural_a man_n and_o be_v find_v in_o many_o heathen_n as_o for_o paul_n conversion_n it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a instance_n and_o may_v not_o be_v urge_v against_o what_o be_v do_v in_o god_n ordinary_a way_n towards_o unprepared_a soul_n sudden_o convert_v there_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a operation_n of_o god_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o internal_a impress_n on_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o extraordinary_a outward_a mean_n moreover_o none_o can_v disprove_v a_o more_o special_a preparedness_n in_o paul_n or_o manasse_n or_o other_o most_o heinous_a offender_n in_o some_o instant_n of_o time_n before_o the_o save_v change_n receptivity_n and_o congruity_n for_o grace_n do_v not_o always-lye_a in_o man_n fair_a carriage_n or_o more_o orderly_a behaviour_n or_o in_o be_v less_o notorious_a sinner_n our_o saviour_n say_v that_o publican_n and_o harlot_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n before_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n as_o have_v a_o great_a aptness_n than_o they_o to_o close_v with_o grace_n not_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a sinfulness_n but_o their_o conviction_n and_o humiliation_n occasion_v by_o the_o review_n thereof_o 23._o how_o the_o effect_n of_o grace_n leave_v in_o part_n to_o undetermined_a freewill_n can_v be_v ascertain_v whatsoever_o contingency_n be_v in_o the_o create_a will_n and_o uncertainty_n thereupon_o in_o the_o create_a intellect_n with_o god_n there_o can_v be_v no_o uncertainty_n no_o nor_o contingency_n any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o it_o denote_v liberty_n to_o remove_v uncertainty_n about_o event_n from_o god_n i_o conceive_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o hold_v either_o a_o natural_o necessitate_v premotion_n or_o a_o insuperable_a moral_a operation_n upon_o free_a agent_n to_o all_o their_o acts._n all_o that_o i_o can_v say_v in_o this_o difficulty_n be_v that_o god_n can_v and_o do_v in_o a_o way_n past_o our_o understanding_n ascertain_v event_n leave_v in_o some_o part_n to_o man_n undetermined_a liberty_n it_o be_v undeniable_o evident_a as_o concern_v sin_n that_o though_o god_n can_v be_v say_v to_o ascertain_v it_o because_o he_o do_v not_o decree_v nor_o effect_v it_o yet_o he_o do_v certain_o foreknow_v it_o though_o man_n will_n do_v free_o and_o contingent_o determine_v itself_o to_o it_o sure_o the_o scantling_n of_o our_o narrow_a apprehension_n and_o our_o manner_n of_o knowledge_n be_v no_o rule_n or_o standard_n whereby_o we_o may_v confident_o determine_v of_o the_o way_n of_o his_o foreknowledge_n who_o understanding_n be_v infinite_a eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o god_n foreknow_v the_o fall_n of_o mankind_n and_o of_o some_o angel_n which_o be_v contingent_a in_o itself_o and_o from_o no_o necessitating_a cause_n in_o respect_n of_o any_o creature_n or_o any_o divine_a decree_n or_o operation_n and_o if_o god_n have_v the_o foreknowledge_n of_o one_o future_a contingent_a by_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o have_v the_o foreknowledge_n of_o a_o world_n of_o they_o in_o this_o incomprehensible_a divine_a foreknowledge_n and_o ascertain_v of_o what_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o undetermined_a liberty_n of_o the_o will_n there_o be_v no_o repugnancy_n in_o reason_n nor_o do_v there_o follow_v from_o it_o any_o such_o inconvenience_n in_o god_n government_n as_o do_v evident_o follow_v either_o a_o necessitate_v or_o a_o insuperable_a premotion_n of_o the_o human_a will_n to_o all_o its_o acts._n 24._o man_n will_v do_v not_o that_o which_o be_v more_o and_o great_a than_o what_o divine_a grace_n do_v when_o the_o effect_n be_v in_o some_o part_n leave_v to_o it_o there_o be_v a_o objection_n which_o though_o somewhat_o curious_a must_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o act_n of_o repent_v and_o believe_v be_v something_o more_o and_o great_a than_o the_o ability_n or_o power_n to_o repent_v and_o believe_v and_o be_v more_o conduce_v to_o salvation_n now_o though_o the_o power_n of_o repent_v and_o believe_v be_v make_v the_o effect_n of_o grace_n yet_o the_o act_n themselves_o be_v make_v the_o effect_n of_o man_n will_n if_o they_o be_v leave_v in_o part_n to_o the_o undetermined_a liberty_n thereof_o to_o this_o it_o be_v answer_v 1._o though_o the_o act_n of_o repent_v and_o believe_v be_v more_o and_o great_a than_o to_o have_v power_n to_o the_o say_a act_n yet_o to_o give_v the_o whole_a power_n which_o be_v god_n part_n be_v more_o and_o great_a than_o both_o the_o power_n and_o the_o consequent_a acts._n therefore_o though_o in_o actual_a repent_v and_o believe_v a_o man_n do_v more_o to_o salvation_n than_o in_o have_v the_o power_n yet_o god_n in_o give_v the_o power_n as_o a_o total_a cause_n thereof_o do_v that_o which_o be_v more_o and_o great_a in_o order_n to_o salvation_n than_o man_n himself_o do_v who_o receive_v the_o power_n and_o act_n according_a to_o it_o the_o glory_n and_o praise_n of_o a_o act_n be_v infinite_o more_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n who_o as_o a_o total_a cause_n give_v the_o whole_a power_n to_o do_v it_o than_o to_o man_n that_o do_v it_o and_o so_o the_o glory_n of_o man_n salvation_n yea_o and_o of_o his_o conversion_n be_v infinite_o more_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n than_o to_o man_n 2._o in_o the_o present_a case_n the_o actual_a willing_a to_o repent_v and_o believe_v though_o it_o be_v of_o the_o will_v formal_o as_o its_o act_n yet_o it_o be_v of_o god_n effective_o as_o his_o work_n and_o so_o in_o every_o good_a act_n though_o man_n be_v the_o subject_n of_o willing_a and_o do_v yet_o it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v in_o man_n to_o will_n and_o to_o do._n i_o can_v comprehend_v what_o it_o be_v for_o god_n to_o work_v in_o we_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v more_o than_o to_o be_v the_o total_a cause_n of_o all_o that_o power_n by_o which_o we_o will_v and_o do_v and_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v any_o other_o immediate_a influence_n of_o god_n into_o the_o act_n itself_o than_o that_o which_o be_v into_o the_o agent_n power_n