QUESTION XIV. 377 remembering that R allows the' divine influences on the mind to be so great, as he know§ will certainly persuade the will to re- pent and accept of grace, and designs that it shall have this effect, though not in a way of resistless force and necessity. And why may not this sufficiently answer those scriptures which assert God's working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure? Phil. ii. 13. On the other hand, I question whether the opinions of A have ever been easily and plainly reconciled with such a multi- tude of scriptures, which the followers Of C produce in the defence of their opinions concerning divine grace. However it be, 1 think the sentiments both of A, C, and R, may, in some tolerable measure, be reconciled to all the six propostions 1 laid down at first : at least they all declare they design them tobe so; though perhaps some of them are more easily and happily suited to some of these propositions, and others do best consist with the rest of them. Thus much for the first part of this discourse. The second way of reconciliation. A further principle of reconciliation between A, C, and R, is now in my thoughts, and it is this : Let us enquire whether the sentiments of A, as well as of R and C, do not imply and suppose the certain desig- nation of certain persons to a final salvation ; and consequently whether A has any reason to cast any reproaches upon the doc- trine of particular election and special grace, since his own sen- timents will lead very nearly to the saine doctrine. This will appear by the following steps of enquiry : 1. Doth not A suppose, that the providential transactions of divine power and grace, in the formation of the natural powers of every man, and the disposal of the circumstances of any man's life, under pious parents, or an useful ministry, or occasional conversation, &c. were designed by the great God, as helps and mediums towards the repentance and salvation of those that are saved ? 2. Does not A allowof such operations of grace, by illumi- nation and suasion of the mind and will, as the great God sees to be not only sufficient, but necessary under the present dreadful degeneracy of man, toward the conversion and salvation of those who are saved, even though they proceed no farther than to leave the will of man in a state of balancing indifference, to accept or refuse the offered grace? 3. Does not A likewise admit these operations of grace to be exerted with a friendly design towards these men, to facilitate their faith and repentance, and make the way plainer and easier towards their salvation ? And does he not grant that God is best pleased, when such á person repents and accepts of his gospel according to his kind designs? 4. Does he not also believe, that the blessed God foresee,
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