and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

II. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of him'self; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, not deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory, in, by, unto, and upon them: he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as

nothing is to him contingent or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them."...

III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.¶ ́·

́I.

GOD

E

CHAP. III-Of God's Eternal Decree.

OD from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his Town will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass:* riches both of the wisdom and know- straightway out of the water: and, lo, ledge of God! how unsearchable are the heavens were opened unto him, and his judgments, and his ways past find- he saw the Spirit of God descending ing out! Ver.34. For who hath known like a dove, and lighting upon him: the mind of the Lord? or who hath Ver. 17. And lo a voice from heaven, been his counsellor? Ps. cxlvii. 5. Great saying, This is my beloved Son, in is our Lord, and of great power: his whom I am well pleased. Matt. xxviii. understanding is infinite. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nátions, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Acts xv. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Ezek. xi. 5. And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the Lord, Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

Ps. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Rom. vii. 12. Wherefore the lawisholy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Rev. v. 12. Saying with aloud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Ver. 13. And every crea ture which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Ver. 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

III. 1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Matt. iii. 16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up

P Johni. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Ver. 18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

9 John xv. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Heb. vi. 17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,

yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.•

II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.⚫

III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death,

confirmed it by an oath Rom. ix. 15. Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy And the Lord said, He will come down. on whom I will have mercy, and I will Ver. 12. Then said David, Will the men have compassion on whom I will have of Keilah deliver me and my men into compassion. Ver. 18. Therefore hath the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Jamesi. 13. Let no man say, when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Ver. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 1 John i. 5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all

They will deliver thee up. Matt. xi. 21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Ver. 23. And thou, Ca pernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Rom. ix. 11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. Ver. 13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Ver. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Acts ii. 23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Matt. xvii. 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Acts iv. 27. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom III. 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee bethou hast anointed, both Herod and fore God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and and the elect angels, that thou observe the people of Israel, were gathered to- these things, without preferring one gether, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever before another, doing nothing by parthy hand and thy counsel determined tiality. Matt. xxv. 41. Then shall he before to be done. John xix. 11. Jesus say also unto them on the left hand, answered, Thou couldest have no power Depart from me, ye cursed, into everat all against me, except it were given lasting fire, prepared for the devil and thee from above: therefore he that de- his angels. livered me unto thee hath the greater Rom. ix. 22. What if God, willing sin. Prov.xvi. 33. The lot is cast into the to show his wrath, and to make his lap; but the whole disposing thereof is power known, endured with much of the Lord. long-suffering the vessels of wrath II. d Acts xv. 18. Known unto God fitted to destruction; Ver. 23. And are all his works from the beginning that he might make known the riches of the world. 1 Sam. xxiii. 11. Will of his glory on the vessels of mercy, the men of Keilah deliver me up into which he had afore prepared unto his hand? will Saul come down, as thy glory. Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated servant hath heard? O Lord God of us unto the adoption of children by

IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.1

*Rom. ix. 11,13,16. [See letter immediately foregoing.] Eph. i. 4, 9. [Sce letter immediately foregoing.]

VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto." Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ;" are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ver. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. ---IV. 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. John xiii. 18. I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but, that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

V.1 Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love: Ver. 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself: Ver. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated accord ing to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also jus tified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 1 Thess. v. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved: Ver. 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

VI. 1 Pet. i. 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ver. 5. Hav. ing predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.

1 Thess. v. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Tit. ii. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he

and kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only."

VII. The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice."

VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will did predestinate, them he also called; revealed them unto babes. Ver. 26. and whom he called, them he also jus- Even so, Father: for so it seemed good tified; and whom he justified, them in thy sight. Rom. ix. 17. For the he also glorified. Eph. i. 5. Having scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even predestinated us unto the adoption of for this same purpose have I raised children by Jesus Christ to himself, thee up, that I might show my power according to the good pleasure of his in thee, and that my name might be will 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound declared throughout all the earth. Ver. to give thanks alway to God for you, 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom brethren beloved of the Lord, because he will have mercy, and whom he will God hath from the beginning chosen he hardeneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth... P1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Ver. 22. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the a John xvii. 9. 1 pray for them: I vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? pray not for the world, but for them 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foun. which thou hast given me; for they, dation of God standeth sure, having are thine. Rom. viii. 28. And we know: this seal, The Lord knoweth them that that all things work together for good are his. And, Let every one that to them that love God, to them who nameth the name of Christ depart are the called according to his pur- from iniquity. Ver. 20. But in a great pose, &c. [to the end of the Chapter.] house there are not only vessels of John vi. 64. But there are some of gold and of silver, but also of wood you that believe not. For Jesus knew and of earth; and some to honour and from the beginning who they were that some to dishonour. Jude, ver. 4. For believed not, and who should betray there are certain men crept in unahim. Ver. 65. And he said, Therefore wares, who were before of old ordained said I unto you, that no man can come to this condemnation, ungodly men, unto me, except it were given unto him. turning the grace of our God into of my Father. John x. 26. But ye be- lasciviousness, and denying the only lieve not; because ye are not of my Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. sheep, as I said unto you. John viii. 1 Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, 47. He that is of God heareth God's and a rock of offence, even to them words: ye therefore hear them not, which stumble at the word, being disbecause ye are not of God. 1 John ii. obedient; whereunto also they were 19. They went out from us, but they appointed. were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

VIL Matt.xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast

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VIII. Rom. ix. 20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdoni and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the