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"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever." "There is no wisdom or counsel against the Lord." "If this counsel be of the Lord, ye cannot overthrow it." "As I have purposed, so shall it stand." 'The Lord hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?" 66 My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." "I have purposed it, and I will do it."

"Thy counsels of old, "God is won

are faithfulness and truth." derful in counsel.”

"He is great in coun

sel, and mighty in work."

"Who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor ?" "Of him, through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”—Rom. xi. 34.

According to this infinitely wise, holy, firm, and gracious counsel of Jehovah, was the great work of redemption planned, and must in due time be accomplished, to the glory of God, and the everlasting salvation of the whole church!

How exceedingly pleasant for a pious person to reflect that he was chosen in Christ to eternal life, before the foundation of the world was laid! Although sinful, both by nature and practice, yet chosen to be renewed and sanctified here, and made perfectly holy

and happy hereafter in heaven for ever! Chosen of free, sovereign, and boundless grace, that might have been withheld without the least charge of injustice on the part of Jehovah: yea, that, in strict justice, must have been withheld, and the soul have perished! -Chosen according to the divine purpose, which renders the salvation infallibly certain ! But this is not the place to enlarge on the application of our subject. We must proceed to defend its truth.

Though, to an attentive and impartial reader, it will evidently appear that the preceding statement has been clearly and directly confirmed from the sacred scriptures, yet, as

the general principle, as well as the particular parts of the subject, will admit of further confirmation, we shall proceed to the second part of the subject, to prove its truth.

CHAP. II.

THE DOCTRINE PROVED.

It may be proved from Reason, Scripture, and Experience.

SECT. I. FROM REASON.

1. From the design of God in sending Christ.

God must have some design in sending Christ into the world. This design or determination, was to save mankind. That he did not design or determine, so as to render certain, the salvation of all mankind is positively declared in the scripture, and generally acknowledged. Then his design or determination was to save, by his grace, a part of mankind, SO as to render their salvation certain: otherwise there would be no certainty of the salvation of any individual, and consequently the purpose of God might be frustrated, and Christ might come and 'die in vain. For the salvation of men must be determined, either by an act of God's grace, or in consequence of some act performed by man. But can we believe that

the infinitely wise, holy and merciful Jehovah, would form such a plan as he has done; enter into covenant-engagements with his Son, send him into this world, deliver him up to suffer the most shameful, painful, and cursed death, exalt him at his own right hand in heavenly places; pour out his Spirit in a most miraculous manner; make the most positive and sacred promises; convert thousands and millions of precious souls; and then leave the result of the whole to be determined by human agency by fallen, depraved man? Who can believe this! Yet this

must be the case, unless God has determined to save, by his grace, a certain number, as we have stated in the former chapter.

Would not such conduct be contrary to reason? Contrary to the common dealings of mankind? for they would not act at such uncertainty, if it were in their power to ensure success. Is it not contrary to all that God has revealed concerning his nature, perfections, purposes and transactions? He saith, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." designed that his Son should or his reward be uncertain. promised that he shall see the

He hath not

suffer in vain,

But he hath travail of his

soul and be satisfied.-Is. liii. 10. Hence the truth of our doctrine appears.

It is evident

2. From the Omniscience of God.

God knows all things past, present, and to come. He therefore knew from eternity, the "elect that will be gathered from all quarters of the earth." He knew they

would be saved; saved by his grace; saved through Christ; saved by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, shed on them abundantly through Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. He knew they would be saved in consequence of his working in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure. He determined that they should be saved in this manner. Are not these truths generally acknowledged? And do they not include the doctrine of Election, as stated above?

Again, it is granted that God did certainly and infallibly foreknow from eternity, that a great multitude which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, will stand before the throne, and