mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation; as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they who are endued with so excellent a benefit of God, are called according to God's purpose, by his Spirit working in due season: they, through grace, obey the calling: they are justified freely made sons by adoption: they are made like the image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God's merey, they attain to everlasting felicity.

The godly consideration of predestination, and our election in Christ, is full of sweet pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons; and such as feel in themselves, the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love toward God."

It was on reading this Article, that the writer felt his mind first impressed with the truth and importance of this doctrine: and truly it was full of sweet, pleasant, and

Would to God, that

unspeakable comfort. 'all who are zealous in supporting the Church of England, were as zealous in defending the wholesome truths contained in the Articles of that Church of which this forms a principal. A principal-for what are the other Articles without this? It is this which gives stability to the whole system. If it be carefully examined, it will be found, that the Article of which we are now speaking, embraces a considerable part of the most important, the most consolatory, and the most establishing doctrines contained in the sacred Scriptures. So that the wresting of this Article, would shake the foundation of the church of Christ, deprive God of a considerable part of his glory, and the believer of his richest consolation.

The Church of Scotland retains the same doctrine." God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret council and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen some of mankind in Christ to 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 cause mov

ing him thereunto, and all to the praise of his glorious grace.-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, having fallen in Adam, are redeemed in Christ; are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through faith unto salvation. The knowledge of this doctrine will afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel."

Nearly the whole of our Baptist friends, profess and defend this truth. All the Independents profess to believe it; and express their sentiments nearly in the same language as that cited above. American Divines have, with no ordinary piety, zeal, and talent, supported this article of the christian faith.

Hence we see that it has been the doctrine of the patriarchs-prophets-pious Jews-aposdes-christians-and of the most pious, holy, and learned men, that ever England or the world has known. We cannot deny it, without denying the most plain and express declarations

of the Word of God. O then, to understand, to feel, to enjoy this most scriptural and delightful truth! We shall find it full of unspeakable comfort. What gratitude, love, joy, and obedience it would produce!

I am persuaded there are others who hold the principle of this doctrine, though they seem afraid to assert the doctrine itself, because of the consequences. Do they believe themselves so depraved that they would never have chosen God, if he had not first chosen them? Do they acknowledge themselves to be indebted to God and his grace, for beginning, carrying on, and completing the work of their salvation? Do they dread the thought of ascribing any part of the glory to themselves, and acknowledge that all their salvation proceeds from divine grace and mercy through Jesus Christ? Is not this a confession that God has, of his free grace, elected them? Is it not of his distinguishing grace that he has made them to differ? Will not this principle, if pursued, bring them also to acknowledge that God has chosen them before the foundation of the world? They acknowledge election in time; why not trace it into the ages of eternity, as evidently might be done, both by reason and scripture? Oh! you say, there are objections! What are they? Perhaps not

of that weight which you imagine.

examine them.

Let us

This will bring us to the third general head.

CHAP. III.

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

SECTION I.

Premises.

Before we proceed to the objections themselves, it will be requisite to premise, "That we are not to reject a truth, because there are objections brought against it." On this principle, we should be obliged to give up most of our knowledge of the arts and sciences; --all the most important truths contained in the Bible;-the worship of God, and especially prayer; yea, the very existence of God himself! Must we yield these truths to the adversary? No, but we are "to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints."

The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God:" but the sacred writers little regard his folly. Psalm xiv. 1.

1

Some may advance their objections against