Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
|
Chapter 3 Of Gods Decree
1. God hath (Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15-18) Decreed in himself from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, (James 1:15-17; 1 John 1:5) nor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather (Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11) established, in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power, and faithfulness in accomplishing his Decree. (Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5)
2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to pass upon all (Acts 15:18) supposed conditions; yet hath he not Decreed anything, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions. (Romans 9:11-18)
3. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory (1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:41) some men and Angels, are predestinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ to the (Ephesians 1:5-6) praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. (Romans 9:22-23; Jude:4)
4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished. (2 Timothy: 2:19; John 13:18)
5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, (Ephesians 1:4-11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9) 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 other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto. (Romans 9:13-16; Ephesians 1:6-12)
6. As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) being fallen in Adam, (Romans 8:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) are redeemed by 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 salvation; (1 Peter 1:5) unto neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the Elect (s) only. (John 10:26; John 17:9; John; 6:64)
7. The Doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence, and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their (t) eternal election; (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Peter 1-10) so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, (Ephesians 1:6; Romans 11:33) and of humility, diligence, and abundant (y) consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel. (Romans 11:5-6; Luke 10:20)
 |
