0 by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.P Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.9 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,s 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 eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God," and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.w o Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. 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. p 1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. q John xvii. 9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. Rom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, etc. [to the end of the chapter.] John vi. 64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Ver. 65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. John x. 26. But ye believe not; because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. John viii. 47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of A God. 1 John ii. 19. They went out from us, but they 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. ་ VII. 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 revealed them unto babes. Ver. 26. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. Rom. ix. 17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. VIII. Rom. ix. 20. Nay but, Oman, 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 wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. t 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. u Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us ac cepted in the Beloved. Rom. xi. 33. [See letters immediately foregoing.] Rom. xi. 5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according CHAP. IV.-Of Creation. I. TT pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,a for the mani Ifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and good ness,b in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.c II. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female,d with reasonable and immortal souls,e endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image,f having the law of God written in their hearts,s and power to fulfil it;h and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written to the election of grace. Ver. 6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work. Ver. 20. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear. 2 Pet. i. 10. [See lettert immediately foregoing.] Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Luke x. 20. Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. I. a Heb. i. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. John i. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. Ver. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Gen. i. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Job xxvi. 13. By his Spirit he has garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Job xxxiii. 4. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. b Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Jer. x. 12. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. Ps. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Ps. xxxiii. 5. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Ver. 6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. [The whole first Chapter of Gen.] Heb. xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him. Acts xvii. 24.. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. II. d Gen. i. 27. So God created man in his own image: in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. e Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. With Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. And Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And Matt. x. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. f Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righte ousness and true holiness. 8 Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. h Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. 1 Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil;k which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.1 I. GOD, CHAP. V.-Of Providence. YOD, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold,a direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,b from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence,d according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will,f to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.s fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Eccl. vii. 29. [See letter h immediately foregoing.] k Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. iii. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Ver. 9. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Ver. 10. And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Ver. 11. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? Ver. 23. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 1 Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Ver. 28. And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. I. a Heb. i. 3. Who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. b Dan. iv. 34. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. Ver. 35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the in e habitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Ps. cxxxv. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. Acts xvii. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Ver. 26. And hath made of one blood ali nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: Ver. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Job, Chapters xxxviii., xxxix., xl., xli. c Matt. x. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Ver. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Ver. 31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. d Prov. xv. 3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Ps. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches. Ps. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. e Acts xv. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Ps. xciv. 8. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Ver. 9. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? Ver. 10. He that chas tiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? Ver. 11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have ob tained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ps. xxxiii. 10. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. Ver. 11. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 8 Isa. lxiii. 14. As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused II. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.i III. God in his ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them," at his pleasure. IV. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, him to rest; so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. Eph. iii. 10. To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Rom. ix. 17. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Gen. xlv. 7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Ps. cxlv. 7. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. II. h 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. i Gen. viii. 22. While the earth remain eth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. Jer. xxxi. 35. Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name. Exod. xxi. 13. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. With Deut. xix. 5. As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live. 1 Kings xxii. 28. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you. Ver. 34. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. Isa. x. 6. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Ver. 7. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. III. Acts xxvii. 31. Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Ver. 44. And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land. Isa. lv. 10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; Ver. 11. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Hos. ii. 21. And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord: I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; Ver. 22. And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. 1 Hos. i. 7. But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. Matt. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Job xxxiv. 10. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. m Rom. iv. 19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: Ver. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Ver. 21. And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. n 2 Kings vi. 6. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Dan. iii. 27. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. IV. o Rom. xi. 32. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Ver. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know ledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Ver. 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor ! and that not a bare permission,p , but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends; yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.s V. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Sam. xxiv. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. With 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 1 Kings xxii. 22. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: gó forth, and do so. Ver. 23. Now, therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying Spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. 1 Chron. x. 4. Then said Saul to his armour-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. Ver. 13. So Saut died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; Ver. 14. And enquired not of the Lord therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 2 Sam. xvi. 10. And the king said, What have to do with you, ye sons of Żeruiah so ⚫let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? Acts ii. 23. Him, being delivered by the deter minate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Acts iv. 27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. p Acts xiv. 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 4 Ps. lxxvi. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. 2 Kings xix. 28. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. Gen. 1. 20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Isa. x. 6. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Ver. 7. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. Ver. 12. Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. James 1. 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. 14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 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 ii. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Ps. 1. 21. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. V. t 2 Chron. xxxii. 25. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Ver. 26. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, (both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,) so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. Ver. 31. Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judak. |