it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon fuch Conditions .

III. By the Decree of God, for the Manifestation of his Glory, fome Men and Angels are predeftinated unto everlasting Life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting Death 8.

IV. These Angels and Men thus predeftinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably defigned, and their Number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished h

V. Those of Mankind that are predeftinated unto Life, God, before the Foundation of the World was laid, according to his eternal and immutable Purpose, and the fecret Council and good Pleasure of his Will, hath chofen,in Chrift,unto everlafting Glory i, out of his meer free Grace and Love, without any Fore-fight of Faith, or good Works, or Perfeverance in either of them, or any other thing in the Creature, as Conditions, or Causes moving him thereunto and all to the Praife of his glorious Grace'.

VI. As God hath appointed the Elect unto Glory, fo hath he, by the eternal and moft free Purpofe of his Will, fore-ordained all the Means thereunto". Wherefore they who are elected, being fal

1 fpeak not of you all; I know whom I have chofen: but that the fcripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me.

len

ly calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Chrift Jefus, before the world began. 1 Thef. s. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath; but to obtain falvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

e

k Rom. 9. 11, 13, 16. [See letter immediately foregoing. ] Eph. 1. 4, 9. [See letter i immediately foregoing. 1

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Eph. 1. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. v. 12. That we fhould be to the praise of his glory, who first trufted in Chrift.

V. i Eph. 1. 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: v. 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purpofed in himself: v. 11. In whom alfo we have obtained an inheritance, being predeftinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his VI. m I Pet. 1. 2. Elect accordown will. Rom. 8. 30. Moreover, ing to the fore-knowledge of God whom he did predestinate, them the Father, through fanctification he alfo called: and whom he cal- of the Spirit unto obedience, and led, them he also justified and fprinkling of the blood of Jesus whom he justified, them he alfo Chrift. Eph. 1. 4. According as he glorified. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Who hath hath chofen us in him, before the faved us, and called us with an ho- foundation of the world, that we

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len in Adam, are redeemed by Chrift", are effectually called unto Faith in Chrift, by his Spirit working in due Season, are justified, adopted, fan&tified, and kept by his Power through Faith unto Salvation P. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, juftified, adopted, fanctified and faved, but the Elect only 9.

VII. The

should be holy, and without blame to the good pleasure of his will. before him in love: v. 5. Having 2 Thef. 2. 13. But we are bound to predeftinated us unto the adoption give thanks alway to God for you, of children by Jefus Chrift to him- brethren, beloved of the Lord, befelf, according to the good plea- caufe God hath from the beginning fure of his will. Eph. 2. 1o. For we chofen you to falvation through are his workmanship, created in fanctification of the Spirit, and beChrift Jefus unto good works,which lief of the truth. God hath before ordained that we fhould walk in them. 2 Thef. 2. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chofen you to falvation through fanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

1 "I Thef. 5.9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain falvation by our Lord Jefus Chrift, v. 10. Who died for us, that whether we wake or fleep, we fhould live together with him. Titus 2. 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. 8.30. Moreover, whom he did predeftinate, them he also called and whom he called, them he alfo juftified and whom he juftified, them he alfo glorified. Eph. 1. 5. Having predeftinated us unto the adoption of children by Jefus Chrift to himself, according

P 1 Peter 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto falvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

9 John 17.9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou haft given me, for they are thine. Rom. 8. 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 purpofe, &c. [to the end of the chapter.] John 6, 64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jefus knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. v. 65. And he said, Therefore faid I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. John 10. 26. But ye believe not; because ye are not of my fheep, as I faid unto you. John 8.47. He that is of God, heareth Gods words : ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 1 John 2. 19. They went out from us, but they

were

VII. The Reft of Mankind God was pleased, according to the unfearchable Counsel of his own Will, whereby he extendeth, or withholdeth Mercy, as he pleafeth, for the Glory of his Sovereign Power over his Creatures, to pafs by, and to ordain them to Difhonour and Wrath for their Sin, to the Praise of his glorious Juftice *.

VIII. The Doctrine of this high Mystery of Predestination is to be handled with fpecial Prudence and Care, that Men attending the Will of God

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 manifeft, that they were not all

of us.

reveal

dation of God ftandeth fure, having this feal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity. v. 20. But in a great houfe, there are not only VII. Matth. 11. 25. At that time veffels of gold and of filver, but Jefus anfwered and said, I thank alfo of wood, and of earth; and thee, O Father, Lord of heaven fome to honour, and fome to dishoand earth, because thou haft hid nour. Jude 4. For there are certain these things from the wife and pru- men crept in unawares, who were dent, and haft revealed them unto before of old ordained to this conbabes. v. 26. Even fo Father, for fo demnation, ungodly men, turning it seemed good in thy fight. Rom. the grace of our God into lasci9. 17. For the fcripture faith unto vioufnefs, and denying the only Pharaoh, Even for this fame pur- Lord God, and our Lord Jefus pofe have I raised thee up, that I Chrift. 1 Pet, z. 8. And a stone might fhew my power in thee, and of ftumbling, and a rock of ofthat my name might be declared fence, even to them which ftumble throughout all the earth. v. 18. at the word, being disobedient, Therefore hath he mercy on whom whereunto alfo they were appoin he will have mercy, and whom he ted. will he hardneth. v.21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the fame lump to make one veffel unto honour, and another unto dishonour v. 22. What if God, willing to flew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-fuffering; the veffels of wrath fitted to deftruction? 2 Tim.2.19. Nevertheless,the foun

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VIII. Rom.9.20.Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God fhall the thing formed fay to him that formed it, why haft thou made me thus Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wifdom and knowledge ofGod! how unfearchable are his judgments, and his ways paft finding out! Dent, 29.29. The fecret things

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revealed in his Word, and yielding Obedience thereunto, may, from the Certainty of their effe&tual Vocation,be affured of their eternal Election ". So fhall this Doctrine afford Matter of Praise, Reverence, and Admiration of God, and of Humility, Diligence, and abundant Confolation to all that fincerely obey the Gospel ".

CHA P. IV.

Of Creation.

T pleased God, the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost', for the Manifeftation of the Glory of