Page images
PDF
EPUB

nothing is to him contingent or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.m To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them."

III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.1

CHAP. III.-Of God's Eternal Decree.

I. Grown will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass:

OD from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his

riches both of the wisdom and knowledge 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? Ps. cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

Acts xy. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Ezek. xi. 5. And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the Lord, Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

m Ps. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous inall his ways, and holy in all his works. Rom. vii. 12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

n Rev. v. 12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Ver. 13. And every crea ture which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Ver. 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

III.1.John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Matt: iii. 16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up

straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Ver. 17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

P Johni. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Ver. 18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

9 John xv. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. xi. 33.

the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Heb. vi. 17. Wherein God, willing more abunJantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,

yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established."

II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.

III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels' are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.

confirmed it by an oath. Rom. ix. 15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

James i. 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. 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 i. 5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down. Ver. 12. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up. Matt. xi. 21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Ver. 23. And thou, Ca pernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Rom. ix. 11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. Ver. 13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Ver. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

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. Matt. xvii. 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Acts iv. 27. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom III. 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee be. thou hast anointed, both Herod and fore God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and and the elect angels, that thou observe the people of Israel, were gathered to- these things, without preferring one gether, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever before another, doing nothing by parthy hand and thy counsel determined tiality. Matt. xxv. 41. Then shall he before to be done. John xix. 11. Jesus say also unto them on the left hand, answered, Thou couldest have no power Depart from me, ye cursed, into everat all against me, except it were given lasting fire, prepared for the devil and thee from above: therefore he that de- his angels. livered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Prov. xvi. 33. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

d

8 Rom. ix. 22. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath

II. a Acts xv. 18. Known unto God fitted to destruction; Ver. 23. And are all his works from the beginning that he might make known the riches of the world. 1 Sam. xxiii. 11. Will of his glory on the vessels of mercy, the men of Keilah deliver me up into which he had afore prepared unto his hand? will Saul come down, as thy glory. Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated servant hath heard? O Lord God of us unto the adoption of children by

IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.h

V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, 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 foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.1

VI. 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 being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ; are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ver. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

IV. h 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. John xiii. 18. I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but, that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

V. Eph. i. 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: Ver. 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself: Ver. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. 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. 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 1 Thess. v. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved: Ver. 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

VI. m 1 Pet. i. 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Eph. i. 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: Ver. 5. Hav. ing predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 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.

n 1 Thess. v. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Tit. ii. 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. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he

and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.

Neither are any

other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. 4

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," that men attending the will did predestinate, them he also called; revealed them unto babes. Ver. 26. and whom he called, them he also jus- Even so, Father: for so it seemed good tified; and whom he justified, them in thy sight. Rom. ix. 17. For the he also glorified. Eph. i. 5. Having scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even predestinated us unto the adoption of for this same purpose have I raised children by Jesus Christ to himself, thee up, that I might show my power according to the good pleasure of his in thee, and that my name might be will. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound declared throughout all the earth. Ver. to give thanks alway to God for you, 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom brethren beloved of the Lord, because he will have mercy, and whom he will God hath from the beginning chosen he hardeneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the you to salvation through sanctification potter power over the clay, of the same of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. fump to make one vessel unto honour, P1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the and another unto dishonour? Ver. power of God through faith unto sal- 22. What if God, willing to show his vation, ready to be revealed in the last wrath, and to make his power known, time. endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Ver. 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour. Jude, ver. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

9 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, &c. [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 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.

VIL 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

VIII. Rom. ix. 20. Nay but, O man, 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 wis dom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the

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

CHAP. IV.-Of Creation.

I. IT pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," for the manifes tation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,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.⚫

[merged small][ocr errors]

" Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Rom. xi. 33. [See letter immediately foregoing.]

B

Rom. xi. 5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according 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 high-minded, but fear. 2 Pet. i. 10. [See letter 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.

t

I. 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.

bRom. 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.

« PreviousContinue »