A TREATISE ON PREDESTINATION, ELECTION, AND GRACE. HISTORICAL, DOCTRINAL, AND PRACTICAL; TO WHICH IS ADDED A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE SUBJECT. aiter & Sue BY W. A. COPINGER, F.S.A., OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW; AUTHOR OF THE LAW OF "" THOUGHTS ON HOLINESS"; &c. "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! London: JAMES NISBET & CO., 21, BERNERS STREET. BT 810 078 TO THE RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP AND THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER THIS WORK IS WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF RESPECT AND ADMIRATION DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. No doctrine is taught in Holy Scripture upon which men have been more divided in opinion than the doctrine of Predestination and Election. Many hold the doctrine in such a way that they find it inconsistent with certain parts of Scripture, and it is clear, therefore, that they cannot hold the doctrine aright, for no part of God's word can actually be inconsistent, however it may appear to be, with any other part. Every part of it is equally true. One part throws light on and is as it were a key to unlock other parts. No particular part of the Bible is the ground of our faith and the rule of our life. It is the Word of God as a whole. We are instructed to compare Scripture with Scripture and search out "all the counsel of God" (Acts xx. 27), so far as it is revealed, if we wish to become "wise unto salvation." In the 17th Article it is truly stated that "the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort." And yet how few know anything whatever respecting this sweet, pleasant, and unspeakably" comforting doctrine. Many think it is above their investigation and would lead them to pry too curiously into the depth of theology. The doctrine surely is not revealed to us in Holy Scripture that it may be lightly considered or not con |