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destinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death".

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

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 Jesus Christ, and the elect angels. Matt. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left-hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Rom. ix. 22, 23. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering, the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:- And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Eph. i. 5, 6. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 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. 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. Johu xiii. 18. I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen.

V. Eph. i. 4, 9, 11. 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;-Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which

thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace'.

VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained 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, and kept by his power through faith

he hath purposed in himself.—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. 1. 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 e immediately foregoing. Eph. i. 4, 9. See letter i, &c.

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

VI. m 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. Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ 'esus unto grod works, which God hath before ordained that re should walk in them. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks always 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.

1 Thess. v. 9, 10. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who hied for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Tit. ii. 14.

• Rom. viii. 30.-Them he also called. Eph. i. 5.—Accord

anto salvation". Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only".

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".

ing to the good pleasure of his will. 2 Thess. ii. 13.—Through Banctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.

P 1 Peter i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

a 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, 65. 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.-And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. See John viii. 47. and x. 26.-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, 26. 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. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. Rom. ix. 17, 18, 21, 22. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might show my power in thee, and that my game night be declared throughout all the earth.-Therefore hath ne mercy, &c. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. 3 Tim. ii. 20.—But

VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and cares, 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, reve rence, and admiration of God"; and of humility diligence and abundant consolation, to all that sin cerely obey the Gospel".

in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude 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.--being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

VIII. Rom. ix. 20. and xi. 33. 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? 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.-Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

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Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. See Rom. xi. 33. letter *.

w Rom. xi. 5, 6, 20. and viii. 33. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 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.-Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear.-Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Luke x. 20

CHAPTER IV.

Of Creation.

IT pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost", for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness', 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".

II. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female", with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge,

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, 3. The same was in the beginning with God.-All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Job xxvi. 13. and xxxiii. 4. By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.-The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

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. Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches.

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Gen. 1st. chap. throughout. 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.

II. 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.

• Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of

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