III. Of God’s Decree
1. God hath aDecreed in himself from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, bnor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather cestablished, in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power, and faithfulness din accomplishing his Decree.
aIsa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18 bJames 1:13, 17; 1 John 1:5 cActs 4:27–28; John 19:11 dNum. 23:19; Eph. 1:3–5
2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to pass upon all asupposed conditions; yet hath he not Decreed anything, bbecause he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
aActs 15:18 bRom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18
3. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory asome men and Angels, are predestinated, or foreordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ to the bpraise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their cjust condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
a1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34 bEph. 1:5–6 cRom. 9:22–23; Jude 4
4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their anumber so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.
a2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18
5. Those of mankind athat are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and im mutable 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; bwithout any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
aEph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9 bRom. 9:13, 16; Eph. 2:5, 12
6. As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained aall the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, bare redeemed by Christ, are effectually ccalled unto faith in Christ, by his spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith dunto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the Elect eonly.
a1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13 b1 Thess. 5:9–10 cRom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13 d1 Pet. 1:5 eJohn 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64
7. The Doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence, and care; 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 aeternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter bof praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and cof humility, diligence, and abundant dconsolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.
a1 Thess. 1:4–5; 2 Pet. 1:10 bEph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33 cRom. 11:5–6 dLuke 10:20