tions, or causes moving him thereunto k; and all to the praise of his glorious gracel. VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, fo hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto m. Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ n, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified o, and kept by his power through faith unto salvationp. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, fanctified and saved, but the elect only q. Rom. ix. 11, 13, 16. (See letter e immediately foregoing.) Eph. i. 4. 9. (See letter i immediately foregoing.) 1 Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. v. 12. That we thould be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Chrift. VI. m 1 Pet. i. 2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, through fanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and fprinkling of the blood of Jesus Chrift. Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chofen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love: v. 5. having predeftinated us unto the adoption of children by Jefus Christ to himfelf, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Chrift Jefus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Theff. 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 falva VII. The tion, through fanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. * 1 Theff. v. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain falvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, V. 10. Who died for us, that whether we wake or fleep, 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 did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he alío justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Eph. i. v. Having predeftinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Chrift to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. 2 Theff. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks to God alway 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. 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.) Johu vi. 64. But there are fome of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. v. 65. And he faid, Therefore faid 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 faid 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. I 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 manifeft, that they were not all of P 1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. q John xvii. 9. I pray for them: I pray 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 fovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their fin, to the praise of his glorious justice r. VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predeftination us. VII. Mat. xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and faid, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes, v. 26. even so, Father, for so it seem-... ed good in thy fight. Rom. ix. 17. For the scripture faith unto Pharaoh, Even for this fame purpose is have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. v. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will, he hardneth. v. 21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the fame lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? v. 22. What if God, willing to thew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longfuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this feal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. v. 20. But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and of filver, but alfo of wood, and of earth; and fome to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in una-wares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lafcivioufness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being difobedient, whereunto also they are appointed. VIII. Rom. 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 t. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God v; and of humility, diligence, and abundant confolation to all that fincerely obey the Gospel w. IT CHAP. IV. Of Creation. T pleased God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost a, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wif dom, VIII. Rom. ix. 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. xi. 33. 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... 1 12 Pet. i. 1o. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall neyer fall. v 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 following.) ... w Rom. xi. 5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. v. 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 it is no more grace: otherwife work is no more work. v. 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 t immedi-" ately foregoing.) Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods 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... I. a Heb. i. 2. Hath in these laft 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 fame was in the beginning with God. v. 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 fpirit he hath garnished the heavens: his hand hath formed the crooked ferpent. Job xxxiii. 4. The fpirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Rom. dom, 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 fix days, and all very good c. II. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and femaled, with reasonable and immortal soulse, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own imagef, having the law of God written in their heartsg, and power to fulfil it b; and yet under a possibility of tranfgreffing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change i. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures 1. 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; fo 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 difcretion. Pfal. civ. 24. Ο Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom haft thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Pfal. xxxiii. 5. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. v. 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. II. d Gen. i. 27. So God created and man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. e Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the duft of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living foul. With Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. And Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus faid unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And Mat. x. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the foul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both foul and body in hell. f Gen. i. 26. And God faid, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the fea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, and true holiness. g Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contamed in the law, these having not the law, are C4 a law G CHAP. V. Of Providence. OD, the great creator of all things, doth uphold a, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things a law unto themselves: v.15.which thew the work of the law written in their hearts, their confcience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accufing, or elfe excufing one another. b Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have fought out many inventions. i Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman faw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be defired to make one wife; the took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave alfo unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Eccl. vii. 29. (See letter bimmediately foregoing.) k Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt furely die. Gen. iii. 18. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the prefence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. v. 9. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and faid unto him, Where art thou? v. 10. And he faid, I heard thy voice in the garden: and I was afraid, becaufe I was naked: and I hid myself. v. 11. And he faid, Who told thee that thou wait naked? Haft thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee, that thou shouldest not eat? v. 23. Therefore the Lord God fent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence he was taken. 1 Gen. i. 26. And God faid, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fith of the fea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, v. 28. And God blessed them, and God faid unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and fubdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the fea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. I. a Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his perfon, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our fins, fat down on the |