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.
( a Isa 46:10; Eph 1:11; Heb 6:17; Rom 9:15,18; b Jam 1:13; 1Jo 1:5; cAct 4:27-28; Joh 19:11; d Num 23:19; Eph 1:3-5)
2 Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all esupposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, fbecause he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
( eAct 15:18; f Rom 9:11,13,16,18)
3 By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, gsome men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the hpraise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their ijust condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
( g 1Ti 5:21; Mat 25:34; h Eph 1:5-6; i Rom 9:22-23; Jude 4)
4 These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their knumber so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished. ( k 2Ti 2:19; Joh 13:18)
5 Those of mankind l that are predestinated to 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, mwithout any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto. ( l Eph 1:4,9,11; Rom 8:30; 2Ti 1:9; 1Th 5:9; m Rom 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 nall the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, oare redeemed by Christ, are effectually pcalled unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in
due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith qunto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect ronly.
( n 1Pe 1:2; 2Th 2:13; o1Th 5:9-10; p Rom 8:30; 2Th 2:13;
q1Pe 1:5; rJoh 10:26, 17:9, 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 seternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter tof praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and uof humility, diligence, and xabundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
( s 1Th 1:4-5; 2Pe 1:10; t Eph 1:6; Rom 11:33; u Rom 11:5-6,20; x Luk 10:20)