* First, In respect of their objects; for whereas the decree of provi- dence compreliendeth his intentions towards all the works of his hands, predestination respecteth only rational creatures.
Secondly, In regard of their ends; for whereas his providence di- recteth all creatures in general to those several ends to which at length they are brought, whether they are proportioned unto their na- ture or exceeding the sphere of their natural activity, predestination is exercised only in directiug rational creatures to supernatural ends: so that, in general, it is the counsel, decree, or jmrpose of Almighty God concernhig the last and supernatural end of his rational crea-
54 A DISPLAY OF ARMINIANISM.
hires, to he accomjylished for the praise of his glory. But this also must receive a double restriction before we come precisely to what we in this place aim at: and these again in regard of the objects or the ends thereof.
The object of predestination is all rational creatures. Now, these are either angels or men. Of angels I shall not treat. Secondly, The end by it provided for them is either eternal happiness or eternal misery. I speak only of the former, — the act of God's predestination transmitting men to everlasting happiness: and in this restrained sense it differs not at all from election, and we may use them as synonyma, terms of the same importance ; though, by some affirming that God predestinateth them to faith whom he hath chosen, they seem to be distinguished as the decrees of the end, and the means conducing thereunto, whereof the first is election, intending the end, and then takes place predestination, providing the means. But this exact distinction appeareth not directly in the Scripture.
This election the word of God proposeth unto us as the gracious, immutable decree of Almighty God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, out of his oivn good 'pleasure, he chose certain men, determi7iing to free them from sin and misery, to bestow upon them grace and faith, to give them unto Christ, to bring them to everlast- ing blessedness, for the praise of his glorious grace; or, as it is expressed in our church articles, " Predestination to life is the ever- lasting purpose of God, whereby, before the foundations of the world were laid, he hath constantly decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ unto everlasting salvation, as vessels made unto honour; wherefore, they who are en- dued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God's purpose," etc.
Now, to avoid proHxity, I will annex only such annotations as may clear the sense and confirm the truth of the article by the Scrip- tures, and show briefly how it is overthrown by the Arminians in every particular thereof: —
First, The article, consonantly to the Scripture, affirmeth that it is an eternal decree, made before the foundations of the world were laid; so that by it we must needs be chosen before we were born, before we have done either good or evil. Tlie words of the article are clear, and so also is the Scripture: "He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world," Eph. i. 4; " The children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, it was said," etc., Bom. ix. 11, 12; "We are called with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own pui-joose and grace, Avhich was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Tim. i. i).
PREDESTINATION CORRUPTED BY ARMINIANS. 55
Now, from hence it would undoubtedly follow that no good thing in us can be the cause of our election, for every cause must in order pre- cede its effect ; but all things whereof we by any means are partakers, inasmuch as they are oui'S, are temporary, and so cannot be the cause of that which is eternal. Things with that qualification must have reference to the sole will and good pleasure of God ; which reference would break the neck of the Arminian election. Wherefore, to pre- vent such a fatal ruin, they deny the principle, — to wit, that election is eternal.^ So the Remonstrants, in their Apology: ^"Complete election regardeth none but him that is dying; for this peremptory election decreeth the whole accomplishment and consummation of salvation, and therefore requireth in the object the finished course of faith and obedience," saith Grevinchovius ; which is to make God's election nothing but an act of his justice, approving our obedience, and such an act as is incident to any weak man, who knows not what will happen in the next hour that is yet for to come. And is tliis jjost-destination that which is proposed to us in the Scripture as the unsearchable fountain of all God's love towards us in Christ? " Yea,"^ say they, " we acknowledge no other predestination to be re- vealed in the gospel besides that whereby God decreeth to save them who should persevere in faith;" that is, God's determination con- cerning their salvation is pendulous, until he find by experience that they will persevere in obedience. But I wonder why, seeing elec- tion is confessedly one of the greatest expressions of God's infinite goodness, love, and mercy towards us, if it follow our obedience, we have it not, like all other blessings and mercies, promised unto us. Is it not because such propositions as these, " Believe, Peter, and con- tinue in the faith unto the end, and I will choose thee before the foundation of the world," are fitter for the writings of the Arminians than the word of God? Neither will we be their rivals in such an election, as from whence no fruit,^ no effect, no consolation can be derived to any mortal man, whilst he lives in this world.