The doctrine thus stated is capable of the fullest proof,
1. From reason —
[God is a Being of infinite perfection. But he could not be independent if the accomplishment of his purposes depended on our free-will ; nor omniscient, if he did not know how we should act ; nor immutable, because his knowledge must in- crease with a succession of events e. Again, It is ordained, that man shall never have whereof to boast before Godf. But if the doctrine of election be not true, man may boast that he has made himself to differ s. Again, Jesus Christ must have a seed to serve him. But if none are elected of God, it may happen that none will choose God; and thus Christ may have shed his blood in vain.]'
2. From Scripture —
[In the Old Testament we find that God had a peculiar people, and that some from among them were chosen by him to particular stations'1. Nor can any argument be brought against God's election of men to eternal life, which will not be equally valid against the right he has confessedly exercised in choosing them to the enjoyment of the means of grace. In the Neiv Testament, we are plainly told that some of the Jews were chosen to special and saving mercies1: they were called in time, in consequence of having been predestinated from etemityk. God had no respect to any works of theirs, either done by them, or foreseen by him ; but simply to his own eternal purpose1. St. Paul not only argues this point at large, but, conceiving that he has fully established it, he lays it down as an incontrovertible truth, that the salvation of every man is entirely owing to the grace and mercy of God"1.]
3. From experience —
[Whence is it that so small a part of the world is evan- gelized ? or that the persons who, according to human appear- ance, are least likely to receive the Gospel, are still, as in the early ages, the first to embrace it? Whence is it too that
e It is not sufficient to say that He foresees every thing, though he has not fore-ordained it ; for if things be uncertain, they cannot be foreseen ; and if they be certain, they cannot but be fore-ordained, since the certain operation of every distinct cause must be traced up to the first great Cause of all.
f Rom. hi. 27. 1 Cor. i. 31.
p Contrary to 1 Cor. iv. 7. before quoted.
h Levi to the priesthood, David to the throne, tic.
' Rom. xi. 5, 7. k Rom. viii. 30. ' '2 Tim. i. 9.
m Rom. ix. 16.