1. That this view is self-consistent and harmonious. As all the decrees of God are one comprehensive purpose, no view of the rela- tion of the details embraced in that purpose which does not admit of their being reduced to unity can be admitted. In every great mech- anism, whatever the number or complexity of its parts, there must be unity of design. Every part bears a given relation to every other part, and the perception of that relation is necessary to a proper understanding of the whole. Again, as the decrees of God are eternal and immutable, no view of his plan of operation which supposes Him to purpose first one thing and then another can bo consistent with their nature. And as God is absolutely sovereign and independent, all his purposes must be determined from within or according to the counsel of his own will. They cannot be sup- posed to be contingent or suspended on the action of his creatures, or upon anything out of Himself. The infralapsarian scheme, as held by most Augustinians, fulfils all these conditions. All the particulars form one comprehensive whole. All follow in an order which supposes no change of purpose ; and all depend on the infi- nitely wise, holy, and righteous will of God. The final end is the glory of God. For that end He creates the world, allows the fall ; from among fallen men He elects some to everlasting life, and leaves the rest to the just recompense of their sins. Whom He elects He calls, justifies, and glorifies. This is the golden chain the links of which cannot be separated or transposed. This is the form in which the scheme of redemption lay in the Apostle's mind as he teaches us in Rom. viii. 29, 30.
Different Meanings assigned the Word Predestination.
2. There is an ambiguity in the word predestination. It may be used, first, in the general sense of foreordination. In this sense it has equal reference to all events ; for God foreordains whatever comes to pass. Secondly, it may refer to the genei-al purpose of redemption without reference to particular individuals. God predetermined to reveal his attributes in redeeming sinners, as He