Chapter 3: Of Gods Eternall Decree

God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy Counsell of his own Will, freely, and unchangeably ordaine whatsoever comes to passe:^a yet so as thereby neither is God the Author of sin,^b nor is violence offered to the will of the Creatures, nor is the Liberty or contingencie of second Causes taken away, but rather established.^c

God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy Counsel of his own Will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass:^a yet so as thereby neither is God the Author of sin,^b nor is violence offered to the will of the Creatures, nor is the Liberty or contingency of second Causes taken away, but rather established.^c

Although God knows whatsoever may, or can come to passe upon all supposed conditions,^a yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to passe upon such conditions.^b

Although God knows whatsoever may, or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions,^a yet has he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.^b

By the Decree of God, for the manifestation of his Glory, some men and Angels^a are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.^b

By the Decree of God, for the manifestation of his Glory, some men and Angels^a are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.^b

These Angels and men thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.^a

These Angels and men thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.^a

Those of man-kinde that are predestinated unto Life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternall and immutable purpose, and the secret Counsell and good pleasure of his Will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory,^a out of his meer free grace and love, without any fore-sight of Faith, or Good-works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto:^b and all, to the praise of his glorious grace.^c

Those of mankind that are predestinated unto 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, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory,^a out of his mere free grace and love, without any fore-sight of Faith, or Good-works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto:^b and all, to the praise of his glorious grace.^c

As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory; so hath he, by the eternall and most free purpose of his Will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto.^a Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,^b are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,^c and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.^d Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved; but the Elect only.^e

As God has appointed the Elect unto glory; so has he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his Will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto.^a Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,^b are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,^c and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.^d Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved; but the Elect only.^e

The rest of man-kinde God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsell of his own Will, whereby he extendeth, or with-holdeth mercy, as he pleaseth, for the glory of his Soveraign Power over his creatures, to passe by; and, to ordain them to dishonour and wrath, for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.^a

The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own Will, whereby he extends, or with-holds mercy, as he pleases, for the glory of his Sovereign Power over his creatures, to pass by; and, to ordain them to dishonor and wrath, for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.^a

The Doctrine of this high Mystery of Predestination is to be handled with speciall prudence and care,^a that men attending the Will of God revealed in his Word, and yeelding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectuall Vocation, be assured of their eternall Election.^b So shall this Doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God,^c and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.^d

The Doctrine of this high Mystery of Predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,^a 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.^b So shall this Doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God,^c and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.^d