Page images
PDF
EPUB

Obser. I. All the dispensations and operations of God are conducted according to a plan laid down in his own purpose and decree-" who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." With this general observation, and founded upon it, stands another of a more special nature; viz.

persons or parties have entertain- | vidence, and redemption! That ed with regard to the subject be- the design proposed in all his fore us, or of the controversies works might be infallibly effectwhich have been agitated con-ed, he digested the plan of the cerning it, but endeavour to lay whole in his own eternal thoughts, before you the doctrine of scrip- and established it by his decree. ture with the greatest plainness, Hence it is said, Known unto and the clearest evidence I am God are all his works from the able. Without any particular at- beginning of the world, Acts tention to the context, I appre-xv. 18. His omniscient eye comhend that the text affords us manded a full view of every thing these important observations. within the bounds of possibility; his wisdom decided what creatures should be called into existence, in what situations they should be respectively placed, and what events should take place from the birth of time to the dissolution of the world. The truth of this doctrine depends on the truth and certainty of a Providence. If Divine Providence concerns itself in the minutest as well as in the greatest events; as the great God cannot form any new designs, what he acts must be the accomplishment of an eternal purpose. But when the blessed God is represented as concerting the plan of his works, we are not to imagine that it required the least degree of painful study; for to the infinite mind every object is at once present, nor can it feel the least degree of embarrassment or uncertainty,

Obs. II. The purpose of God in a very peculiar manner embraces as its object the everlasting state of those that shall be saved. 66 Being predestinated."

-

Respecting the first and general Observation, the following propositions will fully express my idea of it, and I trust will contain the idea conveyed to us by the sacred scriptures.

Prop. 1. The Lord has laid down in his eternal thoughts, the scheme and plan of all his works.

2. The decree which regulates all the works of God, originates in his own sovereign good pleasure.

He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. iv. 35. But what do we mean to assert, when we maintain, that the purpose of

No prudent man will embark in any design which is great and important, without first of all digesting the scheme of it. He considers, in the first place, the end itself which he proposes; and then chooses the means which are best suited for its accomplishment and in this consist principally the wisdom and pru-God is absolute and sovereign? dence by which one man is distinguished from another. But how vast and momentous are the works of God, in creation, in pro

Not that the blessed God acts. capriciously, after the manner of human tyrants! Let not such a dishonourable thought be ever

connexion and harmony to ac complish some valuable ends. But, though we cannot compre

ordinate ends; but this we must ever allow to be the first and chief. To accomplish this, an amazing number of agents are employed in heaven and on earth, and every part of the creation; the powers and operations of these agents are very various, and in some instances opposite the one to the other; yet the whole is so over-ruled by the great Sove

entertained in our breasts! For in the deepest of God's counsels, and the obscurest of his dispensations, the measures of his go-hend the structure and use of vernment are conducted with the every part, when we see the mo highest wisdom; and though we tion and effect of the whole, we may be unable to account for the conclude that the inventor conreasons of his conduct, yet are structed it according to a single we to assure ourselves, that it is plan or idea of the whole. Now directed by infinite wisdom, and the designs of God are all direct. the highest reason. But by the ed to his own glory as the ultisovereignty of his purpose we in-mate end. There are other subtend, that his determinations are guided by the free choice of his own will. It is true, there are enemies who attempt to prevent the execution of his designs, and to interrupt and disturb the plan of his operations; but they cannot affect his purposes, nor cause him to adopt one measure contrary to the choice of his own will. The enemies of God, even when guilty of the utmost oppo-reign of all, as to accomplish the sition, are unintentionally accomplishing his purposes; as is most remarkably evident in the death of Christ. Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and with wicked hands have crucified and slain, Acts ii. 23. 3. Though the designs and operations of God are so various and complex as to the objects of them, yet through the mutual connexion and dependence of every part, the whole tends to one end; so that the plan is but one, and the decree but one.

I am sensible that what has been advanced by some speculative divines respecting the unity of the divine decree, tends rather to perplex an abstruse subject, than to assist the judgment of the illiterate. Yet the unity of the decree is an important idea, and capable of illustration. We may conceive of a machine of a very complex nature, containing a great number of parts, moving in

end he proposed, and to issue in his own glory. Vast therefore as the plan is, in the mind of God it was conceived at once, and dwells there as one simple idea.

4. In the plan itself, as well as the execution of it, the wisdom and holiness and justice of God are eminently displayed.

We have asserted the absolute sovereignty of God in the formation of his decrees; yet this does in no degree obscure the lustre of any of his perfections. He is wise in counsel, as well as mighty in strength. Holy and reverend is his name, just and true are all his ways. As to the view of mortals, clouds and darkness surround his throne; yet justice and judgment are the habitation thereof; mercy and truth go before his face. We must, however, acknowledge, that in this particular, our faith must rest on the perfections of his nature, and the testimony of his word. For events may take place, the wisdom and

propriety of which we are not able to perceive, and which it

finally see, that this gracious God has connected our everlasting may be difficult for us to recon-happiness with the illustration of his own glory.

Obs. III. The purpose of God, in a very peculiar manner, embraces as its object the everlasting state of those that shall

cile with the attributes of his na-
ture. But it is no way strange
that the particular parts of a de-
sign so vast and comprehensive,
should baffle the conceptions of
such imperfect creatures. How-be saved.
ever, let us rest in this persuasion,
that a God of infinite wisdom
presides over the world; and that
when the plan is completely exe-
cuted, we shall admire the pro-
priety and beauty of the whole.

5. The divine decrees are immutable and infallible.

Weak men are often obliged to alter the designs they have formed, and even to abandon them, from a want of ability to execute them. But it is not so with the blessed God. Why should he alter the decree he has once made? Can any thing new come to his knowledge, or with which he was not before acquainted? With sacred reverence I would speak it, there is not an idea in the divine mind now, which was not there from eternity. The plan which infinite Wisdom has once formed, can never be improved. And since Omnipotence is intrusted with the execution, it must certainly and infallibly be accomplished. Therefore he himself has said, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Fallen men may join with apostate spirits in counteracting his designs; yet even this will conspire to the accomplishment of the universal plan. Upon the whole, the Lord reigneth, let his people rejoice. Let us confess and adore the divine sovereignty; with submission let us bow to every dispensation; in pious resignation let us wait for the winding up of the vast design; and we shall

This is the branch of our subject which requires our most particular attention. But should I attempt to handle it according to its importance, I should necessarily trespass too much on your time; I must therefore endeavour to lay before you a very compendious view of it.

I shall give you my view of the doctrine of election in this general definition of it.

Definition. By election I understand a gracious divine purpose, whereby, out of the free mercy and sovereign good pleasure of God, a definite number of the fallen race of man are predestinated to obtain grace here, and glory hereafter.

I wish you to observe that this is the light in which I undertake to vindicate the doctrine; and I will venture to assert, that this is not the light in which it has generally been opposed: another representation has been given of it, in order to render it absurd, and to expose it to ridicule. I would also observe, that the number of those who shall be finally and eventually saved, is not affected by this doctrine. For that a certain number and not all mankind shall be saved, is generally acknowledged; and that number, as well as the individuals belonging to it, is this moment, yea, was from all eternity, as well known to the blessed God, as it shall be when the everlasting fate of all has been determined in the day of judgment.

That those who are foreknown | maintains, if not his very words, of God as heirs of blessedness is to this effect: "If God when shall certainly enjoy it, all will admit. The only question therefore is, Whether their salvation, as to the certainty of it, is to be ascribed to the determination of the free-will of man, or to the sovereign purpose and grace of God. The latter I have asserted, and hope by scriptural arguments to establish; and in order to this I shall attempt to illustrate and confirm the several ideas included in the Definition.

1. Election is a divine purpose or decree. This scarcely needs confirmation. See Rom. ix. 11; That the purpose of God according to election, might stand. I might collect other proofs; but it is needless, as I am not sensible that the proposition has ever been disputed. But whilst in words it is allowed, the force of it is evaded, by insinuating, "that it means no more, than that God has determined that the godly shall be saved." According to this, the purpose of election will mean no more, than "that God has delineated in the scriptures the character of those who shall be saved, and decreed that as many as answer that character shall obtain salvation." But this will be sufficiently refuted, if in the sequel I am able to show, that the acquiring of the christian character is the result and effect of election.

he resolved to pass them by, had viewed them as sinners, and not merely as creatures, the decree would have been an act of justice, and not of sovereignty." I mention this merely, that it might be understood, that it is not in this light I maintain the doctrine. That in the choice of his people God considered them as in a state of sin and misery, is sufficiently evident from this consideration, that it is referred to his grace. See Rom. xi. 5; There is a remnant according to the election of grace. Now every candid person must allow, that in the style of the New Testament, the term grace includes all that is implied in mercy, though it expresses more than mere mercy. Besides, the objects of election are called the vessels of mercy. And the very text, which of all others. most strongly asserts the sovereignty of God's purpose, ascribes it to his mercy. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, Rom. ix. 16. God made man upright, and crowned him with honour, by investing him with his own image; but man fell from this state, and involved his whole race in guilt and misery. In this deplorable condition God saw us lying helpless and hopeless. When he saw, he pitied; in infinite compassion he resolved, that all should not perish, but that a divine relief should be provided.

3. Election is not merely the appointment of families and nations to enjoy the means of salvation, but of certain individuals to enjoy actual salvation.

2. Men as fallen into sin and misery are the objects of election. Some have very loudly asserted, that the decree which determines the everlasting state of men, viewed them merely as creatures, and not reduced by the fall into a state of sin and misery. Nay, one author has very particu-. A very celebrated author, who Jarly asserted this, with respect to has written in opposition to this the non-elect. The sentiment he doctrine, has asserted, "that the

distinguishing titles by which | chosen would have been the christians are denominated in the same persons, and no distinction New Testament, such as elect, could have been made betwixt called, justified, adopted, and them. The words of the apostle sanctified, are to be explained by Paul are parallel, The election the manner in which similar titles hath obtained it, und the rest were are applied, in the Old Testament, blinded, Rom. xi. 7. The aposto the body of the Jewish church tle, after treating largely of the and nation; and that this is the great blessing of justification, true key which will enable us to observes, that the Gentiles which enter into the meaning of the followed not after righteousness, apostolical writings, and especial- have attained to righteousness, ly the epistles of Paul." The even the righteousness which is apostle Peter expresses the privi- of faith; but Israel, which folleges of christians in this very lowed after the law of righteousstriking language; Ye are a ness, hath not attained to the law chosen generation, a royal priest-of righteousness, Rom. ix. 30, 31. hood, a holy nation, a peculiar But after indulging his grief over people. But the Lord uses very the infidelity of the Jews, he comsimilar language respecting the forts himself that they were not Jewish nation; If ye will obey all in that melancholy case. What my voice, &c. then ye shall be a then? That is, The whole body of peculiar treasure unto me, above the Jewish nation did not obtain all people and ye shall be a justification by faith but the kingdom of priests, and a holy election hath obtained it, and nation. Compare 1 Pet. ii. 9, the rest were blinded. I therewith Exod. xix. 5, 6. Hence it is fore appeal to every one, whether inferred, that these titles belong the apostle does not refer the disto christian professors at large, or tinction which took place betwixt the visible church; and that they the believing and the unbelieving express not their certain salva-Jews, to the election of grace as tion, but the enjoyment of those the cause of it. The consequence means and privileges, the wise is therefore most evident, that the improvement of which will ter-election which caused this difminate in salvation. This interference must be personal. For pretation is supposed in this res- since the outward means of salvapect to be more reasonable, since tion were brought indiscriminateit cannot be thought that those ly to them all, election cannot christian societies did not contain be considered as the reason of some unsound professors, or hy- the difference, without allowing pocrites. But however plausible it to be personal. this sentiment may appear, the scriptures will sufficiently estab-confirmation, when it is added, lish the contrary doctrine, as as that the ultimate end and object serted in the proposition before of election is eternal salvation. I would first refer you to This follows evidently from that the words of Christ himself; remarkable text, Whom he pre Many are called, but few are destinated, &c. them he also glochosen, Matt. xxii. 14. Now if rified, Rom. viii. 30; where election intended no more than these distinguishing privileges are the enjoyment of the means of placed in such a connexion, as salvation, the called and the shows the final glorification of

us.

But this will receive a farther

« PreviousContinue »