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1. Quest. ARE God's Decrees any Thing distinct from God?
A. No: They are the decreeing God himself, so that his Understanding and Will are exercised in determining Things without him.
2. Q When hath God formed his Decrees?
A. From Eternity. Acts 15.18. Known unto God are all his Works from the Beginning of the World (or from Eternity).
3. Q Are the Decrees of God free?
A. Yes, Matt. 11.26. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy Sight.
4. Q. Are they wise Decrees?
A. Yes: Rom. 11.33. O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways past finding out!
5. Q. Are they changeable?
A. No they are unchangeable. Isaiah 46.10. Declaring the End from the Beginning, and from antient Times the Things that are not yet done, saying MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND, AND I WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE.
6. Q. To what do the Decrees of God extend?
A. They extend to all Things. Eph. 1.11. In whom also we have obtained an Inheritance, being predestinated according to the Purpose of him who worketh ALL THINGS, AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL.
7. Q. Are there conditional Degrees, which depend on the free Will of Man?
A. No; But there are such as depend on a Condition, wherein God hath also decreed, and which he himself infalli∣bly brings about; Thus (for Instance) God had decreed to save Peter on Condition of Faith and Repentance, but at the same Time God had decreed in due Time to work; and ac∣tually wrought Faith and Repentance in him.
1. Q. Hath God decreed who shall be saved, and who not?
A. Yes
2. Q. How is that Decree called?
A. Predestination or Fore-ordaining. Rom. 8.30. More∣over whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom
he called he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
3. How many Acts of God must we therein take Notice of?
A. Two, Election and Reprobation. 1 Thes. 5.9. God hath not appointed us to Wrath, but to obtain Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. Q. When did God make this Election?
A. From Eternity. Eph. 1.4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World, that we should be Holy and without Blame before him in Love.
5. Q. Is this general, are all Men elected?
A. No; the smallest Number, Matt. 20.16. Many are called but few are chosen.
6. Q. Is this Election concerning certain Individual Persons, known to God by Name?
A. Yes; Rom. 9.13. Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated.
7. Q. What is the Reason of God's choosing the one and not the other.
A. Only Gods free and sovereign Pleasure. Rom. 9.13. Therefore he hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
8. Q. Is it not then on Account of foreseen Faith or good Works?
A. No. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that run∣neth, but of God that sheweth Mercy. Rom. 9.16.
9. Q. Is there no Severity or Injustice in this?
A. No; For God could very justly have let all Mankind perish.
10. Q. Is this Election changeable?
A. No; It is unchangeable. Rom. 9.11. For the Children being not yet born, neither having done any Good or Evil, that the Purpose of God according to Election might stand, not of Works but of him that calleth.
11. Q. Doth it not follow from hence that it is all one how we live?
A. No; For God hath decreed the Means, as well as the End. Rom. 8.29, 30. For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many Brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified: And whom he justified, them he also glorified.
12. Q. What if an Elect Person should refuse to use the Means?
A. God gives them an hearty Desire to will the Use of Means, Phil. 2.13. For it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good Pleasure.
13. Q. What are the Signs of Election?
A. Faith, Hope, and Love. 1 Thes. 1.3.4. Remem∣bring without ceasing, your Work of Faith and Labour of Love, and Patience of Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sight of God, and our Father: Knowing Brethren, Beloved, your Election of God.
14. Q. To what End doth this Doctrine of Predestination serve?
A. It serves to the Glory of God, in his supreme Sovereign∣ty, Independency, Wisdom, Grace, Righteousness and Truth. Rom. 11.33. O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways past finding out. And for humbling of Man, Rom. 9.20, 21. Nay but, O Man who art thou that repliest against God? shall the Thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the Potter Power over the Clay of the same Lump to make one Vessel unto Honour and another unto Dishonour? 1 Cor. 4.7. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not re∣ceived it?