The summe of Christian doctrine written originally in Latine by John Gerhard ... and translated by Ralph Winterton ...

CHAP. VII. Wherein are contained The∣ologicall Aphorismes con∣cerning Election and Reprobation. (Book 7)

1 PRedestination is a certain peculiar act of the divine Providence, about the sal∣vation of men.

2 By it the reasonable creature is di∣rected to an end which exceedeth in proportion, to wit, unto eternall life.

3 In which sense Predestination is made part of the divine Providence. Thom. p. 1. qu. 23. art. 1.

2 The doctrine of Predestination is not to be involved or concealed in the cloud of silence, seeing that it is in Scri∣pture evolved or revealed by the Holy Ghost.

5 But we must handle it soberly, re∣verently, and prudently.

6 Let us speak, not what, and as much as the curiositie of mans heart de∣sireth: but what, and asmuch as the Ho∣ly Ghost teacheth.

7 Predestination or Election is cal∣led, The Enrolling, Registring, or wri∣ting of our names into the Book of life.

8 But yet this Book of life serveth not to put God in mind of some, lest he forget them: but it signifies the Pre∣destination of those which shall inherit everlasting life. Aug. 20. de Civ. Dei, cap. 15.

9 As therefore none of those that are elected do perish: So of those that have their names written in the Book of life, none are ever blotted out.

10 But they are Properly, and ac∣cording to the phrase of Scripture said to be written in the Book of life, who cleave unto Christ by Faith and Perse∣verance.

11 Election as well as Creation is the immediate action of one and the onely true God alone.

12 Which belongeth also to the Sonne of God, not onely as he is one with the Father and the Holy Ghost, but

also as he is appointed to be the Media∣tour.

13 In which sense we are said to b•• elected not onely by Christ, but also i•• Christ. Ephes. 1.4.

14 And it is an Action, not Em••∣nant but Immanent.

15 And it is also Ordinate: whenc•• it is, that the elect are said to be ordain∣ed to eternall Life. Act. 13.48.

16 The reason and manner of th•• order is made manifest unto us by th•• Gospel: by which the Mystery of o•••• salvation, which was kept secret since the world began, is now made manifest. Rom. 16.26, 27.

17 In which sense we are said to b•• elected according to the Purpose and Foreknowledge of God. Ephes. 1.11. and 1. Pet. 1.2.

18 That Purpose is the counsel and good pleasure of God concerning the salvation of men, by faith on Christ.

19 Gods Election is merely of his grace, not according to any merits of works foreseen.

20 The onely cause and foundation of this grace, is Christ. In him the belo∣ved we are freely beloved Ephes. 1.6.

21 But inasmuch as Christ profits

no man without Faith: Therefore the mention of Christ in this businesse doth include the action of Faith.

22 In which sense we are said to be elected not onely in Christ, but also through Faith. 2. Thess. 2.13.

23 Again, Because the end of Faith (I do not mean such Faith as is tem∣••orarie, and endureth but for a time; ••ut that which persevereth and conti∣nueth unto the end) is Eternall Life: Therefore, when we name Faith, we understand Perseverance also.

24 The end of Election in respect of our selves, is sanctification in the kingdome of Grace, and glorification in the kingdome of Glory.

25 The end of our Election in respect of God, is the glory of God, and the clear manifestation of his mercy.

26 God willeth and earnestly wil∣leth the life of a sinner: but he willeth also his conversion by the word and the Holy Spirit.

27 If the sinner refuseth and reject∣eth the word, and resisteth the Holy Spirit, and so is not converted: then God willeth the death of the sinner, and that most justly.

28 These things are not repugnant,

the one to the other; but do manifest unto us the wonderfull temper of God•• mercie and justice.

29 What some produce, concerning the hidden will of God, contrary to hi•• will revealed in his word: That inas∣much as it is not revealed, is not with∣out just cause hidden from the godly.

30 Neither doth God in word onel•• testifie unto us that he earnestly desired the salvation of all men; but also i•• deed and in truth.

31 The first Adam was created af∣ter the Image of God: whereof immo••∣tality was a part.

32 All men were in the loins o•• their first Father Adam: Therefore i•• him they may be all said to have bee•• created after the Image of God unt•• immortalitie.

33 What Christ by his preciou•• bloudshedding purchased for all, th•• the Holy Ghost in the precious treasur•• of the word offereth unto all.

34 The Gospel is offered unto all▪ & in the Gospel, the benefits of Christ and in them, the grace of God; and i•• that, eternall life.

35 And thus the love of the Father, the satisfaction of the Sonne, and the

calling of the Holy Ghost are alvvaies ••oyned together.

36 That calling in it self, and of it self, in respect of God which calleth, is Universall: For it is his good will and pleasure that the Gospel should be preached unto all.

37 But it is made Particular by the ••ault of men, who by their detestable contempt of the word rob themselves ••nd their posteritie of so great a trea∣sure.

38 In which sense such are said to ••udge themselves unworthy of everlast∣••ng Life. Acts 13.46.

39 If we descend unto particulars: we confesse that there are many things ••et obscure, which hereafter shall be made manifest unto all in the light of glory.

40 Neither is the Grace of God, which calleth all, to be depressed: nor ••he Power of Free-will accepting Grace ••o be extolled.

41 Let the salvation of men be ac∣knowledged to be the mere gift of Gods grace: But let the damnation of men be attributed merely to their own fault.

42 The judgements of God we must

alwaies acknowledge to be just, al∣though they are not alwaies manifest unto us.

43 Gods grace preventeth and pre∣pareth us before we can be able; it worketh in us, that we may be able; and it worketh with us, whensoever by his gift we are enabled to do any thing that is good.

44 As God in time doth justifie men and save them: So also from al•• eternitie he decreed to justifie them and save them.

45 The action of God in time is a•• it were a Glasse wherin we may behold his decree concerning that action mad•• from all eternitie.

46 The reason whereof is, the im∣mutabilitie of his divine will.

47 Therefore as God saveth al•• those and onely those that with perseve∣rance beleeve on Christ in time: So al∣so he purposed from all eternitie to save all those and onely those that with per∣severance unto the end shall beleeve on Christ, that is, He elected them unto eternall life.

48 Therefore let us with sobrietie beginne the doctrine and meditation of Predestination from the wounds o•• Christ.

49 In the light of the word there shineth unto us the true light which is Christ; and in Christ, the love of God electing us unto salvation.

50 Without the path and light of the word, whatsoever we can think or imagine in our hearts, whatsoever we can speak or utter with our lips, is but darknesse and errour.

51 But on the other side if we fol∣low the light of the word, we shall neither decline to the right hand of presumptuous temeritie, nor to the left hand of carnall securitie.