πρὸ—EPH. i.

* 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:

ἀπ ̓ ἀρχῆς.—2 THESS. ii. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 TIM. i.

πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the

prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher

of the Gentiles.

Tрò-I COR. ii.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Three other instances:

ȧT'-LUKE i.

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

άn'-ACTS iii.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive

ACTS xv.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

(c) Even their wicked acts: ACTS ii.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of and signs, which God did by him in the God among you by miracles and wonders midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 2 for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

DAN. iv.

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation : 35 and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and 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?

5. Prove the universality of God's decrees from providence?

(a) It follows from the eternity, immutability, wisdom, foreknowledge, and power of God:

EPH. i.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein

8

he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

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:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. ACTS XV.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the the world.

(6) Scripture and reason teach us that God's government comprehends everything as a whole, and every event in detail:

PROV. XVI.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

DAN. iv.

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and 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?

MATT. X.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

11. What are the objections to attributing conditional decrees to God?

(a) God's decrees are immutable, and do not depend upon uncertain or unforeseen conditions:

ISAIAH xiv.

24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: 25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him

(b) A conditional decree would subvert the Sovereignty of God, and make His acts dependent upon the uncontrollable acts of His creatures:

ISAIAH xli.

Behold, all they that were incensed

against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

is Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 14 Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

DAN. iv.

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation :

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and 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?

ROM. ix.

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 14 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For

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 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him :

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:

ROM. ix.

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 :)