A Golden Chain

The contrary to this their doctrine is most true. Namely, that the decree of God concerning every mans eternal both salvation & damnation, is from all eternity, set down, and immutable. The reasons. I. Testimonies of scripture. Rom. 11.29. The gifts and calling of God they are, [Greek or Hebrew], such as are without repentance. Mat. 24.24. There shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets: and shall do great signs and miracles, so that (if it were possible) they should deceive even the elect. Rom. 8.33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? it is God that justifieth, who shall condemn? 2. Tim. 2.19. The foundation of god standeth sure, and hath this seal, the Lord knoweth who are his. II. Election & reprobation they are in God, not in men: now there can be nothing in God which is not immutable. Mal. 3.6. I Jehovah am not changed. Isaiah 46.10. My counsel shall stand, and I will do whatsoever I will. III. If this Popish conclusion should be granted, then would it follow of necessity, that the foreknowledge of God must be made void, his power weakened, and his will changed, each of which is impious once to dream of. For he which changeth his coū sell, or his will, doth therefore change it either because he at the length seeth that he might have taken better advise, or else in that he seeth that he could not bring his former purpose about as he would. Either of these are far from our Lord God. IV. If we resolve that the counsel of God is any ways mutable, it will by this come to pass that every man must be uncertain whether he be predestinate to life or not: whereby that notable stay & ground of our full assurance to be saved, is utterly shaken & overturned. Wherefore let this truth be maintained of us, namely, that both the election and reprobation of God stand immutable, so that neither the elect can become reprobates, nor the reprobates elect; and consequently neither these be saved, nor they condemned.