The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

But before we proceed¹ to the further unfolding of it, let us, for our better understanding, distinguish these words, Purpose, Predestination, and Prescience, or Fore-knowledge, a word which in this Argument we often meet withal.

But before we proceed¹ to the further vnfolding of it, let vs, for our better vnderstāding, distinguish these words, Purpose, Predestination, and Prescience, or Fore-knowledge, a word which in this Argument we often meet withall.

1. 1Those which make the name of Predestination proper to the Elect, as though God had not predestinated the Reprobate, but only foreknown that they should be such, whereas Predestination is spoken of wicked actions, Acts 4. 28. and the word equivalent thereunto [Greek or Hebrew] (fore-appointed) is used for reprobation, Ivae 4. The word prescience or fore-knowledge, is missevnderstood of many for a bare knowledge in God of all things that shall be, especially of the qualities that God fore-saw would be in men, whereby he was led to choose or reject them, as Faith or Infidelity, good or evil works: And so they make it a cause by it self severed from his Decree; teaching that the Reprobate are only fore-known, not predestinate: wherein is a double error (beside the mistaking of the word Predestination) for, First, Prescience or fore-knowledge is never separate from the Decree of God, but always taken for an ordaining and fore-appointing, when it is referred to him: and therefore his bare knowledge, whereby he understandeth all things that shall be, cometh not within the compass of this word. Secondly, It pointeth out the free favour of God, and therefore hath place only in the Elect.Those which make the name of Predestination proper to the Elect, as though God had not predestinated the Reprobate, but onely foreknowne that they should bee such, whereas Predestination is spoken of wicked actions, Acts 4. 28. and the word equiualent thereunto 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 (fore-appointed) is vsed for reprobation, Iuae 4. The word prescience or fore-knowledge, is missevnderstood of many for a bare knowledge in God of all things that shall be, especially of the qualities that God fore-saw would be in men, whereby he was led to choose or reiect them, as Faith or Infidelitie, good or euill workes: And so they make it a cause by it selfe seuered from his Decree; teaching that the Reprobate are onely fore-knowne, not predestinate: wherein is a double errour (beside the mistaking of the word Predestination) for, First, Prescience or fore-knowledge is neuer separate from the Decree of God, but alwayes taken for an ordayning and fore-appointing, when it is referred to him: and therefore his bare knowledge, wherby he vnderstandeth all things that shall bee, commeth not within the compasse of this word. Secondly, It pointeth out the free fauour of God, and therefore hath place onely in the Elect.