1st. It is because Election is Absolute, not a Conditional Election, 1depending on the Obedience or good Behaviour of the Creature. The Decree of God on his part is irrevocable; God will not go back from his Purpose to save his People, nor shall their Unworthiness or Miscarriages make it void: it is the high, unalterable, and supreme Law of Heaven; therefore it is said to be, according ⟨p. 178⟩to his Eternal Purpose and Counsel. His Counsel and Thoughts of his Heart shall stand for ever. 'Tis that that all subordinate Means must terminate in, and all inferiors Administrations must be accommodated thereunto, the Salvation of the Elect being the grand Design of God, whereby to exalt and magnify his highest Glory; that should his glorious Contrivance, and no less gracious Purpose and Designment herein miscarry, nothing in Heaven or Earth could countervail the Damage: therefore it could not stand consistent with his Wisdom, either to revoke it, or leave it at an Uncertainty, or obnoxious to Disappointment; which he 2must needs do, if it was possible any of the Elect should perish; or that it should be laid upon the Foundation of the wavering Principles, and uncertain Will and Obedience of the Creature. Now the best Constitutions, States and Kingdoms upon Earth, are liable to Mutation, and Mens Decrees and Purposes, however Absolute designed, may fail, their Minds may alter, or they may see cause to change their Counsels, not being able to foresee future Events, or what Inconveniences might arise; or some after them may arise, who may carry on a different Interest, or Enemies may invade them, conquer them, and spoil all their Designs and Purposes.
1st. It is because Election is Absolute, not a Conditional Election, 1depending on the Obedience or good Behaviour of the Creature. The Decree of God on his part is irrevocable; God will not go back from his Purpose to save his People, nor shall their Unworthiness or Miscarriages make it void: it is the high, unalterable, and supreme Law of Heaven; therefore it is said to be, according ⟨p. 178⟩to his Eternal Purpose and Counsel. His Counsel and Thoughts of his Heart shall stand for ever. 'Tis that that all subordinate Means must terminate in, and all inferious Administrations must be accommodated thereunto, the Salvation of the Elect being the grand Design of God, whereby to exalt and magnify his highest Glory; that should his glorious Contrivance, and no less gracious Purpose and Designment herein miscarry, nothing in Heaven or Earth could countervail the Damage: therefore it could not stand consistent with his Wisdom, either to revoke it, or leave it at an Uncertainty, or obnoxious to Disappointment; which he 2must needs do, if it was possible any of the Elect should perish; or that it should be laid upon the Foundation of the wavering Principles, and uncertain Will and Obedience of the Creature. Now the best Constitutions, States and Kingdoms upon Earth, are liable to Mutation, and Mens Decrees and Purposes, however Absolute designed, may fail, their Minds may alter, or they may see cause to change their Counsels, not being able to foresee future Events, or what Inconveniences might arise; or some after them may arise, who may carry on a different Interest, or Enemies may invade them, conquer them, and spoil all their Designs and Purposes.
- 1First Arg. The Election of Grace proves that the Saints cannot finally fall.
- 2Mr. Cole.
