A55305:59
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By…
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By Edward Polhill of Burwash in Sussex Esquire
London : printed, and are to be sold by Thomas Shelmerdine, at the sign of the Rose-Tree in Little-Britain, 1695
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Glory is designed in Election; we are chosen to Salvation, 2 Thess. 2. 13. and before prepared to glory, Rom. 9. 23. the Names of the Elect are written in heaven, and registered in the Book of life. All the glory above rays out of the bosom of Election, and every Crown of bliss is set on by God's good pleasure.
2. Glory is designed in Election; we are chosen to Salvation, 2 Thess. 2. 13. and before prepared to glory, Rom. 9. 23. the Names of the Elect are written in heaven, and registred in the Book of life. All the glory above rayes out of the bosom of Election, and every Crown of bliss is set on by God's good pleasure.
2. In what order are these things designed? No doubt, by one pure simple Act in God. But what is our most congruous conception thereof? Some Divines assert, that God first decreed Salvation and then Faith. Salvation is the end, and therefore first; Faith the means, and therefore last in God's intention. But this Reason is not cogent; for neither can any thing in the Creature, no, not its utmost perfection (such as Salvation is) be God's end, all whose Decrees do circulate into himself: Neither (if it were such) should God therefore will it in the first ⟨p. 32⟩place, and in order before Faith; for he wills the End and Means with one simple Act. Excellent is that of Aquinas; Sicut Deus uno actu omnia in essentia sua intelligit, it a uno actu 1omnia in sua bonitate vult: Unde sicut in Deo intelligere causam, non est causa intelligendi effect us, sed ipse intelligit effect us in causa; it a velle finem, non est ei causa volendi ea quae sunt ad finem, sed tamen vult ea quae sunt ad finem ordinari ad finem. Vult ergo hoc esse propter hoc; sed non propter hoc vult hoc. Other Divines conceive thus; That God first decrees Faith and then Salvation, and that upon this account: Such and in such order as God in time doth save, such, and in the very same order, doth God in Eternity decree to save: But God in time doth save only Believers, therefore God in Eternity did decree to save only Believers, that is, such as were so considered by him; and so considered by him they could not be, without a precedent Decree of giving Faith unto them. Wherefore Faith is first decreed, and then Salvation; and thus the Decree and its Execution harmonize, and both suit with the Gospel Method, which sets Faith in order before Salvation. But