The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By…

How can that (saith a Learned Bishop) be the cause leading infallibly in the way to Eternal Life, which cometh not so much as into consideration, until a man have run out his race in Faith and Godliness, and be arrived at Heavens Gates? Such a falsely named Predestination might more truly be called Postdestination: but call it as they please, it enacteth only, per modum legis, that men thus living and dying shall be received into Heaven; but it doth not, per ⟨p. 57⟩modum decreti operantis, infallibly work those Graces whereby men are brought unto Heaven. If Election take its rise from the last gasp of persevering Faith and Holiness, then how came the poor Church by the Chain of Graces on her neck, the Bracelets on her hands, the Crown of Gold on her head? Whence had she her fine Linen, Wedding-garment, Gold tried in the fire? These are not Natures Riches, but Pearls of Grace; common Providence gives no such gifts; wherefore they are the love-tokens of Election, sent indeed in time unto the Church, but prepared for her in Eternity. O how much better were it that the Sun should be snatched out of the World, than that the Influences of electing Love should be suspended from the Church! All her light and life, holiness and comfort comes down from God in these precious Beams. But the Remonstrants (instead of these heavenly influences) have framed such an Election, as hath no more influence on the Faith and Holiness of the Church, than a Sun set up at Domesday would have upon the World that was before it: it is so far from working, that it presupposes all the Faith and Holiness of the Church, ⟨p. 58⟩even to the last minute of Perseverance.

How can that (saith a Learned Bishop) be the cause leading infallibly in the way to Eternal Life, which cometh not so much as into consideration, untill a man have run out his race in Faith and Godliness, and be arrived at Heavens Gates? Such a falsly named Predestination might more truly be called Postdestination: but call it as they please, it enacteth only, per modum legis, that men thus living and dying shall be received into Heaven; but it doth not, per ⟨p. 57⟩modum decreti operantis, infallibly work those Graces whereby men are brought unto Heaven. If Election take its rise from the last gasp of persevering Faith and Holiness, then how came the poor Church by the Chain of Graces on her neck, the Bracelets on her hands, the Crown of Gold on her head? Whence had she her fine Linnen, Wedding-garment, Gold tried in the fire? These are not Natures Riches, but Pearls of Grace; common Providence gives no such gifts; wherefore they are the love-tokens of Election, sent indeed in time unto the Church, but prepared for her in Eternity. O how much better were it that the Sun should be snatched out of the World, than that the Influences of electing Love should be suspended from the Church! All her light and life, holiness and comfort comes down from God in these precious Beams. But the Remonstrants (instead of these heavenly influences) have framed such an Election, as hath no more influence on the Faith and Holiness of the Church, than a Sun set up at Domesday would have upon the World that was before it: it is so far from working, that it presupposes all the Faith and Holiness of the Church,