A Body of Practical Divinity

Object. But if God's Decree be Unchangeable, and cannot be Reversed, then to what purpose should we use the Means, our Endeavours towards Salvation cannot alter his Decree?

Object. But if God's Decree be Unchangeable, and cannot be Revers'd, then to what purpose should we use the Means, our Endeavours towards Salvation cannot alter his Decree?

Resp. This Decree of God doth not take off my Endeavour, for he that hath decreed my Salvation, hath decreed it in the use of Means, and if I neglect the Means I go about to Reprobate myself; no Man argues thus. God hath decreed how long I shall live; Ergo, I will not use Means to preserve Life, not eat and drink: God hath decreed the time of my Life in the use of Means; so God hath decreed my Salvation in the use of Word, Prayer, Sacraments: And as a Man that refuseth his •ood murders himself, so he that refuseth to work out his Salvation doth destroy himself. The Vessels of Mercy are said to be prepared unto Glory, Rom. 9.23. How are they prepared, but by being sanctified▪ and that cannot be but in the use of ⟨p. 39⟩Means: therefore let not God's Decree take thee off from Holy Endeavour. A good Saying of Dr. Preston, Hast thou an Heart to pray to God, it is a sign no Decree of Wrath is passed against thee.

Resp. This Decree of God doth not take off my Endeavour, for he that hath decreed my Salvation, hath decreed it in the use of Means, and if I neglect the Means I go about to Reprobate myself; no Man argues thus. God hath decreed how long I shall live; Ergo, I will not use Means to preserve Life, not eat and drink: God hath decreed the time of my Life in the use of Means; so God hath decreed my Salvation in the use of Word, Prayer, Sacraments: And as a Man that refuseth his •ood murders himself, so he that refuseth to work out his Salvation doth destroy himself. The Vessels of Mercy are said to be prepar'd unto Glory,