Paragraphs 17.1, 17.2, 17.3

1. There is a Predestination of men vnto everlasting life.

2. Predestination hath bin from euerlasting.

3. They which are predestinate vnto saluation cannot perish.

4. Not all men, but certaine, are predestinate to be saued.

5. In Christ Iesus of the meere will, and purpose of God some are elected, and not others, vnto saluation.

6. They, who are elected vnto saluation if they come vnto yeares of discretion are called both outwardly by the word, & inwardly by the spirit of God.

7. The Predestinate are both iustified by faith, sanctified by the holy Ghost; and shall be glorified in the life to come.

8. The consideration of Predestination, is to the godly wise, most comfortable; but to curious, and carnall persons, very dangerous.

9. The generall promises of God, set forth in the holy Scriptures, are to be embraced of vs.

10. In our actions the word of God, which is his his revealed will, must be our direction.

The proofe from Gods word.

That of men, some be predestinate vnto life, it is a truth most apparent in the holy Scripture by the testimonie both of Christ himselfe, who saith.

To sit at my right hand, and at my left hand, is not mine to giue, but (it shall be giuen) to them, for whome it is prepared of my Father.^a

Many are called but fewe chosen.^b*

For the elects sake, those daies shall be shortned.^c†

Feare not little flocke; for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome.^d

I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bedde; the one shall be receiued, and the other shall be left.^e‡

All that the Father giueth mee, shall come vnto me.^f

Witnessed also is this by the Euangelist Luke, and Paul, the one saith how of the Gentiles at Antioch, so many as were ordained vnto eternall life, beleeued,^g and the other, those whome he knewe before he did also predestinate.^h

Wee are vnto God the sweete sauour of Christ, in them that are saued, and in them which perish: to the one wee are the fauour of death vnto death; and to the other the sauour of life vnto life.ⁱ

Blessed be God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which &c. hath chosen vs in him, before the foundation of the world &c. who hath predestinate vs, to be adopted through Iesus Christ vnto himselfe, &c.^j

The examples also of the elected creatures, man and Angels,^k of the two brethren, Abel, and Kaine,^l Isaac, and Ismael,^m Iacob, and Esau,ⁿ of the two Eunuches of K. Pharao,^o of the two kingdomes, Iuda and Israel: the two peoples, Iewes, and Gentiles; the two Apostles, Peter, and Iudas; the two Theeues vpon the Crosse,^p the two men in the fieldes, and the two women at the Mill,^q make to the illustration of this truth.

All Churches consent with this doctrine.

The Errors, and adversaries vnto this truth.

Erre therefore doe they, which stand in opinion, that

Some are appointed to be saued, but none to be damned.

In soule, some persons; but in soule, and body together, none shall be saued: of this minde were the old heretikes, viz. the false Apostles,^r the Carpocratians,⁴ the Valentinians,⁵ the Cerdonites,⁶ the Manichies,⁷ and the Hieranites,⁸ and of their opinion be the Familie of Loue.⁹

The profe from Gods word.

Predestination beganne before all times. It will be said (saith our Sauiour Christ) Come ye blessed of my Father, inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world.^s

God hath chosen vs in Iesus Christ before the Foundation of the world.^t

God hath saued vs, &c. according to his owne purpose, and grace, which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was.^u

The publike confessions of the Churches, namely in Heluetia,¹⁰ Basil,¹¹ and France,¹² beare witnesse herevnto.

Aduersaries vnto this truth.

Those wrangling Sophisters then are deceiued, who, because God is not included within the compasse of any time, but hath all things to come, as present continually before his eies, doe say, that God he did not in the time long agoe past onely, but still in the time present, likewise, doth predestinate.

The proofe from Gods word.

All that the Father giueth mee shall come to mee, and him that commeth to mee, I cast not away, saith Christ.^v

I giue vnto them eternall life, and they shall neuer perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand, &c. none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand.^w The gates of hel shall not ouercome the Church.^x

Moreouer whome be predestinate, them hee also glorified.^y For the giftes and calling of God are without repentance.^z

They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: for if they had beene of vs, they would haue continued with vs.^aa

So the Churches of God: as afore in this article.

The Errors, and adversaries vnto this truth.

Wander then doe they from the truth, which thinke

That the very elect, totally, and finally may fall from grace, and be damned.

That the regenerate may fall from the grace of God; may destroy the temple of God; and be broken off from the vine Christ Iesus: which was one of Glouers errors.¹³

That the number of those which be predestinate, may both encrease, and be diminished: so thought the Pelagians.

The proofe from Gods word.

Wee denie that all, and affirme that a certaine chosen and companie of men be predestinate, and so doth Gods word.

Reioice that your names are written in heauen.^bb

I knowe mine, and am knowne of mine, is the saying of Christ Iesus.^cc

I suffer all things for the elects sake, saith S. Paul.^dd

The very same with vs doe the Churches affirme.¹⁴

Adversaries vnto this truth.

Wee are therefore against them which teach, how not certain, but all, euen the most vngodly, and damnable; yea, the very Deuils shall be saued; of which opinion were the Originists,¹⁵ and are the Cptabaptists.¹⁶

All men be elected vnto life euerlasting.

There is no hell, nor future, and eternall misterie at all, but only either in mās opiniō, as hold the Atheists,¹⁷ or in the heart, and conscience of man in this life, as the Familists maintaine.¹⁸

No certaine companie be foredestined vnto eternall condemnation.

None more then others, be predestinate vnto saluation; which was an error of Henry Bolsteck.¹⁹

In like sort we condemne such as either curiously enquire, who, and how many shall be saued, or damned; or giue the sentence of reprobation vpon any men whosoeuer: as doe the Papists vpon Caluine, Beza, and Verone, when they call them Reprobates.²⁰

The proofe from Gods word.

In the Scripture wee read of mans predestination the cause efficient to be the euerlasting purpose of God,^ee21 the cause formall, God his infinite mercie, and goodnes;^ff22 the cause materiall, the blood of Christ,^gg23 the cause finall, or ende, why both God the Father hath loued and Christ for his elect hath suffered, is the glorie of God,^hh24 and the saluation of man.ⁱⁱ²⁵

And this doe all the Churches militant, and reformed, with a sweete consent testifie, and acknowledge.

Errors, & adversaries vnto this truth.

Hereby is discouered the impietie of those men which thinke, that

1. Man doth make himselfe eligible for the kingdome of heauen by his owne good workes, and merits; So teach the Papists,

The kingdome of heauen (say they) is prepared for them that are worthie of it, and deserue it by their well doing.²⁶

Licet electis gloria ex eterna Dei predestinatione dimanet, non tamen provenit nisi ex eorum operibus, &c. Sine nobis non glorificamur. 1. Although from Gods eternall predestination glory floweth to the elect: yet for all that it springeth not but from their owne workes, &c. Without our selues wee are not glorified.²⁷

2. God beheld in euery man whether he would vse his grace well, and beleeue the Gospell, or no; and as hee saw a man affected, so he did predestinate, chuse, or refuse him.

3. Besides his will, there was some other cause in God, why hee choose one, and cast off another man, but this cause is hiddē from vs.

4. Men by nature be elected, and saued; an error of the Basilideans, and Valentinians.²⁸

5. It is in man his power to be elected, the error of Theophylact,²⁹ and of Bolseck.³⁰

6. God is partiall, and vniust for chusing some, and refusing others; calling many, and electing but fewe.

The proofe from Gods word.

Though true it be, the Lord knoweth all, and euery of his elect: yet hath he reuealed vnto vs certaine notes, and tokens, whereby wee may see, and certainely knowe, whether we bee of that number, or not. For such as be ordained vnto euerlasting life, if they liue long in this world, they one time or other be called vnto the knowledge of saluation by the preaching of Gods word; they obey that calling, through the operation of the holy Ghost, working within them; they feele in their soules the same spirit, bearing witnesse vnto their spirits, how they are the children of God; and finally they walke religiously in all good workes.

These things are most euident, and cleere in the holy Scripture, where is set downe, both the calling of the predestinate,^jj31 and their obedience to the word beeing called,^kk32 and their adoption by the spirit to be the children of God;^ll33 and last of all, their holinesse of life, and virtuous conuersation.^mm34

All Churches reformed consent herevnto.

Errors, & adversaries vnto this truth.

Sundry adversaries hath this truth, and

First the Papists, who teach that none are to thinke, or perswade themselues, that they are of the number of the Predestinate vnto saluation, but to be euer doubtfull thereof.³⁵

The said Papists deliuer, that so many persons, as are not marked with the signe of the crosse vpon their forehead, are damned, and reprobate;³⁶ also, that they which will be saued, must be Franciscans,³⁷ at leastwise become members of the Church of Rome.³⁸

Secondly, the Antonomies, which thinke the outward calling by the word (though they haue not the inward calling by the Spirit, and be destitute of good workes) a sufficient argument of their election vnto life.³⁹

Thirdly, the Puritanes, who among other assurances giuen them from the Lord of their saluations, make their aduancing of the Presbyteriall kingdome (by the putting downe of Bishops, Chancellours, &c.) a testimonie that they shall haue part in that glorie, which shall be reuealed hereafter.⁴⁰

Fourthly, the Schwenfeldians, and all such as depending vpon immediate and diuine reuelations, condemne & contemne the ordinarie calling of God, by the ministerie of his word.

Lastly, the Russians,⁴¹ Catabaptists, and Familie of Loue,⁴² who beleeue that themselues onely, and none besides, shall be saued.

The proofe from Gods word.

Diuers bee the effects of mans Predestination; but chiefly it bringeth to the Elect, iustification by Faith in this life,ⁿⁿ⁴³ and in the life to come, glorification,^oo44 alwaies a conformitie to the image of the onely begotten Sonne of God, both in suffering troubles here, and in enioying immortall glory hereafter,^pp45 as testifie all the Churches in their confessions.

The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth.

This is flatly against Papias,⁴⁶ Iustinus,⁴⁷ and all Millinaries,⁴⁸ who denie the eternitie of mans happines, and dreame of I knowe not what blisse in this life to endure a thousand yeares, but no longer.

Also against the Manichies, who said, the soule onely shall be saued.⁴⁹

Also against those heretikes which denie the resurrection of the flesh, as did the Carpocratians,⁵⁰ Manichies,⁵¹ and others.⁵²

Likewise against the Hieranites,, who haue a phantasie that no children, departing this life before they come vnto yeares of discretion, and knowledge, shall be saued.⁵³ So the Papists doe teach, that no infants, dying vnbaptized doe goe to heauen, but vnto another place adioyning vnto Hell, called Limbus puerorum.⁵⁴

The proofe from Gods word.

This doctrine of Predestination is to the godly full sweete, pleasant, and comfortable, because it greatly confirmeth their faith in Christ; and encreaseth their loue toward God.

I account the afflictions of this present time, are not worthy of the glorie, which shall be shewed vnto vs.^qq

If God be on our side, who can be against vs? who spared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him for vs all to death, how shall hee not with him giue vs all things also? who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? It is God that iustifieth, who shall condemne? &c.^rr55

Yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glorie.^ss

Greiue not the holy spirit of God, by whom yee are sealed vnto the day of redemption.^tt

But to the wicked and reprobate the consideration hereof, is very sower, vnsauorie, and most vncomfortable, as that which they thinke (though very vntruly, and sinfully) causeth them either to despaire of his mercie, being without faith; or not to feare his iustice, being extreamely wicked: whereas neither from the word of God, nor any Confessiō of the Church, can man gather that he is a vessell of wrath, prepared to damnation; but contrariwise by many, and great arguments may perswade himselfe that God would not his destruction, as in the next proposition immediately ensuing, plainely may appeare.

Errors & Adversaries to this truth.

Therefore they are to be taken as much out of the way, which say that this doctrine leadeth either vnto desperation, which is without all comfort; or vnto loosenes of life, and so vnto Atheisme; and therefore to be published neither by mouth, nor booke: and so thought both the Pelagians⁵⁶ & the Predestinates (a sort of heretikes so called) in old time,⁵⁷ and the Familie of Loue in our daies, who tearme the doctrine of Predestination, a licentious doctrine, & say it filleth all the prisons almost in England.⁵⁸

The proofe from Gods word.

That men the better may auoid both desperation, and carnall securitie, they are to haue alwaies in minde, that

1. The promises of grace, and fauour to mankinde, are vniuersall: as

Come vnto mee, all yee that are wearie, and laden, and I will case you.^uu59

God sent not his Sonne into the world, that he should condemne the world; but that the world through him might be saued.^vv

God will that all men shall be saued, and come vnto the knowledge of the truth.^ww

2. The doctrine of the Gospell for the free remission of sinnes, is to be preached not vnto a fewe but vniuersally, and generally vnto all men.

Goe therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them, &c.^xx

Goe into all the world, and preach the Gospell to euery creature. He that shall beleeue, and be baptized, shall be saued: but hee that will not beleeue, shallbe damned.^yy

3. The seales of the couenant be appointed to be giuen to all men, and members of the visible Church, or desirous to be ineorporated there into. For

All are to be baptized,^zz and all are to participate of the bread, and cuppe at the Lords supper.^aaa

4. As the disobedience of Adam brought condemnation vpon all men: so the blood, and obedience of Christ is able, & all-sufficient to wash away all sinnes, and that of all men.

5. No man euer truly repented, but he was receiued againe into fauour; so was Dauid after his adulterie,^bbb Manasses after his Idolatrie,^ccc Peter after his Apostacie,^ddd the Thiefe vpon the Crosse,^eee the Niniuites.^fff

The adversaries vnto this truth.

They are not to be heard then which say, that

The number of the Elect is but small; and seeing wee are vncertaine, whether wee be of that companie, or no, wee will proceede in our course as wee haue begunne.

God is an acceptor of persons, and so vniust in chusing some and refusing others.

God hath predestinate all those personns to eternall death, which are not in the state of true repentance: which was one of Glouers errors.⁶⁰

It is the part therefore of all and euery man.

Not to refuse the mercies of God both generally, and gratiously offered vnto all men by his word, and Sacraments.

Not to despaire in respect either of the greatnes, or multitude of his sinnes.

Nor yet to prouoke the Lord to execute his vengeance vpon them, through prophanes of life, or securitie.

The proofe from Gods word.

In our doings, but cheiefly in the matter of Predestination, wee are to follow not our own iudgement, and what seemeth good in our owne opinions: but the will of God, and that will too not which is concealed from vs, viz. of God his omnipotencie, wherby he gouerneth at his pleasure the things by himselfe created; whereof mention is made both in the Psalmes,^ggg in the Prophet Isay,^hhh and other places of his word, but of his fauour,ⁱⁱⁱ and good pleasure towards man, reuealed in the holy Scriptures, by Iesus Christ, whome wee are to heare.^jjj

Subscribed hereunto haue, and doe Gods church euery where.

The adversaries vnto this truth.

This truth is gainesaid by the Phrygians, Montanists, and Messalians,⁶¹ also by the Enthusiastes,⁶² Anabaptists,⁶³ And Familie of Loue,⁶⁴ which leaue the written word of God, and relie vpon their owne dreames, visions, and lying reuelations. Hence proceedeth the contempt of Gods written word and of the Preachers, and all religious exercises thereof. For saith the Familie of Loue,⁶⁵ No difference is there betweene a ceremoniall, either Letre Doctor Christian, & an vncircumcised Heathen.