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ELECTION AND PREDESTINATION STATED.

SECTION I.

Of Election.

1. It is an election to salvation and everlasting life. Such as were foreknown and predestinated, were not only to be justified, but "glorified." They are "chosen to salvation;"" appointed to obtain salvation;" they are" ordained to everlasting life." And it is the will of the Father, that all those whom he hath given to the Son," should have everlasting life."

2. It is an "election to salvation" in or by (ev) the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." So the apostle Paul informs us. So likewise Peter. And as it is by the sanctification of the Spirit, of course it is

3. An election to "holiness and obedience." According "as he hath chosen us in him, that we should be holy." Peter addresses Christians as "elect unto obedience." Hence Christ is said to have given himself for them, that they might be " a peculiar people, zealous of good works." And a matter worthy of remark-they are predestinated to be conformed to the image of God's Son.

4. It is a gracious election. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

5. It is a sovereign election. "I will have mercy," says Jehovah, the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth," on whom I will have mercy." "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." Accordingly, the "vessels of mercy" are made out of the same lump, as it seemed good to the potter-" of him that calleth”— according to the election of God." Yet,

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6. It is an infinitely wise election, having for its object the display of that "goodness," which he considers as his "glory."

Thus he represented it to Moses. Said Moses, "I beseech thee show me thy glory." And, in reply, Jehovah said, "I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy;" which mercy he "keeps for thousands, forgiving their iniquity, transgression, and sin." Thus, in "making known the riches of his glory," he acts wisely; for his glory is the greatest possible end. Moreover, the exercise of this sovereignty is said to be" that which seemeth to him good;"-it is "according to the good pleasure of his will;" and whatsoever "he worketh" in consequence, is "according to the counsel of his will."

7. Though there is an election in time, yet it is agreeable to an election in eternity.

There is a choice in time. "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. "He will yet choose Jerusalem." "I will take you two of a family, and one of a city." "He hath visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name." "Elect according

to the foreknowledge of God the Father." But then, as "known unto God are all his works, from the foundation of the world;" so, of course, his purpose to do these works. Hence, believers are "blessed with all spiritual blessings," according as God hath chosen them in Christ before the foundation of the world:" hence, they are said to be "called according to his purpose, and grace given them in Christ Jesus before the world began:" hence, also, their names are said to have been written in the Lamb's book of life "before the foundation of the world ;" and the kingdom they are at the last day called upon to inherit, our Lord declares was "prepared for them" at the same early date.

But there is one more particular that must not be overlooked, and that is, that—

8. It is an election in Christ-he hath "chosen us in him," &c.; and the adoption of children to which they are predestinated is "through Jesus Christ;" so, the purpose and grace given them before the world began is "in Christ Jesus." Christ is the first "elect," and all were given to him that he might "give to them eternal life," and "this life is in him." He has procured, and he bestows it, and it is from him that they possess it, and all in his name and right. Hence God hath blessed his believing people with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Hence, as Christ is the first

elect," called "God's elect;" so he is the representative of elect Israel, and therefore is himself called God's "servant Israel, in whom he would be glorified." He, too, is the "covenant of the people," the trustee of their inheritance, and minister thereof; even indeed

of all the good things God has designed for his elect Israel, as Joseph in Egypt was to ancient Israel. We may add,

9. It is an election of persons that connects with it a glorious predestination to benefits, as will next be seen.

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SECTION II.

Of Predestination.

There are not more than three passages of Scripture that mention the subject of predestination, and they are these which follow:-" For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified." The other two are in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Adverting to election, the apostle adds, as in connexion with it, Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself:" and then in verse 11, mentioning the inheritance to which as thus his children they are entitled, he says, "We have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will." From a consideration of these passages, it will be found that, whereas election has respect to the person chosen, predestination has reference to the condition and end, or their relation and state. They are predestinated to the adoption of children-this is their relation; they are predestinated to an inheritance-this is their state;

predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, as well in his "glory" as in his "sufferings." Thus, God having set his love upon such and such, he has chosen to manifest the riches of his love to them; and hence has predestinated them to be his children, and to give them an inheritance accordingly. And, as they would not otherwise be fit either for the relation or for the state, he has predestinated them also to be conformed to the image of his own Son, who is hereafter, at "the manifestation of the sons of God," to appear in his human nature as the "first-born" of the family. Thus then predestination is, 1st, To the adoption of children. 2dly, To an inheritance as children. 3dly, To a fitness for such a condition, by conformity to the "image of his dear Son." A bare reference to passages before cited will suffice to prove the correctness of this statement. Oh, blessed predestination!

Predestination, being considered in the light represented under the chapter on Reprobation, and as here, it is hoped that it will henceforward be divested of its frightful appearance!

Perhaps we may scripturally conceive of election and predestination, and the gracious transactions connected with them, in the following order :-1st, He set his love on the objects for reasons "in himself." Most assuredly not for their works or worthiness, for oftentimes it has been proved that this love has been set on the most unworthy. 2dly, He chose to salvation and eternal life. N.B. This love and choosing is sometimes in Scripture called "knowledge." He "knew" Israel, as the word is, when in Egypt; and this in Ezekiel is called "choosing" them. "Whom he did foreknow;"