OF GOD’S DECREE

1.  God has decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet in such a way that God is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any in the committing of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.  In all this God’s wisdom is displayed in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree.[1]

2.  Although God knows everything that may or can come to pass, upon all imaginable conditions, yet He has not decreed anything because He foresaw it in the future, or because it would come to pass upon certain conditions.[2]

3.  By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice.[3]

4.  These angels and men thus predestined and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.[4]

5.  Those of mankind who are predestined to life, God chose before the foundation of the world was laid, in accordance with His eternal and immutable purpose and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will.  God chose them in Christ for everlasting glory, solely out of His free grace and love, without anything in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him to choose.[5]

6.  As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so, by the eternal and completely free intention of His will, He has foreordained all the means.  Accordingly, those who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ; are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified; and kept by His power through faith unto salvation; neither are any but the elect redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.[6]

7.  The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, in order that men who are heeding the will of God revealed in His Word, and who are yielding obedience to it, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine provide cause for praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and will also provide cause for humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all who sincerely obey the Gospel.[7]