Excerpt from The Decrees of God: A Discourse Second - It is objected, that if God fore-ordains whatsoever come to pass he is the author of sin. Some may say and think so, but Presby terians neither say nor think so. We do not understand the term ordain or fore-ordain to mean fatality or physical necessity. When it is said that Christ was verily fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, we do not mean that he was under the physical necessity of dying or was compelled by fate to die. But this is Our meaning when we speak of fore ordaining an event: It is to form such a purpose respecting it, as retr ders certain its future existence, through positive or permissive agency. Now, does it follow that because God fore-ordained or purposed to save a portion of our race, and fore-ordained to permit another portion to go on in sin, or to leave them to themselves to pursue their own course, that he is the author of their sins? Take an illustration: Suppose you knew that by preaching the Gospel to five men, one of them would repent and turn from sin, but you also knew that the repentance of that one would so enrage the others that they would curse the very God of their existence, and cruelly persecute the man that repented. Knowing these things with certainty, you determined to preach to the five men, and thus save one instrumentally; do you not at the same time decree, IN one sense, the cursing and persecution of the others and yet you are in no sense the author OF their wickedness. Because God enlightens some, and others are hardened by the use of the same means and God punishes them for the neglect and abuse of the means of grace, does that make God the author of sin? There certainly is a vast difference between the sun's being the source of heat and light and being the cause of darkness. When the sun sets darkness follows, but would any man in his senses say, that the sun, which is the fountain of light, was also the fountain of dark ness 7 SO God is not the source of sin, but when he withdraws his pre sence and influence, sin invariably follows but that no more makes God the author of sin, than the setting of the sun makes it the source of darkness. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from A Practical Discourse Concerning God's Decrees: In Two Parts Gods'zefolaregrrefi/lablefind Wareoumable Sove mighty-all this terrible talke is nothing but Nolfe and Flourilhfi t indeed to amufe a country Auditoa ry, ot to impofe upona lazy and fuperficiall reader; but certainly of very little weight with them, who dare noc be frighted from, nor talked out of their faith, and who thinke Scripture truths are to be embraced and followed, in f pite of all mens corrupt, and empty reafonings again them. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."

Excerpt from A Discourse: Concerning, I. The True Import of the Words Election and Reprobation, and the Things Signified by Them in the Holy Scripture; II. The Extent of Christ's Redemption; III. The Grace of God Some there be who tell us that these decrees and dispensations of God in reference to men's eternal state are mysteries; and truly as they are managed and asserted by them, I fear they may be so in the worst sense. And if they understand the word as it seemeth to be still used by St. Paul, for a doctrine not yet revealed, (see the note on 1 Cor. Ii. They grant that which I chiefly have endeavoured m these discourses to make good, viz. That their doctrine is not taught in holy scripture. Others perhaps may say that spine things here asserted are! Pals. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Discourses on the Providence and Government of God To you who are entering on the most hazardous and important period of human life, the following Discourses are especially dedicated. They were written by one Whose Whole character was a faithful transcript of the principles they inculcate, and Whose de clining years of debility and languor, bore 'ample testimony to their truth and sublime energy. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from A Practical Discourse of God's Sovereignty: With Other Material Points Derived Thence; Namely, of the Righteousness of God, of Election, of Redemption, of Effectual Calling, of Perseverance I have known the Author long (full twenty-eight years) to have had a spirit greatl addicted to, andffi'ected with, the savory knowl edge of the truths ere delivered. And though he hath not had the use and help of fetei languages, wherein these points have been mostly written; yet may say of him (as 1 Tim. 4: He hath been long nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine; and thereunto he hath so far attained, as to be able to cut_the strongest sinews of the principal objections which the adversaries have inva. Ded these truths with. And further, to establish the positive truth, hath backed and confirmed the same by solid arguments, and perti nent scriptures genuinely explained and Opened. And, which to me is yet more, he hath extracted the most spiritual, quickening cordials, which the doctrine of grace and election afi'ords plenty of, whereby to comfort all sorts of believers; exhorting and directing the whole company and body of them, how to manage their faith between God and their own souls, in point of election: persuading them all to com mit and betake themselves wholly to God's carrying on their salva tion, in the way of election: and all along hath strewed his discourse with useful exhortations and applications of the doctrines he does deliver; mixing uses lor practice, with the rational discussions, and the ruggeder controversials; which hath been a defect complained of in others, to the reproach of the doctrine itself; and made an argu ment, that the doctrine is not true, seeing 0mm serum est barium, and both are inseparable affections of being. Upon these and like considerations, I de heartily commend this treatise to the judicious reader, nothing doubting, but that it will satisfy the weakest Chris tians, as it hath approved itself to several divines; heping also that this edition will do as much good to men's souls as the termer cdi. Tions have done. The blessings of heaven go with it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.