Of the Unchangeableness of Eternal Reprobation.
Many opinions have passed through the hearts of the sons of
men concerning reprobation; most of them endeavouring so to hold
it forth, as therewith they might, if not heal their conscience
slightly, yet maintain their own opinion, in their judgment,
of other things; still wringing, now the word this way, and anon
again that, for their purpose; also framing within their soul such
an imagination of God and his acts in eternity, as would suit with
such opinions, and so present all to the world. And the rather they
have with greatest labour strained unweariedly at this above many
other truths, because of the grim and dreadful face it carrieth in
most men's apprehensions. But none of these things, however they
may please the creature, can by any means in any measure, either
cause God to undo, unsay, or undetermine what he hath concerning
this, decreed and established.
First, Because they suit not with his nature, especially in
these foundation-acts: 'The foundation of God standeth sure' (2
Tim 2:19), even touching reprobation, 'that the purpose of God
according to election might stand' (Rom 9:11). 'I know [saith
Solomon] that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing
can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it,' &c. (Eccl 3:14).
'Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken, and shall
not make it good?' (Num 23:19). His decrees are composed according
to his eternal wisdom, established upon his unchangeable will,
governed by his knowledge, prudence, power, justice, and mercy,
and are brought to conclusion, on his part, in perfect holiness,
through the abiding of his most blessed truth and faithfulness: 'He
is the rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:
a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he' (Deut
32:4).
Second, This decree is made sure by the number, measure, and bounds
of election; for election and reprobation do inclose all reasonable
creatures; that is, either the one or the other; election, those
that are set apart for glory; and reprobation, those left out of
this choice.
Now as touching the elect, they are by this decree confined to
that limited number of persons that must amount to the complete
making up the fulness of the mystical body of Christ; yea so
confined by this eternal purpose, that nothing can be diminished
from or added thereunto: and hence it is that they are called his
body and members in particular, 'the fulness of him that filleth
all in all' (Eph 1:23) and 'the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ' (Eph 4:13). Which body, considering him as the
head thereof, in conclusion maketh up one perfect man, and holy
temple for the Lord. These are called Christ's substance, inheritance
and lot (Psa 16); and are said to be booked, marked, and sealed
with God's most excellent knowledge, approbation and liking (2
Tim 2:19). As Christ said to his Father, 'Thine eyes did see my
substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members
were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet
there was none of them' (Psa 139:16). This being thus, I say, it
is in the first place impossible that any of those members should
miscarry, for 'Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's
elect?' (Rom 8:33) and because they are as to number every way
sufficient, being his body, and so by their completing to be made
a perfect man: therefore all others are rejected, that the 'purpose
of God according to election might stand' (Rom 9:11). Besides,
it would not only argue weakness in the decree, but monstrousness
in the body, if after this, any appointed should miscarry, or any
besides them be added to them (Matt 24:24).
Thirdly, Nay further, that all may see how punctual, exact, and
to a tittle this decree of election is, God hath not only as to
number and quantity confined the persons, but also determined and
measured, and that before the world, the number of the gifts and
graces that are to be bestowed on these members in general; and
also what graces and gifts to be bestowed on this or that member
in particular: He 'hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings--in
Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the word' (Eph 1:3,4). And bestoweth them in time upon us,
'According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
Jesus our Lord' (Eph 3:11). He hath given to the eye, the grace
that belongeth to the eye; and to the hand that which he also hath
appointed for it. And so to every other member of the body elect,
he doth deal out to them their determined measure of grace and
gifts most fit for their place and office. Thus is the decree
established, both of the saved, and also the non-elect (Rom 12:3;
Eph 4:16; Col 2:19; Eph 4:12,13).
Fourth, But again, another thing that doth establish this decree
of eternal reprobation, is the weakness that sin, in the fall,
and since, hath brought all reprobates into: For though it be most
true, that sin is no cause of eternal reprobation; yet seeing sin
hath seized on the reprobate, it cannot be but thereby the decree
must needs be the faster fixed. If the king, for this or the other
weighty reason, doth decree not to give this or that man, who yet
did never offend him, a place in his privy chamber; if this man
after this shall be infected with the plague, this rather fastens
than loosens the king's decree. As the angels that were left out
of God's election, by reason of the sin they committed after, are
so far off from being by that received into God's decree, that
they are therefore bound for it in chains of everlasting darkness
to the judgment of the great day.