The final paragraph of chapter 3 is identical in each of the three Puritan confessions. And it says this, "The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience there unto may from the certainty of their effectual vocation be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel. And this is our task in this hour.
Now, to begin, I would like you to listen to some texts of scripture because they help us to set that stage for our study of this paragraph. First from Romans chapter nine. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?
Certainly not. For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." So then, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the scripture says to the pharaoh, "For this very purpose I've raised you up, that I may show my power in you and that my name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore, he has mercy on whom he wills and whom he wills he hardens. You will say to me, then why does he still find fault?
For who has resisted his will? But indeed, oh man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
And then in Romans 11, words we've already heard today. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How uncarchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out? For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has become his counselor, or who has first given to him, and it shall be repaid to him?
For of him and through him and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. And one more text, Deuteronomy 29:29. The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law.
Let's pray.
Opening Prayer
Oh Lord, give us humility as we think about this doctrine. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.
Introduction
The final paragraph of chapter 3 is a pastoral reminder and a call to humility. As I've said, it's identical in Westminster Seavoi and Second London. And it reminds us of the importance of care and caution. It involves a word of exhortation and a word of comfort. and it has two practical ramifications prompting us to receive God's revelation of this principle and exercise caution as we contemplate it.
That's the structure of what I want to say. So, first the word of exhortation.
First Point: A Word of Exhortation
While the doctrine of the decree as part of the doctrine of God is foundational for our faith, it is still a high mystery. It does not come by way of general revelation but is only known by means of divine disclosure. This doctrine is suited for deep study not for casual consideration. It requires much searching the scriptures, careful deliberation and profound humility.
Predestination as High Mystery
It is not a doctrine for quick and easy reflection. It's not anything like people's ideas of fate, circumstances controlled by a universal force. We believe in the God of scripture, the creator and sustainer of life, who over all and through all and in you all. Ephesians 4:6.
Since God alone knows what it means to be God and is beyond our ability to comprehend him as he is, so also are his ways. As Calvin said, the God of heaven and earth speaks to us in lisping tones. We might also say that the thoughts he reveals to us are accommodated to our understanding and must be received with humility. For this reason, an exhortation is stated.
It's a high mystery and must be treated with special prudence and care. These must be exercised when we consider this high mystery. There are dangers. A failure to receive it, a philosophical rejection of the mystery, or even speculation that goes beyond what has been revealed are dangerous.
Our text from Deuteronomy makes this clear. There are secret things that belong to God, and it's not for us to peer into them while we must receive, believe, and pursue the things that are revealed. And this is precisely what our confessions teach us.
Synod of Dort and Pastoral Caution
In 1618, King King Charles I of England sent a private delegation of theologians to participate in the Senate of Dort. At the conclusion of the Senate, the members of the English delegation issued a book providing their understanding of the five cannons that were promoted by the Senate. In the section dealing with the perseverance of the saints, they wrote this. Now listen to these words and remember what our confession says.
Moreover, that we may give no further caution. Among those things which are certain and soundly grounded upon the word of God, some there be which are not to be inculcated to every auditory without difference. That is, they ought not to be preached to everyone in every circumstance, but only to be touched wearily in due time and place. Among these is that high mystery of predestination, a most sweet doctrine and full of comfort.
But to those only who are rooted in faith and exercised in piety, to which kind of men in great conflict of conflict conscience, it may be instead of a strong tower of defense. But when they who have not yet welllearned the first foundations of religion, and whose minds are wholly carried away by their carnal affections, are by the indiscretion of some preachers called on to dive into this depth, this cometh of it, that while they brable about the secret decree of predestination, they neglect the saving knowledge of the gospel. And while they dream of nothing else but predestination unto life, they never care to set foot in that way in which they must walk who are predestinated unto life. Great statement, isn't it?
But you can hear the echoes of the language of the confession of faith. Some of the exact language is used in this statement. These are wise words as and one is able to hear the same language later used in the Puritan confessions. In many ways, this aspect of the divine decree, predestination, that's the aspect, must be viewed as a high mystery.
Our theologians have wrestled with it and have wisely given us the doctrines contained in this chapter in the confession.
Confession Reviewed: Decree and Election
Let me remind you of them. You've heard these many times over the last two days. Listen to them again. To a large degree, they're simply portions of scripture skillfully woven together for our instruction.
Paragraph three. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory. Some men and angels are predestinated or forained 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.
When contemplating the decree, we we've heard this. We heard this so well spoken last night. God's glory is paramount. This is the necessary conclusion of that which proceeds.
In his external works, the Lord shows forth his magnificence, especially in two ways. First, his decree brings eternal life to his elect. And secondly, his glorious justice manifests itself in the condemnation of those who remain in their sins. The three confessions use the language of predestination with some restraint reflecting reflecting its usage in scripture.
The term itself occurs in the authorized version in only four places and all four of them have reference to the blessings of salvation granted to the elect. It's in Romans 8:29 and30 and Ephesians 1:5 and 111. In each case, predestination refers to blessings granted according to the eternal purpose of God. And these include conformity to Christ, the golden chain of calling, justification, glorification, and adoption.
All gifts provided in fulfillment of the decree. And then in paragraph five, those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid according to his eternal and immutable purpose and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works or perseverance in either of them or any other thing in the creature as a condition or a cause moving him there unto. You see, these statements base the gift of eternal life in the eternal decree of God. The elect have been predestinated and eternal act before the foundation of the world was laid.
It is according to his eternal and immutable purpose as well as the secret council and good pleasure of his will. Though each of these has nuanced differences, the conjunction of them is intended to make an important point. That is the truth of God. Elect sinners receive the gift of salvation by grace alone eternally.
The triune God determined to save sinners. The following statements clarify its meaning. Predestination is the eternal determination of God to grant everlasting life and its blessings to specific sinners through Jesus Christ. Each of these doctrinal points is fully grounded in things revealed without speculation.
Our theologians faithfully respected the texts that I read at the beginning. They summarized that which the word of God teaches. Now, this is a caution for each of us. Like these who have preceded us in the study of scripture and expressions of Christian theology, so must we handle this doctrine with special prudence and care.
Owen on Revealed Will and Obedience
Commenting on Deuteronomy 29:29, Dr. Owen wrote these words, "The revealed will of God containeth not his purpose and decree, but our duty. Not what he will do according to his good pleasure, but what we should do if we will please him." And this consisting in his word, his precepts and promises, belongth to us and our children, that we may do the will of God. This is from his early work, a display of Arminianism, which was published prior to the Westminster Confession of Faith.
He penned words similar to those found in our confessions, and expanded on them. Again, Dr. Rowan, God hath not imposed on us the observation of his eternal decree and intention, which as it is impossible, utterly impossible for us to transgress or frustrate, so were we unblameable if we should. That the will of God to which our obedience is required is the revealed will of God contained in his word, whose compliance with his decree is such that hence we learn three things tending to the execution of it.
So in this case, Owen recognizes that the word of God perfectly agrees with the decree of God. And he calls us to three important responses. First, that it is the condition of the word of God and the dispensation thereof instantly to persuade to faith and obedience. When the word of God is read, when you hear the word of God, you should believe it immediately without any doubting.
Secondly, that it is our duty by all means to aspire to the performance of all things by it and joined and our fault if we do not. That is what the word of God requires of us to do that which is commanded and it is our sin, our fault if we don't do those things. Thirdly, that God by these means will accomplish his eternal decree of saving his elect, and that he willth the salvation of others in as much as he calleth them unto the performance of the condition thereof. Now, our obedience is to be regulated by this revealed will of God.
Well, Owen's comments fit precisely into the doctrine of our paragraph. He expresses in his exposition exactly what we confess.
Second Point: A Word of Comfort
Secondly, this paragraph is full of words of comfort. And this leads to an important word of comfort connected with practical ramifications, namely the need for submission to God's word and the blessing of obedience, of the blessing of assurance. Careful obedience to the scripture should lead the elect to be assured of their election. Notice the language. as they attend to the revealed will of God in his word.
The doctrine of the decree is not the result of metaphysical speculation, but rather comes to believers from a humble reception of the word of God. We are to obey it and believe it. The language implicitly warns against errors such as Armenianism and hypercalvinism. It tells men to act on the scriptures.
Armenians reject the doctrine as stated because they heighten concepts such as free will while hypercalvinists so elevate sovereignty that they ignore human responsibility. Presumption has no place in the Christian life nor can it produce assurance. The Puritan doctrine tells men to do what the scriptures say and in so doing they will enjoy the benefits of assurance of election. I want to pause to think about assurance.
Assurance: Infallible in Christ
Chapter 18. This infallible assurance. Let me pause and speak about that. I love this word infallible in the chapter on assurance.
Why is it infallible? Not in me, but in Christ.
It's infallible because he will never fail. If we trust in him, we may be assured that we will be brought safely to eternal life. That's why it's infallible.
This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it. Yet being enabled by the spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation and the right use of means attained there unto. And therefore, it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness, and the duties of obedience, pardon me, the proper fruits of this assurance, so far is it from inclining men to looseness. Well, this statement exactly agrees with chapter 3, paragraph 7, which we're studying, because it doesn't ground assurance on the decree of God, but rather on the revealed will of God, recognizing the divine provision of grace as taught in scripture.
The follower of Jesus will be enabled by the spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God. And this knowledge is based solely on the revealed word. For there is no need for extraordinary revelation. He or she must avail the means.
We just spent time talking about that in order to receive the benefit. Hearing the word proclaimed in worship, professing faith in baptism, partaking of the supper, and praying is sufficient to bring the believer to full assurance. Benjamin Keech paraphrases these words when he writes, "Give all diligence, the faith of assurance is not easily obtained. Attend upon the word and ordinances.
Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure that is sure to yourselves." For this reason, everyone must pursue assurance. We have here an unattributed quotation from 2 Peter 1:10, but it's a strong exhortation. It is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure. Words such as duty and diligence make a strong point.
The believer must not rest until finding the assurance described in this chapter. And the results are wonderful. His heart is enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit who as growth progresses works more grace in the heart. Love and thankfulness to God are increased and duties obedience to the commands of scripture are cheerfully fulfilled.
These are the proper fruits of assurance despite the charge of some. A fullbed doctrine of assurance produces growth in grace and Christlikkeness among believers. It is the decreed command of God that we enjoy o uh assurance.
Third Point: Benefits of the Decree
Thirdly, what about the benefits of confessing the decree? Well, the benefits are worship and holiness. Worship. Remember the language.
So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God.
Worship: Praise, Reverence, Admiration
Contemplating the doctrine of the divine decree as revealed in scripture draws forth worship from the believer in three related but distinct ways. praise, reverence, and admiration. And that's exactly what Paul says in Ephesians 1 3-6. Listen to these words. You've heard them before.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made us accepted in the beloved. Now you see worship and assurance are brought together here. Our salvation depends on the eternal act of predestination. And as we trust in the Lord Jesus, we may know that we are accepted in him.
Infallible assurance. No longer are we enemies of God, but we have become his beloved children. What we experience in this life is the result of God's divine decree. As we marvel at the eternal purpose of God, we are moved to worship.
And there are three things that the doctrine of predestination should produce in us. Praise, reverence, and admon. Admiration. Now, these are not the same things.
But what are they? Well, praise. In the words of Hebrews 13:15, "Therefore, by him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." Praise giving glory in the heart and with the voice. He hears our secret thoughts so that when we silently offer words of honor to God, he hears them.
But even more so, he receives our spoken words of exaltation in words that we've already sung in this conference. Psalm 150. I it it's a festival of hallelujah. Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his mighty acts. Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with the loot and harp. Praise him with a timberland dance. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
Praise him with loud symbols. Praise him with clashing symbols. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Hallelujah.
You see the doctrine of predestination is such a wonderful doctrine. It should always lead us with our mouths to praise our Lord. We worship him with our minds and we worship him with our words. And we could say, "Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer's praise." Secondly, reverence.
Reverence is another way of speaking about the fear of the Lord. It is a profound sense of the greatness and the majesty of God. On the one hand, it's a deep and deepening heartfelt love for the Lord, a growing sense of his magnificence and greatness. Well, on the other hand, it is a true respect for his power and holiness.
A recognition that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Without a mediator, facing God would be the greatest horror any human could ever imagine. But through Jesus Christ, we may approach God and truly love him. And that leads to the third part of the trio, admiration.
As we come to know him through Christ and as we contemplate this decree of predestination and its personal relation to ourselves as believers, our sense of agilation grows. This is what David knew when he composed Psalm 19 or what Paul wrote in Romans 11 when he contemplated the doctrine of the decree. Oh, the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God. It also leads to holiness.
As we contemplate the divine purpose, we must grow in our love for him. I think one of the brothers made this point. The more that we know about the doctrine of God, the more it calls us not only to worship him but to pursue holiness. The doctrine of God, a difficult doctrine in many ways, is the as the confession says, the foundation of our communion with God and comfortable dependence upon him.
As we contemplate the divine purpose, we must grow in our love for him. This is a point similar to the one that John makes when he writes, "We love him." You know what the rest of it is? Because he first loved us. We contemplate his love and we respond.
As our understanding of Christian doctrine increases, so will our sanctification. Peter put it this way. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You see here in our confessions, three three aspects of grace are presented as the beautiful fruit of an increasing appreciation for the doctrine of the divine decree and they are humility and diligence and abundant consolation.
Let me talk about each of these. Humility. The doctrine of the relationship between our salvation and the divine decree ought to produce sincere humility in each of us. Not pride, but humility.
I'm sure you remember these words from Philippians chapter 2. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondervant, coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and gave given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. See, these wonderful words teach us about the humiliation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The eternal son of God, the one who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth, took to himself a human nature with all its essential properties and common infirmities. He's the God man. But let us remember that this profound doctrine is presented to us as an exhortation. Let this mind be in you.
Just as Christ humbled himself, so also must we humble ourselves. My friends, we are wretched sinners. We deserve nothing but damnation. And yet God decreed our salvation and accomplished it through the humiliation of the Son and the life-giving power of the spirit.
Who am I? Who are you? Why is it that we should receive this gift? It's not because of what we are.
It's not because of what we have done, but solely through divine grace. and humility is the only appropriate response.
Humility as Fruit of the Decree
Does the doctrine of the decree abase your pride? It will if you meditate on this holy mystery with prudence and care.
Diligence as Fruit of the Decree
Secondly, diligence. The second great benefit of contemplation of the decree is diligence. In the next verses of Philippians 2, the apostle makes this point well. He had already said, "Let this mind be in you." And he speaks about Christ in his humiliation.
He goes on, "Therefore, my beloved, as you've always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure." Paul's therefore flows from the doctrine of Christ's humiliation and its application to believers. Since the Lord determined to send his son, we ought to respond with zeal in loving the Lord our God. Notice verse 13.
God's decree is at work in us, even in our Christian lives. And for this reason, we ought to press on in holiness all the more. Remember what Dr. Owen taught us.
We can't violate God's eternal decree. His decree is working in us, but our response to it is to work out our salvation with uh fear and trembling. Listen to what Peter says. Same idea.
Second Peter 1. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his glory and virtue by which we've been given which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust but also for this very reason giving all diligence add to your faith virtue to virtue knowledge to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance, godliness. To godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter begins with the decree and then gives the exhortation. God's decree works in our lives. He gave us life and our response is diligently to serve him.
Consolation as Fruit of the Decree
Thirdly, abundant consolation. This final word is of great comfort. Meditating on the divine decree should provide us with profound consolation. In the first place, the doctrine reminds us that salvation does not depend on us.
Eternal life is not and never has been a result of our actions. It is a gift freely given. In fact, it's a gift eternally determined. The creator of all things, the lifegiver, planned your salvation.
He didn't choose you because you're worthy. Rather, he chose you despite your unworthiness. He wasn't attracted to you because of your appearance, your talents, your heritage, your DNA, or anything else in you. He chose you out of his own good pleasure.
You are the orphan, abandoned, alone, filthy, helpless. And he came and gave you new life. He cleansed your filth, restored you to life, and provided you with the best clothing made of Christ's righteousness, the best clothing you will ever need. And this lasts forever.
Isn't this the greatest foundation for abundant consolation, overwhelming, overflowing, unabated comfort? You belong to Christ. This is God's eternal purpose. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
We remember what we were and we marvel what we have become. And we say, "Praise the Lord." The prophet Habach understood this when he wrote, "Though the fig tree may not blossom nor fruit beyond the vines, though the labor of the olive may fail and the fields yield no fruit, though the flock may be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation." The next aspect of consolation increases our wonder. Because secondly, we cannot sin away our salvation.
My sister or brother in Christ, there's no action you can take that will separate you from Christ Jesus. There is a truth to that misused and misunderstood phrase, once saved, always saved. Genuine believers in Jesus Christ cannot fall from grace. They will be preserved and will persevere to the end.
Since it is God who decreed salvation for the elect, there is no power able to overcome or hinder his decree. It will be accomplished. To put it directly and personally, you cannot undo God's decree.
Can you sin grievously? Yes, you can.
But can your sid break the bond of love initiated in eternity, accomplished in history and applied to you by word and spirit? No, you cannot. Here is profound consolation. You see, there are at least two ways to consider this.
On the one hand, this is a great assistance for doubting believers, brothers and sisters with tender consciences. Your salvation does not depend on you. It's all of God's grace. But on the other hand, when we sin, we know that we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one.
When you confess your sin, you may be assured that he will faithfully forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. And thirdly, the doctrine of the decree brings comfort as a reminder that God is faithful in all things. Trust him in every circumstance. I mentioned this before.
Chapter 2 of God and of the Holy Trinity both in the Seavoy declaration and in the second London Baptist confession closes with these powerful and deeply comforting words. This doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God and comfortable dependence on him. Brother and sister, rest in this truth. As John Norton said long ago, God's decree is simply God decreeing.
This is the firmst foundation you can ever have. God is and God is true to himself and to his word. And you may rely on this in every way, in every circumstance. It's all of grace.
Well, what shall we say in conclusion? The doctrine of the decree is humbling for all who obey the gospel and should lead to praise, reverence, and deepen the believer's admiration of God. confirming words written just before. Since salvation begins in eternity and concludes with eternal life, everyone who sincerely obeys the gospel may have abundant consolation. Remember this, the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Let us do the things he has commanded with thanks to God who has abundantly receve revealed the things that belong to us and to our children forever. Let me conclude in prayer. But I want to read a prayer that was written in response to this chapter in the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism. So bow with me and listen to some Puritan words of prayer.
Closing Prayer
Oh Lord, thou has been pleased out of thy mere good pleasure to decree to bring thine nect out of the state of sin and misery by the Lord Jesus Christ, the only redeemer. He was graciously pleased to humble himself to the death of the cross to satisfy thy divine justice to reconcile us to thee. And now he ever liveth, making intercession for poor sinners. Oh thou the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all grace, for the sake of thine eternal and beloved son, have mercy upon us and apply to us by thy holy spirit the redemption purchased by Christ by faith working in us and thereby uniting us to him.
We humble humbly pray thee convince us of our sin and misery. Enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ. renew our will and persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered in the gospel.