A BRIEF and PLAIN DISCOURSE UPON THE Decrees of God. WHEREIN Mr. Grantham's Query IS Considered and Answered. WITH Some short Reflections upon a few Expressions in his Book, etc. Job 6.25. How forcible are right words? But what doth your arguing reprove? Zeph. 2.1, 2. Gather yourselves together, etc. Before the Decree Bring forth, etc. Decretum Dei est Definitiva ejus Sententia, de Rebus Omnibus per Omnipotentiam & Secundum Consilium suum efficiendi. Ames Medulla Theol. LONDON, Printed by T. S. for Edw. Giles Bookseller in Norwich, near the Market Place. 1692. AN ANSWER TO Mr. Grantham's Question, Which he was pleased to propound to all Rigid Calvinists, as he calls them, viz. Quest. Whether our Gracious God did from all Eternity, freely and unchangeably Decree, that Mr. Toathby and Mr. Willet, should come to the City of Norwich, and slander me and others, by such horrid Lies and Forgeries. Mr. Grantham, I was much concerned when I saw your Book, in which you propound a Question, to all the Rigid Calvinists (as you are pleased to call us, in Norwich and elsewhere) and being much troubled at it, thought it my duty to make some answer to it (as I am able, through the help and assistance of God's Grace) and accordingly have so done in this Paper. I do much wonder, that such a wise man (as you pretend to be) should propound such a question as this is, in which you speak slightly of God and his Decrees. Had you that sense and reverence of God, and of the greatness of his Majesty and Sovereignty, (who may do what he will with us his Creatures) I say had you this upon your Heart, (which I fear you have not) you would not Quarrel with God, and speak so slightly of his Decrees as you do. The Lord humble you, and give you repentance for it: and also Wisdom to do so no more. There are three things that I would offer to consideration about the Decrees of God. Viz. 1. What the Decree of God is, which you speak so slightly of. 2. What are the Properties of God's Decrees. And 3. Speak something of the Execution of it. For the first, What are the Decrees of God? Answ. 1. The Word Decree, is a Speech that is taken from the affairs of men, but especially, of such men as are in Authority; in their determinations of Causes between such as are at variance: whose Sentence accordingly is called a Decree. 2. For God to Decree, is Eternally to purpose; fore-ordain, determine, and appoint what things shall be, and come to pass, etc. Now the manner of God's decreeing all things▪ Is according to the Counsel of his own Will: And being according to his Will, it is most freely, and according, to his Counsel therefore most Wisely: So that God has Freely and Wifely decreed all things that come to pass; and let us but think of this, that what God doth he doth well and wisely, after the Counsel of his own Will, as the Apostle, speak, Eph. 1.11, 12. then we shall be silent and not quarrel so with God, (about his decreeing all things before time, that come to pass in time) as we are apt to do, and let us well remember this. Wherefore God hath Decreed all things that come to pass, viz. for his own Praise and Glory, as appears, Psal. 33.11, 12. Rom. 9.22, 23. and Eph. 1.4, and 11. etc. 3. So then the Decrees of God are defined to be the Wise; Free, and Holy Acts of the Counsel of God's Will, who worketh all things after the Counsel of his Holy Will, which is the Rule of Perfection Eph. 1.11. Rom. 11.33. whereby for his own Glory, God hath unchangeably determined whatsoever▪ comes to pass, especially concerning his reasonable Creatures viz. Angels and Men, Mr. Leigh in his Body of Divinity, says That the Decree of God is that whereby the Lord, according to the Counsel of his own Will, hath determined with himself what he will do, command, forbidden, permit or hinder, together with the Circumstances of the same, Act. 2.23. and 4.28. Luk. 22.22. It is, says he, an Eternal determining of all things which have been, or shall be: So as himself saw fittest to have them, for Good Reasons best known to himself, though not to us. Therefore let us not Quarrel with God about his do, and determining all things, etc. Seeing he doth all he doth most wisely, and for good reasons known to himself: Let us be silent, seeing his ways are in the Deep, and beyond our shallow Capacity, and say as Paul in Rom. 11.33. Oh! the Depth, etc. Thus much may suffice for the first thing. We shall now come to the second. 2. To show what are the Properties of God's Decrees: and this (through God's help) I shall do in these following particulars. Pray mind them well. First, The Decree of God is Complete, i. e. that it doth comprehend the determining of all things, from all Eternity, that do or shall come to pass, which might be evidenced from many Arguments grounded upon the Word of God, which we must give Credit to, unless we do believe the Scripture only to be the Invention of men, and not indeed the Pure and Holy Word of God, as in truth it is. The Arguments are these, viz. I'll Just name them. Arg. 1. Consider it well, the smallest and most Casual things, Decreed by God: As the lighting of a Sparrow upon the Ground, and the falling of a Hair from our Heads. This I say, is not without the fore-appointment of the Wise and Holy God, as you may see plainly in the Words of Christ, Mat. 10 28, 29, 30, 31. Read and Mind this place well, and you'll find it True. The very Drops that fall from Heaven, and the Grass that grows upon the Earth, is from the Appointment of God from Eternity. See and consider well these Scriptures: And the Lord give you to understand them aright, and all of us, which is his gift, Prov. 16.32, 33. Jer. 14.22. Jonah 1.6, Matt 6.28, 29. The Words of Christ, etc. Arg. 2. Seeing none of these things doth come to pass without the Appointment of God, what do you think, Mr. Grantham, concerning the Angels? Don't you believe that some of them fell, and the rest stood, according as God did ordain and appoint, as to be sure they did. 1 Tim. 5.21, 22. and I suppose you believe it, for you in your Book speak of Elect Angels; and pray Answer me this, Why may not God as well Choose and Elect some men, to Eternal Life and let others alone to go on in sin and perish? as to Chufe and Elect some Angels, and pass the other by, seeing they are all the Workmanship of his hands? etc. And he may dispose of them, and do with them as he pleases, Rom. 9.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. But, Arg. 3. All things concerning men, as to their Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal Estate, are Decreed by God, and there is nothing can be found that God's Decree doth not reach, which argues, that God hath decreed all things whatsoever; see and read these following Scriptures, for the proof of this third Argument, viz. Matt. 22, from the 10, to the 16. and the 20.15, 16. Act. 13.48. Job 14.5. Act. 17.26. Psal. 139.15, 16. 1. Thes. 3.3, 4. and 5.9. all which places show that all things concerning men, as to their Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal Estate are Determined and Decreed by God, Heb. 9.29. But to proceed. Secondly, God's Decree is most wise, and therefore it is called the Counsel of his Will, and that because his Will doth determine all things according to that Counsel, see Eph. 1.11, 12. 1 Tim. 1.17. Rom. 11.33. In decretis sapientum nulla litura. Thirdly, It is most Just, for God is Just and Righteous in all he doth, and there is no unrighteousness in God at all. Rom. 9.13, 14, 15, 16. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Yes surely, for he can do no otherwise, Genesis 18.25. Fourthly, Free, because nothing moved the Decrees of God without or beyond himself, his Grace and Mercy saith Christ, Matt. 11.26. Even so, oh Father! For it seemeth Good in thy fight, or it pleaseth thee. Fifthly, It is certain, firm, and unchangeable, as appears, Matt. 18.14. Jo. 23.13. Psal. 33.10, 11, 12. 2 Tim. 19.6. Heb. 17. not but that men ought to repent, mortify sin, believe, and be holy, for he who hath appointed to the end, viz. Eternal Life, hath also appointed to the means, which tend to the end, viz. Hearing and Reading the Word, Praying, Repenting, and Believing in Christ, and the like, Eph. 1.4. 2 Thes. 2.12, 13. Sixthly, God's Decree is Eternal, or else he would be changeable, contrary to that of Mal. 3.6, 7. Jam. 1.17. That it is Eternal (I mean God's Decree) see and read, Act. 1.15. 18. Eph. 1.4. 2 Tim. 1.9, 10. Zech. 6.1, 2. Mountains of Brass, i. e. Stable and Eternal Decrees, etc. So much for the Properties of God's Decrees. 3. I shall now speak a word or two in the third place, to the Execution of God's Decrees: and so shall answer directly to your Question that you propounded. as the Lord by his Spirit shall help and assist me. Now as to the Execution of God's * Note that God's Decrees, what he would do, in the disposing of things for his own Glory, were from all Eternity; But the Execution of them are in time. Decree, it is twofold, as first, more General, secondly, more Special. It is more Common or General viz. In his works of Creation and Providence, for as God's Decree is General, which concerns all his Creatures, so the Execution of it is the same, as I might largely show, so that nothing comes to pass unawares, but what was ordered by the Eternal Decree, etc. and this Execution of God's Decree, is an action of God effectually working all things in their time, according to his Decree, Act. 4. Act. 28. and the parts of it, as I said before, are Creation and Providence, see Psal. 33.6, to the 11. Jer. 10.11, 12. Psal. 146.6, 7, 8, 9 2. It is more Special, which belongs to the reasonable Creatures, viz. Angels and Men, and so the Execution is in Angels and Men, which I might have shown largely, had I handled the Special Decree of Election and Reprobation, which I design not now to meddle with, only set down a few Scriptures to prove that there is an Election and Reprobation. That there is an Election, see these places, viz. Matt. 20.15, 16. John 15.16. and 10.16. Act. 18.10. and 13.44. Eph. 4.5. Rom. 2.30. and 11.5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.1, 2. Eph. 1● 4, 5, 6. 2 Tim. 1.9. Rom. 9.16, 18. Titus 3.5. and Reprobation, see also Matt. 13.11. Rom. 9.22, 23. Matt. 11.25, 26. Luke 8.10, 11. Prov. 16, 4, 5. 1 Pet. 2.8, 9, 10. John. 10.26. Judas 4. Now in as much as these Scriptures do plainly prove an Election and Reprobation, we ought to believe it, and to set to it our Seal: that it is true, because the Scripture says it. And the Lord of his Mercy grant that we may believe his Word, which is Pure and Holy, and an unerring rule for us to walk by, Gal. 6.16. Thus I have run over the three things that I propounded for to do. I shall now say something (through the Lords help) to your Question, which is this, viz. Quest. Whether our Gracious God did from all Eternity, freely and unchangeably Decree, that Mr. Toathby and Mr. Willet should cone to the, City of Norwich, and slander me and other's by such horrid Lies and Forgeries? Answ. 1. That God hath freely and unchangeably decreed all things that have, do, or shall come to pass, has already been proved: and deny it if you can: If you do, you must deny the Scriptures to be true, and so not to be the Word of God, who is Truth itself, and cannot Lie, therefore his Word must be true, and so not to be contradicted nor objected against by you, Mr. Grantham. Object. But may be you will say that hereby we do make God to be the Author of all the sins of Men and Devils, (as you have already Branded us in Print) because we say as the Scriptures affirm, that God has unchangeably decreed before time, what does or shall come to pass in time, etc. Answ. For the Answer to this Objection or Cavil, I have set down before you here, what the reverend Bishop Usher in his Body of Divinity, pag. 93. saith, in answer to the same thing that is here objected by you and others of your Judgement, pray mind it well and judge rightly, for he spoke solidly, his words are these, viz. God (says he) is not the cause of sin and evil, which he forbiddeth and condemneth, but Satan and Men, yet God in his secret will hath justly Decreed the evil works of the wicked (for if it had not pleased him they had never been at all) for most holy ends, both for his Glory and their punishment, as may be seen in the Jews Crucifying of Christ, Act. 2.23. and Joseph's selling into Egypt, Gen. 45.7. and the 50.20 for the thing that in its self, by reason of Gods prohibiting of it, is sin; in respect of God's decreeing of it for a Holy end, comes in the place of a good thing, as being some occasion or way to manifest the Glory of God in his Justice and Mercy, for there is nothing sin as God decreeth it, or commandeth it, neither is there any thing of itself absolutely evil, 1 Pet. 3.17. but because God hath forbidden it: therefore is it evil, and only unto them unto whom God hath forbidden it: as Abraham killing of Isaac, being commanded of God was to be obeyed, and sin it were to have disobeyed it, which otherwise by God's Commandment, forbidding to Kill was a sin, for God forbiddeth not things because they are of themselves at first Evil. but therefore are they to man evil, because God hath forbidden them, for all sin is a transgression of the Law: and God doth in Heaven and Earth whatsoever pleaseth him: neither is there any Greater than he to command him.] Thus far Bishop Usher. Now answer this if you can; I know you may make A Reply to it in some few Cavilling words, being nothing to the purpose; I might say something more to the answering this Objection: But what has been said shall suffice, as believing it is more than you truly can answer, etc. Secondly, As to the other part of your Question, viz. Whether God did from Eternity Decree, that Mr. Toathby and Mr. Willet, should come to Norwich, to slander and abuse you and others, as they have done, by those horrid Lies and Forgeries? I answer, 1. That there thus vilifying and reproaching of you, by such Wretched Lies and Forgeries of their inventing, was their great sin and wickedness, Leu. 6.2, 3. Prov. 12.22. Mat. 12.36, 37. Rev. 22.15, 16. and they will see it to be so, sooner or later: I do wish they might see it in Time, that they may repent of this and other their sins, before to be too late. 2. I say that God decreed to permit it, but not as it is a sin, but a Punishment or Correction to you for some sin: though God decreed sin, yet we say he did not Decree it as sin, but as a means of the manifestation of his Justice on the Wicked, and his Grace on the Saints: his Justice in punishing the one, and his Mercy in Pardoning and saving the other, Act. 2.23. and 4.28. 1 Cor. 10.13, 14. Eph. 1.4. and also we say that God is not the Author of sin, Jam. 1.14, 15. though he is a wise permitter of it, and the Powerful Disposer, and Eternal Avenger of sin: yet in no ways the Cause and Author of it. But the proper and only cause of sin, is the Will of Devils and Men, whereby they fell from God, etc. Joh. 8.44. 1 Joh. 3.8. Judas 4. There is by God's Decree, no violence offered to the Will of his Creatures, but men go on, as freely and willingly in their sins, as if there were no Decree of God to give them leave, Reverend Mr. Finch. etc. to be sure this we may and aught to hold and believe, that God doth no sin at all, though he permit it to be done, (or else it could not be in the World) and also, that he hath a providence about it, but for the manner how it is hard for to find but and determine; you know it is said, 2 Sam. 16.10, 11. That God bid Shimei to Curse David, we must not understand, as if God did expressly Command Shimei out of his good Word so to do, for this was an improper command: and implies only, that God did make use of Shimei's Tongue as a Whip to scourge David for his sins, and thus far God did Decree to permit it as a punishment or correction to David for his Iniquities against God. punishment you know is counted a Mortal good, in that it is the part of a Just Judge to punish sin: and thus saith Reverend Bishop Usher, p. 112, and 113. In his Body of Divinity, p. 112, 113. God Willeth the sin of the Wicked for their Punishment, and this without sin in himself, Rom. 2.26.3. and the last. And he saith farther. That that which is evil, hath some respect of goodness with God, and that, 1. As it is a mere Action; God being the Author of every Action, Act. 17.28. But the Devil and our Concupiscence of the Evil in it: and he gives this comparison, that he which Rideth upon a Lame Horse, causeth the Horse to stir, but he is not the Cause of his Halting: See also the same in Mr. Perkin's Order of Causes, chapter the 6. p. the 16. So that though God hath a Hand in mere Actions: Yet he is in no wise the Cause of the Evil in any actions: But the Devil and ourselves are the cause of it. 2. As it is a Punishment of, and for sin, but this I hinted before: as you may find, if you look a little back. 3. As it is Chastisement; a Trial of Faith, as Martyrdom, or Propitiation for sin, as the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ, Act. 2.23. and 4.27, 28. where saith he, Acts 4.24. although the giving of Christ to the death of the Cross, be attributed in the same words to God and Christ, to Judas, Pilate, and the Jews, yet diversely and in several respects, they are declared to meet in one and the same action, whereby there appeareth no less difference between God and Christ's purpose, and theirs, than between Light and Darkness, and he farther declares, how God hath a hand in the things before named, and yet be free from sin, but let this suffice that hath been already named; I shall need say no more to your Question, only this, (which I hinted before) that as this is a Punishment or Correction, God did Will, or Decree, to permit it, that it might be as a Whip to scourge you with for your sins: and I hope you look upon it as such: it's a mercy to be kept from the strife of Tongues, and it is the Promise of God (if we harken and be obedient to him) to keep and hid us from it, see it in Job 5.21, 22. now whatever afflictions we meet withal, and undergo, if it be not as an evil doer, but for well doing then happy are we, 1 Pet. 3.19, 20, 21. and the 4. from 13. to the end, and saith Christ, Matt. 5.10, 11. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, Why? for great is your reward in Heaven, etc. Now the Lord of his Mercy grant, that whatsoever we suffer in this World from the wicked, we may suffer it for Christ's and the Gospel's sake. And thus I have done with your Question: Matt. 5.10, 11. The Lord grant that you may not Quarrel with the Truth any longer, for you have fought against it with foolish Notions to long. There are a few expressions in your Book, that I shall a little take notice of, and so conclude this discourse with a short word of Caution to the Reader. First, Your silly or rather wicked expressions, are these, viz You call us Rigid Calvinists who oppose those that Preach God's Love to Mankind. They are Rigid indeed, that set themselves to oppose the Truth as it is in Jesus, but I hope we are so far from opposing those that Preach God's Love to Mankind, as that we rejoice in it, and desire to do it ourselves, though may be, not as you would have us, viz. that God hath the same Love to all Mankind as he hath for some of them, if he hath, Why are not all Saved? Surely, that love that saves some may save all, if it be alike to all; but (oh! Mr. Grantham) let You and I leave God to do what he will with his Creatures that he has made: And let us Preach the Word to all, as we desire to do, and must do, because we do not know who they be that God will save, and who they are that God will glorify his Justice in their Damnation: We must call all to come, but God may give Pardon, Grace, and Glory to whom he will: Shall not God do what he will with his own? Yes surely. Are not you rather, Rigid? (Mr. Grantham) That tell the People God hath the same Love to all as to some, and also that Christ Died for all and every Individual Man and Woman in the World? And yet declares that the greatest part of the World (though Christ died for them) shall perish? Oh! horrible and wicked, that you should speak thus of Christ, and undervalue his Death and Merits at such a rate: Repent of this your wickedness, and pray God to forgive you: And utterly explode such a base opinion, for what comfort can there be, in this your General Notion: That Christ died for all, and yet most of these may perish and be damned: I say abhor this opinion, and pray God to give you a Heart to believe, that all that Christ died for in truth, Intentionally for to save, shall all of them be saved, John 6.37, 38, 39 and 10.16. Secondly, You bid us explode and abhor that wretched Article of the Assembly of Divines, where they say that God did from all Eternity, freely and unchangeably Decree, whatsoever comes to pass. 1. Were you any thing of a sound man, and did understand God's Word aright, you would not object against this Article, that is so plainly proved in the Scripture. But oh! how Ignorant are you, or make yourself so, of God's holy Word? 2. Don't, you think (If you done't you may) that you are a wretched man for Quarrelling with the Truth? Oh! tremble before the Lord for Quarrelling with his pure unerring word: and do so no more, but submit to the Truth, and receive it in the Love of it: And maintain Errors no longer: The Lord grant, you may do so: And become a Lover of the Truth in sincerity. I shall now conclude all with a short word of caution to the Christian Reader. I do hearty in the name of the Lord admonish thee to have a care of Errors, and of all those that do hold and maintain them. Take the Apostles advice, 1 John 1.1, 2. Not to believe every Spirit, but try every Spirit, whether they be of God or no, and the way to do this is, by the Holy Word of God, with Care and Diligence, John 5.39. Acts 17.11. 1 Thes. 5.21, 22. and Rev. 2.2, 3. Now the good Lord teach you, and guide you in the way of Holiness, which shall be my Prayer to God for you whilst I Live. The Lord give you understanding in all things. FINIS. Words Preached by Thomas Grantham in his Meetingplace, in the City of Norwich, and attested by John Pitcher, of the said City; which are as followeth, viz. Imprimis, That every Man fell in Adam, this is true, and Christ died to Redeem every individual Man and Woman in the World; and if not so, we were lest in a worse condition than though Devil, and if all have not benefit by his Death, than they whom he died not for, have as little reason to thanks God, as the Beast has the Grazier that seeds him up to the Slaughter, etc. Reader, THese few Lines were thought fit by some Persons of Note, to be published, which accordingly are: and I do hearty wish that Mr. Grantham would learn more Wisdom for time come, and not speak so wickedly (I can call it no other) as he hath done, for he speaks quite contrary to the currant of the Holy Scriptures, be they compared one with another, which indeed is the way to understand them, etc. I am also credibly told, that you called the. Doctrine of Election and Reprobation (in your Pulpit) damnable Doctrine, etc. and one that heard you, came to your house, to tell you of it, being troubled about it, and you denied it? which he then made manifest to your Face, and then you said these words, viz. between You and I, I do say it is Damnable Doctrine, etc. Oh horrible! that ever you should speak such a word as this is: the Lord help you now to amend (and all of us) what we have done amiss in any kind, and to do better for time to come: My Prayer shall be to God for you, to give you true wisdom in the Mysteries of his Will, contained in his Holy Word. Vale. Testes. Mich. Hosbun. John Fenn. Miles Matthews. A Catalogue of Books, Printed for, and are to be Sold by Edward Giles, Bookseller in Norwich, near the Marketplace. SEveral Discourses concerning Actual Providence. A word in Season. Defensive Armour against four of Satan's most fiery Darts. Sermons upon the whole first and second Chapter of Canticles. Thirteen Sermons upon several useful Subjects: All published by John Collins D. D. of Norwich. The way of the Spirit in bringing Souls to Christ. The Glory of Christ set forth, with the necessity of Faith, in several Sermons: Both by Mr. Thomas Allen, late Pastor of a Church at Norwich. Enoch's Walk with God and Christ, a Christians Gain: by Mr, Timothy Armitage, late Minister at Norwich. A Discourse of the preciousness of Christ, and of the preciousness of Faith. Precious Promises the Portion of Overcomers. Sermons on the five several useful Subjects; all by Mr. John Lougher, Minister in Norfolk. The Saints Ebenezer, by Mr. Francis English, late Minister in Norwich. Directions to spell English right. The History of the Protestant Reformation, as it was begun by Luther. The Dead Saints speaking; being a Sermon Preached upon the Death of Mr. Newcomb of Deadham in Essex. The English Presbyterian. The Miracles of Christ. The ordinary matter of Prayer, drawn into Questions and Answers. Two Treatises, the first, of Rejoicing in the Lord Jesus in all Cases and Conditions: The second of a Christians Hope in Heaven, and Freedom from Condemnation by Christ: both by Robert Asty, late Minister of Jesus Christ in Norwich. Obedience to Magistrates, recommended in a Sermon preached September the 9th 1683. being the thanksgiving Day for his Majesty's Deliverance: By Jonathan Clapham, Rector of wramplingham in Norfolk. Infant Baptism of Chist's Appointment: By Mr. Samuel Peito, Minister of the Gospel in Sudbury in Suffolk. Of the Conversion of Sinners to God in Christ, the necessity, nature, means, and signs of it, with a concluding Speech to the Unconverted: An Answer to Mr. Thomas Grantham's Book, called a Dialogue between the Baptist and Presbyterian. Both by Martin Finch, Pastor of a Church of Christ in Norwich. Sincerity, or the Upright Man's Walk to Heaven: Delivered in several Sermons in the Parish-Church of St. Michael in Long-stratten in Norfolk, By James Oldfield, late Minister there. Alexipharmacon Spirituale: Being a Defensative against the Poison and Sting of Death: Or, The Great Expedient how to make the Bed of the Grave so easy, that we may lie down in Peace, and take our Rest. By Samuel Snowden, Minister of the Gospel at Newton in Norfolk. Christ set forth: In several Sermons upon the 17th Chapter to the Hebrews. By Mr. Robert Ottee, late Pastor to a Congregation Beckles in Suffolk. Sacramental Discourses on several select Subjects. To which is added, A Discourse of the Life of Faith. By Christopher Amarett, Minister of the Gospel in Norfolk. A Discovery of Audacious Insolence against the Doctrine of the Church of England, vented in a malicious Pamphlet, published against the Presbyterians, by Thomas Grantham: Together with a Poem thereon. And a Postscript, wherein some of the Citizens of Norwich are more particularly concerned and cautioned. A Practical Discourse upon the 8th of the Romans 37. verse: Wherein it is shown and proved, that true Believers in Christ are more than Conquerors, in their sufferings and afflictions here: And it shall appear that they are such indeed at the appearing of Christ the Captain of their Salvation. FINIS.