Chapter III: Of God's Eternal Decree. [977] De æterno Dei Decreto.

Of God's Eternal Decree. [977] De æterno Dei Decreto.
I. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass;
[978] yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin, [979] nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. [980]
I. Deus, e sapientissimo sanctissimoque consilio voluntatis suæ, libere ac immutabiliter, quicquid unquam evenit, ab omni æterno ordinavit;
[981] ita tamen, id inde nec author peccati evadat Deus, [982] nec voluntati creaturarum sit vis illata, neque libertas aut contingentia causarum secundarum ablata sit, verum potius stabilita. [983] II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, [984] yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions. [985] II. Quamvis omnia cognoscat Deus, quæ suppositis quibusvis conditionibus sunt eventu possibilia; [986] non tamen ideo quicquam decrevit quoniam illud præviderat aut futurum, aut positis talibus conditionibus eventurum. [987] III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, III. Deus, quo gloriam suam manifestaret, nonnullos hominum

some men and angels [988] are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death. [989] ac Angelorum [990] decreto suo ad æternam vitam prædestinavit, alios autem ad mortem æternam præordinavit. [991] IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished. [992] IV. prædestinati illi et præordinati homines Angelique, particulariter sunt ac immutabiliter designati, certusque illorum est ac definitus numerus, adeo ut nec augeri possit nec imminui. [993]
V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto 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, [994] 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 conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; [995] and all to the praise of his glorious grace. [996] V. Qui ex humano genere sunt ad vitam prædestinati, illos Deus ante jacta mundi fundamenta, secundum æternum suum ac immutabile propositum, secretumque voluntatis suæ consilium et beneplacitum, elegit in Christo ad æternam gloriam, [997] idque ex amore suo et gratia mere gratuita; nec fide, nec bonis operibus, nec in his illave perseverantia, sed neque ulla alia re in creatura, prævisis, ipsum tanquam causis aut conditionibus ad id moventibus; [998] quo totum nempe in laudem cederet gloriosæ suæ gratiæ. [999] VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. [1000] Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in VI. Quemadmodum autem Deus electos ad gloriam destinavit, sic omnia etiam quibus illam consequantur media præordinavit, voluntatis suæ proposito æterno simul et liberrimo. [1001] Quapropter electi, postquam

Adam, are redeemed by Christ, [1002] are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, [1003] and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.
[1004] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. [1005] lapsi essent in Adamo, a Christo sunt redempti; [1006] per Spiritum ejus opportuno tempore operantem, ad fidem in Christum vocantur efficaciter; justificantur, sanctificantur, [1007] et potentia ipsius per fidem custodiuntur ad salutem. [1008] Nec alii quivis a Christo redimuntur, vocantur efficaciter justificantur, adoptantur, sanctificantur et salvantur, præter electos solos. [1009]

VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice. [1010]

VII. Reliquos humani generis Deo placuit secundum consilium voluntatis suæ inscrutabile {quo misericordiam pro libitu exhibet abstinetve) in gloriam supremæ suæ in creaturas potestatis, præterire; eosque ordinare ad ignominiam et iram pro peccatis suis, ad laudem justitiæ suæ gloriosæ. [1011]

VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, [1012] that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. [1013] So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; [1014] and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation

VIII. Doctrina de sublimi hoc prædestinationis mysterio non sine summa cura et prudentia tractari debet, [1015] quo nimirum homines, dum voluntati Dei in verbo ejus revelatæ advertant animos, eique debitam exhibeant obedientiam, de efficaci sua vocatione certiores facti, ad æternæ suæ electionis assurgere possint certitudinem. [1016] Ita demum suppeditabit hæc doctrina laudandi, reverendi, admirandique Deum argumentum, [1017] quin etiam humilitatis,

to all that sincerely obey the gospel. [1018] diligentiæ et consolationis copiosæ omnibus sincere obedientibus evangelio. [1019]