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to his rational creatures the fullest and clearest exhibition of his glorious perfections.

8. It is best that whatever is necessary to the most glorious manifestation of the divine perfections should exist. All things being considered, it is best that such means, as are necessary to effect the best purposes, should exist; whatever the means may be in themselves. As it is best that the perfections of God should be manifested in the most glorious manner, it is best that whatever is necessary for this purpose should exist. If God be powerful, then it is best that whatever is necessary to give the fullest and clearest exhibition of his power should exist. If God be just, then it is best that whatever is necessary to give the fullest and clearest exhibition of his justice should exist. If God be gracious, then it is best that whatever is necessary to give the fullest and clearest exhibition of his grace should exist. If God be the sovereign of the universe, then it is best that whatever is necessary to give the fullest and clearest exhibition of his sovereignty should exist. If God could not give the brightest manifestation of his perfec tions, without creating the beings he has made, then it was best that they should be created. If God could not give the fullest view of his glory, without governing all his creatures and all their actions, according to his eternal pur pose, then it is best that he should work all

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things after the counsel of his own will. the existence of sin be necessary to manifest the glory of God in the most glorious manner, then it was best that sin should be caused to exist. If God could not give the most glorious exhibition of his character, unless his beloved. Son appeared in the flesh and died on the cross, then it was best that he should so appear and:: die. If God cannot give the fullest view of his glory, unless there be vessels of wrath, as well as vessels of mercy, then it is best that one part of mankind should be fitted for des-2 truction, as well as the other part for salvation. And if God cannot give the greatest glory to his great and holy name, unless he punish a certain number of the human race in the endless torments of hell, then it is best that a certain number of the human race should be tormented in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, day and night for ever and ever.

9. By decreeing and effecting the salvation of, the elect, and the destruction of the non-elect, God does give the fullest and clearest manifestation of his glorious perfections. Since God has decreed that a certain part of mankind shall be saved, and that the other part shall be destroyed, we may be assured that it is wisest and best that there should be vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, as well as vessels of mercy prepared unto glory. And the reason of his decrees, respecting the eternal character and condition of human beings, the Holy Spirit has been pleased to teach us in the holy scriptures.

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To the faithful in Christ Jesus it is written, "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace are ye saved,) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus." From these words of the Holy Spirit, it is evident that God saves his chosen people for the purpose of manifesting the riches of his grace in the most glorious manner. Again it is written, "What if God willing to shew his wrath, and make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction; and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy he had afore prepared unto glory?" It appears then that according to the scriptures, God saves the elect, and destroys the non-elect, that he may for ever give to every rational creature, the fullest and clearest exhibition of his divine perfections. For this wise, and holy, and glorious purpose, he decreed, in the counsels of eternity, that a certain part of the human race should be saved, and that the other part of the human race should be destroyed. And by effecting his eternal purpose, respecting the salvation and the destruction of immortal souls, he causes the glory of his great and holy name to appear in the most glorious manner. We may see, then, as plain

ly as we can see any object, which is placed before the mind, why God has decreed to save only a certain part of mankind, and why he has decreed that the other part of mankind shall be destroyed.

SERMON VIII.

IN

JOHN VI. 37.

that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.

N the preceding discourse it has been proved that God, by decreeing and effecting the salvation of the elect, and the destruction of the reprobate, gives the fullest and clearest manifestations of his glorious perfections. It may be well now,

IV. To enquire what perfections God manifests, by saving one part, and by destroying the other part of the human race.

Here it may be replied,

1. That God, by saving the elect, and by destroying the reprobate, most fully and clearly manifests his power. When God delivers his people from the bondage of Satan, he shows that he not only controls the human heart, but that he can bind the god of this world, and rescue from his hand as many of

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