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CHAPTER V.

PAGE.

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66

AN EXPOSITION OF THE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT ARE QUOTED
BY THE LATE REV. THOMAS SCOTT, IN HIS SERMON ON- ELEC-
TION AND FINAL PERSEVERANCE,IN SUPPORT OF HIS VIEWS
OF THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY, AS IT REGARDS THE SALVATION
OF MANKIND

CHAPTER VI.

AN EXPOSITION OF THE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT ARE QUOTED
BY THE REV. Joseph fletcheR, A. M. IN HIS DISCOURSE ON-
66 PERSONAL ELECTION AND DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY,”-
-IN SUP-
PORT OF HIS VIEWS OF THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY, AS IT RE-
CARDS THE SALVATION OF MANKIND

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE ECONOMY OF THE DIVINE INFLUENCE AS IT REGARDS THE
RECOVERY OF MANKIND TO THE IMAGE OF GOD

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ON THE

DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY.

CHAPTER I.

ON THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AS MANIFESTED IN THE PLAN OF HUMAN REDEMPTION, ACCORDING TO THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE.

THE wise man assures us, that "God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions,' Eccl. vii. 29. His belief in the former. proposition was grounded on the testimony of God; and his belief in the latter, on his own experience and observation, as well as the history of preceding ages. In the former proposition we have an agent and a subjectGod the Creator, and man the creature. In the latter proposition taken with the former, we have a twofold state of that subject—a state of original rectitude— "God made man upright," and a state of subsequent delinquency—“ but they have sought out many inventions."

B

First, let us remark concerning the agent and subject. 1st, The agent. Scripture uniformly declares, that God, the Creator of all things, is a Spirit-infinite, eternal, and unchangeable; both in reference to his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 2nd, The subject. From the same source we learn, that man, the creature, possesses a rational soul, as well as an animal body; for it is said, that "the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul," Gen. ii. 7.

Secondly, we remark concerning man's twofold state. 1st, His state of original rectitude," he was made upright," that is, he was made in the image of God; (Gen. i. 26.) which image was of an intellectual and a moral nature. Man resembled his Creator intellectually and morally, viz. in the knowledge of his understanding, the righteousness of his will, and the holiness of his dispositions. That the divine image, as impressed on the creature, consisted in these properties, is evident from the declaration of an inspired apostle-" Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him."-" Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Col. iii. 10. Eph. iv. 24.

2ndly, The state of man's delinquency. This division of the subject leads us to consider the relation that originally subsisted between God the Creator, and man the creature. 1. The work of creation gave

the Creator an absolute authority over the life, both moral and natural, of his creature man. "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." Ps. ciii. 19. Not only had the Creator authority over man by right, but by the end for which man was created; which end was twofold-the glory of God, and man's own happiness. This twofold end could not have been contemplated, unless man should have been placed under infinite wisdom, unbounded goodness, almighty power, inviolable truth, and inflexible justice. That God's glory and man's happiness were consulted in creation, is abundantly testified in holy writ. "The Lord hath made all things for himself.” Prov. xvi. 4. "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Ps. xxxiii. 5. The same conclusion may be drawn from the design of man's subsequent restoration to the divine favour and image. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”--“ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." Luke ii. 10, 13, 14.

2. Man, thus qualified and designed to be a subject of divine government, was, by divine wisdom, placed under a particular law for trial of his allegiance to his Creator. "The LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and

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