878 RUIN AND RECOVERY, &C. and foreknows that these men, by the freeuse of their natural powers, thus far assisted by divine grace, will be finally and effectually persuaded to believe, and repent, and be saved? 5. Has not the blessed God,' who knows all his own works from the beginning, designed from eternity to bestow all these advantages on those particular persons, and to carry then on so far, that he foresees their' repentance and salvation will be the certain consequences of this hisgrace, though not the necessary effects of it ? 6. I would ask, whether if the blessed God gives so much outward and inward grace to certain men, as he foresees and knows will be certainly improved by them to their salvation, and without which they could not repent and be saved, may it not be properly said, that God designs the salvation of these particular persons that he elects or chuses.them unto eternal life*, that he converts and brings them to repentance by his grace, and that he stands justly entitled to their everlasting praises, as the supreme and certain author of their faith and repentance, and salvation ? In the last place then, may I not enquire whether or no it be not consistent withA'sown opinions in the main, to allow those expressions of scripture their proper force and meaning, which speak of God's election of men to salvation, of his chusing them in Christ Jesus, of his giving them to Christ, of his bestowing faith and repentance upon then, preserving or keeping them by his power unto salvation, and conducting them safely onward to happiness? And whether it will not be much more natural and easy, to interpret such scriptures concerning the election, con- version and salvation of particular persons, than to put a strain and force upon some of them, and to interpret them only con- cerning his giving the outward means of grace to a nation or a people, or chusing the heathen nations in general to be ac- quainted with his salvation, without the application of it to any particular person whatsoever ? I would fain enquire, whether or no, if serious christians are but desirous and inclined to come as near to each other as they can, in their sentiments of divine things, if they are but willing to be reconciled to one another, as far as the present darknesses and difficulties will allow of; I say, whether they may not embrace one another heartily, and unite so far in their sentiments as I have represented ? This will take away a thou- sand cavils and contentions, and a thousand unchristian re- proaches from the lips and pens of those who worship the same God, believe in the same Saviour, hope for the operations of the same blessed Spirit, and desire to ascribe their salvation to the same grace of God, who is blessedfor evermore? Amen. s May not the words of St. Paul ; Rom. viii. 29. be perfectly applied to this scheme, whom he foreknew he elro did pedestisaae, &c.
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