Question 23

1. Shall any of the human race be recovered from the ruins of the fall? Yes.

   “A remnant shall be saved” Romans 9:27

2. Are all others left to perish in their sins? Yes.

   “The rest were blinded” Romans 11:7

3. But is God’s decree the impulsive cause of their ruin? No.

   “For when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death” James 1:15

1. Are all the saints the objects of God’s eternal choice? Yes.

   “God hath from the beginning chosen you” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

2. And are they chosen to happiness as the end? Yes.

   “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

3. And to sanctification as the means? Yes.

   “Ye are chosen to salvation through sanctification” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

4. Are they chosen in Christ? Yes.

   “According as he hath chosen us in him” Ephesians 1:4

5. And is it a certain number that is thus chosen? Yes.

   “The Lord knoweth them that are his” 2 Timothy 2:19

1. Doth the decree of election extend but to a few comparatively? Yes.

   “Few are chosen” Matthew 20:16

2. But does it extend to some of all nations? Yes.

   “Thou hast redeemed us to God out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” Revelation 5:9

3. And to some of the chief of sinners? Yes.

   “Paul was a chosen vessel, yet the chief of sinners” Acts 9:15

4. And to all that are willing to come to Christ? Yes.

   “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” John 6:37

5. Is this then an encouragement to use the means? Yes.

   “Strive to enter in at the strait gate” Luke 13:24

1. Is the decree of election founded upon God’s sovereign pleasure? Yes.

   “I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy” Romans 9:15

2. And upon nothing in the creature? No.

   “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” John 15:16

3. Is it secret? Yes.

   “It is called the mystery of his will” Ephesians 1:9

4. And firm and irrevocable? Yes.

   “The foundation of God standeth sure” 2 Timothy 2:19

1. Doth God exercise all special grace through Christ? Yes.

   “We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ” Ephesians 1:3

2. Were there mutual engagements for this purpose between the Father and Son? Yes.

   “The counsel of peace shall be between them both” Zechariah 6:13

3. Were all the promises of the covenant primarily made to Christ? Yes.

   “Hence they are called the sure mercies of David” Isaiah 55:3

4. Were all the conditions of it exacted from him? Yes.

   “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6

5. Did Christ freely undertake the work of our redemption? Yes.

   “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” Hebrews 10:7

6. And did the Father engage for the success of his undertaking? Yes.

   “He shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied” Isaiah 53:11

1. Are the saints in covenant given to Christ? Yes.

   “Thine they were, and thou gavest them me” John 17:6

2. Are they given to him to be redeemed? Yes.

   “To redeem them that were under the law” Galatians 4:5

3. And to be called? Yes.

   “Them I must bring” John 10:16

4. And to be preserved? Yes.

   “Those that thou gavest me I have kept” John 17:12

5. And to be finally glorified? Yes.

   “Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” John 17:2

6. And shall all this be certainly accomplished? Yes.

   “The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand” Isaiah 53:10

1. Could we be saved by the first covenant? No.

   “For if there had been a law which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law” Galatians 5:21

2. Is the new covenant then a great privilege? Yes.

   “It is good tidings of great joy” Luke 2:10

3. And should we embrace it as such? Yes.

   “It should be all our salvation, and all our desire” 2 Samuel 23:5

Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.