VIA MEDIA:

THE WAY OF PEACE:

IN THE

FIVE BUSY ARTICLES,

COMMONLY KNOWN BY

THE NAME OF ARMINIUS.

TOUCHING

1. PREDESTINATION.

2. THE EXTENT OF CHRIST'S DEATH

3. MAN'S FREE-WILL AND CORRUPTION.

4. THE MANNER OF OUR CONVERSION TO GOD.

5. PERSEVERANCE.

WHEREIN IS LAID FORTH SO FAIR AN ACCOMMODATION OF THE DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AS MAY CONTENT BOTH PARTS AND PROCURE HAPPY ACCORD.

BY JOSEPH HALL, DD. DEAN OF WORCESTER.

1

1

TO THE

KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY :

THERE needs no prophetical spirit, to discern, by a small cloud, that there is a storm coming towards our Church: such a one, as shall not only drench our plumes, but shake our peace. Already do we see the sky thicken, and hear the winds whistle hollow afar off, and feel all the presages of a tempest; which the late example of our neighbours bids us fear.

It boots not, to persuade your Majesty to betake yourself to your chariot, to outride the shower; since your gracious compassion would not be willing to put off the sense of a common evil.

Rather, let me take boldness to implore your Majesty's seasonable prevention. Only the powerful breath of your Sovereign Authority can dispel these clouds, and clear our heaven, and reduce a happy calm.

In the mean time, give leave to your well-meaning servants, to contribute their best wishes to the common tranquillity. I see every man ready to rank himself unto a side; and to draw, in the quarrel he affecteth: I see no man thrusting himself between them; and either holding or joining their hands for peace.

This good, however thankless, office, I have here boldly undertaken; shewing, how unjustly we are divided, and by what means we may be made and kept entire: a project, which, if it may receive life and light from your gracious eyes and shall by your royal command be drawn into speedy practice, promiseth to free this noble and flourishing Church from a perilous inconvenience.

Let it be no disparagement to so important a motion, that it falls from so mean a hand; than which, yet, none can be more sincerely consecrated to the service of your Majesty and this Church, the mutual happiness of both which, is dearer than life to

Your Majesty's most humble,

and faithful devoted Subject and Servant,

JOSEPH HALL.

THE

FIRST ARTICLE,

OF

GOD'S PREDESTINATION.

1. WHATSOEVER God, who is the God of Truth, hath engaged himself by promise to do, the same he undoubtedly hath willed, and will accordingly perform *.

2. There is no son of Adam, to whom God hath not promised, that, if he shall believe in Christ, repent, and persevere, he shall be saved +.

3. This general and undoubted will of God must be equally proclaimed to all men through the world, without exception; and ought to be so received and believed, as it is by him published and revealed $.

4. All men, within the pale of the Church especially, have, from the mercy of God, such common helps towards this belief and salvation, as that the neglect thereof makes any of them justly guilty of their own condemnation §.

5 Besides the general will of God, he hath eternally willed and

"We must receive God's promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in Holy Scriptures; and, in our doings, that will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God." Article of the Church xvii.

↑ Est generalis et conditionata voluntas, seu generalis promissio Evangelica, &c. docens promissiones divinas sic amplectendas esse, ut nobis in Sacris Literis generaliter propositæ sunt. D. Overal. de v Artic. in Belgio Controversis. Art. I.

Est quidem decretum hoc annuntiativum salutis omnibus ex æquo, et indiscriminatim promulgandum. Theol. Britan. Dordrac. in Actis Synodi in Thesibus Heterodox. Thes. 1.

§ Gratiam communem et sufficientem in mediis divinitùs ordinatis, si homines Verbo Dei Spirituique Sanctc deesse noluerint, &c. D. Overal. Artic. 1.

In Ecclesiá, ubi, juxta promissum hoc Evangelii, salus omnibus offertur, ea est administratio gratia, que sufficit ad convincendos omnes impœnitentes et incredulos, quòd, suâ culpâ voluntaria et vel neglectu vel contemptu Evangelii, perierint, et oblatum beneficium amiserint. Theol. Britan. Dordrac. de Art. 2. Thes. 5.

decreed, to give a special and effectual grace to those, that are predestinate according to the good pleasure of his will; whereby they do actually believe, obey, and persevere, that they may be saved: so as the same God, that would have all men to be saved, if they believe and be not wanting to his Spirit, hath decreed to work powerfully in some, whom he hath particularly chosen, that they shall believe, and not be wanting to his Spirit in whatsoever shall be ne cessary for their salvation *.

6. It is not the pre-vision of faith, or any other grace, or act of man, whereupon this decree of God is grounded; but the mere and gracious good-will and pleasure of God, from all eternity appointing to save those, whom he hath chosen in Christ, as the head and foundation of the elect †.

7. This decree of God's election is absolute, and unchangeable, and from everlasting 1.

8. God doth not either actually damn or appoint any soul to damnation, without the consideration and respect of sin §.

THE SECOND ARTICLE,

OF CHRIST'S Death.

1. GOD, pitying the woeful condition of man, fallen by his free-will into sin and perdition, sent his own Son, that he should give himself as a ransom for the sins of the whole world: so as there is no living soul, that may not be truly and seriously invited, by his faith to take hold of the forgiveness of his sins and everlasting life, by the virtue of this death of Christ, with certain assurance of obtaining both .

* Deinde, in secundo loco, ut succurreret humanæ infirmitati, &c. voluisse addere specialem gratiam magis efficacem et abundantem, quibus placuerit commumicandam, per quam non solùm possint, sed etiam actu velint, credant, obediant, et perseverent. D. Overal. Art. 1.

"He hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those, whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour: wherefore they, which be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in them in due season, they, through grace obey the calling, they be justified freely, they be made sons of God by adoption, they be made like the image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, they walk religiously in good works, and at length by God's mercy they attain to everlasting felicity." Art. xvii.

+ Non ex præscientiâ humanæ fidei aut voluntatis, sed ex proposito divinæ voluntatis et gratia, de his, quos Deus elegit in Christo liberandis et salvandis. D. Overal. Art. 1.

Particulare decretum absolutum. D. Overal. ibid.

"Predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby, before the foundations of the world were laid, he hath constantly decreed, &c." Art. xvii. § Deus neminem damnat, aut damnationi destinat, nisi ex consideratione peccati. Theol. Britan. Dordr. Artic. 1. de Reprob. Thes. 5.

| Deus, lapsi generis humani miseratus, misit Filium suum; qui seipsum dedit pretium redemptionis, pro peccatis totius mundi.

Nemo mortalium est, qui non possit verè et seriò per Ministros Evangelii vo