Thesium de vita aeterna et eius haeredibus decades X

we will act in order, if we first premise these few things.

6. That these same people are called Foreknown, Predestined, Called, Justified, and those to be Glorified. Rom. 8, verses 29, 30.
7. That the change of the past tense taken for the present refers to ἀεὶ λέγουσαν always speaking, or the continuous act of God who is foreknowing, predestining, calling, justifying us, etc.
8. That these χαρίσματα gifts of grace of God are ἀμεταμέλητα irrevocable, and therefore ἀμετακίνητα immovable: since the purpose of God cannot be frustrated of its end. (Rom. 11:29; Eph. 1:11) It is necessary that His counsel stands and all His will is done. Isa. 46.
9. Moreover, that all things tend to this, that we may be holy and blameless before Him through charity: and that His glorious grace may be celebrated. Eph. 1, verses 4 & 6.
10. Since faith acting through charity depends upon Election, it is ἄτοπον absurd καὶ ἀδύνατον and impossible, that figment concerning the divorce of faith and good works, or of justification and sanctification. From this it is clear what must be decided regarding the foolish Sophism (by which certain unskilled men try to make this pious doctrine concerning the Principles of salvation hateful). If I am chosen, since I cannot finally fall from grace, evil works will not harm me, even if I indulge the flesh to the utmost: but if I am not chosen, good works will not help me, even if I am led by the greatest zeal for them. Away with such lies, which the Andabatæ blindfolded gladiators stir up for themselves. If they wish to spurn the light of truth, let them not attribute to us those things which cannot be proven from our pious sentiment.

1. πρόγνωσις καὶ πρόνοια Foreknowledge and providence, when attributed to God, are taken interchangeably, as is clear even from these words: "Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God," etc. Acts 2, verse 23.
2. For providence, or foreknowledge, is the determined counsel of God concerning all things, or: It is the method which God uses to direct all things to their destined ends. This definition was handed down by Paul (Eph. 1, verse 11): God works all things according to the counsel of His will.
3. Since God's foreknowledge is not idle, it must not be separated from His decree: as is clear from the preceding.
4. The determined counsel of God most wisely, most justly, and most excellently moderates all those things which, with respect to us, are called past, present, and future. Therefore, it should be our part to acquiesce in it safely and sweetly, and to give glory to God in all things.