He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son The foreknowledge of God here, does not intend his prescience of all things future by which he foreknows and foretells things to come, and which distinguishes him from all other gods and is so called, not with respect to himself, with whom all things are present, but with respect to us, and which is eternal, universal, certain, and infallible for in this sense he foreknows all men, and if this was the meaning here, then all men would be predestinated, conformed to the image of Christ, called by grace, justified and glorified whereas they are a special people, whom God has foreknown: nor is this foreknowledge to be understood of any provision or foresight of the good works, holiness, faith, and perseverance of men therein, upon which God predestinates them to happiness since this would make something out of God, and not his good pleasure, the cause of predestination which was done before, and without any consideration of good or evil, and is entirely owing to the free grace of God, and is the ground and foundation of good works, faith, holiness, and perseverance in them: but this regards the everlasting love of God to his own people, his delight in them, and approbation of them in this sense he knew them, he foreknew them from everlasting, affectionately loved them, and took infinite delight and pleasure in them and this is the foundation of their predestination and election, of their conformity to Christ, of their calling, justification, and glorification: for these
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