Practical Reflections. (1.) Ps. 48:14. (2.) The folly of setting up our own reason in opposition to the word of God.  Isa. 40:13, 14.  Rom. 11:34, 35. (3.) The folly of self-conceit.  Prov. 26:12. (4.) From whom all wisdom comes.  Prov. 2:6. (5.) What is the only true wisdom.  Job 28:28.

II.  DOCTRINES.

1. The Decrees of God. Doctrine:  That God foreordains whatsoever comes to pass.

Proved, (1.) By reason.  Otherwise, he would work without a plan, and could not certainly know what would take place hereafter; which is inconsistent with the idea of infinite wisdom.  Acts 15:18. (2.) From Scripture.  Job 23:13.  Isa. 46:10.  Jer. 10:23.

This doctrine does not destroy the freedom and accountability of the creature.  Acts 2:23.  This is not to be understood in any such sense as to make God the author of sin.  Jas. 1:13.  If the will of God is done, the greatest possible good will be accomplished.  Ps. 119:68, f.c.  How we ought to feel, in view of this doctrine.  Phil. 4:4.  Duty of submission.  Luke 22:42.  Jas. 4:7.

2. The Sovereignty of God. Doctrine:  That God rules the universe, according to his own pleasure, independently and without control, giving no further account of his conduct than he pleases.

Proved, (1.) By reason:  First, his will the greatest good; Second, he has power to accomplish it; Third, if he fails to accomplish his will, he will be under constraint, which is inconsistent with the idea of an infinite being.  Were he to fail of accomplishing his own will, he would not be qualified for a righteous governor. (2.) From Scripture.  Ps. 115:3.  Dan. 4:35.  Eccl. 8:3, l.c.  Job 33:13.

Reflections. (1.) God does not act arbitrarily, without sufficient cause, or merely for the sake of doing his own will.  His actions are controlled by a supreme desire for the greatest good, and always founded on the best of reasons. (2.) The consummate folly of those who resist his will. (3.) The feelings with which we ought to regard the sovereignty of God. 1 Chron. 16:23-31.  Ps. 97:1. (4.) How terrible this doctrine to sinners.  Ps. 99:1.  Isa. 33:11. (5.) What ground of confidence, comfort, and joy to the righteous.  Ps. 15:6.  Hosea 14:9.  Rom. 8:28.

3. Human Depravity. (1.) How extensive.  Rom. 3:23.  Corroborated by facts. (2.) How great in degree.  Gen. 6:5.  Rom. 3:10-18. (3.) From whom derived.  Rom. 5:12-19. (4.) How hereditary depravity becomes personal.  Ps. 58:3. (5.) How human depravity manifests itself.  Rom. 8:7.  John 3:19, 20. 5:40.  Acts 7:51.  Gal. 5:19-21.

Practical Reflections. (1.) How we ought to feel, in view of our own depravity.  Ezra 9:6.  Job 42:6.  Ps. 38:1-7. 51:4, 17.  Dan. 9:8. (2.) The necessity of regeneration.  Heb. 12:14, l.c. (3.) How this load of guilt may be removed.  Matt. 11:28-30. 1 John 2:1, 2. (4.) What it will bring us to, if we do not obtain deliverance from it.  Rom 6:23, f.c.