latter end This word Thy God implies the relation of a Father A Father loves his child therefore whether it be a smile or a stroke it is for the good of the child I am Thy God thy Father therefore all I do is for thy good Deut. 8.5 As a man chastens his Son so the Lord thy God chastneth thee Gods chastning is not to destroy but to reform God cannot hurt his children for 1. He is a tender-hearted Father Psal. 103.13 Like as a father pities his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Will a father seek the ruine of his childe the child that came out of his loins that bears his image all his care and contrivance is for his child who doth he settle the inheritance upon but his child God is tender-hearted the Father of mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 He begets all the mercies and bowels in the creatures 2. He is an everlasting Father Isa. 9.7 He was our Father from eternity Before we were Children God was our Father and he will be our Father to eternity A Father provides for his child while he lives but the Father dyes and then the child may be exposed to injury But God never ceaseth to be a Father thou that art a Believer hast a Father that never dyes and if God be thy Father thou canst never be undone all things must needs work for thy good 3. This word Thy God imports the relation of an Husband this is a near and sweet relation The Husband seeks the good of his Spouse he were unnatural that should go about to destroy his Wife Ephes. 5.29 Did ever any man hate his own flesh There is a marriage-relation between God and his People Isa. 54.5 Thy Maker is thy Husband God intirely loves his People Isa. 43.4 He engraves them upon the Palms of his hands Isa. 49.16 He sets them as a Seal upon his Breast Cant. 8.16 He will give Kâ—ngdoms for their Ransome Isa. 43.3 which shews how near they lye to his heart If he be an Husband whose heart is enamoured with love then he will seek the good of his Spouse either he will shield off an injury or will turn it to the best 4. This word Thy God implyes the relation of a Friend Cant. 5.16 This is my Friend A Friend is Animae dimidium as Austin saith half of ones self he is studious and inquisitive how he may do his friend good he promotes his welfare as his own Ionathan ventured the Kings displeasure for his friend David 1 Sam. 19.4 God is our friend therefore will turn all things to our good There are false friends Christ was betrayed by a friend but God is the best friend â— He is a faithful friend Dan. 7.9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God he is God the faithful God 1. He is faithful in his love He gave his very heart to us when he gave the Son out of his bosome here was a pattern of love without a parallel 2. He is faithful in his promises Titus 1.2 God that cannot lye hath promised He may change his promise but cannot break it 3. He is faithful in his dealings when he is afflicting he is faithful Psal. 119.75 In faithfulnesse hast thou afflicted me he is sifting and refining us as Silver Psal. 66.10 2. He is an immutable friend Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee There are five Seals set to that promise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Friends often fail at a pinch Many deal with their friends as women do with their flowers while they are fresh they put them in their bosomes but when they begin to wither they throw them away or as the Traveller doth with the Sun-Dial if the Sun shines upon the Dial the Traveller will step out of the Road and look upon the Dial but if the Sun doth not shine upon it he will ride by and never take any notice of it So if prosperity shine on men then friends will look upon them but if there be a Cloud of adversity on them they will not come near them but God is a friend for ever I will not leave thee Though David walked in the shadow of death he knew he had a friend by him Psal. 23.9 I will fear no evill for thou art with me God never takes off his love wholly from his people 't is Amicitia immortalis John 13.1 He loved them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the end God being such a friend he will make all things work for our good There is no friend but will seek the good of his friend 5. This word Thy God imports yet a nearer relation the relation between the Head and the Members There is a Mystical union between Christ and the Saints He is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Head of the Church Eph. 5.23 Doth not the Head consult for the good of the Body The Head guides the Body it sympathizeth with it it is the fountain of spirits it sends forth influence and comfort into the Body All the parts of the Head are placed for the good of the Body the Eye is set as it were in the Watch-Tower it lyes Centinel to spy any danger that may come to the Body and prevent it The Tongue is both a Taster and an Oratour If the Body be a Microcosme or little world the Head is the Sun in this world from whence proceeds the light of Reason The Head is placed for the good of the Body Christ and the Saints make one Body Mystical Our Head is in Heaven and sure he will not suffer his Body to be hurt but will consult for the safety of it and make all things work for the good of the Body Mystical CHAP. VI. The Inferences drawn from the Proposition A Use of Information 1. IF all things work for good hence learn That there is a Providence Things do not work of themselves but God sets them a working for good God is the great Disposer of all events and issues he sets every thing a working His Kingdom ruleth over all Psal. 103.13 It is meant of his providential Kingdom Things in the world are not governed by second Causes by the counsels of men by the Stars and Planets but by divine Providence Providence is Regina mundi the Queen and Governesse of the world There are three things in Providence 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods foreknowing 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods determining 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods directing all things to their periods and events Whatever things do work in the world Gâ—â— sets them a working We read in the 〈◊〉 Ezekiel of Wheels and Eyes in the 〈◊〉 and the moving of the Wheels The 〈◊〉 are the whole Universe the 〈…〉 Wheels are Gods Providence 〈…〉 of the Wheels is the hand of 〈…〉 turning all things here beloâ—◠〈…〉 is by some called 〈…〉 else but the result of 〈…〉 Learn to adore 〈◊〉 Pâ—ovidence hath an influence upon all things here
is so accidentally and occasionally through the pravity of mens hearts instead of believing in him they are offended at him The Sun though in its own nature is pure and pleasant yet it is hurtful to sore eyes Jesus Christ is as well for the fall as the rising of many Luk. 2.34 Sinners stumble at a Saviour and pluck Death from the Tree of Life As Chymical Oyles recover some Patients but destroy others So the Bloud of Christ though to some it is medicinable to others it is damnable Here is the unparallel'd misery of such as live and dye in sin The best things work for their hurt Cordials themselves kill 5. See here the wisdom of God who can make the worst things imaginable turn to the good of the Saints he can by a divine Chymistâ—ie extract Gold out of dross 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God! Rom. 11.33 It is Gods great design to set forth the wonder of his wisdom The Lord made Iosephs prison a step to preferment There was no way for Ionah to be saved but by being swallowed up God suffered the Egyptians to hate Israel Psal. 106.41 and this was the means of their deliverance St Paul was bound with a Chain and that Chain which did bind him was a means to enlarge the Gospel Phil. 1.12 This wise Physitian can of the Viper make a Treacle God doth enrich by impoverishing he causeth the augmention of Grace by the diminution of an Estate When the Creature goes further from us it is that Christ may come nearer to us God works strangely he brings Order out of Confusion Harmony out of Discord he makes use many times of unjust men to do that which is just He is wise in heart Job 10.4 He can reap his Glory out of mens fury Psal. 76.10 Either the wicked shall not do the hurt which they intend or they shall do the good which they do not intend God often helps when there is least hope and saves his people in that way which they think he will destroy He made use of the High-Priests malice and Iudas his Treason to redeem the World God hath sometimes much adoe to please us through indiscrete passion we are apt to find fault with things that fall out which is as if an illiterate man should censure Philosophy or a blind man find fault with the work in a Landskip Iob 11.12 Vain man would be wise Silly animals will be taxing Providence and calling the wisdom of God to the Barr of Reason Gods wayes are past finding out Rom. 11.33 They are rather to be admired than fathomed There is never a Providence of God but hath either a mercy or a wonder in it How stupendious and infinite is that wisdom that makes the most crosse perplex dispensations work for the good of his children 6. How little cause have we then to be discontented at outward tryals and emergencies What discontented at that which shall do us good All things shall work for good There are no sins Gods people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience they are ready either to faint through unbelief or fret through impatience When men fly out against God by discontent and impatience it is a sign they do not believe this Text. Discontent is an ungrateful sin because we have more mercies than afflictions and it is an irrational sin because afflictions work for good Discontent is a sin which puts us upon sin Psal. 37 8. Freâ— not thy self to do evil He that frets will be ready to do evil Fretting Ionah was sinning Ionah Chap. 4.9 The Devil blows the coals of passion and discontent and then warms himself at the fire Oh let us not nourish this angry Viper in our Breast Let this Text breed patience All things shall work for good to them that love God Shall we be discontented at that which works for our good If a friend should throw a bag of money at another and in throwing it should break his head he would not be troubled much seeing by this means he hath got a bag of money So the Lord may bruise us by afflictions but it is to enrich us these afflictions work for us a weight of glory and shall we be discontented 7. See here that Scripture fulfilled Psal. 73.1 God is good to Israel When one looks upon cross Providences and sees the Lord covering his people with ashes and making them drunk with Wormwood Lam. 3.15 he would be ready to call in question the Love of God and to say that he hath dealt hardly with his people Oh no yet God is good to Israel because he makes all things work for good Is not he a good God who turns all to good he works out sin and works in grace is not this good 1 Cor. 11.32 We are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world The Hell of affliction is to save us from the Hell of damnation Let us always justifie God when our outward condition is never so bad let us say yet God is good 8. See what cause the Saints have to be frequent in the work of thanksgiving Christians are herein defective though they are much in supplication yet little in gratulation The Apostle saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In every thing giving thanks 1 Thess. 5.18 Why so because God makes every thing work for our good We will thank the Physitian though he gives us a biter Pill which makes us sick because it is to make us well we will thank any man that doth us a good turn and shall not we be thankful to God who makes every think work for good to us God loves a thankful Christian. Iob thanked God when he took all away Iob 1.21 The Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord Many will thank God when he gives Iob thanks him when he takes away because he knew God would work good out of it We read of Saints with Harps in their hands Rev. 14.2 an Emblem of praise We shall meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes and complaints in their mouths but few with Harps in their hands who in affliction praise God to be thankful in affliction is a work peculiar to a Saint Every Bird can sing in Spring but some Birds will sing in the dead of Winter Every one almost can be thankful in prosperity but a true Saint can be thankful in adversity A good Christian will blesse God not only at the Sun-rising but at the Sun-setting Well may we in the worst that befals us have a Psalm of thankfulnesse because all things work for good Oh be much in blessing of God we will thank him that doth beâ—riend us 9. If the worst things work for good to a Believer what shall the best things Christ and Heaven How much more shall these work for good If the Crosse hath so much good in it what hath the Crown If such precious Clusters grow in
is one of the saddest sights to see a man lift up his hands in prayer and with those hands oppress to hear the same tongue praise God and at another time lye and slander to hear a man in words profess God and in woâ—ks deny him Oh how unworthy is this Yours is a holy calling and will you be unholy do not think you may take liberty as others The Nazarite that had a vow on him separated him self to God and promised abstinence though others did drink Wine it was not fit for the Nazarite to do it So though others are loose and vain it is not fit for them who are set apart for God by effectual calling Shall not Flowers sweeter then Weeds You must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A peculiar People 1 Pet. 2.9 Not onely peculiar in regard of dignity but deportment Scorn things that are sordid and heterogeneous to the Gospel Scipio refused the embraces of an Harlot because he was General of an Army Abhor all motions to sin because it will disparage your high calling Quest. What is it to walk worthy of our Heavenly calling Answ. 1. It is to walk regularly when we tread with an even foot and walk according to the Rules and Axiomes of the Word A true Saint is for Canonical Obedience he follows the canon of Scripture as the â—reek word is Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Canon When we leave mens inventions and cleave to Gods institutions when we walk after the Word as Israel after the pillar of fire this is walking worthy of our Heavenly calling 2. To walk worthy of our calling is to walk singularly Gen. 7.1 Noah was upright in his Generation When others walked with the Devil Noah walked with God We are forbidden to run with the multitude Exod. 23. Though in civil things singularity is not commendable yet in Religion it is good to be singular Melancthon was the glory of the age he lived in Athanasius was singularly holy he appeared for God when the stream of the times ran another way It is better to be a pattern of holiness than a Paâ—tner in wickedness It is better to go to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the crowd We must walk Antipodes to the men of the world 3. To walk worthy of our calling is to walk chearfully Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord evermore Too much drooping of spirit disparageth our high calling and makes others suspect the godly life to be Cynical and Melancholy Of all complexions Christ loves the Sanguine Causinâ—s in his Hieroglyphicks speaks of a Dove whose wings being perfumed with sweet Ointments did draw the other Doves after her Chearfulness is a perfume to draw others to godlines Religion doth not banish all mirth As there is a seriousness without sowrness so there is a chearfulness without lightness When the Prodigal was converted then they began to be merry Luke 15.24 Who should be chearful if not the people of God They are no sooner born of the Spirit but they are heirs to a Crown God is their Portion and Heaven is their Mansion and shall not they rejoyce 4. To walk worthy of our calling is to walk wisely Walking wisely implies three things 1. To walk warily Eccles. 2.14 The wise mans eyes are in his head Others watch for our halting therefore we had need look to our standing We must beware not only of Scandals but Indecencies least by our indiscretion we open the mouths of others with a fresh cry against Religion If our piety will not convert men our prudence may silence them 2. To walk courteously The Spirit of the Gospel is full of sweetness and candour 1 Pet. 3.8 Be courteous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Take heed of a moâ—ose supercisious behaviour Religion doth not take away civiliâ—y but refine it Gen. 23.7 Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the children of Heth. Though they were of an Heathenish Race yet Abraham gave them a civil respect S. Paul was of an affable temâ—eâ— 1 Cor. 9.20 I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some In lesser matters the Apostle yielded to others that by his obliging carriage he might win upon them and catch them by an holy guile 3. To walk magnanimously Though we must be humble yet not base 'T is unworthy to prostituâ—e our selves to the lusts of men What is sinâ—ully imposed ought to be zealously opposed Coâ—â—cience is Gods Diocess where 〈◊〉 haâ—h right to visit but he who is The Bishop of our souls 1 Pet. 2.25 We must not be like hot Iâ—on which will be beat into any form A bâ—ave spiâ—ited Christian will chuse rather to â—ie than suffer â—he Virginity of his Conscience to be superâ—â—itiously desâ—â—ured Here is the Serpent and the Dove united sagacity and innocency this prudential walking comports with our high calling and doth not a little adorn the Gospel of Christ. 5. To walk woâ—thy of our calling is to walk influentially to do good to others and to be rich in acts of mercy Heb. 13.16 Good works honour Religion As Mary poured the oyntments on Christ so by good works we pour sweet oyntments on the head of the Gospel and make it give forth a fragant smell Good works though they are not Causes of Salvation yet they are Evidences When with our Saviour we go about doing good and send abroad the refreshing influences of our liberality now we walk worthy of our high calling Lastly Here is matter of Consolation to you who are effectually called God hath magnified rich grace towards you you are called to great honour to be Co-partners with the Angels and Co-heirs with Christ This should revive you in the worst of times Let men reproach and miscall you set Gods calling of you against mans miscalling Let men persecute you to death they do but give you a pass and send you to Heaven the sooner How may this cure the trembling of the heart What though the Sea roar though the Earth be unquiet though the Stars are shaken out of their place you need not fear you are called therefore are sure to be crowned GODS ETERNAL PURPOSE CHAP. XV. Concerning Gods Purpose 3. THe third and last thing in the Text which I shall but briefly glance at is The Ground and Oâ—iginal of our Effectual Calling in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 According to his purpose Anselm renders it according to his good will Peter Martyr reads it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to his Decree and so Beza Interprets it This purpose or decree of God is the fountain-head of all our spiritual blessings it is causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the impulsive cause of our Vocation Justification Glorification it is the highest link in the Golden Chain of Salvation What is the reason that one man is called and not another it is from the eternal purpose of God Gods Decree gives the casting voice in mans salvation CHAP. XVI