shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 22. Men as before we have seen are the subjects of Gods election in coming unto and abiding in Christ And in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. And if we be Christs then are we Abrahams Seed and Heirs according to Promise And so an elect Generation Gal. 3. 29. with Deut. 7. 6 9 10. 10. 15. And they who dwell in this secret of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Psal 91. 1 12. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever And the Lord will do good unto those that be good and to them that are upright in their hearts But as for such as turn aside out of the path of the just to their crooked paths the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel Psal 125. 1 4 5. with Psal 73. 1. Therefore the Apostle Peter writing to them who were elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father and had obtained like precious faith with the Apostle exhorts them to give diligence to make their calling and election sure for saith he If ye do these things ye shall never fall plainly signifying to us that otherwise they might and should fall 1 Pet. 1. 2. with 2 Pet. 1. 1 10. Those that are with Christ on Mount Zion are such as are Called and not only so but Chosen yea and not only Chosen but faithfull also Faithfully following the Lamb wheresoever he goeth Rev. 17. 14. with Chap. 14. 1 4. Oh that we may never say We are the Elect of God and our Mountain is so strong setled that we shall never be moved however we demean our selves But that we may be of the Sheep of Christ and abide such hearing continually the voice of our Shepheard and following him for to such as so do he will give Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of his hand neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come Nor heighth nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to seperate them that love God and keep his commandments from the love of God which is for ever in Christ Jesus John 10. 27 28 29 with Rom. 8. 28 33 39. And so much to the first Particuler in which we have endeavoured from the Scriptures to shew what is not and what is Gods Election and who are not and who are the subjects of it And now we come to shew 2. That few of the many that are called are chosen as our Saviour here plainly affirmeth But few of many as Jer. 42. 2. even of the many which are called by the Servants in the plain Preaching of the Gospel as it is now revealed For that our Saviour speaks of and intends such by the Many here we have before shewn and desire that may be considered and what is contained in the three Cautions foregiven Now of these many who have the Scriptures of Truth amongst them which have been spoken and recorded by the Servants the extraordinary Servants of the great King viz. by the Holy Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And amongst whom also are some of his Servants preserved and continued even such as have believed on Christ thorow the Apostles word he here saith Few are chosen few comparatively to those so called Few to the many who say they are Jews and are not There are threescore Queens and fourscore Concubines and Virgins without number But my Love my undefiled is but one saith our Lord Jesus She is the onely one of her Mother she is the choice and chosen one of her that bare her Cant. 6. 8 9. In this sense also it is true and may be thus taken As the Lilly among the Thorns so is Christs love among the Daughters one Lilly among many Thorns one Love amongst many Daughters other Professours Churches and Societies Who swear by the Name of the Lord and make mention of the God of Israel but not in Truth non in Righteousness for they call themselves of the Holy City c. Cant. 2. 2. Isa 48. 1 2. And as was also fore-prophesied In that day seven women Churches or Congregations shall take hold of this one Man Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 5. saying we will eat our own Bread and wear our own Apparell as the Man did that had not on the Wedding Garment Only let us be called by thy name Christians to take away our reproach Isa 4. 1. Many cleave unto him by flatteries Dan 11. 34. And few heartily receive or faithfully and constantly walk and abide in him unto the end So that â—…t may be applied to these chosen ones the Israel of God which was spoken of Israel after the flesh a Type of the Spiritual Seed The Lord did not set his love upon you nor chuse you because ye were more in number than any people for ye were the fewest of all people not counted worthy in respect of the smallness of their number to be reckoned amongst the Nations of Professours Deut. 7. 6 7. Christ's flock of actual believers and upright followers of Him is a little flock Luk. 12. 32. I still mean as compared with the many or multitudes which are called and in some sort also the called And so much our Saviour giveth us to understand in His Parable which He spake in His personal Ministration In one He saith The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Net that was cast into the Sea which gathered of every kind some good and some bad Mat. 13. 47-49 And in another He more plainly and evidently signifieth that of the many to whom the Gospel is preached but few comparatively obey it from the heart or continue so to do One sort of the hearers of the Kingdom He compareth to the Way-side ground and and like to it many abide The word hath little or no entrance into or impression on them in respect of any willing reception of it from them The sower indeed soweth his seed in the hearts of this first sort of ground And did they suffer it to take place in them and enter into and abide in their hearts they should believe and be saved But they understand it not consider it not set not their hearts to it open not to let in this blessed seed which would convert them in so doing but letting it lye above ground it is open unto and fit to be taken away by the Fowls And the wicked one cometh and catcheth away that which was sown in the hearts of such lest they should believe and be saved Of this sort so abiding it may be said It is a People of no understanding therefore He that made them will not have mercy upon them and He that formed them will shew them no favour Matth. 13. 18 19. with
Saviour of the World And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us God is Love c. Hereby is our love made perfect even through the Knowledg and Belief of His Love and that He is Love And what Love of God is the producer of our love to Him is also declared by the same Apostle We love Him because He first loved us It is the Manifestation and Discovery not of any delightful distinguishing Love of His but of that great Love wherewith He loved us and all Mankind whereby we are begotten to the Love of Him and therein made of the Chosen and Elect Generation 1 John 4. 7 10 16 19. with Ephes 2. 4 5. And so it appears that the Argument for effecting this Election is the Grace of God to Manward discovered in the Gospel of Christ Que. 2. What is the way owned and approved of God in or through which men are Elected Answ The way of His owning and approving is the Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth when and as discovered to them That is Men are then Chosen when they so with the Heart believe the Word of Truth and Grace of God therein discovered as that thereby they are Sanctified and Cleansed in the Spirit of their Mind and devoted unto God and not before To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Elect according to the foreknowledg or Fore-approbation of God the Father according to that way fore-owned of Him in or through the Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1. 2. To which agreeth also that of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians We are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning viz. of their Gospels coming to them as 1 Thes 1. 5. and 2. 13. Chosen you to Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto He also Called you by our Gospel c. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. No man therefore while he abides in his Ignorance Unbelief and Disobedience of God is Elected or Chosen nor until he be in some measure Washed and Sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 9 11. Que. 3. Out of what are men Elected or Chosen Answ Out of the World which lieth in Wickedness or in the Wicked one 1 John 5. 19. And of which until they were Chosen out they were as well as others and not only in it but also of it They sometimes walked according to the course of this World according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience Amongst whom we also had our Conversation in times past in the Lusts of our Flesh And were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others saith the Apostle Paul of both Gentiles and Jews who were after Chosen out of this sad condition Ephes 2. 1 3 5. To this purpose speaks our Saviour unto and concerning his Disciples Ye are not of the World but I have Chosen you out of the World And I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the World John 15. 19. and 17. 6. In both which places it is plainly Intimated that time was that they were not only in the World in their Persons for so they still were nor did our Saviour pray to His Father to take them out of it in this sense John 17. 11 15. but also they were of the World as to their State Condition Fellowship and Demeanour and during that time they were not Elected or Chosen out of it For Gods Elect and Chosen ones and the world are opposed the one to the other and the former hated by the latter As also our Saviour oft times signifieth in such expressions as these If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you John 15. 18 19. Ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce Chap. 16. 20. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me out of the world I have given them thy Word and the World hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world Chap. 17. 9 14 16 20 21 23. 1 John 3. 1 13. And so the chosen ones are such as are seperated and severed from others in their state pollutions evil principles and manners And so Seperated and Chosen are used indifferently and put one for another in our Types whom we are instructed to behold 1 Cor. 10. 18. As whereas in Deut. 10. 8. it is said At that time the Lord seperated the Tribe of Levi to minister unto him It is thus rendred Chap. 21. 5. 18. 5. 2 Chron. 29. 11. The Sons of Levi shall come near for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him So again in one place it is said I am the Lord your God which have seperated you from other people Ye shall therefore put difference between clean Beasts and unclean And ye shall be holy for I have severed you from other people that ye should be mine In another place upon a like occasion it is thus said The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing Consider and compare Levit. 20. 24 26. with Deut. 14. 2 3 c. And so they are a chosen Generation who are called not only whom God is calling but who are eventually called out of darkness out of the darkness of this world and out of their ignorance and unbelief into his marvelous light Compare 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. with Chap. 4. 3. Such as are delivered out of the power of darkness and translated or removed into the Kingdom of Gods dear sons Col. 1. 13. with Acts 13. 22. This is that out of which men are chosen even out of themselves and out of the world and power of darkness Que. Into and in whom are Men chosen Answ Into and in Jesus Christ as the Apostle saith Who hath chosen us in him Eph. 1. 4. As we have seen before The Elect are not chosen in the first Adam nor in themselves but in Christ who is the prime Elect unto whom God hath given the pre-eminence and first-ship in all things Isa 42. 1. Col. 1. 18 19. Rom. 16. 13. And who is the Root and Foundation of Election To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh To whom coming to wit unto Christ as unto a living stone chosen or elected of God Ye also as lively stones are built up a Spiritual House Ye are a chosen Generation It is here signified that in order of Nature however and of Time also Christ is first of all an Eleâ—t chosen stone an Elect foundation and Corner stone And those that
come unto and are built on him are reckoned after him And though before they were not chosen yet now they are an Elect Generation Kind or Offspring 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6 9 10. with Isa 28. 16. And hereby it appears both that some who were before out of Christ and so not Elected afterward were brought into him and then chosen in him and reckoned after him Compare Eph. 2. 11 13. with Chap. 1. 1 4. As well as also that some are Elected and chosen before other some because some are in Christ before others Rom. 16. 7. So in our Types of old Abraham was chosen before his Seed God chose him when he was in Ur of the Chaldees Neh. 9. 7. But he chose his Seed after him Deut. 4. 37. 10. 15. Ezek. 20. 5. The Lord hath chosen Zion even Jesus Christ first of all who came and shall come out of Zion Psal 14. 7. And who sitteth now in our Nature on Gods holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6. And in whom God dwelleth and will dwell for ever John 14. 10 11. Col. 2. 9. And secundarily those that are born in Zion Christs Children who come unto him and so are born of the Law and Doctrine of Christ which proceeds from Zion Psa 87. 5. And who trust in the Lord such as are good and are of upright hearts Psal 125. 1 5. and 132. 11 13. Even Zion whom no man careth for to wit Christ who is disallowed indeed of men and those that are brought into and born of and walk in Christ hath the Lord chosen and being chosen in Christ they are called into Gods marvelous Light for Christ is the Light of the World the Sun of Righteousness and Fountain of Light 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Psal 36. 9. And so also are chosen and called into the Grace of Christ into his special peculiar favour and are the subjects of that Gal. 1. 6. to which afterwards Qu. 5. Unto what are the Elected chosen Answ Unto Obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Christ namely that as Children of Obedience they should not fashion themselves according to their former lusts in their ignorance But as he who hath called them is holy so they should be holy in all manner of Conversation And that their Hearts might be sprinkled from an evil Conscience and their Consciences from dead works to serve the living God and their bodies washed with pure Water 1 Pet. 1. 2. with Heb. 10. 22. and 9. 14. He hath chosen them to be an holy people to himself Eph. 1. 4. thus it was said to our Types Ye shal be holy unto me for I the Lord am holy and have severed you from other people that ye should be mine Levit. 20. 26. And again The Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself above all the Nations upon the Earth a peculiar people Zealous of good Works Deut. 7. 6. 14. 2. with Tit. 2. 14. Hence an Elect Generation and Holy Nation are put together 1 Pet. 2. 9. And as they are chosen in Christ in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth as hath been said So the end also is That they should be holy and without blame before him in love Eph. 1. 4. And so he hath chosen them to be and continue a Spiritual House an Habitation for himself through his Spirit 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. And his House they are who hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end Heb. 3. 6 14. The Lord hath chosen Zion be hath desired it for his Habitation This is the rest for ever here he will dwell for he hath desired it Psal 132. 13 14. And as in our Types he did chuse the Temple to be a place of Habitation in some sense for himself whence it was often called the House of God c. 2. Chron. 7. 12. 16. So now those that come unto and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone they grow unto an Holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2. 20 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. They are and to that end he hath chosen them that they might be the Temple of the Living God As God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. He hath chosen them to bear his name unto and before others and to render his praise glorious And as in former times God did chuse the Temple that his name might be there forover 2 Chron. 7. 14. So he hath chosen them that come unto Christ that they might be a Spiritual Priesthood to offer Sacrifices and hold forth the Word of Life to others and so be Instruments of good unto others So it is said of Paul after he was Converted He is a chosen Vessel or a Vessel of Election unto me to bear my name c. Even to be Christs Witness unto all men of what he had seen and heard To the End he might be an Instrument for opening the Eyes of the blind both Jews and Gentiles and turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may rereive the forgiveness of their sins and Inheritance among them that are sanctified and so chosen thorow faith that is in Christ Acts 9. 15. with Chap. 22. 14 15. 26. 16 18. And this is his end also more generally in chusing others that they might be Instruments of good to those that as yet are not chosen As the Apostle Peter signifieth Ye are an Elect Generation a Royal Priesthood c. That ye might shew forth the Praises If Him that hath called you out of Darkness into His marvellous Light That whereas others speak evil of you as of evil doers they may by your good Works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of Visitation 1 Pet. 2. 9 10 12. So Simeon else-where declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a People for His Name and so to Build again the Tabernacle of David which was fallen down c. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord and together with them be happy also in finding Him Acts 15. 14 17. with Isa 55. 6 7 8. Mat. 7. 7 8. And ultimately He hath Chosen them that they might obtain the everlasting Glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ So the Apostle Paul saith God hath from the beginning Chosen you unto Salvation c. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. And again I indure all things for the Elects sake viz. for Christ's Bodies sake which is the Church that they also may obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal Glory compare 2 Tim. 2. 10. with Col. 1. 24. and Ephes 3. 13. And so God's Elect here spoken of are such as by the discovery of the Grace of God in Christ by the
in due time inherit gloriously and are now by Faith Heirs of the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ James 2. 5. And so many are Called but few are Chosen choice Ones The greatest part will be refused and disallowed of God because of their own stubborn refusal of and disobedience to Christ 4. Elect or Chosen doth signifie in Scripture Beloved or Loved with a delightful and peculiar manner of Love So it is said The Sons of God saw the Daughters of men that they were fair and they took them Wives of all that they chose viz. delighted in or were well pleased with Gen. 6. 2. So these two words Chosen and Delighted in are used indifferently They have Chosen their own Ways and their Soul delighteth in their abominations Isa 66. 3 4. So whereas in the Prophet Isaiah it is thus said Mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth That Scripture is thus read and rendred by the Evangelist Matthew My beloved in whom my Soul is well pleased compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. Thus again Is it such a Fast as I have Chosen Wilt thou call this an Acceptable day Chosen and Acceptable or Well-pleasing are the same And Chosen signifieth a Delight or Delightsome day unto the Lord Isa 58. 5 6 with vers 13. So chosen in the Lord and beloved or beloved in the Lord are used indifferently by the Apostle Rom. 16 8 12 13. So it is here also Many are called but few are chosen few beloved or delighted in no more than come to Christ for they are beloved in him the beloved one Rom. 16. 8. Eph. 1. 6. Indeed God loves all men while it is called to day with a love of pity and compassion with a love of mercifull kindness and hath abundantly manifested it in that he hath given his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the World Joh. 3. 16. 4. 42. And as is evident in what he doth unto them thorow Christ Thus he loves them who hate him and hath therefore propounded himself as an example to be imitated by us to the end we might so see and follow him as to love and be mercifull to our Enemies and bless them that curse us c. Matth. 5. 44 45. Luke 6. 27 35 36. He so loves all men that he is not willing that any man should perish but that all should come to repentance Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. 33. 11. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. But yet though he love them thus and is pitifull and compassionate toward them and hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth but rather that he should turn and live yet notwithstanding he cannot delight in them that still abide in their ignorance and unbelief of the Gospel and are Enemies to his Son But contrarily he hates them with such an hatred as is opposed to a love of Well-pleasedness He that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with him The foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all the workers of iniquity Psal 5. 4 5. So he saith concerning Ephraim All their wickedness is in Gilgall for there I hated them for the wickedness of their doings Hos 9. 15. The wrath of God cometh and abideth on the Children of disobedience Eph. 5. 5 6. Col. 3. 5 6. And therefore none such are delighted in nor chosen while so abiding and coutinuing They wearied the Lord with their words who said He delighteth in them that do evil Mat. 2. 17. As they now do who say Such as are unbelievers Idolaters Adulterers profane persons drunkards and notorious sinners may while abiding such be the elect of God and loved of him with peculiar distinguishing love which is directly contrary to the Scriptures as hath been said which signifie that though God pity and is compassionate to foolish ones yet he delighteth not in them He hath no pleasure in fools Prov. 1. 20 22 with Eccles 5. 4. But now his Elect ones are such as he delighteth in and loves with peculiar manner of love Hence the Elect are such as are said to be beloved Col. 3. 12. All his delight is in them that are chosen out of the World and keep his Commandements and which are the excellent ones Psal 16. 2 3. They that are of a froward Heart are abomination to the Lord but such as are upright in their way are his delight Prov. 11. 20. 12. 22. All such and only such as love Christ the father loveth with delightfull love I speak of such are come to years of capacity and have the Gospel plainly declared to them As our Saviour himself signifieth saying For the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God such he loveth with such manner of love as that he calls and owns them as his Sons by faith And if Sons then Heirs John 16. 27. 1 John 3. 1. And such as these Christ loveth and delighteth in As he saith I love them that love me And as the father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love Prov. 8. 17. John 15. 9. But who are they that love Jesus Christ and so are the subjects of his and his fathers peculiar love his Elect ones in whom he delighteth They are such as when called come to and are ruled by Jesus Christ such as he not only commands but also they are commanded by him and obedient to him and so chosen as in the second sense of the word chosen before spoken to So saith our Saviour himself He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and be that loveth me shall be loved of my father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him And again If any man love me he will keep my Word and my father will love him and we will come unto him c. Once more If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love even as I kept my fathers Commandments and abide in his love John 14. 21 23. 15. 9 10. 1 John 2. 3 5. 5. 2 3 2. John 6. Truly God so loveth his Son Jesus Christ because he laid down his life for us that he might take it up again that he loves all them that love him with a delightful love they are his chosen ones with whom he is well pleased He gives unto them Eternal Life John 3. 16 18. Jam. 2. 5. And he so loveth his Son that he hates and cannot delight in them that are his Enemies and hate him He will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him Psal 89. 23. John 3. 36. Psal 16. 3. 4. And therefore while they abide such being not lovers of Christ they are not of the elect or chosen Generation Job 14.
24. Paul was not so while he was anememy unto him 〈◊〉 persecuter of them that called upon his name But he with others found favour and was made accepted in the beloved one in coming unto and believing in him Eph. 1. 6. with Luk. 1. 28. 30 5. And lastly By Chosen ones in our types are often meant and signified such as were souldiers and were pithced upon and imployed to fight the battells of the Lord against their enemies or more generally such as fought against their enemies Military men are hereby meant and sons of valour who were indued with courage and strength to go forth against and contend with their Adversaries such are often called Elect or chosen ones so Joshua Chose out Thirty Thousand mighty men of valour to go up against Ai Joshua 8. 3. So David gathered all the chosen men c. 2. Sam. 6. 1. And Abijah set the battell in aray with an Army of valiant men of warre even four hundred thousand chosen men Jeroboam also set the battell in array against him with Eight Hundred Thousand chosen men being mighty men of valour 2 Chron. 13. 3. 17. So oft time it is taken in this sense Judg. 20. 15. 16. 34. Psal 78. 31. c. And thus also this sense may be accommodated to these words few are chosen namely few there are who betake themselves unto and fight manfully under the banner of Christ against their spirituall enemies with the weapons of Gods warfarre few there are who so love and cleave to Christ as to endure hardness as his good soldiers to deny themselves and take up their Cross and follow him To watch stand fast in the faith quit themselves like men c. 2. Timoth. 2. 1-3 4. 1 Cor 16. 13 14. Rev. 17. 14. Few love his gospel so well though called by the trumpet of it as to leave the world as it were and be valiant for the truth earnestly contending for the faith 〈…〉 striving for the faith of the Gospel against the world and against that sin that dwelleth in them and those fleshly lusts after their Merchandise Farms c. And against the Devil And so in this consideration they are not chosen men But this sense may not so well as the former suit with the scope of this place And therefore it is the more briefly spoken unto Thus we have also spoken unto the Affirmative part in the first thing propounded to be considered from the latter part of this verse and shewed who are Gods elect ones namely such as are by the grace of God chosen out of the world into Christ and abide in him such as are commanded appointed and ruled by his law the law of faith such as are more excellent then others choice ones precious in his sight and account such as are the subjects of his peculiar love and delighted in by him And such as come unto and follow after the Captain of our salvation fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternall life In a word his people in a peculiar consideration all hearty and unfeigned beleivers are the elect and chosen ones here intenâ—ed by our Saviour The Nation the blessed Nation whose God 〈◊〉 the Lord is the people which he hath chosen for his own Inheritance Psal 33. 12. and 105. 43. Such God hath chosen who are rich in faith as Jam. 2. 5. hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world but not all the poor nor any that have not faith but such as are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him And as in order of nature Christ the prime elect and root of election was first Gods servant to finish the work in own personal Body which the Father gave him to do before he was his Chosen or Elect one Isai 42. 1. Phil. 2. 8 9 John 3. 35. with chap. 10. 17. So also as with respect to others who are Chosen in Christ They are his Servants before they are the Subjects of Election hence the same order of expressions is used frequently concerning them As thou Israel my servant Jacob whom I have chosen Isai 41. 8 9. and 43. 10. And again Hear O Jacob my servant and Israel whom I have chosen thus saith the Lord that made thee and formed thee from the Womb which will help thee Fear not O Jacob my servant and thou Jesurun or righteous people whom I have chosen Isai 44. 1 2. and 65. 13. 15. And these only are Gods Elect and chosen ones and the persons intended in this Text we are speaking to and such as abiding faithfull unto the death shall in due time receive the Crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him and look and wait for the appearing and coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as his Grace teacheth and instructeth Jam. 2. 5. with chap. 1. 12. Titus 2. 11 13. And what we have said of this Electioâ— or choosing and who arâ— not and who are the subjects of Gods Election as in the Scripture of truth plainly appeareth may be of usefulness to us 1. To preserve or redeem us from that evil and hurtful Notion and Doctrine of personal Election in a personal consideration which some call the Gospel of Election In which Men think and teach that God hath from Eternity Decreed and purposed a set determinate number of Persons in a personal consideration to Believe and be saved And that all such shall in due time be brought in to Believe and be Converted by an invincible and irresistable Power And that Men may be of this number and the subjects of this purpose who are Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers Effeminate Abusers of themselves with Mankind Theeves Covetous Drunkards Extortioners c. Yea and Persecutors Blasphemers and Injurious ones while abiding such Yea that some abiding such till almost their departure out of this world are yet and continue the Elect of God and his Chosen ones This is a very groundless Scriptureless and Pernicious Doctrine And that which renders the Cross of Christ foolishness For if Men were absolutely decreed to Salvation before the consideration of Christs interposing himself and humbling himself to death the Death of the Cross This Decree might also have been as righteously put into Execution without it And so as the Apostle saith in another case which is as true in this Christ dyed in vain or without any just cause which thought and imagination is to be rejected by us as that which renders needless his precious Blood And represents Gods love to his only begotten Son to be very small or indeed none at all In that he put him to so much grief and spared not him but delivered him up to death for our offences when there was no Absolute necessity for it And blemishes his Wisdom also not to speak of his other Atributes Seeing if this Doctrine were true God could have saved those he intends
neglect the present opportunity And so it speaks good and comfortable words unto men to the end they might repent and turn to God and doe works meet for repentance Acts 26. 18 20 23. And is proper to comfort poor dejected despairing creatures who are greatly discouraged by that device of men we have opposed Isai 61. 1 2. For some one may say Oh! If I did but know my self to be one of Gods Elect ones If I did but know that I belong to the Election of Grace then mine heart would be quieted and comforted This would be a lifting up to me now I am cast down and my heart disquieted within me But alas I fear I am none of Gods Elect and chosen ones I cannot find such and such frames and changes from whence I might safely conclude that I am one of that number Nay I find so much evil and wickedness in my self that I may rather fear and conclude that I am one of them that are rejected of God and that I am not Elected And then what will become of me I must perish for ever and be everlastingly wretched and miserable Well What solid and certain comfort affordeth this devise of Absolute election to such an one in such a condition Certainly no true or Soul-quieting Consolation and reviving For 1. It either saith in general though thou beest never so wicked yet thou mayest belong to the Election of Grace at present though thou knowest it not nor doth it appear to any one else that thou dost so But by their own Doctrine 1. This is but a peradventure and it is ten to one whether it be so or no And may not such a one much rather still continue fearful and doubtful then the Disciples might be so when our Saviour said One of you shall betray me they all said Lord is it I is it I Seeing that was but spoken of one in twelve whereas here twelve to one are not Elected or Chosen according to their own devise And 2. This is comforting men with a lie and so none of Gods way of comforting For this supposeth that wicked ones may be while such the subjectâ— of Gods Election which is very false as hath been shewn And as may be seen in Isai 65. 11 15. Where Gods Chosen are opposed to them that chuse that in which he delights not even the wicked Whereas Gods way of comforting is with the Truth Hence the Comforter ir said to be the Spirit of Truth and so the Comforter John 14. 16 17. and 16. 26. 2. Or they may answer more particularly and say Thy fear is a good sign that thou art one of the Elect. But though it were as indeed it is not a good signe yet it is not a sure one For the sinners in Zion may be afraid and fearfulness surprize the Hypocrite Isai 33. 14. But what saith the Doctrine of Gods Election to such a despairing sorrowful one It is proper to comfort all that mourn and so such an one as we are here speaking of Isai 61. 1 2. Though it answer not with their speeches as Job 32. 14. Yet it declareth good news and true news to such an one it daubeth him not up with untemper'd morter nor telleth him he may be one of Gods Elect though a wicked person and unbeliever But it assureth him the contrary And yet shews him both that while it is called to day he may through grace believe And in so doing shall have a new name given unto him And though formerly he were not Elected yet now shall be one of Gods Elect. This sheweth that such as were not his People may be his People and that such as were not beloved or Elected may become beloved and Elected which is the same as we have shewed Rom. 9. 25 26. That such as were not his children may become his children and shall so do in believing in Christ as the Scripture hath said For To as many as receive him to them he gives the right and priviledge to become the Sons of God even to them who believe on his name Rom. 9. 26. with John 1. 12. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. And thus God in his Doctrine doth create the fruit of his lips Peace Peace to him that is far off to such stout-hearted ones as are far from righteousness To the end they might forsake their unrighteous wayes and thoughts and return to him and he will have mercy upon them and multiply to pardon them Isai 57. 19. with chap. 46. 12 13. chap. 55. 6 7 8. Therefore though this Doctrine saith Wo to the wicked that men might hear and fear and not continue such Yet it calleth to the wicked look unto Christ and be ye saved Come unto him and he will give you rest And to move them thereto it assureth men that God hath no pleasure none at all neither secret nor revealed in the everlasting destruction of the wicked while it is called to day As he hath both said and sworn and given his Son to be an actual clear universal and everlasting witness of the truth of it Ezek. 18. 23. 30 32. and 33. 10 11. John 3. 16. and 12. 47. And so it propounds true and encouraging Comfort to such a one not to continue in his Iniquity for in so doing it will be his ruine but to come unto Christ who is the root and foundation of Election in coming unto and abiding in whom he shall be reckoned after him and blessed with him to all Eternity Nay Let me yet adde further This Doctrine of Gods election contains in the womb of it and proclaims with the mouth of it encouragement and comfort to such as having been formerly ingrassed into Christ the prime Elect and root of Election and so made of the chosen number have yet for their iniquity or unfruitfulness been cut off from Christ And to whom God hath given a Bill of Divorce after they have been espoused to him while they are joyned to all the living that such as these might not utterly â—…spaire or be discouraged from returning unto him Though indeed such iniquity as procures such an heavy Judgement is highly provoking and dangerous For it assureth that while it is the day of Gods grace and patience in returning and rest they shall be saved Isai 30 15. That he can righteously again choose such as after once chosen have been rejected and refused by him as it is said of Jerusalem Cry yet saith the Lord unto the Prophet The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose Jerusalem Zech. 1. 17. And the Lord shall choose Jerusalem again Chap. 2. 12. Thus it is said concerning the Jews who were our Types and whom we are instructed to behold 1 Cor. 10. 18. that some of the branches were broken off from the true Olive-Tree because of their unbelief And yet if they abide not still in unbelief they shall be graffed in for God is able to graff them in again who had been but
Luke 8. 11 12. Isa 27. 11. Another sort of hearers He likeneth to stony places or to the rock they hear the word of the Kingdom and the glad tidings therein declared And in some measure understand it And so are not like unto the Way-side hearers for anon or immediately with joy they receive and gladly entertain it And do believe for a while what is therein reported That Christ is indeed the Saviour of the World But these have no root in themselves they suffer not the word to sink deep enough to break the stone or rock at the bottom and to effect in them an honest and good heart which it would do were it with the heart believed Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an bammer that breaketh the rock in peices Jer. 23. 28 29. this is powerful to convert and change the Soul Psal 19. 7. But they suffer it not to take root downward but still retain some stone at the bottom some design or enterprize of theirs unbroken And though possibly in hearing this word gladly they do many things which it is effecting in them part with many things thereby reproved and do many things which are good in themselves yet there is still some one beloved iniquity or other which they will not let this good and powerful word mortifie and root up some lust or idol remains at the bottom of their hearts which hinders the seed from sinking deep enough and and so in conclusion the Word becometh unfruitful Herod knew John the Baptist was a just Man and an holy and observed him or kept him from danger and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly But when John reproved him for Herodias his Brother Philip's Wife and said it is not lawful for thee to have her he turned not at this reproof of God's instruction he suffered not the word of God to purge out and root up this iniquity but was angry with this faithful reprover and first put him in Prison and afterwards caused him to be beheaded Mark 6. 17-20 Ezekielis hearers said one to another Come I pray you and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord And they come unto thee saith the Lord as the People cometh and they sit before thee as My People and they hear thy words but they will not do them For with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness And â—…e thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument for they hear thy words but they do them not For still from the least to the greatest of them every one was given to Covetousness Ezek. 33. 30-32 Jer. 6. 12. Thus it is with too many now in our days they hear the glad-tidings of good things brought to them in the Gospel of peace and by and by they receive them with gladness And they are perswaded that the word of Christ is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation And they marvel at the gracious words therein contained and wonder that every one doth not give credit thereto But still they believe in vain and though they have some love for what they hear yet they love some thing reproved thereby rather and better they hold fast a lye in their right hand while the truth is but in their left they set and keep up some stumbling block of iniquity in their hearts some intemperance or uncleanness or strife or covetousness or pride c. And by the deceitfulness of that sin which doth so easily beset them they harden their hearts like an Adamant stone so that the word sinks not deep enough into them And this is afterwards made apparent For when tribulation or persecution ariseth for the word by and by they are offended As immediatâ—…y at first they received the word of the kingdom with joy so immediately in time of trial and temptation they are offended and fall away Joh. 3. 19. 2 Thes 2. 10. Isa 44. 20. Matth. 13. 20 21. with Luke 8. 13. A third sort of hearers appear in conclusion to be like the thorny ground they are such as hear the word and receive the seed And it may seem for sometime receive it to purpose and it brings forth fruit in them These understand as the Way-side hearers do not These have some root in themselves as the Stony-ground hearers had not These bring forth fruit but afterward without any good reason or cause they go out and depart from Christ Jesus and from the mindfulness of His Grace and Gospel and abide not faithful unto the death These endure not unto the end though at first they did run well They continue not rooted and grounded in the Faith They abide not in Christ stedfast and unmoveable but forsake the Lord the fountain of living waters and wander out of the way of understanding and turn aside to their crooked pathes after they have escaped the pollutions of the world thorow the Knowledge and Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so are like Birds that wander from their Nests they are removed from him that called them into the Grace in Jesus Christ And after they have clean and indeed escaped from them that live in errour yet they sin willingly and erre from and forsake the right way in which abiding they should be saved But they go forth Luke 8. 14. and then the Thorns enter in Mark 4. 19. They were not there always they were it may seem rooted out and cast forth by the Plow of the Gospel And had they abidden in Christ they had been still preserved from them For Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not He keepeth Himself that the wicked one toucheth him not in whom the seed of God remaineth 1 Joh. 3. 6 9. with Chap 5. 18. But going out the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and lusts of other things enter in and choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful namely in conclusion they bring no fruit unto perfection none to the harvest And so none which will abide and appear on their account in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ These may endure some of them a considerable time and even almost though not altogether unto the harvest And how far soever they go or how long soever they continue yet not enduring unto the end not overcoming and keeping Christ's Works unto the end but going out and departing from Him and so persisting all their righteousness shall not be remembred but for their iniquity that they have committed they shall dye for it there is no reaping if men faint how long soever they have exercised themselves in well doing Matth. 13. 22. with Mark 4. 18 19. 2 Pet. 2. 18-20 Gal. 6. 9. Ezek. 33. 12 13. Rev. 2. 26-29 Now the just shall live by faith but if he at any time draw back Gods Soul will have no pleasure