at present were none of Gods chosen ones Rom. 11. 17. 23. with ver 7. Thus also he commandeth the Prophet to proclaim these words to such as he had put away and to whom he had given a Bill of Divorce Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep anger for ever only acknowledge thine Iniquity c. Jer. 3. 8. 12 13. He hath reserved this Prerogative to himself that he can righteously shew mercy where Men cannot If a man put away his Wife and she go from him and become another mans shall he return to her again shall not not that man only but also that Land be greatly polluted where such Iniquity is committed But thou hast played the Harlot with many lovers yet return again to me saith the Lord. And concerning such He as it were bethinks himself how he may againe receive his former favour and their former nighness But I said How shall I put thee among the Children and give thee a Land of desire an heritage of glory or beauty of the Hosts of Nations And I said Thou shalt call me my Father and shalt not turn away from me Jer. 3. 1. 19. And hence he thus expostulateth with such as had sold themselves for their Iniquities and for their transgressions were put away Wherefore when I came was there no man when I called was there none to answer Is my hand shortned at all that it cannot redeem or have I no power to deliver Namely from all your transgressions and from that miserable condition you have brought your selves into Behold at my rebuke I dry up the Sea c. The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to Him that is weary even to such also as have wearied themselves in wandring from Mountain to Hill and forgotten their resting place his hand is not shortned at all but he hath still power to help turn pardon and receive such backsliding ones Isai 50. 1 2 3 4. Such like comfort this Doctrine of Gods Election propoundeth and proclaimeth to poor sinful ones while it is called to day not to strengthen men in their Iniquity But to allure them and prevaile with them to come to him that he may take away their iniquities and receive them graciously that he may heale their backslidings and love them freely Hose 14. 1 2-4 3. This doctrine of Gods election is also a monytory doctrine to admonish and warne us all neither to reject the grace of God nor to receive it in vaine But so heartily to entertaine and retaine it and yield up our selves to the operation thereof that we may now be saved from our evill thoughts and wayes And bring forth fruit meet for him by whom we are dressed that we may receive further blessing from God In the former use we have shewed that though at present we be not yet we may be chosen But here we have to shew that we must of necessity receive the grace of God to this end and purpose or else we shall be excluded the kingdom of Christ and of God To this end Christ gave himselfe for our sins that he might deliver us from or pluck us out of or Chuse us out of this present evill World according to the will of God and our father Gal. 1. 4. with Matth. 5. 29. and 18. 9. with 2 Thes 2. 13. The whole world lieth in wickedness or in the wicked one and will be hereafter condemned and all that remaine of it needfull therefore it is that we be saved from and chosen out of this untoward generation 1 Joh. 5. 19. with 1 Cor. 11. 32. God indeed so loved the World that he gave his onely begotten son But it was not with a delightfull well pleased love as is before said nor so as he ever intended that it or any abiding in the state and fellowship of it should partake of eternall life and salvation But to this end he so loved it that whosoever of it beleiveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3. 14 15 16 17 18. But unless men so receive the love of the truth as to be saved and Chosen thereby while the day of Gods grace and patience is vouchsafed and continued to them they will be damned hereafter not because they were reprobated from eternity for so no man was in a personall consideration nor because they had no true and saving grace afforded to them and for want thereof thereof they could doe no better then they did For the saving Grace of God or Grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared But because they beleived not so as to have pleasure in the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Tit. 2. 11. 2 Thes 2. 10 12 13. Oh! this will be the Worm that will never die but will gnaw upon them and torment their Souls for ever that when God so loved them as to give his Son to die for them to deliver them from that so great a death as they were fallen under the Sentence of viz. the first death And to obtain Eternal Life into the nature of man for them both which he hath done by his Blood and Sacrifice And that he gave him to be a Testimony of Gods goodness and love to them in due time and so preached to their Spirits by his Spirit that they might have been saved That notwithstanding all this they would not come unto Christ that they might have life but held fast deceit and refused to return Oh! that in due time it may be so considered by us that we may hearken diligently unto Christ and so receive the Word of God as it is in truth the Word of God that it may work effectually upon us So as we may not only be called thereby but chosen also And so may flee from the wrath to come Quest But some may say The Elected are chosen by Christ and cannot chuse themselves Is there any thing then in order to this Election or chusing required of us that we may be the subjects of it What should we do Answ It is true indeed they are chosen by Christ who are elected and cannot chuse themselves by any Wisdome Strength or Works of Righteousness of their own But it is also as true that in those things appertaining to the Salvation of the Soul in which they are Passives yet there is somewhat required of them as God is preventing them with his Grace As to say They cannot beget or bring forth themselves but the Work of the new Birth is the Work of God John 1. 13. Jam. 1. 18. But yet it is signified that something in order hereto is required of Men not in any wisdome or ability of their own for they have none But as God is preventing and assisting them with power and capacity namely to
true That no Man can come to Christ except the Father who hath sent Christ draw Him Joh. 6. 44. But it is also as true That God in and by Christ in due time doth draw them that come not He draws all Men to Himself Joh. 12. 31 32. He draws them who refuse to come with cords of a Man and bands of Love And because He knows what a Yoke is upon them without the removal whereof they would be hindred therefore He takes off the Yoke on their Jaws c. Hos 11. 3 4 5. And since Christ hath finished the work which the Father gave Him to do in His own personal body on the Earth since He laid down His Life and is raised again He hath now gloriously and most immeasurably received the promise of the Spirit in the Nature of Man And hath more abundantly poured it forth on His Servants in their faithful declaring the Gospel then in former times so that the Gospel is called the Ministration of Spirit and Life yea and the Spirit also 2 Cor. 3. 6-8 Phil. 2. 16. So that it is only Mens own wilful and stubborn refusal and rejection of the power of Christ in the call which hinders their coming unto and being chosen by Christ they close their Eyes when opened and stop their Ears lest they should see with their Eyes and hear with their Ears and understand with their Heart and should be converted and He should heal them Mat. 13. 15. And this also sheweth unto us how provoking and excuseless an iniquity it is that the called are not chosen 4. And lastly This also further appears so to be if we consider the good will and gracious intention of the Caller in calliâ—g Men by His Gospel whose love and gracious heart towards sinners is most clearly manifested and perpetually commended to us in the Cross and Sufferings of Christ Rom. 5. 6-8 Joh. 3. 16 17. Heb. 2. 9. He therefore calls and stretcheth forth His hand that they might come to the Feast He hath prepared for them He doth not therefore call that He might leave Men without excuse though they will be so they will be Speechless who are disobedient to the Gospel nor is His end in calling them to aggravate their condemnation though their condemnation will be aggravated who when they are thus called unto the most High will not at all Exalt Him Hos 11. 2-4-7 But He therefore declares His Gospel to them and therewith councelleth them to come unto Himself that they might listen unto and obey Him that it might go well with them for ever Thus our Saviour graciously acquainteth the Jews who sought to kill Him with His gracious end in Speaking and Preaching the Gospel unto them These things I say that ye might be saved Joh. 5. 16-34 And by His Apostles the Gospel was Preached according to the Revelation of the Mystery and according to the Commandement of the Everlasting God made known to all Nations for the Obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 25 26. He iâ—deed that hateth dissembleth with his Lips and layeth up deceit within Him When he speaketh fair or maketh his voice gracious believe him not for there are seven abominations in his heart Prov. 26. 24-26 But far be it from us thus to think of the Almighty who is a God of Truth and without iniquity just and right is He Deut. 32. 2-4 He is not like him that faith Eat and Drink but his heart is not with thee Prov. 23. 6 7. He saith not come eat of My Bread and drink of the Wine I have mingled when either He hath prepared none for thee or hath no cordial desire and intention thou shouldest partake thereof but His gracious will is that thou shouldest be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth Prov. â— 1-5 with 1 Tim. 2. 4-6 And therefore He thus expostulates Wherefore when I came was there no Man when I called was there none to answer But how appears it that they did not answer His call This is declared to us in another Scripture They did Evil before Mine Eyes and chose that in which I delighted not In which is plainly signified to us that His end in coming and calling was that they might have done what was good in His Eyes and chosen that in which He delighted that so they might have been of His chosen ones indeed Compare and consider Isa 50. 2. with chapt 66. 3 4. chapt 65. 12-15 By all which it evidently appeareth that it is their great iniquity who are called by the Servants in their preaching the Gospel of Christ that they answer not His call who accompanieth them and so are not chosen This is that iniquity which is so greatly provoking unto the great King that He thus threatneth to deal with such as are guilty of it Therefore will I number you to the Sword and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter because when I called ye did not answer when I spake ye did not hear but did evil before Mine Eyes and did chuse that wherein I delighted not Therefore behold My Servants My chosen ones who did answer My call shall eat but ye shall be hungry Behold My Servantâ— shall drink but ye shall be thirsty Behold My Servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed Behold My Servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and ye shall howl for vexation of spirit And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen c. Isa 65. 12-15 with Prov. 1. 24-32 Mat. 22. 13 14. And it appears to be an inexcusable iniquity that those who are so called are not chosen There will be no Cloak for their sin They cannot plead that Christ never dyed for them or that saving Grace was not afforded to them for both these are false as we have said and shewn But they will be convinced in the day of the Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God that their Destruction and Non-election was wholly of themselves And therefore they will be found speechless as the Man was who had not on the Wedding Garment Let the consideration then of all said move and prevail with us all so to receive the Electing Grace of God that we may be of the number according to the Election of Grace And let us not listen to such desperate sayings as these If I be Elected no sins can bereave me of Heaven if I be Reprobated no good deeds can help me to Heaven But be we well assured that the Scripture speaketh of none as the Subjects of Gods Election to Salvation while they continue in their natural condition and filthiness nor of any Reprobated before they were born or Christ Preached by His Spirit to their Spirits But all Men while it is the day of Gods Grace and Patience towards them may thorow His Grace which bringeth Salvation to them come to Christ the prime Elect one and root of Election and so be reckoned
A Feast of fat Things of Wines on the Lees of fat things full of Marrow of Wines on the Lees well Refined Isa 25. 6. Prov. 9. 1 3. And to this Marriage-feast also are Men Called and Bidden that they might partake hereof and their Souls be satisfied here with as with Marrow and Fatness Isa 55. 1 2 3. And so that whereto men are Called is to Jesus Christ and Him Crucisied and that excellent and compleat Preparation provided in Him They are called into the Grace of Christ Jesus Gal. 1. 6. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets did testifie before hand of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow And these things are now Reported to us in the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. with Luke 24. 25 27. To Christ God the Father was and is Calling and Directing men To the Teachers He said This is the Rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the Refreshing Isa 28. 12. 16. Behold saith he my Servant whom I uphold c. Isa 42. 1. 6 7. He hears Witness of Him and Christ is so the Sum of his Teaching that every one that hath Heard and hath Learned of the Father cometh unto Him John 5. 31 37. and 6. 45. Unto Himself Jesus Christ also calleth men He saith Look unto me all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved For I am a Just God and a Saviour and there is none beside me Isa 45. 21 23. with Phil. 2. 8 9 10. And He saith Behold me behold me unto a Nation that was not called by His Name Isa 65. 1. Thou shalt saith the Father Call a Nation which Thou knewest not to wit unto Thy self for so much is signified in what follows And Nations that knew not Thee shall run unto Thee c. Isa 55. 5. All things saith our Saviour are delivered unto me of my Father c. Come unto me I will give you rest Isa 49. 1. 6. Mat. 11. 27 28. John 7. 37 38. It is also the Work of the Holy Spirit to Lift up the Son of Man as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness that Men might look unto and believe in Him To bear Witness of Jesus Christ To take of His things His Abasement Death Resurrection and Glory and to shew unto us And therefore also He is called the Spirit of Christ John 3. 5 6 14. and 15. 26. and 16. 14 15. Acts 5. 30 32. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea the one God Father Word and Holy Spirit beareth His Record of Jesus Christ and this is the Record that God hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in His Son 1 John 5. 7 10 11. Yea to Him all the holy Ones call us the Spirit and the Bride say Come to wit unto Christ And let him that heareth say Come c. Rev. 22. 16 17. And hereby we may see the desperate folly and madness of Men who forsake or come not unto the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters but hew them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no Water Jer. 2. 12 13. And it might Ingage and Provoke us all to obey this heavenly Call and run unto Christ because of the Lord his God and for the Holy One of Israel who hath Glorified Him in Himself and displayed the Preciousness of His Blood and His Excellency and Comeliness by means thereof so our escape before us in the Gospel And is Calling and Inviting us unto Him Isa 55. 5. with John 13. 31 32. Oh! let us not turn a deaf Ear to this Call but let us incline our Ears and come unto Him let us hear that our Souls may live c. Isa 55. 2 3. Considering also that which followeth Namely The Account and Ground upon which Men are Called unto this Marriage and Marriage-feast is because it was intended and prepared for them If the Trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to the Battel 1 Cor. 14. 8. But so doth not this Trumpet in the glorious Gospel of God for as it gives a joyful sound Psal 89. 15. so also a certain one Gods Mouth hath therein spoken Truth and Wickedness is an Abomination to His Lips All the Words of His Mouth are in Righteousness there is nothing froward or wreathed in them Prov. 8. 6 8. This is a faithful Saying and worthy of all Acceptation it is both true and Good that Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners Sinners indefinitely and without exclusion of any 1 Tim. 1. 15. This His Marriage of our Nature is and was by an Heavenly Messenger proclaimed to be Glad tidings of great joy to all people Luke 2. 10 11 14. And Christ had the Trespasses of the World imputed to Him 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. And by the Grace of God He tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. And is Risen again for theâ—… Justification So that as verily as all have sinned in the first Publick Man and are come short of the Glory of God So also they are Justified freely by God's Grace through that Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3. 22 24. and 5. 18. And in Him there is a Feast prepared for all People Isa 25. 6. Forgiveness of Sins for all Nations Luke 24. 47. Acts 26. 17 18. Righteousness for all Rom. 3. 22. Isa 61. 11. Eternal Life for all Mankind while it is called to day 1 John 5. 10 11 12. A Salvation prepared before the Face of all People Neither is there Salvation in any other Luke 2. 30 31. Acts 4. 12. And on this Ground it is that men are Invited to come to this Marriage and Marriage-feast because it was made and made ready for them even for Jews and Gentiles and so consequently for all Mankind Mat. 22. 2. 8 9 10. Luke 14. 16. 24. On this account His Servants have been provoked and excited to Intreat and Beseech men generally to receive the Grace of God to purpose The Love of Christ did constrain them to perswade men to come unto Jesus Christ because they thus judged that if one died for all then were all dead and that He died for all c. And after they had given an account of the Ministry of Reconciliation which they had received to wit that God was in Christ when one died for all and rose again Reconciling the World unto Himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them but unto Christ they say Now therefore we are Ambassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 11 14 15 19 20 21. and 6. 1. John 3. 14 16. and 4. 42. Hence the Lord maketh Proclamation and Invitation to every Thirster both to such as thirst out of necessity and to such also as thirst out of delight having tasted the Graciousness of the Lord and saith Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to
the Waters and he that hath no money c. And to move them hereto He saith Behold I have given Him for a Witness For a Witness of His Love and Faithfulness He hath so loved the World that He hath given His only begotten Son to be the Saviour of it that all men through Him might believe John 3. 16 17. and 1. 7. 1 John 4. 14. And hence exhorts men To seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near Yea The Wicked to forsake his ways and the man of Iniquity his thoughts and to return unto Him and He will have Mercy c. Isa 55. 1. 4 6 7. Here is a good account and sure ground given in the Gospel both for the Servants to Call so as they shall not run at uncertainty nor fight as those that beat the Air But may both Preach to any man or every man as they have opportunity and Pray for them Without wrath though they be their Enemies and without doubting whether God bears any good Will to them or no For they may certainly know and conclude God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledg of the Truth Because Christ gave Himself a Ransome and Price of Redemption to God for all a Testimony in due time And for those who are Called who from hence may be Incouraged upon principles of Certainty and Truth to come unto Him in whom dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily and in whom is all Compleatness prepared and treasured up for us And whosoever believeth in Him shall never be ashamed nor confounded Luke 6. 27 36. 1 Cor. 9. 26. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6 8. And so much for the first Inquiry Secondly By whom are the many Called By the Servants Instrumentally and Ministerially and especially by the Apostles in these last days For as we have said our Saviour in this Parable speaketh Prophetically of the Gospels being Preached unto Jews and Gentiles after He had finished the Work the Father gave Him to do upon the Earth And after His Death Resurrection Ascension Receipt of and sending forth the Holy Spirit in His Name in and by which His Apostles were fitted and furnished to Preach the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery For until then the Servants had not Commission and Furniture to Preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ And though when Christ was risen from the Dead He gave Commission to His Apostles to go into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature of all the Nations yet they were by Him commanded to tarry at Jerusalem until they were Indued with Power from on High that they might be fitted and inabled to put in Execution that Authority and Commission they had received Mark 16. 15. Mat. 28. 18 19. Luke 24. 47 49. And then they were to be Christs Witnesses unto all men of what they had seen and heard And yet though by the Servants here are meant the Apostles principally yet not only For the Bride in general saith Come And he that heareth is commanded to say Come Rev. 22. 17. And so the many are Called by the Servants of the King indefinitly though principal Respect is had to the Apostles So much is plainly signified to us in this Chapter that the many Called are called to this Marriage and Marriage-feast by the Servants So it is said as with respect to the Jews The King sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding Mat. 22. 3. Again He sent forth other Servants Ver. 4. And when the first invited Guests refused and dispitefully used them he saith to his Servants The Wedding is ready but they which were bidden were not worthy Go ye therefore into the High-ways c. Sâ— those Servants went out into the High-ways and gathered together all as many as they found Ver. 8 9 10. And indeed it is the Work of the Faithful Servants of the great King not to Commend or Preach themselves but Jesus Christ the Lord 2 Cor. 4. 5. And not to Disciple men unto themselves but to call and Espouse them to one Husband that they might be presented as a chaste Virgin unto Christ Acts 20. 28 30. 2 Cor. 11. 1 2 3. Their great Business is to bear Witness of Christ of His Sufferings and of what He hath thereby done and obtained into Himself and is become and is And of what He is now doing both from Heaven in the Name of the Father to us And in Heaven with the Father for us And what He will do hereafter John 15. 27. Acts 5. 30 32. 1 Pet. 5. 1. Heb. 13. 7 8. And not to proclaim their own goodness as the most men do Prov. 20. 6. that men might admire them or have their Faith standing in their Wisdom Goodness or Holiness 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. Acts 3. 12. But to Confess Praise and Call men unto Him in whom dwelleth all the Fulness that in coming unto and believing in Him they might of His Fulness receive and Grace for Grace But though they are called by the Servants instrumentally yet not by them only The King sends them not alone on this Errand of His but He accompanies them by the Light Influence and Power of His Blessed Spirit in their plain and faithful Ministration So much in former Times was signified to us As in that Scripture like to this and whereto it may seem our Saviour referreth in this Parable Prov. 9. 1 3. Wisdom hath Builded her House She hath hewen out her seven Pillars She hath killed her killing She hath mingled her Wine She hath also furnished her Table She hath sent forth her Maidens She crieth upon the highest places of the City c. Though She sent them forth to call others into the House yet Her Presence goes along with them And not only they Cry and Call but also She crieth Doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding put forth her Voice She standeth in the top of High places She crieth at the Gates of the City Unto you O men I Call and my Voice is to the Sons of Man She sends forth her Spirit in and with Her Servants that they might be successful Instruments in Her hand Prov. 8. 1 4 5. with Chap. 1. 20 23. So our Lord Jesus when He gave Authority to His Apostles to Disciple all Nations c. To Incourage them unto this their Service and against all their Discouragements He graciously assureth them that He would be with them always and not at some times only unto the end of the World And that He was faithful who promised another Evangelist informs us saying they went forth Preaching the Gospel every where the Lord working with them Mat. 28. 18 20. with Mark 16. 15. 20. Hence they are said to be Workers together with Him 2 Cor. 6. 1. And he that despiseth and rejecteth His Servants in their faithful Ministration of the Gospel rejecteth not Man but
God who also hath given to them His Spirit to accompany them and make their Word powerful 1 Thes 4. 8. And hence they are in every place a sweet Savour unto God of Christ 2 Cor. 2. 14 15. He is verily and continually so present with them by the Power and Influence of His blessed Spirit in their sincere speaking the Word of Christ as that He that heareth them heareth Him and he that receiveth them receiveth Him even Christ and Him that sent Him And he that despiseth them despiseth Christ and Him that sent Him Mat. 10. 40. with Luke 10. 16. Hence the stiff-necked Jews who were Uncircumcised in heart and ears are said in opposing and rejecting His Servants the Prophets to have always resisted the Holy Spirit which they could not have done had not the Holy Spirit been always present with them and assistant to them Acts 7. 51 52. Neh. 9. 30. Isa 63. 10. And this Consideration that the many are Called by the Servants the Lord working with them may be of usefulness unto us 1. To shew unto us the evil and falseness of mens sayings in which they divide and separate the Word of Christ in the faithful Ministration of it from the Spirit and say It is true many men are 〈◊〉 Called with an outward Call but they are not Called with an inward and effectual Call The Servants speak to their outward Ears but God by His Spirit speaketh not unto the Hearts of them The contrary to what they say plainly appeareth to be true in what hath been said from the Scriptures of Truth God is certainly present in and with His own Word that it might be received by men As the Apostle signifieth I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the Increase So then neither is he that Planteth any thing neither he that Watereth But God that giveth the increase For we are Labourers together with God c. The Apostle saith not as many do in their Glosses corruptly and injuriously to the Text and Souls of Men Paul may plant and Apolla water but God must give the Increase In which saying they Imply that the former may be without the latter But the Apostle evidently assures us not that God Must only but that He doth give the Increase whether men receive it or not And therefore when He speaks in the time past of their Labouring He speaks in the time past of Gods Co-operation I have planted but God gave c. And when in the time present of the former he so also speaketh of the latter Paul planteth Apollo watereth but God giveth the Increase It is true indeed we are to distinguish between the Word and Spirit but not to divide between them as if when ever God sends His Servants to Preach the Gospel He doth not vouchsafe His Spirit to go along with them which is not true 1 Cor. 3. 5 7 9. Nor is it safe or good for any to conclude from the event that because men receive not therefore God gives not For God may give and yet men not receive God may turn men and yet men may not be eventually turned God may draw men unto Christ and yet they may not come but break his Bands asunder and cast away his cords from them God may Purge and yet men through their stubbornness may not be purged his goodness may lead them to Repentance who yet are not led thereby to it but may forsake Him when He leads them by the way Neh. 9. 20 26. Acts 26. 18. Has 11. 4 5. Jer. 5. 5. Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 4 5. Christ the Good and Faithful Sower soweth the good Seed the Word of the Kingdom in the Hearts of the worst sort of Hearers to the end they might Believe and be Saved And it would effect this in them did they not suffer the Devil to steal away that which was sown in their hearts Mat. 13 19. with Luke 8. 12. And certainly therefore also the Gospel is called The Ministration of the Spirit because it doth so infallibly accompany it in the faithful Preaching thereof that they that Preach the one Minister the other 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Gal. 3. 2 5. And hence also the Words of Christ are said to be Spirit and Life and the Spirit is said to be the Word of God John 6. 63. with Ephes 6. 17. 2. This Consideration also may Incourage his Servants who bring good Tidings to get them up into the high Mountains to Lift up their Voices with strength to Lift them up and not be afraid or ashamed of their Message because His Spirit remaineth with them Hag. 2. 5. This is contained in Gods Covenant with Christ and them that turn from Transgression in Jacob that his Spirit that is upon Christ and his words which he hath put into his Mouth shall not depart out of his Mouth nor out of the Mouth of his Seed the Apostles and first Trusters in Christ nor out of the Mouth of his Seeds seed those that believe on Christ through the Apostles Word John 17. 20 22. saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever His Spirit and His Words go together inseparably in the Mouth of His Servants So that while they speak His Words to the outward Ears of men His Spirit speaks to the Hearts of men And thence He exhorteth His Servants Arise shine c. Isa 59. 20 21. and 60. 1. Alas otherwise His Servants might be discouraged and ashamed and even say as He did O my Lord send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send Exod. 4. 13. For they have no sufficiency of themselves to think any thing as of themselves though they be in pain and labour to bring forth yet they will bring forth nothing but the Wind they can of themselves work no deliverance in the Earth neither will the Inhabitants of the Earth fall before them 2 Cor. 3. 5. Isa 26. 17. 18. But now this may Incourage them to Lift up the Hands that hang down and confirm their feeble Knees that the Great King will be with their Mouth in speaking His Word so as where the Word of this King is there also shall be Power going along with it Eccles 8. 4. with Luke 4. 18 32. Hence the Apostle saith I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God c. Rom. 1. 16. Go ye forth therefore ye Servants of the Lord in this your might holding forth the Word of Life hath not He sent you whose Presence shall go along with you He will not leave you nor forsake you Judg. 6. 14. 3. It may also Admonish His Servants to declare the Testimony of God without Excellency of Speech or of Wisdom Seeing He hath promised to be always with them and faithful is He that hath promised who also will do it Let them make use of quaint Language inticing Words and Excellency of mans Wisdom if they please who think they may or know not but they
is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men loved Darkness rather then Light c. John 3. 19. 20. And certainly God may Expostulate with us as He did with Israel of Old and say Oh thou who art Named the House of Jacob is the Spirit of the Lord straightned Though thou hast no power nor sufficiency of thy self as of thy self to come to Christ yet is the Spirit of the Lord shortned towards thee Are these thy disobedience and refusals to come His doings Are they His doings because He prevents thee not with power and capacity to what He Calls thee to Indeed they might be said to be His doings did He Call thee to the Feast and Threaten thee with destruction and yet not assord thee any power or ability to come As He might be said to Kill who did not what was proper and powerful to save the Life when He had an opportunity But it is not so here For as in His Hand is Power and Might so also in His Hand it is to give strength unto all He is Gracious and gives liberally unto all men without upbraiding Mic. 2. 7. with Mark 3. 4. 1 Chron. 29. 12. Jam. 1. 5. And therefore it will be found to be such an Iniquity in men as for which they will have no cloak however artificial their spiritual Taylors are that they will not come to Christ when thus Called As our Saviour signifieth when He speaketh concerning the Jews saying If I had not come Though my Servants had come never so oft and Called and Invited never so frequently and urgently Yet if I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their Sin John 15. 22. Because I have Called saith Wisdom and ye refused I have stretched out my hand my Power and Spirit in and with my Call to inable you to come and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof I also will laugh at your Calamity and mock when your fear cometh c. Prov. 1. 20 24 31. Thirdly Why saith He Many are Called and not All 1. Not because all men who are capable are not Called in due time by such means as the Great King in His infinite Wisdom is pleased to make use of For the Mighty God even Jehovah hath spoken And Called the Earth from the rifing of the Sun unto the going down thereof Psal 50. 1. Wisdom crieth without without the City without the Pale of the professed Church without where are Dogs Gentiles and Uncircumcised ones in heart and flesh compare Rev. 22. 15. with Mat. 15. 26 27. she uttereth her Voice in the streets How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge To these she calleth and stretcheth forth her hand Prov. 1. 20 23 24. Doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding put forth her Voice Can any one truely deny this she standeth upon the Top of High places by the Way in the places of the Paths She crieth at the Gates at the entry of the City at the coming in of the Doors that is she crieth and lifteth up her Voice every where without and within the City abroad and at home c. But to whom doth she put forth her Voice Surely to men indefinitely for so it followeth unto you O men I call and my Voice is to the Sons of man And not of Israel only O ye simple understand wisdom Hear for I will speak of excellent things c. Prov. 8. 1 4 6 10. and 9. 1 4 5. Christ was and is the true Light which Lighteth every man that cometh into the World And He is therefore a Light unto them that He might be for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth John 1. 9. and 8. 12 with Isa 49. 6. and Acts 13. 47. And the Gospel is Preached in every Creature or in all the Creation under Heaven Col. 1. 23. And those who have with the heart received the wholsome Words of our Lord Jesus and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness know and believe that God would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledg of the Truth And that because Christ gave Himself a Ransome for all a Testimony in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4. 6. And though mens voices will be heard but a little way yet lo he sendeth forth His Voice and that a Mighty Voice and saith Look unto me all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved For I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. Psal 19. 1. 6. with Rom. 1. 19 21. Yea and the word Many doth also sometimes signifie All. As many of them that are in the dust of the Earth shall awake Some to everlasting Life and some to shame and everlasting contempt Certainly all that are in the Graves shall hear the Voice of the Son of man and shall come forth compare Dan 12. 2. with John 5. 27 29. 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. So again Through the offence of one many are dead And as by one man's disobedience many were made Sinners When as it is evident that by one man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin and so Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5. 15 19. with Ver. 12. 18. compare also Mat. 20. 28. with 1 Tim. 2. 6. Neh. 13. 26. with 1 Kings 3. 12 13. and Chap. 4. 31. Psal 32. 10. But though what we have spoken under this Head be verily true both that in due time God calleth all men as is said to the end they might come to the knowledg of the Truth and be saved And that many may signifie all Yet notwithstanding I judge 2. By many in this place we are insisting on all men are not intended nor meant Not only 1. Because all Infants are not called and commanded to come into the House and they are a very great part of the World But nothing is required of them in their Incapacity Hence when the Lord saith to Israel Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and keep his Charge and his Statutes and his Judgments and his Commandments alway He addeth And know you this day for I speak not with your Children c. Deut. 11. 1 2. God is no hard or austere Master to Reap where He hath not Sown nor Gather where He hath not Strowen though wicked Servants so say As where much is given much will be expected and where little little So by the same rule of Equality where nothing is given of such nothing will be required Indeed Infants are a part of the Nations that are to be Discipled and as a means to that end to be Baptized by the Servants in or unto the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost being brought unto them for that purpose As in former Times the Male-Infants of Israel were to be Circumcised And the Gospel
Gospel are brought in and prevailed with to believe through Grace And in that believing Sanctified by the Spirit Chosen out of the World into Christ delivered out of the power of Darkness and Satan and removed into the Kingdom of Gods dear Son that they might be and continue to be and accordingly in some measure they are a special People unto Him here an holy People an Habitation for God who is their Portion to shew forth His Virtues and be to Him for a Name and a Praise and a Glory for the good of the residue of men among whom they are set and preserved And might hereafter and being faithful to the death shall Inherit that Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in the Heaven for them who are kept by the Power of God unto Salvation c. 1 Pet. 1. 2 5. And so indeed Gods Elect are such as are redeemed by the Blood of Christ out of others amongst whom they dwell and of whom sometimes they were Rev. 5. 9. 10. Hence whereas in one place it is said They that were with the Lamb were such as were redeemed from the Earth and from among men In another it is said They that are with the Lamb are Called and Chosen and Faithful compare Rev. 14. 1 4. with Chap. 17 14. And so the Lord hath set a part for Himself or as the Vulgar Translation reads it Chosen to Himself the man that is Godly Even such as Worship him in Spirit and in Turth Psal 4. 3. And this is the first sense of Election A Chusing out 2. To Chuse doth sometimes in Scripture signifie the same with Appoint or Command And so to be Chosen doth signifie one who Obeys or Observes the Commands or Appointment of another So it is taken 2 Sam. 15. 15. David's servants said unto the King Behold thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my Lord the King shall appoint or Chuse as in the Margin So again 1 Sam. 19. 38. Whatsoever thou shalt require or Chuse of me that will I do for thee And thus it may be well here also taken in this place Many are Called viz. Unto Christ by the Gospel in the faithful Ministration thereof by his Servants Many are by the King commanded to come but few are Commanded Ruled or Appointed by Him but too many of them are Unruly and Disobedient to the Gospel or though some yield feigned Obedience unto Him and after a sort receive His Grace yet they receive it in vain So it is in this Parable The King sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding and they would not come They would not have the Man Christ Jesus to Reign over them Again He sent forth other Servants when all was actually done and prepared to say unto them Come unto the Marriage But they made light of it c. And though the man that had not on the Wedding Garment came into the House yet he came not after the Appointment of the King he did not from the Heart obey that form of Doctrine delivered in the Gospel Mat. 22. 3 4 5 8 13. This is His Commandment and Appointment and that which He requireth of us in the Gospel when it is Preached to us That we believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another But the most to whom the glad tidings of the Gospel are Reported and unto whom these Commandments are given by the Lord Jesus will not come to Christ that they might have Life And they are therefore condemned because they obey not the Gospel in believing on the Name of the only begotten Son of God 1 John 3. 23. with John 3. 18. Rom. 10. 16. and 2 Thes 1. 8 9. God is faithful in Calling men in due time to the end they might come to the Knowledg of the Truth But alas few there are who receive and obey His Commandment but the greatest part remain sons of Belial in Heart such Persons as will not take Christs Yoke upon them nor learn of Him though His Yoke be easie and His Burden light and His Commandments are not grievous But give a with-drawing or back-sliding shoulder And so remain unruly and uncommanded Persons such as will do whatsoever goeth forth out of their own Mouth and will not be appointed and ordered by Him and the Light and Instructions of His Grace which teacheth that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present world Zech. 7. 11. Jer. 44. 16 17. 1 Thes 5. 14. Tit. 2. 11 12. And this understanding it well agreeth with and is sutable unto the former sense given 3. Chosen or Elect signifieth choice ones and such as are more Excellent then others more Precious and Eminent then others Hence we have Chosen and Precious twice joyned together and both opposed in one Verse to disallowed 1 Pet. 2. 4 6. So Chosen and Dispised are opposed the one to the other Jam. 2. 5 6. So whereas in one place it is said A good Name is rather to be Chosen then great Riches In another it is said A good Name is Better then precious Oyntment compare Prov. 22. 1. with Eccles 9. 1. To signifie that such Persons or Things are the Subjects of Election which are better then others Thus it is said of Christs Spouse There are threescore Queens and fourscore Concubines and Virgins without number But my Dove my undefiled is but one she is the only one of her Mother she is the choice pure or elect one as some read it of her that bare her She is a choice elect and excellent one one that excels all others whatsoever Cant. 6. 8 9. So where we read With the pure thou wilt shew thy self pure It is thus rendred by others With the Elect thou wilt be Elect Psal 18. 16. So Chosen oftentimes signifies Choice or Excellent whether Persons or Things Exod. 14. 7. and 15. 4. Psal 78. 31. Ezek. 24. 5. So it is here also Those who are chosen out of the World by the out-chusing of Grace and so Ruled and Commanded by the Gospel they are indeed the precious Sons of Zion in comparison of whom the residue of men though Called are yet Vile Refuse persons Psal 15. 4. The Righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour even such an one as comes unto and believes in and puts on Christ for his Righteousness to Cover Cleanse and Conform him to His Will and Image Prov. 12. 26. The Lover of God the Elect one is the most Excellent person Luke 1. 3. distinguished from and preferred before all others and is allowed of God the Saints are the Excellent ones 1 Pet. 2. 4. Psal 16. 2 3. Born of more excellent Seed then others even of incorruptible Seed 1 Pet. 1. 2. 23. Of a more excellent Father even of God in Christ 1 John 4. 7 9. Ingraffed into Christ and made partakers of him and are one spirit with Him and shall
them not to entertain or retain evil and hard thoughts of Him but to come unto Him as the Apostle Paul saith He hath committed unto us the ministry of Reconciliation to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the World unto Him not imputing their Trespasses to them Therefore we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 18-20 6. 1. Now then by how much the more the greater light and clearer revelation is now vouchsafed to Men in the Gospel as now preached and by which Men are called unto Christ by so much the more their iniquity is inexcusable and more highly displeasing unto God Hence our Saviour saith It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment then it should be for them that rejected Christ and His Gospel as it began to be Preached in the time of His Personal ministration Mat. 10. 14 15. 11. 20-24 Yea it will be more tolerable for Gods People in former times who sinned under that dark and dreadful ministration of the Law as the Apostle signifieth Therefore because God hath spoken to us in these last days by His Son we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip for if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him c. Heb. 1. 1-3 2. 1-4 And again He that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be counted worthy who hath troden under foot the Son of God c. Heb. 10. 28 29. 12. 15-25-29 This is the condemnation that Light is come into the World as in former times it did not and Men loved Darkness rather then Light c. Joh. 3. 19. In the times of Mens ignorance God winked at them but now when thorow the tender mercy of our God the day spring from on high hath visited us to give Light to them that sit in Darkness and in the shadow of Death He commandeth all Men every where to Repent And they who will not so do that they may believe and come to Christ that they may be chosen will be more severely proceeded against and dealt with in the day of Wrath and Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God who will render to every one according to their works and according to the means vouchsafed And so Wrath will be rendred to the Jew and so we may say to the Christian first and also and after unto the Gentile Acts 17. 30 31. Rom. 2. 4-8-12-16 Luk. 12. 47 48. 3. Their iniquity who are called by the Gospel as now preached and not chosen appears to be highly provoking and altogether inexcusable if we further consider the powerfulness of the call in and by which they are called and by which they might be chosen also Men are not only called with an outward call as we have before said but loe He sends forth His Voice therein and that a mighty Voice and speaks by His Spirit to the Spirits of Men 1 Pet. 3. 18 19. with Gen. 6. 3. And by this Voice of His He doth awaken them and cause them to hear to the end they might come unto Christ that they might be made of the Elect Generation He now speaks unto the dead Souls of Men and His Voice is to the hearts of them whose Voice all that are in the Graves shall hear and shall come forth It is the same Almighty Voice that is now sent forth for converting the Soul as will be to raise the dead out of their Graves hereafter but not put forth in such a manner I mean not irresistibly nay indeed as to the effecting the former it is called the Voice of the Son of God As to the effecting the latter it is said to be the Voice of the Son of Man Joh. 5. 25 27 28. And indeed the powerfulness of the voice of Christ in its preventing operation in the Gospel appears to be propounded by our Saviour to remove such a jealousie as might arise in Mens Hearts to their own or others discouragement as with respect to their utter importency and helplesness in themselves Hence when our Saviour had directed to the way and means how Men might now have their states altered and be made of the chosen Generation who were not so formerly in saying Verily Verily I say unto you He whoever He be that heareth My word and believeth on Him that sent Me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed out of Death into Life lest any one should discouragingly say Alas herein is signified to us that Men are naturally dead and destitute of all Spiritual Life and how then should they hear To this our Saviour addeth Verily Verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now iâ— when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear as they are thus prevented shall live In which saying though He still signifies and gives us to understand that Men are in and of themselves Dead and so have no free-will or inclination to any thing that is spiritually good yet He both intimates that the Voice of the Son of God accompanieth His Word And also that it doth so not only in His Personal but also and rather more powerfully in His Spiritual Ministration to the end of the world to enable dead ones to hear that they might hear and live Joh. 5. 24 25. 7. 37-39 When persons are asleep and dead in sins and trespasses He then in and by His call in His Gospel by the Ministry of His Servants awakens them and rouzes them out of that sad condition Wherefore He saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the Dead and Christ shall give thee Light Eph. 5. 13 14. It is indeed certainly true That all Men are naturally helpless in themselves and can neither will nor do any thing of themselves as of themselves that is spiritually good But it is also as true That the Grace of God doth bring Salvation to them in due time And Christ lighteth every Man that cometh into the World He openeth the Eyes of the Blind in due time and unstoppeth their Ears in and by His Spirit in His Gospel and is turning Men from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God And then in the power and capacity given unto them by Him they might hear and see and be converted And it is Mens rebellious iniquity that it is not thus with them Tit. 2. 11. Joh. 1. 9. 5. 25. Acts 26. 18. Ezek. 12. 2 3. It is verily