and irrespective Predestinating or Decreeing from Eternity a determinate and set number of Persons in a personal consideration to Believe and be Saved And that these All and these Only shall Inevitably and Infallibly obtain the Salvation in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory Nor are the Chosen and Elect ones here spoken of the subjects of such a purpose or Predetermination as this is such an Election and such Elect ones are none of God's But the Doctrines and Notions here-about proceed from the Vain Corrupt and dangerous Imaginations of mens Hearts out of which proceeds naturally all that is evil And that by God's Election and Elect ones such a thing is not meant will appear if we consider 1. That Calling in the sense intended in the Text is always placed before Election when they are mentioned together either in the Order of Expressions or however in Order of Nature So it is here in this place we are considering as also in Mat. 20. 16. For many be Called but few Chosen Thus again 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure To the former also agreeth Rev. 17. 14. They that are with the Lamb are Called and Chosen c. To the same purpose also the Lord Speaketh unto Jacob by the Prophet Isaiah Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the Earth and Called thee from the Chief men thereof and said unto thee thou art my Servant I have Chosen thee c. Isa 41. 9. Indeed in 2 Thes 2. 13 14. Chosen is there placed in words before Called But it evidently appeareth to any Judicious and Unprejudiced Reader that in that place Called goeth before Chosen in Order of Nature for thus the Words are God hath Chosen you from the beginning unto Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto namely unto which Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth in which they were Chosen He Called you by our Gospel c. It is very clear that in order of Work though not of Word Called went before Chosen For if they were Chosen in the Belief of the Truth And men cannot believe on Him of whom they have not heard nor hear without a Preacher of the Gospel then it necessarily followeth men must be Called by the Gospel before they can Believe and so before they are Chosen Rom. 10. 14 15. And so in the Order of Nature this agrees with the other Scriptures forementioned Now though the order of expressions simply when but at sometime onely so placed proveth nothing yet when the same order is alwayes or generally so observed by the Holy Ghost it is worthy our consideration and not lightly to be passed over by us Gen 48. 5. 20. Indeed ofttime in Scripture for some good reason those persons or things are mentioned last in words which otherwise should have been before spoken of because the Holy Ghost would begin with them again or speak more fully of them So Believing is put after Confessing in one Verse but then it is begun with and first mentioned in the next Rom. 10. 9 10. So Jesus Christ is placed after the seven Spirits because He is largely Described and Treated of in what followeth Rev. 1. 5 6. And thus we might shew in many other places But neither of these can be affirmed concerning the order of Words in the Scripture we are speaking to for it is the Conclusion of our Saviour's Speech in this Parable nor of the rest mentioned 2. That by Election is not meant such a Purpose or Decree as is before spoken of nor by the Elect here the subjects of such a Decree may appear further in this that those who were afterward Elected or made of the Chosen Generation were not of it in former times To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Ye are a Chosen or Elect Generation a Royal Priesthood c. Which in time past were not a People but are now the People of God which had not obtained Mercy but have now obtained Mercy 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Where it plainly appeareth that Ver. 10. sheweth They were not formerly such Persons as he affirms them now to be in Ver. 9. Now ye are Elected or Chosen but in times past ye were not so even in the time past when they walked in Lasciviousness Lusts excess of Wine Revellings Banquettings and abominable Idolatries Chap. 4. 3. To the same purpose also the Apostle Paul speaketh as with respect to Jews and Gentiles Rom. 9. 24 25 26. I will call them my People which not only were not called but were not my People And her Beloved or Elect compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. which was not Beloved or Elect. And indeed men are Chosen in Christ as afterwards we may shew But there was a time when Paul who was after Converted a Chosen Vessel was not in Christ and then he was not an Elect or Chosen one Ephes 1. 4. with Rom. 16. 7. So the Preacher also signifieth that such as not at present Elected may be so while it is called to day in that he saith Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth or of thy Elections as others do also rightly read it that is either 1. In the days of thy Elections whilst thou mayest chuse Life chuse the best part which shall not be taken from thee Deut. 30. 19. Luke 10. 42. Or 2. In the days of thine Elections when thou mayest be Chosen though at present thou art not there are days for that in which such as are not Elected may be so while it is the day of his Grace and Patience Eccles 12. 1. Yea in our Types the very precise time is intimately set down when God chose Israel Ezek. 20. 5. Thus saith the Lord God in the day when I chose Israel And sometimes Chusing is mentioned in the present time As Blessed is the man whom thou Chusest and causest to approach unto thee Psal 6 5. 4. 3. It is further evident That God's Elect are not such manner of Persons as many would perswade us they are For they who plead for such an irrespective or absolute purpose affirm That the Elect were Chosen before the World in a personal Consideration and so remain such when Born into the World and while they abide also in their Ignorance and Unbelief and Disobedience to God They suppose though it be not manifested that prophane Persons Drunkards Whoremongers Unbelievers yea Persecutors of Christ and His People may be of the Elect. But however they are some mens Elect they are not the Elect of God For the Elect of God are such as are Holy and Beloved Col. 3. 12. The Elect Generation is an holy Nation 1 Pet. 2. 9. God's Elect are such as to whom there is no Condemnation as the Apostle intimateth when he saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that Justifieth who shall Condemn It plainly appeareth that God's Elect
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
contend for is such an one as is sutable to the Spirit of this World and those evil Thoughts which proceed out of our corrupt Heart and therefore they hastily embrace one Scripture which they groundlesly judge is on their side and run away from and evade the force of twenty to one every one whereof is of equal Authority For certainly we are naturally destitute of all good and inclined to all that is evil The Lord knoweth and hath declared that the thoughts of Men yea of the wisest of them are vain every thought in us standeth cross to the obedience of Christ and his Gospel Psal 94. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 20. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. But 2. We further Answer by way of exception to the Objection and say This Scripture contradicts not at all no not seemingly what is affirmed by the residue nor affords any relief to them who so frequently betake themselves hereto for refuge But sweetly and fully agrees with the rest mentioned And that we may rightly understand it let us consider these things I. When they are said to be chosen II. In whom or in what Root III. Who are the Subjects of this Election 1. When they are said to be chosen This Scripture saith not any men were chosen before the world was Created of God at first but before the foundation of the world Now that may signifie 1. Either before the Dejection or Casting down of the World For so the Word translated Foundation doth properly signifie and comes from a word that signifieth to Cast down or Downwards Rev. 12. 10. 2 Cor. 4. 9. Now then the Subjects of this Election are such as were Chosen before the Dejection of the World in the Sentence of God before He denounced the Curse and Judgment upon the World for the Sin of man But that was not before the World but since the Fall of Adam and Interposition of the Mediator Gen. 3. 15 19. 2. Or as we read it before the foundation of the World may not signifie before any thing was formed of God but before the foundation of it as now laid The World as at first made was marr'd by the Sin of man the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved Now Christ steps in and makes it again John 1. 10. And is as it were the Basis on which the Pillars of the Earth or World stand Psal 75. 3. By Christ He made the Worlds God made all things by Him at the first and made them when they were marred by mans Sin And He upholds all things by the Word of His Power having by Himself purged our Sins Heb. 1. 2 3. And so As Abel's blood was said to be shed from the foundation of the World Luke 11. 50 51. So these were Chosen before that time yea before he was Born Yea indeed at that time as I conceive when Christ interposed Himself after the Fall of man and in order of Nature after that And so their Election is included in that Oracle Gen. 3. 15. And this is the time when they were Chosen And so it was before the Agie or Secular Times 1 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 1. 2. 2. In whom were they Chosen or in Root And that is expresly declared to us in Christ the last Adam Therefore it is evident they were not Chosen in the first Man Adam nor so early For that was not first which is Spiritual but that which is Natural and afterward that which is Spiritual 1 Cor. 15. 46. Hence Christ is called the second Man who was Interposed as Mediator after the Fall of the first Ver. 47. And as considered in Him and not in the first Adam or in themselves they were Chosen And this is worthy our Consideration But to this we shall not Inlarge here because we may mention it again 3. Who are the Subjects of this Election The Apostle saith Us whereby either more generally 1. He may have respect to the Persons to whom he Writes and such as are like to them And so the Subjects here spoken of are not any Persons in a personal Consideration but the Saints which are at Ephesus and faithful or believing Ones Believers John 20. 27. 1 Tim. 6. 2. in Christ Jesus Ephes 1. 1. Where also he shews to us what is the meaning of us in Christ Ver. 4. Namely us as Considered in this Root of Election and prime Elect viz. Christ and not as we are in our selves or while we abide in our Natural estate And so the Subjects of this Election in this double Description to wit Saints and Believers in Christ are the same with that 2 Thes 2. 13. He hath Chosen us from the beginning in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Therefore not before it And so God in Chusing Christ did Chuse not any man while out of Him but all such as should come into and believe in Him without difference or respect of Persons Now these Ephesians who now were Believers were sometimes without Christ and then they were not Chosen in Him because not Believers in Him Ephes 2. 12. with Chap. 1. 1. 4. But now believing in Him after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation they were made of that Generation of Men that were Chosen in Him before the Dejection or Foundation of the World They were now of the Chosen Generation which in time past were not an Elect People as before 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. with Ephes 2. 1 2. They had a new Name given unto them And in thus understanding it it appeareth that God worketh all things according to the Counsel of His own Will His actual Election and Elect ones are sutable to and agreeing with His purpose Ephes 1. 11. 2. Or we may look upon the Us here spoken of in a more especial Consideration to have Respect and Reference not to the Believers in general as being Chosen in Christ to Salvation but to some Persons being Chosen in Him to a more excellent Service and Ministration then were any of the Holy Ones before the coming of Christ in the flesh Mat. 11. 9 11. And so the Persons here directly spoken of and intended are Christ's extraordinary Ambassadors viz. The Apostles of our Lord Jesus The Apostles here magnifies their Office and Service Rom. 11. 13. And signifieth that as before the Dejection or Foundation of the World God Chose Christ to be the Mediator Saviour and great Apostle and purposed to send Him forth in the last Ages to make Peace actually for us and Preach Peace to us So He reserved this Honour for His Son that by Him the Mysterie should be opened And in Him He Chose not Paul or Peter as men simply considered but the first Trusters in Christ Ephes 1. 12. to be Instruments in this choice Service and to be sent forth into the World as God sent Christ into the World viz. To Preach the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mysterie Ephes 1. 8 10. And
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