I know what they ought and that from this consideration And now out of many I wil briefly collect and handle one other doctrine that my text affoords me which is that Doct. 2 All things worke together for good but to such as are called effectually of God This proposition I told you at first had a limitation for Paul doth not say we know that all things worke together for the good of all men but for such as loue God and are called according to the purpose of God so that a man cannot be assured of the one vntill he can proue himselfe to be of that number and to haue the same things that be in and of the other And these people of whom the Apostle speaketh were the called of God Rom. 1.6 and the reason is Reason 1 First because they that are called are elected for God doth not effectually call any whom hee hath not loued and chosen from eternity Now this is the beginning of all blessednesse Reason 2 Againe if they be effectually called then are they iustified made coheires with Christ and shall assuredly bee saued for if they haue the first second and third linke of the chaine they must needs haue the other and the end also And the Apostle himselfe it seemes giues the same reason of the doctrine in the verses following Now the maine vse of the point is this Vse Let vs hence learne to make our calling sure otherwise we cannot haue any true ground of our Election 2. Pet. 1.10 or iustification and consequently that any thing shall worke for our good and glorification For hee that is not called of God though he may be in Gods decree yet he is not actually iustified therefore can neuer vntill that bee effected make any comfortable vse of the doctrine And for the true triall hereof let these signes following be marked First of all what power hast thou felt in the voice of the word preached how hath it knocked at the doore and sounded in the eare of thy soule what hath the Lord said vnto thee doest thou remember Thou art to know that the word of God is liuely and mighty in operation when it worketh sauingly in the soules of the hearers it openeth the eare smiteth and woundeth the spirit pricketh and pierceth the heart and maketh the face of man looke pale and wan Hence it is compared to a hammer Ier. 23.29 that beateth to dust and powder a two-edged sword Heb. 4.12 that deuideth and cutteth asunder the ioynts and the marrow and to a consuming fier that burneth and wasteth vp all chaffe and matter combustible yea that will either change or make the very stones to flie in pieces Why then hath this Word broken thy hard and flinty heart made a separation betweene thee and thy sinne and caused thy zeale to burne within thee and like a flame of fier to proceede out from thee then it worketh naturally and to the purpose Againe How hast thou answered the Lord when hee hath called vpon thee What did hee command thee and hast thou done it If God call by his effectuall voyce hee will cause Dauid a King to replie Psalm 27.8 Lord I will seeke thy face Moses to answere at the last I will goe whither thou wilt Paul to crie out Acts 9.5 Who art thou that I persecute and the stoutest heart and most obstinate person with the Iaylor to fall at a poore Ministers feete and burst foorth Sir Acts 16.30 what shall I doe to bee saued Well search now thine owne soule consider with thy selfe what the Lord spake and thou hast done Hee hath called vpon thee to be sober 1. Pet. 1.13 Luke 6.35 and thou followest drunkennesse to be liberall and lend freely and thou art become a biting and liuing Vsurer 1. Thes 5.22 to flee sinne aboue all things and thou daily runnest after it Is this to heare the Lords voice and to be effectually called No no. But if thou repent that thou hast gone astray smite thy hand vpon thy breast resoluest hence-forward to obey his Word and criest out and often Luke 18.13 Good Lord bee mercifull to mee a sinner then bee of good comfort thy sinnes are forgiuen thee for God hath effectually called thee In the third place What loue hast thou to that Word by which thou hast been called How art thou affected with it and of what price doest thou value it Canst thou say with Iob Iob 23.12 I respect it aboue my daily and appointed food Ier. 15.16 Psalm 19.10 with Ieremiah It is the reioycing of my soule with Dauid It is sweeter to me then the hony-combe In a word doest thou loue it aboue much fine gold meditate in it day and night 1. Thes 1.6 delight to heare it and with the Thessalonians receiue it with great ioy in affliction Why no man dares deny but that thou art singled out of the world and brought into the liberty of Gods children but if thou stop the eare at the Word scoffe at the Word and spit and spue it out of thy mouth thou art yet dead and God by his voice hath not truly called thee And in conclusion What disposition doest thou find to call others as thou art called How art thou affected to call home labourers into the Lords haruest Sure hee that is called will call others and that foure waies First he wil cal vpon them to heare the word for thinks hee the Lord may call them as hee hath done me Thus did the poore woman of Samaria running home and crying to her neighbours Iohn 4.29 Come see a man that hath told me all that euer I did And a good heart when he heares the voyce of God powerfull in the Minister Oh thinkes hee that such and such were here now it might please the Lord to call them Secondly they will call others by exhortation and instruction 2. Tim. 2.25 prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may come to amendment of life out of the snares of the diuell Thus did that good man call Come vnto me Psalm 66.16 and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soule I will teach you the feare of the Lord. Psalm 34.11 Lastly besides they will seek to allure others into the way by a good and holy example and if it were possible 1. Cor. 11.1 1. Pet. 3.1 to win those thereby that are without the vnderstanding of the word Fourthly when all this will not preuaile then they will giue themselues to prayer the Father for his sonne God perswade Iapheth to dwell in the tents of Shem Steuen for his enemies Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Act. 7.60 Luk. 23.34 And our Lord for his crucifiers Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe Now mayest thou try thy selfe whether thou be called of God or not If these things bee in thee thou art and all things shall worke together for thy good but if not thou art not called and as yet all things are working together for thy euill The Lord open thine eyes Amen Solisapienti Deo gloria FINIS
weather-beaten and to cry out Miserable or spoyled man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death chap. 7.24 The remedie of this disease is the powerfull operation of the Spirit that destroyeth by degrees the cursed worke of Satan in vs and perfecteth the good worke he hath begun within vs. Chap. 8. vers 11. whence we are taught Vse 1 First a reall difference betwixt him that is truly sanctified and the man wholly in the state of full corruption For the one striketh still to cut 1. Ioh. 3.3 and rend this euill tree vp at the roots the other onely to preuent and hinder the outward buds and fruits that it produceth Carnall men neuer looke to the fountaine from whence this bitter water springeth bubleth Vse 2 And here we are instructed whither to runne for help when we cannot stay the fountaine of originall sinne only to the Spirit of God for as Christ had power to heale the woman of the bloody issue which all the Physitians could not cure so hath the holy Ghost and no other this power priuiledge It is a worke that requires an infinite workeman to perfect Pray then with the Prophet Psal 51.11 Lord take not thy holy spirit from me For the third and last euill which is affliction and persecution the Apostle also giueth vs a helpe against it and that is comprehended in the verse read vnto you which is though afflictions be not ioyous but grieuous for the present Heb. 12.11 yet they shall turne to our good at the latter ende In which words for our better proceeding wee may obserue two things The one is an affirmed proposition We know that all things worke together for good The other to whom these contrary things doe worke for good and they are described first by an effect that they loue God secondly by an adiunct that they are called which calling is closely argued by the Author and chiefe efficient God by the maner or rule according to his purpose In the proposition note these particulars First things secondly that these things worke thirdly that they all worke fourthly that they all worke together fifthly that they all worke together for good sixthly and that we know c. This for the proposition the limitation of its obiect or fruit of its operation followeth But before we come to the seuerall doctrines this verse affoordeth wee will clearely and briefly open the meaning We That is I Paul and other grounded and strong Christians men and women as well of the Laity as Preachers of the Gospell Know Knowledge is tooke often in Scripture for faith because they are inseparable companions Rom. 10.14 For how can they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And so it is taken where Iob saith I know my Redeemer liueth Ioh 19.25 Ioh. 17.3 that is I beleeue and This is eternall life to know thee that is to beleeue in God and whom he hath sent Iesus Christ And so may it be vnderstood here We know that is we beleeue c. Againe Knowledge is either Notionall or experimentall Notionall is the bare apprehension of the truth of an Art Ioh. 3.11 2. Pet. 2.21 or rule in any science but experimentall knowledge is when we haue seene and felt the truth of a thing verified either in our selues Gen. 3.6.7 or others And so Adam after hee had eaten of the prohibited fruit did know the nature of it in the effects 2 Chron. 33.13 by his owne experience So Manasseh knew God Rom. 1.16 and so Paul the power of the Word And in this place it may be tooke for a knowledge of experience and not notionall onely So that the full sense is this Wee are assured by faith that all shall worke for good and wee know it too by experience in our selues Onely marke this that experimentall knowledge looketh backward faith forward the one which is faith relieth on the truth of the promise to be the other that is experimental knowledge is grounded vpon the word and will of God accomplished That all All is tooke for all kinds and all of all kindes that is collectiuely excluding not any thing or for of each thing some that is to say distributiuely excluding some things For example The Pharisies did tithe all hearbes Luk. 11.42 1. Tim. 2.4 that is of all kinds of hearbs God would haue all men to be saued viz. of all sexes men women and of all callings superiours inferiours or of all nations Iewes Gentiles Barbarians Scythians And in the largest sense it may be tooke in this place For the Apostle seemes to answere a secret obiection Some might say What shall affliction worke for good the answere is Yes whatsoeuer it be good or bad Things Things is any thing from God to the least ens entity and being for sinne it selfe is called a thing as These things Psal 50.21 that is these sinnes hast thou done So that by things here is meant any thing that can be named or conceiued Heb. 12.11 Worke To wit Turne or fall out in the end and euent by Gods disposing Together Not apart or as they be simply to bee considered in themselues for separate affliction from grace or Gods ouer-ruling and disposing hand Gen. 50.20 it cannot worke but for euill As simple poyson by it selfe receiued doth kill but being mixed with other ingredients cureth the sicke patient so doth sinne For good That is for the good of grace here Psal 119.71 and glory hereafter For we exclude naturall and ciuill goodnesse from this good in this place mentioned though in another respect they may haue their prize and praise To them that loue God Deut. 11.1 Mat. 10.37 Loue is sometimes put for all the duties of religion But Paul doth mention it heere before any other thing for two reasons First because without loue al our proceedings are vnacceptable to God 1. Cor. 13.1 c. this is that spirituall salt that seasoneth all our actions Secondly 2. Cor. 5.14 in regard that we cannot suffer any affliction for any person or thing if we doe not loue it and affect him therefore Iacob serued seuen yeeres for Rahel Gen. 29.20 and they seemed vnto him but a few daies because he loued her And are called Calling is manifold either from the subiect place so God called his people out of Egypt or by the instrumentall causes Psal 19.3 so God calleth by his creatures iudgements word and actions or to an office so Iudas Againe it is effectuall or not effectuall Mat. 22.14 Many are called but not truly sauingly Now a man is said to be effectually called in respect of the manner ordinarily or extraordinarily ordinarily is 1. Cor. 1.2 by the Word and Spirit co-operating in a mans conuersion extraordinarily when the Spirit immediately without the Word read or preached speaketh to the heart of a sinner saying Arise thou that art out of
Omniscience wee will proceed to his Omnipotencie and there wee shall perceiue that it is also good for his children for knowledge without power were to little purpose but when these concurre in one person what euill may not be preuented what good procured This power is of great force to confirme our faith for by it we beleeue Heb. 11.3 that he was able to create the world of nothing that he doth and can preserue all things that they be not destroied Psal 114.5 c. or the whole order thereof disturbed ouerturned that God can procure foode and raiment rather then we should want extraordinarily that he can curbe and bridle the rage and violence of men and diuels raise vp the dead and make a new heauen Deut. 32.39.40 c. Phil. 3.21 2. Pet. 3.13 and a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousnesse And what is it that he wanteth power to doe if it may make for his glory and our good for The Lord is in heauen Psal 115.3 and doth whatsoeuer he will Furthermore Rom. 4.21 it will confirme our confidence in the accomplishment of all his promises though they be neuer so many or great or seeme sometimes to exceede or crosse nature Dauid would not feare Psal 27.1 when the strong hand of the Lord was with him Abraham would willingly offer his sonne for God had power to raise him to life againe Heb. 11.17.19 In a word if he be with vs what mattereth it Who Rom. 8.31 or what is against vs For by his Power he is able to preserue our essence from perishing and to keepe and support vs as a hand of strength for euer Thus you may perceiue that his power is good for his children Now from his Omnipotency let vs descend to his Mercy Psalm 73.1 Lam. 3.22 and is not that the spring that comforteth the thirstie soule the fountaine of all ioy in miserie and that that must support vs from horrour and despaire This will make vs willing to come before him in life bold in death and full of ioy in the great day of his comming and our appearing Yea it will worke in vs compassion to our brethren Psal 103.1 thankefulnesse for his benefits and will not his bountifulnesse allure a good heart to true repentance Rom. 2.4.5 But no man maketh doubt of this therefore the more briefly we will touch it and goe to the Attribute of his Iustice Iustice is a terrour to all wicked and vngodly men they cannot endure to heare it but what will these persons doe when they must vndergoe it they checke him that will preach it vrge it crying as the people in times past Ye take too much vpon you Numb 16.3 1. Iohn 1.9 for all the Congregation is holy yet is it exceeding comfortable and profitable to them that are effectually called howeuer it worke with the wicked for it wil moue them to cease from sinne encourage them to doe good 2. Thes 1.4.5.6 strengthen them in faith and worke in them patience being by the prophane persecuted for they know Rom. 2.6.11 that sinne must not goe vnpunished godlinesse vnrewarded and that there is no respect of persons with the Lord. In conclusion it will make them carefull how to iudge the Lords proceedings Rom. 9.14 not to accuse him as wicked Psalm 36.7 to deny their owne merits tremble at his word reuerence his extraordinary acts of prouidence Acts 16.30 and to seeke for a righteousnesse to satisfie the iustice of his Law And thus could I touch the rest of Gods Attributes and declare that as they are good in God so to his children But I omit them and because this of all other things doth most deceiue many I will a little further follow it We are to know that the mercy and iustice of God are equall as they be in him and so be all his attributes for whatsoeuer is in God is God and there is no difference betweene the essence and attributes of God but in our apprehension yet though they be equall amongst themselues it may be demanded Quest Whither is the greater in respect of the externall obiect about which they are exercised Ans If we respect the latitude the Iustice seemes to exceede his Mercy and enlarge it selfe beyond it for how many haue not the meanes of mercy the Gospell of Christ More want it then they that enioy it Againe Mat. 13. of the foure kinds of grounds one but receiued the good seed which is meant of them that are in the Church visible And Christ saith that the way to heauen is narrow and few find it Mat. 7.13.14 but to hell broad and many goe in thereat Yet to speake as I conceiue the truth is if we regard the profunditie or depth of his mercy then in that it hath the preheminence and in foure things it will appeare first the Lord found out a way to saue man Genes 3.15 1. Pet. 1.12 when Satan or the good Angels could not peepe into that secret It went beyond the Serpents skill for all his subtilty how a finite creature could make an infinite satisfaction Secondly Iohn 3.16 in that God gaue his owne onely Sonne freely to take vpon him mans nature that there might be a reconciliation Thirdly that he was contented to receiue the debt from a suertie and not at the debtors hands for it was in his owne election and libertie Rom. 5.8.9 c. Fourthly and herein is his mercy manifested wonderfully that he hath sent his Word and Spirit to beare witnesse of this great worke to open mens blind eies Rom. 8.15.16 that they might see into it infuse faith into their vnbeleeuing hearts to credit it and in particular to apply it so that in these respects they that vnderstand it and are assured that they be partakers of this rich mercy may say that it is a depth past finding out But first get vnder the act of his mercie Rom. 11.33 taste of it and then maist thou iustly and with comfort commend it otherwise be it as it is infinite it will profit thee nothing And now we will come to speake briefly of some acts or effects that proceed from God and declare how they also doe worke for his childrens good First his Decree is profitable for them for though it exclude the reprobate from all true blessednesse Matth. 24.24 yet it includes the Elect within the booke of life and saluation The Apostle compares it to a foundation 2. Tim. 2.19 And so it is in three respects First because it comes from God who is the originall and beginner of all things Secondly in regard that it is the basis and ground on which all the worke of mans saluation stands And thirdly in respect of the firmenesse and surenesse of it for it abideth constant and stedfast for euer so that he who is builded vpon this rocke as all the faithfull be cannot