they love the Brethren And hereby they know they are of the truth and can assure their hearts before God 1 Joh. 3. 14. 18-19 5. 1. And also they are taught and led of God by this love of His to the love of all men even to love them with a love of pity and compassion and to testifie love to them according to their needs as they have opportunity Mat. 5. 44 45. He that saith I know Him and keepeth not His Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in Him But whoso keepeth His word in Faith and Love in him verily is the Love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in Him 1 Joh. 2. 4 5. And so hereby we may know whether the Grace of God hath its electing efficacy upon us And so also on the contrary we may be assured we are not of this chosen Generation if we reject the testimony of God concerning His Son 1 Joh. 5. 10 Joh. 14. 21-24 or receive it in vain and are not saved and sanctified thereby But however we profess to believe the testimony God hath given of His Son yet while we love darkness rather then light and imprison the truth professed by us in unrighteousness we believe in vain and so persisting shall miserably deceive our selves Joh. 3. 19. Rom. 1. 18. Jam. 1. 22. In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devil Whosoever doth not righteousness believes not with the heart the record God hath given of His Son 1 Joh. 2. 29. with chapt 5. 1 10. 4. 6. is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 Joh. 3. 10. These two Faith and Love being had and kept by us to wit The Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and Love wrought thereby we herein keep the Commandments of God and have the new Creature and are in some measure new Creatures compare 1 Cor. 7. 19. with Gal. 5 6. chapt 6. 15. And he that is called by and an hearer of the Gospel may in the Glass of the perfect law of liberty behold himself that he is at present none of Gods elect if he have not the Faith of God and our Lord Jesus if he believe not with the heart the word of God and Testimony of Jesus so as to work effectually in him in some measure Or if he hath not this love begotten produced and continued in him by this faith as hath been said Jam. 1. 22 23-27 And hereby also we may discern and know the Election or non-election of other persons so as to have or not have delightful love towards and fellowship with them that come amongst us As the Apostle Paul saith not only of himself but also joyns with himself Silvanus and Timotheus in this knowledge of others knowing brethren beloved your Election of God to wit by their work of Faith and labour of Love c. For saith he our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost c. And ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost c. And they were also taught of God to love one another and all Men Hereby they knew the election of these Thessalonians first it was the Apostles Gospel which was heartily received by them and that not as the word of men but as the word of God And this wrought effectually in them to turn them and they did turn unto God from all their Idols 1 Thes 1. 3 4-10 2. 13. 3. 12 13. 4. 9 10. And whatever zeal men may have or whatever reformation be wrought in them or whatever profession they make or conversation they have Yet if they hear and imbrace not Gods Words if they receive not the Faith of Christ as His Faith they are not of God Joh. 8. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 6. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 Joh. 9. On though men do in some sort believe the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus yet if this be not yielded up unto and suffered to work effectually in them they do believe in vain and they are vain men 1 Cor. 15. 2. Jam. 1. 26 27. chapt 2. 14-20 22 c. Yea and by this Faith and Love and the Fruits and Effects thereof as being held forth unto and before others even those who are of the World may know that those that walk in this Faith which worketh by Love are Christs Disciples indeed and so Gods Elect ones they are Christs Disciples known and read of all Men being by these two manifestly declared so to be even to such as hate them and therefore make war with them which keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. with Rev. 12. 17. 14. 12. By this shall all men know that ye are My Disciples saith our Saviour if ye have Love one to another Joh. 13. 34 35. But we shall add no more to this use 3. In that the Elect and chosen ones of God are few it sheweth unto us the wonderfulness of Gods care concerning them and protection over them in preserving such an handful amongst so many enemies They are like a Lilly amongst many Thorns Cant. 2. 2. like a Turtle Dove amongst a multitude of birds of prey Psal 74. 19. And yet they are and shall be preserved because they have a strong redeemer and a careful and faithful Shepheard who will keep them and preserve them from this generation that hates them and that for ever Psal 12. 7. If it were not the Lord who were on their side they may always say if it were not Jehovah who is on their side when men rise up against them they had been often swallowed up quick when mens wrath was kindled against them Psal 124. But God is for them and who then can be against them Rom. 8. 31-33 34. The Lord is their Shepheard and they shall want no good thing And their Salvation is of the Lord He is their strength in the time of trouble And He shall help them and deliver them He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in Him Psal 23. 37 39 40. And hence also 4. This instruction contains consolation and incouragement in it against cause and occasion of fear and discouragement That the Elect are few causeth fear to them hence they are incouraged and strengthned against their fear occasioned by the smallness of their number Fear not little flock Luk. 12. 32. fear not thou worm Jacob and ye few men of Israel Isa 41. 14. But that these few are chosen chosen out of the World choice ones in Gods account and loved with delightful well pleased everlasting love this is proper and powerful to strengthen them against the fear of evil And to encourage them to lift up the hands that hang down and the
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
Luke 8. 11 12. Isa 27. 11. Another sort of hearers He likeneth to stony places or to the rock they hear the word of the Kingdom and the glad tidings therein declared And in some measure understand it And so are not like unto the Way-side hearers for anon or immediately with joy they receive and gladly entertain it And do believe for a while what is therein reported That Christ is indeed the Saviour of the World But these have no root in themselves they suffer not the word to sink deep enough to break the stone or rock at the bottom and to effect in them an honest and good heart which it would do were it with the heart believed Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an bammer that breaketh the rock in peices Jer. 23. 28 29. this is powerful to convert and change the Soul Psal 19. 7. But they suffer it not to take root downward but still retain some stone at the bottom some design or enterprize of theirs unbroken And though possibly in hearing this word gladly they do many things which it is effecting in them part with many things thereby reproved and do many things which are good in themselves yet there is still some one beloved iniquity or other which they will not let this good and powerful word mortifie and root up some lust or idol remains at the bottom of their hearts which hinders the seed from sinking deep enough and and so in conclusion the Word becometh unfruitful Herod knew John the Baptist was a just Man and an holy and observed him or kept him from danger and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly But when John reproved him for Herodias his Brother Philip's Wife and said it is not lawful for thee to have her he turned not at this reproof of God's instruction he suffered not the word of God to purge out and root up this iniquity but was angry with this faithful reprover and first put him in Prison and afterwards caused him to be beheaded Mark 6. 17-20 Ezekielis hearers said one to another Come I pray you and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord And they come unto thee saith the Lord as the People cometh and they sit before thee as My People and they hear thy words but they will not do them For with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness And â—…e thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument for they hear thy words but they do them not For still from the least to the greatest of them every one was given to Covetousness Ezek. 33. 30-32 Jer. 6. 12. Thus it is with too many now in our days they hear the glad-tidings of good things brought to them in the Gospel of peace and by and by they receive them with gladness And they are perswaded that the word of Christ is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation And they marvel at the gracious words therein contained and wonder that every one doth not give credit thereto But still they believe in vain and though they have some love for what they hear yet they love some thing reproved thereby rather and better they hold fast a lye in their right hand while the truth is but in their left they set and keep up some stumbling block of iniquity in their hearts some intemperance or uncleanness or strife or covetousness or pride c. And by the deceitfulness of that sin which doth so easily beset them they harden their hearts like an Adamant stone so that the word sinks not deep enough into them And this is afterwards made apparent For when tribulation or persecution ariseth for the word by and by they are offended As immediatâ—…y at first they received the word of the kingdom with joy so immediately in time of trial and temptation they are offended and fall away Joh. 3. 19. 2 Thes 2. 10. Isa 44. 20. Matth. 13. 20 21. with Luke 8. 13. A third sort of hearers appear in conclusion to be like the thorny ground they are such as hear the word and receive the seed And it may seem for sometime receive it to purpose and it brings forth fruit in them These understand as the Way-side hearers do not These have some root in themselves as the Stony-ground hearers had not These bring forth fruit but afterward without any good reason or cause they go out and depart from Christ Jesus and from the mindfulness of His Grace and Gospel and abide not faithful unto the death These endure not unto the end though at first they did run well They continue not rooted and grounded in the Faith They abide not in Christ stedfast and unmoveable but forsake the Lord the fountain of living waters and wander out of the way of understanding and turn aside to their crooked pathes after they have escaped the pollutions of the world thorow the Knowledge and Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so are like Birds that wander from their Nests they are removed from him that called them into the Grace in Jesus Christ And after they have clean and indeed escaped from them that live in errour yet they sin willingly and erre from and forsake the right way in which abiding they should be saved But they go forth Luke 8. 14. and then the Thorns enter in Mark 4. 19. They were not there always they were it may seem rooted out and cast forth by the Plow of the Gospel And had they abidden in Christ they had been still preserved from them For Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not He keepeth Himself that the wicked one toucheth him not in whom the seed of God remaineth 1 Joh. 3. 6 9. with Chap 5. 18. But going out the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and lusts of other things enter in and choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful namely in conclusion they bring no fruit unto perfection none to the harvest And so none which will abide and appear on their account in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ These may endure some of them a considerable time and even almost though not altogether unto the harvest And how far soever they go or how long soever they continue yet not enduring unto the end not overcoming and keeping Christ's Works unto the end but going out and departing from Him and so persisting all their righteousness shall not be remembred but for their iniquity that they have committed they shall dye for it there is no reaping if men faint how long soever they have exercised themselves in well doing Matth. 13. 22. with Mark 4. 18 19. 2 Pet. 2. 18-20 Gal. 6. 9. Ezek. 33. 12 13. Rev. 2. 26-29 Now the just shall live by faith but if he at any time draw back Gods Soul will have no pleasure
Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. What a sad thing will it be for us to sport our selves in our self-deceivings as too many do 2 Pet. 2. 13. Better it is now for us to deal faithfully with our selves then to flatter our selves or be flattered by others to our endless and eternal misery and calamity Come we then to the light of the Lord the Gospel of Christ and therein and thereby we may see our selves whether we be chosen no Even he that is an hearer of the word and not a doer is like unto a man that beholdeth his natural face in a Glass for he beholdeth himself Even as a man may see his natural face in a Glass and see whether it be clean and free from spots and pollution or no so a man that is only called by and an hearer of the word of Truth may see himself and see what manner of person he is Jam. 1. 22 23 24. He may see whether he be chosen out of the World by the Grace of God or whether he be not but still remain in or be turned back again into the World and so is at present rejected of God and not loved with peculiar manner of love As the Apostle intimateth 2 Cor. 13. 5. And if by this Glass we see we are hearers and of the called only Oh let us give no rest to our eyes not slumber to our eye-lids until we so receive and retain the Grace of God which brings Salvation to us that we may be chosen out of this miserable condition and redeemed from amongst Men that it may be well with us for ever and we may not perish with the World And if it appear that we are of the number of those who are chosen that we still abide and continue in the Doctrine of Christ that we may have both Father and Son 2 Joh. 9. Inq. But some may say how may we know whether we be of the chosen number or no declare a little more particularly how we may know it Answ Those who are indeed chosen do know that they are of God and that the whole World lieth in Wickedness as 1 Joh. 5. 19. by keeping His Commandments as the Apostle saith Hereby we know that we know Him and are in Him if we keep His Commandments 1 Joh. 2. 3-5 And he that keepeth His Commandments dwelleth in Him and He in him chap. 3. 24. that is to say in more and plainer words His Commandments are That we believe on the Name of Jesus Christ and love one another as He hath given us Commandment 1 Joh. 3. 22-24 He that hath and keepeth these hath right unto the tree of life and shall enter in thorow the gates into the City even into the new Jerusalem Rev. 22. 14. that is to say they do know they are chosen 1. By this That the Faith they have received is the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and according thereto they believe with the heart that good report the Father hath given of Christ in His Word and Sayings in which He hath testified That He sent the Son into the World not to condemn the World but that the World thorow Him might be Saved And so they believe on the Name of the Son of God Joh. 3. 16-18 they have their Faith begotten by closing with and founded on not Mens Doctrines or their own Thoughts and Imaginations which they know to be corrupt and evil But they have received and retain for their Faith nothing else then the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus which was witnessed by the holy Prophets in former times and is now revealed to us by the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so they believe on Christ as the Scripture hath said and testified of Him and not as Men in their Glosses and Interpretations speak of Him They call no meer Man whatsoever their Rabbi nor own any to have dominion over their Faith but Jesus Christ and God in Him He is their only Law-giver in this respect the Father of their Spirits the Lord of what they believe And so according to His testimony they believe Him to be the Son of God the Saviour of the World the only Foundation of Faith and Hope the only Fountain of all the fulness of Grace and Truth the only Bread and Water of Life the only door of approach of God the only Lord of our Faith and Consciences the only High Priest and Mediatour between God and Men And according hereto they come unto and depend on Him in His way for bottoming all upon Him for receiving all from Him for living continually by Him and to Him for approaching to God thorow Him and expecting and waiting thorow His Spirit for His perfecting all that concerns them c. And so they hold forth this word of Life in Word and Conversation And he that thus believeth on the Son hath the Witness in Himself and gives not God the lye but hath set to His Seal that God is true in all He hath testified of His Son 1 Job 5. 10 11. Job 3. 33. And in receiving this Testimony of Jesus they receive also therewith certainly and undoubtedly the Spirit of Gods Son Gal. 3. 2-5 which Spirit beareth Witness with their Spirit with their enlightened mind and judgment that they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 16. And hereby they know that they dwell in Him and He in them because he hath given them of His Spirit And they have seen in the light and by the evidence thereof and do restifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 13 14. with 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. They also know they are chosen by this that this Faith worketh in them by Love Gal. 5 6. and therein is efficacious in them And so they are distinguished from and preferred before such as say they have Faith and have not its works and so believe in vain But this Testimony of Jesus being received by them not as the word of man but as it is in truth the word of God it worketh effectually in them From the knowledge and belief of Gods love in Christ His first love they are begotten and prevailed with to love God even to love Him withall the heart and mind and soul and strength And so to love Jesus Christ as to suffer the loss of all things and count them but dung in comparison of Him It makes them willing to part with their Sins and Idols for His sake and prefer Him before all other things which they may love with a moderate affection 1 Joh. 4. 16-19 And this love of God in Christ known and heartily believed by them begetteth them unto and effecteth in them a delightful love to those who are begotten of Him and that not in word and in tongue only but in deed and in truth And by this they know that they are passed out of death â—nto life because
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
is to be Preached as to Include them also as the Subjects of the great and fundamental Truths thereof to wit That Christ hath Died and is Risen again for them c. Mat. 28. 18 19. with Mark 16. 15. But until they come to the Use and Exercise of Understanding or some Capacity be vouchsafed to them there are no Commandments given unto them by the Lord Jesus But I say not only in this Consideration it appeareth that by many all men are not here intended But also 2. Because in this Parable our Saviour speaketh of mens being Called by the Servants as is before shewn And so of their being Called and Invited to the Feast by the clear and distinct Declaration of God's Grace in Christ by the Gospel And so all men who are come to years of Capacity are not Called viz. by the Servants in the plain Preaching of the Marriage and Marriage-feast therewith and thereby prepared The Commission is given to the Servants first to Call the Jews and after they made light of the Feast and Invitation the King said to the Servants go ye into the High-ways and as many as ye shall find bid to the Marriage So those Servants went out into the High-ways and gathered together all as many as they found Mat. 22. 8 10. These are the many here spoken of as many as the Servants found and Preached the Gospel unto according to the Revelation of the Mysterie And these may be called many to Intimate to us that all Nations and Persons in the World have not this Favour vouchsafed to them though yet a multitude have And called many to signifie That this advantage is now more largely vouchsafed then in former Times Then He shewed His Word unto Jacob that one People and Nation His Statutes and His Judgments unto Israel He dealt not so with any other Nation And as for His Judgments they have not known them Psal 147 19 20. Deut. 4. 5 8. And unto them He sent all His Servants the Prophets rising early and sending them because He had compassion upon them 2 Chron. 36. 15 16. Jer. 7. 25. And herein they were priviledged above and had greater advantage then other Nations According to that What advantage then hath the Jew Or what profit is there of Circumcision Much every way chiefly because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 1 2. Acts 3. 25. But they were the fewest of all People And however but one Nation at first and so very few in comparison of all Nations But now after the Oxen and Fatlings were actually slain and the Feast prepared the Servants Commission was inlarged and many Nations were Called by their Ministration and Professedly believed the Gospel and yielded fained Obedience to Christ Yea and at this time many Nations though not all have Scriptures of Truth amongst them and therein the Gospel as Preached according to the Revelation of the Mystery by the Apostles And His Servants continued and preserved amongst them sutable to those Prophecies and such like Thou shalt Call a Nation thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee Isa 55. 5. He shall sprinkle many Nations Isa 52. 15. Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day Zech. 2. 11. And of these many we have to speak in what followeth and so would be understood Though yet we desire that these three Cautions may be considered and minded in the whole Treatise To wit Caution 1. When we say many only and not all are intended in this Parable We mean not nor believe all the rest are not Called by any means For though All are not Called by the distinct Preaching of Christ in the Mouth and Ministry of His believing Servants yet God leaves not Himself without Witness to others But that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the Invisible things of Him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even His eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1. 19 20. Hence the Apostle when he had been intimating that men cannot believe except they hear propounds a Question and gives Answer thereto But I say have they not heard Namely the Gospel Yes verily even so heard that they might believe for so much appeareth by the scope of the place their sound went into all the Earth and their Words unto the ends of the World In which the Apostle referreth to Psal 19. 1 6. And signifieth that the Gospel is Preached in every Creature Rom. 10. 14 18. with Col. 1. 23. And so though all are not called by the Servants in the clear and plain Preaching of the Gospel Yet all that are capable are in due time called by the Lord of the Servants who is Lord of all as is before shewn And who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2. Nor do we suppose or believe that none of them who are not of the Many here spoken of may hereafter partake of Eternal Life though they have not the clear and distinct Revelation and Knowledg of Christ and the Gospel vouchsafed to them But however some zealous ones though not according to Knowledg neither have nor think they want this Charity yet we desire to be so charitable and believing of the Scriptures as to conclude God is no respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted of Him As was Cornelius before the Gospel was plainly declared to him and many others amongst Gentiles Acts 10. 2 34. and 13. 26. and 16. 14. c. Yea in this Parable is signified to us that when the Servants went out into the High-ways they found some good ones amongst the Gentiles that were so before called by them Mat. 22. 10. And had they died before the Gospel had been plainly Preached to them as doubtless some such did they should have injoyed Eternal Life in due season The Judg of all the Earth will do right and not destroy the Good such as He reputes such with the bad Gen. 18. 24 25. And though all shall be Judged according to the Rule of the Gospel yet it shall be according to the means vouchsafed And if the Uncircumcision who have not the Law and Doctrine of God keep the Righteousness of the Law as the Appostle supposeth he may do if he believe that God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him Shall not His uncircumcision be counted for Circumcisiou Shall not he come acceptably to God and be graciously rewarded with Eternal Life Yes surely Rom. 2. Heb. 11. 6. Certainly many Thousands and Ten Thousands shall be eternally Saved who were never Called by the Servants with the plain Preaching of the Gospel and who never had any distinct knowledg of Jesus Christ while they were in Mortal Bodies As Infants dying in their Incapacity and many Jews
are such as He condemneth not but in the present time Justifieth Now He condemneth all Unbelievers and condemneth no Unfeigned believers Therefore it plainly appeareth that the Believers only are the Subjects of God's Election and not any Unbelievers while abiding in their Unbelief To this purpose God's prime Elect one saith He that believeth is not condemned Who shall lay any thing to His charge It is God that Justifieth But he that believeth not is condemned already and so at present none of God's Elect because he hath not believed c. compare Rom. 8. 33 34. with John 3. 16 18 19. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life But he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Yea who are God's Elect whom He Condemneth not but Justifieth the Apostle gives us to understand namely such as are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Not such as are in Christ simply but such as together there with walk in Christ as to their demeaner compare Rom. 8. 33 34. with Ver. 1. Now then time was when Paul was in Unbelief 1 Tim. 1. 13. And then he was condemned and so not of the Elect or Chosen Generation And again God's Elect are such as cry unto Him night and day Luke 18. 7. 4. God's Elect can hardly be deceived as our Saviour signifieth when He saith There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if possible they shall deceive the very Elect Mat. 24. 24. Mark 13. 22. By the way Our Saviour here doth not signifie that none of the very Elect may possibly be deceived This Phrase if possible denotes not the utter and absolute Impossibility of such a thing no more then it doth elsewhere As where the Evangelisc saith of Paul He hasted if possible for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost Acts 20. 16. Certainly no wise man would hasten to do that which he knew was altogether impossible to be done So Rom. 12. 18. with Heb. 12. 14. But our Saviour signifieth Both that the false Teachers would use all ways and means possible to seduce them so that those that were not seduced by them we may safely conclude they could not possibly deceive Aswel as also the Phrase denoteth that it is a very difficult thing for such to be seduced and deceived though it be not altogether and absolutely impossible But now as with respect to such as remain in their Ignorance and Unbelief they are already deceived and may still and further be easily deceived and beguiled Tit. 3. 3. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Therefore such while so abiding are none of God's Elect or Chosen ones Compare Mat. 24. 24. with Verse 4. 5. 5. Again That by the Elect or Chosen here spoken of such persons are not intended as some dream of is further manifest Because it is here signified to be a great and provoking Iniquity in those Persons who were not Chosen that they were not Chosen and therefore they are commanded to be cast into utter darkness where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 22. 12 14. Now it is no mans great and damning Iniquity that he was not Chosen in a personal Consideration before the World was if any such so were as doubtless they were not For no man could possibly Contribute any thing to such an Election nor possibly by any means hinder it because then he had no being not only none in a personal Consideration but also not any in the first publick Man for he was Created since the Creation of the World Though it would be a mans unavoidablâ— Misery not to be Chosen in such a sense as some plead for yet it could be no more his Iniquity then it would be for a man not to Act before he was a man or formed of God or that he was not of God's Privy Counsel when he had no existence or personal being yea none in the Loins of the first Adam nor he any being or existence Which surely is none at all 6. And lastly Election means not such an Absolute fore-ordination from Eternity nor are the Elect the Subjects of such a purpose Because the Elect may make their Election sure as the Apostle Peter signifieth in saying Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure firm Heb. 3. 6. Stedfast Ver. 14. even standing and setled upon its foundation Christ make it valid and of force Heb. 9. 17. for if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. 10. Now certainly the Absolute Decrees of God cannot be made more firm or stable more sure or stedfast by us But the Counsel of the Lord shall stand for ever As the Lord of Hosts hath purposed so it shall stand What He hath purposed who can disanul and so by consequence who can establish or make it of force Psal 33. 11 12. Isa 14. 24 27. By all which it is evidently manifested that God's Election is not such a Purpose or Decree of God respecting some mens Persons in a personal Consideration nor are His Elect the Subjects of such an irrespective Fore-ordination Object 1. But against what hath been said some may Object that in Ephes 1. 4. who hath Chosen us in Him before the foundation of the World From whence some Collect that the Elect were Chosen before the World was in a personal Consideration Answ In Answer to what many would prove from this Scripture we may say many things which we desire may be considered As 1. Suppose we that such a thing could be concluded from this one Scripture as many do conceive and are confident may be which we can by no means grant Yet when as we have seen many Scriptures clearly deny the truth of such a conclusion whether is it not more reasonable to hearken to the many rather than unto this one seeing though they be all alike worthy of acceptation and one Scripture may make a truth evident yet many concurring make it more evident and unquestionable See Heb. 7. 14 15. Suppose we that one honest and credible person should affirm a thing and urge it on us to be believed we might give credit to him But if twenty persons every one equally honest and credible with that one should affirm the contrary Should we not rather believe the truth so established in the mouth of so many Witnesses than wave them all and adhere to this one This Comparison illustrates the matter we are speaking of Certainly the Scriptures in general do with one mouth and consent disclaim that notion of personal election and should we deny all for one if that did speak to the contrary Which God forbid we should imagine But mens hasting from all other Scriptures speaking about election and as it were lightly esteeming them in comparison of this one is a great Argument to me that the Election 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
it appeareth this was His Counsel by His Work For He worketh all things after or according to the Counsel of His own Will ver 11. And that these are the Persons here directly spoken of appeareth plainly First By the Change of the Persons In the two first Verses the Apostle Writeth to the Saints at Ephesus c. And Saluteth them Ver. 2. Grace unto you But then He changeth the Persons from Ver. 3. to Ver. 12. And always saith We and Us and never You till Ver. 13. Secondly It plainly also appeareth that from Ver. 3. to Ver. 12. He speaketh not directly of the Believing Ephesians because He speaks of them that trusted in Christ before they were Believers and it was by the Means and Ministration of these first Trusters they were after brought in and helped through Grace to Believe for so He saith That we should be to the praise of His Glory who first trusted in Christ In whom ye also trusted or believed after ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation namely by those first Trusters or some of them See and consider Ver. 12 13 14. And surely this is the clear and direct meaning and intendment of the Apostle in these words But I shall add no more to this place because it hath been spoken to by my Brethren and Companions in the Faith viz. Mr. Thomas Moor senior in his Explicite Declaration of the Testimony pag. 263 274. And pointed unto by Mr. John Horn in his Open Door pag. 122. and in Reviewer Reviewed pag. 83. Object 2. If any one should further Object that in Rom. 9. 11 13. to prove their Personal Election in a Personal Consideration from I say Answ This doth not at all prove what they alledg it for And this will appear whither we consider the words Historically or Allegorically We shall speak a little to each Acceptation First Consider them Historically according to their first and plain Intendment And so 1. This was not spoken of the Persons here intended before the Creation of the World but in time and that after Rebecca had conceived by our Father Isaac And after the Children strugled in her Womb Gen. 25. 21 22 23. Rom. 9. 10 12. And so it proves not the Election of some Persons in a personal Consideration before the World was 2. Nor was this spoken of the Persons of Jacob and Esau onely but of their Posterities also as is most evident in what the Lord said to Rebecca when she went to inquire of Him The Lord said unto her two Nations are in thy Womb and two manner of People shall be separated from thy Barrels the one People shall be stronger then the other People and the Elder shall serve the Younger Gen 25. 23. And though in Rom. 9. 11. the Translatours have put in the Children whether in favour to that device of Personal Election or no I know not Yet these words are faithfully set down in a different Character that we may know they are not a part of the Text But the Verse should thus be read For they or the Nations or Peoples being not yet born c. 3. And it therefore appears that the Election here spoken of or the purpose according to it was not an Absolute decreeing Jacob Nationally considered to Eternal Life and rejecting Esau and all his Posterity there-from for neither can we have so much faith as to believe the former Nation was all Eternally saved Rom. 9. 27. nor so little Charity as to conceive the latter was all damned seeing we read of some Good men that came from him as is probable as Job compare Job 1. 1. with Lam. 4. 21. And Eliphaz the Temanite compare Job 2. 11. with Gen. 36. 9 11. And his Posterity might enter into the Congregation of the Lord in the third Generation Deut. 23. 7 8. As well as also the Apostle saith By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come Heb. 11. 20. But this purpose according to Election was that Jacob Nationally considered should be preferred before Esau or Edom That Christ should come of them according to the Flesh and they should have the Word and Oracles and Ordinances of God committed to them which was a great Advantage Rom. 3. 1 2. And thus He dealt not with any other Nation Psal 147. 19 20. And yet in Esau's serving Jacob he or any of his Posterity might be Blessed also and might in the third Generation enter into the Lords Congregation as is said And so now notwithstanding that purpose in these last Ages because of the Jews unbelief the Kingdom of God is taken from them who were become the Elder People and given to Esau and the Gentiles Yet notwithstanding if any of the Broken-off Jews abide not still in unbelief they shall be Graffed in again Mat. 21. 43. compare Amos 9. 11 12. with Acts 15. 14 17. Rom. 11. 23. And this well agrees with the Scope of the Apostle in this place As for that which is mentioned in Rom. 9. 13. Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated It was Spoken and Written long after Jacob and Esau the Fathers of the two Nations were dead And declares how God had priviledged the former Nation above the latter according to His purpose in Answer to that Demand Wherein hast Thou loved us And that hatred of Esau was however at first but comparative or a lesser degree of Love as is signified in the Testimony of it viz. I laid his Mountains waste Mal. 1. 2 3. with Gen. 29. 30 31. Secondly Consider we these things Allegorically As the Apostle speaketh of Sarah and Hagar and their Children Which things are an Allegory Gal. 4. 22 24 31. So here As Isaac so Jacob also was a Type of Christ and those Born of Him Psal 24. 6. Gal. 6. 16. Now before men are Born this is God's purpose that whosoever believeth in Christ should not perish but have everlasting Life And whosoever rejecteth Him though he hath never so great a zeal to God otherwise and seek and take pains never so much to establish a Righteousness to himsâ—lf of whom Esau was a Type shall be rejected But this without any discriminating Eye or Respect to any man in a personal Consideration And so God's purpose shall stand according to Election Namely it shall abide and take place not in accepting men into Favour and Fellowship with Himself according to their Works of Righteousness but as the Grace of God doth chuse men out of and sever them from the World into Christ so as they are made of His Seed and reckoned after Him And this understanding of these things is sutable to the scope of the Place For in Answer to the Jews who were ready to say there was Unrighteousness with God should He reject them because they were the Seed of Abraham according to the flesh and zealous according to the Law the Apostle saith That not all Abrahams Seed according to the Flesh nor any
Saviour of the World And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us God is Love c. Hereby is our love made perfect even through the Knowledg and Belief of His Love and that He is Love And what Love of God is the producer of our love to Him is also declared by the same Apostle We love Him because He first loved us It is the Manifestation and Discovery not of any delightful distinguishing Love of His but of that great Love wherewith He loved us and all Mankind whereby we are begotten to the Love of Him and therein made of the Chosen and Elect Generation 1 John 4. 7 10 16 19. with Ephes 2. 4 5. And so it appears that the Argument for effecting this Election is the Grace of God to Manward discovered in the Gospel of Christ Que. 2. What is the way owned and approved of God in or through which men are Elected Answ The way of His owning and approving is the Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth when and as discovered to them That is Men are then Chosen when they so with the Heart believe the Word of Truth and Grace of God therein discovered as that thereby they are Sanctified and Cleansed in the Spirit of their Mind and devoted unto God and not before To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Elect according to the foreknowledg or Fore-approbation of God the Father according to that way fore-owned of Him in or through the Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1. 2. To which agreeth also that of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians We are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning viz. of their Gospels coming to them as 1 Thes 1. 5. and 2. 13. Chosen you to Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto He also Called you by our Gospel c. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. No man therefore while he abides in his Ignorance Unbelief and Disobedience of God is Elected or Chosen nor until he be in some measure Washed and Sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 9 11. Que. 3. Out of what are men Elected or Chosen Answ Out of the World which lieth in Wickedness or in the Wicked one 1 John 5. 19. And of which until they were Chosen out they were as well as others and not only in it but also of it They sometimes walked according to the course of this World according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience Amongst whom we also had our Conversation in times past in the Lusts of our Flesh And were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others saith the Apostle Paul of both Gentiles and Jews who were after Chosen out of this sad condition Ephes 2. 1 3 5. To this purpose speaks our Saviour unto and concerning his Disciples Ye are not of the World but I have Chosen you out of the World And I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the World John 15. 19. and 17. 6. In both which places it is plainly Intimated that time was that they were not only in the World in their Persons for so they still were nor did our Saviour pray to His Father to take them out of it in this sense John 17. 11 15. but also they were of the World as to their State Condition Fellowship and Demeanour and during that time they were not Elected or Chosen out of it For Gods Elect and Chosen ones and the world are opposed the one to the other and the former hated by the latter As also our Saviour oft times signifieth in such expressions as these If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you John 15. 18 19. Ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce Chap. 16. 20. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me out of the world I have given them thy Word and the World hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world Chap. 17. 9 14 16 20 21 23. 1 John 3. 1 13. And so the chosen ones are such as are seperated and severed from others in their state pollutions evil principles and manners And so Seperated and Chosen are used indifferently and put one for another in our Types whom we are instructed to behold 1 Cor. 10. 18. As whereas in Deut. 10. 8. it is said At that time the Lord seperated the Tribe of Levi to minister unto him It is thus rendred Chap. 21. 5. 18. 5. 2 Chron. 29. 11. The Sons of Levi shall come near for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him So again in one place it is said I am the Lord your God which have seperated you from other people Ye shall therefore put difference between clean Beasts and unclean And ye shall be holy for I have severed you from other people that ye should be mine In another place upon a like occasion it is thus said The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing Consider and compare Levit. 20. 24 26. with Deut. 14. 2 3 c. And so they are a chosen Generation who are called not only whom God is calling but who are eventually called out of darkness out of the darkness of this world and out of their ignorance and unbelief into his marvelous light Compare 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. with Chap. 4. 3. Such as are delivered out of the power of darkness and translated or removed into the Kingdom of Gods dear sons Col. 1. 13. with Acts 13. 22. This is that out of which men are chosen even out of themselves and out of the world and power of darkness Que. Into and in whom are Men chosen Answ Into and in Jesus Christ as the Apostle saith Who hath chosen us in him Eph. 1. 4. As we have seen before The Elect are not chosen in the first Adam nor in themselves but in Christ who is the prime Elect unto whom God hath given the pre-eminence and first-ship in all things Isa 42. 1. Col. 1. 18 19. Rom. 16. 13. And who is the Root and Foundation of Election To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh To whom coming to wit unto Christ as unto a living stone chosen or elected of God Ye also as lively stones are built up a Spiritual House Ye are a chosen Generation It is here signified that in order of Nature however and of Time also Christ is first of all an Eleâ—t chosen stone an Elect foundation and Corner stone And those that
hear the Word of Truth and to be hearty Believers and doers of it John 1. 12. 13. with Jam. 1. 18 19 22 25. John 3. 3 5 7. So in the sense before spoken of Men cannot reconcile themselves to God but it is the Work of God by Christ to reconcile us to himself And yet something is required of men Hence the Apostle saith We pray you in Christ stead be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 18 20. So here Though God in Christ be the first chuser and by him we are chosen yet something is required of us in the strength he gives that we may be chosen out of the world ruled by him become choice ones and be the subjects of his peculiar love c. And though we find not this command any where Be ye chosen in express words given unto us yet we have the same thing in other expressions given in commandement to us As Be ye saved Isa 45. 22. And save your selves Acts 2. 40. Whereby the same thing is intended as is foreshewn in comparing 2 Thes 2. 10 12. with verse 13. And Be ye seperate which in another Scripture is rendred and read Chosen As also hath been noted by comparing Deut. 10. 8. with Chap. 18. 5. and 21. 5. And Levit. 20. 24 26. with Deut. 14. 2 3. 2 Cor. 6. 17. And we may see this is required of men that they may be Chosen even to come to Christ in which doing they shall be made of the chosen Generation though formerly they have not so been As also hath been said before and may be seen in comparing 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. with verse 9. 10. And to the end we may come unto Christ and so be chosen and pluckt out of the world needfull it is 1. To hear the Word of Christ this is the first and one thing needfull unto the saving of the Soul Luke 10. 39 42. It is good and needfull for us to chuse this good part As God is speaking to us and opening our Ears even to hear in hearing For saith in which men are chosen cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God viz. by the Gospel of Peace and glad tydings of good things Rom. 10. 14 15 17. with 2 Thes 2. 13. It is the work of the Father by his Spirit to glorifie Christ and to bear witness of him He speaketh excellent things unto us concerning him and the opening of his lips are right things And together herewith he both gives unto men capacity of hearing and calls upon them to hear Prov. 8. 4 6 17 20. He saith Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your Soul delight it self infatness Incline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live Isa 55. 1 3. Let every man be swift to hear viz. the Word of Truth Jam. 1. 18 19 The hour is coming and now is saith our Saviour that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live John 5. 25. And this is the first Branch of the description of him that passeth from death to life from an Estate of wrath and misery into a state of favour and blessedness he that heareth Christs word John 5. 24. 2. Needfull also it is that we learn of the Father that we may be Chosen not onely that we hear as that is distinguished from learning But that also we heartily embrace his heavenly lesson and doctrine So after Wisdome had called upon men first of all to hear she after saith also Receive my instruction and not Silver Prov. 8. 6. 10. Indeed God teacheth many that are not taught by him and so they deprive their soules of good Isa 48. 17 18 But it is needfull to the end we may be elected that we receive the instruction of our Heavenly father even to buy the truth and not sell it even to buy it with an undervaluing and parting with and forsaking all that we have that we may be made partakers of Christ Prov. 23. 23. with Luk. 14. 33. And every one that is taught of God every one that hath heard and learned of the father cometh unto Christ Job 6. 45. with Matth. 22. 3 4 5. And so shall be chosen and a subject of Gods election And let no man be discouraged from coming unto Christ in this way because of his former vileness and wretchedness for though he be the chief of sinners that cometh yet him that cometh he will in no wise cast out but will receive such an one graciously he will chuse him and not cast him away Isay 41. 9. with Joh. 6. 35. And as the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness so as persisting in such like iniquity he will at last reject such and give them up to a reprobate mind Reprobate Silver shall men call them who after all means used yet will not come to Christ who is the rest and way to it because the Lord hath rejected them Rom. 1. 18 28. Jer. 6. 16 17 30. So also all such as hear the joyfull sound sounded forth by the Father in the Gospel and receive his instruction so as to come unto Christ Such shall find rest Mat. 11. 28 29. Their Souls shall live Isa 55. 3. And they shall have fellowship and partnership with Jesus Christ in him be chosen and after him reckoned And shall abiding in Christ inherit the Kingdom which God hath prepared for them that love him and look and wait for his coming from Heaven 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. Yea this Doctrine of Gods Election may also admonish and warn them who are in Christ Jesus not to depart from him Upon this presumption that the Elect cannot possibly be deceived For certainly it is possible for them so to be and they will certainly so be if they abide not in Christ by Faith and Love As our Saviour saith If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered and men gather them and they are cast into the fire and they are burned John 15. 6. In which words our Saviour signifieth that such as have been ingraffed into himself who is the true Vine by his Father the Husbandman may not abide in Christ but may so depart from him as not only to be cast into the fire which a man may be and yet be plucked out again as a brand out of it Jude 23. But also be burned that is he may finally perish And to the same purpose the Apostle speaketh to the believing Romans who were in and did stand in the Root of Righteousness Thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear for if God spared not the natural Branches take heed also lest he spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also
feeble knees Hence such incouragements and consolations are propounded to them as these thou art My servant I have chosen thee and not cast thee away fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God Isa 41 8 9 10-14 Hear now O Jacob My servant and Israel whom I have chosen Thus saith the Lord that made thee and formed thee from the Womb which will help thee fear not O Jacob My servant and thou Jeshurun whom I have chosen fear not neither be afraid Isa 43. 1-5 44. 1. 2-8 The smallness and littleness of their number might occasion them to think God will take no notice of them But the consideration of what is here affirmed of this small company that they are chosen chosen of God and precious in His esteem is incouraging unto them He will take them though but one of a City and two of a Family and will bring them to Zion Jer. 3. 14. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their Garments And they shall walk with me in White for they are worthy saith our Saviour Rev. 3. 4. And though He sift the Nations among whom they are like as Corn is sifted in a sieve Yet shall not one Corn no not the least Grain fall to the Earth Amos 9. 9 10. And that they are chosen may cause them to lift up their head against the evil and fear of their Enemies And assure them that God will avenge them in due time Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth c. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword nay in all these things we are more then Conquerours thorow Him that loved us and whose Elect we are Rom. 8. 33-37-39 And shall not God avenge His own Elect which cry unto Him day and night though He bear long with them I tell you saith Christ He will avenge them speedily Luk. 18. 7 8. Yea though they are few in number yet because they are chosen they may be confident God will provide what is good for them while they are here in this World And hence our Saviour saith Fear not little little flock fear not Enemies fear not Wants and Necessities for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom And therefore assuredly He will give you meat drink and cloths and no good thing will He withhold from you in seeking His Kingdom rather then any other thing Luk. 12. 31 32 33. with Jam. 2. 5. 5. Seeing that few of the called are chosen it may preserve us from being deceived by mystery Babylon and any other like her who flatters and perswades others telling them that she is the holy Catholick Church And that such as joyn themselves unto and abide in Communion with her are the true Sons of the Church and in a good and happy condition And living and dying therein shall be happy for ever Alas how plainly doth it appear that she is miserably mistaken and such as listen to her By what our Saviour here speaks and speaks Prophetically of the Gentiles also amongst whom few are chosen It may be more readily and reasonably believed That very few amongst them are called by the Servants in the plain and faithful declaration of the Gospel of Christ seeing they steal away the word of the Lord in the Records of them from the people as also others do in their vain and foolish interpretations and glosses then that many or most of them are chosen and shall hereafter inherit eternal life And it is good for us rather to mind what the Holy Ghost saith unto us then to listen to her lies dreams and delusions who saith If any man Worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation And he shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb And the smoak of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever c. Rev. 14. 8 9 10 11. chap. 18. 4 5 6. 6. That few of the called are chosen may be useful also to preserve us from such and such like sayings as these viz. Every man is bound by the commandment of God to believe that he is chosen in Christ to Salvation especially he that professeth Faith in Christ And when we say every man is bound to believe this we except none no not the reprobates who neither at any time do nor can believe in Christ And if the reprobate believe it not he sinneth most grievously of all Oh how Evil and Dangerous are such expressions And what occasion do such persons give to others to believe them in nothing they say These persons who thus speak deny that Christ died for all and yet they tell us every man is bound to believe that he is Elected in Christ And how falsly do such speak as will appear if we briefly consider 1. That which is to be believed in this saying is a manifest lye as with respect to the most of men even amongst the called ones also as is shewed And so such persons even say in such like expressions That most men are bound to believe a lye 2. It is supposed in this saying that every one is bound to believe that he is Elected in Christ by the command of God In which saying they first signifie That the God of truth doth command men to believe a lye Oh foolish charge And then also they belye Him in saying they are bound by His Command so to believe when as He never commanded them nor came such a thing into His mind 3. In this former saying also is intimated That if the reprobate do not believe he is Elected in Christ he sins most grievously of all And so it is signified the most heinous iniquity in the reprobates as they call them is that they believe not a lye And for this they shall be damned hereafter How contrary is this to what is spoken in the Scripture of truth 2 Thes 2. 10-12 And how contrary is this and such like sayings to our Saviours Doctrine here So that I' hope this brief mention of one will render that and its fellows sufficiently abominable and loathsome to us 7. And lastly Seeing few of the called are chosen let it provoke us all so to obey the heavenly call by the Gospel that we may come out from among men and be separate and touch no unclean thing that He may receive us and may be a Father unto us and we may be Sons and Daughters unto Him who is the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Oh let us not receive the Grace of God in vain But let us incline our Ears unto His call
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