Eternity and will bring us to eternal Life infallibly The Angels they are particularly elected and how full of Zeal are they in their Obedience for God they are said to be Flames of Fire sent out to minister Flames for Zeal and Delight in their Service The Apostles and Prophets they had the Love of God revealed to them and that their Names were written in Heaven and how full of Holiness and Zeal suffering any thing for Christ Jesus and rejoiced in their Sufferings Ephes 1.4 he speaks of Love before the Foundation of the World to their Persons in Christ and what would this do that we might be holy and without Blame before him in Love John 15. I have chosen you out of the World saith Christ What then ver 16 and ordained that you should bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain be constant in it therefore is this Argument Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God Bowels of Mercy Kindness Humbleness Object But who will labour to be holy and to walk in Holiness and good Works if God chuseth without the Consideration of these hath no respect to these and so elects that nothing can make it void Answ Tho Election be free and without Consideration of Faith or good Works as going before Election yet none are elected but to that Salvation which is obtained through Faith and good Works we are ordained to walk in them to Glory Faith and Works are the Means of obtaining Salvation tho they be not the Cause of Election there is a great difference betwixt Salvation and Election two Scriptures for this 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience 2 Thess 2.13 Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 6. The Doctrine of God's electing particular Persons is a Ground to try themselves upon whether they be elected or not and so find upon themselves the Marks of Election This is that the Apostle doth intend in Rom. 8. in giving Calling Justification as the Effects of God's Predestination that even as a Tree is known by its Fruits and the Cause by the Effects so they may come to know themselves to be predestinated The Apostle speaks expresly of the Predestination of particular Persons for he saith these and these and none but these Whereas on the other side if God only elect Conditions then a Man cannot know himself to be elected in this World there is no sign of Election upon him nothing is to be found in him but what he may perish with it is his Perseverance when he is past all Temptation that God doth crown with Election To conclude this with that Apostle in Gal. 1.8 when some among them had preached Justification by Works this is that which should be noted to you it is another Gospel for any to look for Justification or Election by Works Exod. 33.19 God saith I will shew Mercy on whom I will shew Mercy he speaks it of pardoning The Apostle doth expresly use these words concerning Election Rom. 9.15 whence I gather it is another Gospel and so a Curse pronounced against them that bring it to look for Election from Works and so by Works as for a Man to look for Justification and not by Grace The Apostle saith it is another Gospel Why doth he say so because whatever way of Salvation we make that will not reveal God's Love nor comfort the Heart nor be a Provocation to Holiness nor fill the Heart with Love again to God it is another Gospel in that it will not have the Effect of the Gospel of that Gospel that sheweth Salvation to be only by Grace Vse of Trial. Try now whether you be one of these Persons for God chuseth Persons To stir you up to the Trial 1. You may safely do it no danger either of Despair or Presumption Satan hinders this as much as may be 1st He tells us if we do it there will be no end of our Doubts but we shall come forth of this Enquiry more scared and amazed 2dly Sometimes tells the Soul God's Love is equal to all 3dly Sometimes gives a false Ballance to weigh the Soul by some crooked Rule or other 4thly Sometimes he puzzles the Soul with many Objections it is dangerous he casts in this to go about it 't will make one cast off Holiness make one presumptuous if he can attain it and despair if he attains it not that it is a Secret belongs to God and that none can come to know it c. yet we say it is very safe to enquire into that which God revealeth that we may believe it Yet 1. It is modestly humbly and warily to be looked into our Heads will be dazled if we alone look into this Depth as he that looks down a steep Place tumbleth with the Giddiness that is wrought in him thereby Many have fallen because they have not looked aright into this Doctrine if we follow the Light of the Scripture there is no danger It is a Secret as is said as to the Cause of it why one is chosen and not another but as to the Persons it is not a Secret for it is revealed Rom. 8. Those that are called and justified as to Persons that are adult these very Persons and none else besides them are predestinated and shall be glorified those whose Afflictions make them more conformable to Christ ver 29. those that trust in him for Justification ver 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect The Levites might look into the Ark and none else so those that are called may reflect upon Election from whence this proceeds 2. Take this Caution In the Enquiry you are so to seek it as to advance the Grace of God in the seeking of it without hindring the Work of Sanctification sâ— that Holiness may not be hindered Some do so look after this that they never mind the other yet so to look after Sanctification that the Love of God may not be lessened The Works of God's Grace in thee are not so to be insisted on as to think that for them thou hast God's Grace of Election neither is God's Election so to be thought on as that it will save thee without Grace in thee Grace inherent is the Messenger of Election a Stream from the Fountain an Effect of it where there is Heat there is Fire But why God should work this in thee rather than another it is his Free-Love and the Reason why he loves thee and not another was not thy Grace that was in thee Vse II. Much Profit comes by knowing our Election 1. Hereby we shall answer that great Question that is in the Mind of a Believer viz. Whether Christ be in him 2 Cor. 13.5 Know you not he speaks of something known to all Believers know you not i. e. you do know that Christ is in
it 's said Rom. 11.7 the Election hath obtaiâ—… but now what Conditions did these Infants fulfil of obeying and perâ—â—â—â—ing when as they were cut off before they were capable of doing any thing or using any Means and God had decreed and determined them unto Death in their Infancy Remember now that elect Infants dying in Infancy make but one Body together with us of those that shall be saved Here are some elected without Conditions 3. Reason The Number of those that shall be saved is certain the Number can neither be increased or decreased added to or taken from there is a Book of Life spoke of in Scripture Rev. 20.15 it is a figurative Speech borrowed from Men it signifies the unchangeable Purpose of God in giving Salvation to some now as it is among Men Names are written in Books so the Names of them that shall be saved are in God's Mind and known to him certain as if they were written in a Book now this Book is so kept that none that are written here can be blotted out nor any written that are not already written from Eternity ther fore this is given as a Reason why some Men stood and persevered in Apostaâ—izing Times when others fell it was this their Names were written in this Book i. e. God had chosen them they must stand their Names could not be blotted out Rev. 13.8 All that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him and whose Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World Rev. 21. ult None shall enter into the City new Jerusalem but they that are written in the Lamb's Book of Life that Number written there and none but that Number shall be saved Rev. 20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book was cast into the Lake of Fire All went to Hell but they not any added to them the Number is definite Mat. 24.24 it 's said if it were possible the very Elect But if it were upon Condition that Men are elected this could not be for thâ—s â— are tendered to aâ—l Men and sufficient Means to believe and they have Power to believe or not then the Number must increase or decrease as they believe or not persevere or fall off to day there are more tomorrow less more again â—nd â—ess again as Men will hold on or not the Election of a definite certain Number to which not one can be added nor taken from doth diametrically oppose the Election of Conditions which all must be under equally and no onâ—â—eparated from the rest 4. If Election was upon Conditions if we believe and repent and persevere then would he have given Means to all to have known those Conditions else vâ—r little Love in God to set Terms upon which all Men may be saved and yet not to let all Men know these Terms now it is clear from Scripture that none knows the way to Eternal Life but those that have the preaching of the Gospel or the reading of the Scripture Rom. 1.16 it 's said of the Gospel it is the Power of God to Salvation to every one that believes for therein is the Righteousness of God revealed from Faith to Faith here is the Reason he tells after what the Gentiles could attain to by their Helps it was only to know there was a Godhead full of Power and Wisdom but they could not reach this to understand the Righteousness of God and how the Just should live by Faith and depend upon another for Salvation and receive the Righteousness of God 1 Cor. 1.21 it 's said the World by Wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe Acts 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life This was when the Apostles came among them and preached to them till then notwithstanding all their Helps they were in Darkness and in the shadow of Death 5. To elect upon Conditions is to turn the Grace of God into a Covenant of Works and to put us into that Covenant This makes a Covenant of Works viz. That there is a Condition of Life given to us and it lies upon our Hands to do it we are to perform it be it what it will if we are to do it for Life the Condition to Adam was Do this and live but now it is Believe and live but it is all one as if he had said Do and live in case that our Election depends upon it The Article is changed only or the Act to be done but the Obligation and manner of Treaty is the same it lies upon us to do it otherwise we shall not have the Election of God or Salvation Object But we have Faith given us Answ This makes not a difference this alters it not to say we have Power given us or the Grace of Faith to believe for so had Adam Power given him to do whatever God should command or did command this Power he had given him before he sinned all his Abilities were given him with his Being from God so that they did not arise as some think I say his Abilities whereby he was to walk upon Terms of Justice did not arise from his natural Principle Thirdly Now hear the Inconveniences that follow upon their Doctrine that seems so plausible if you believe and persevere then God chuses you if you perform the Conditions he elects them first then Persons as they fall under them 1. This is against the Perfection of God for to will upon a Condition is but an imperfect Act of the Will it is but a Velleity a wishing or woulding because whatever is willed upon a Condition is willed disjunctively either I will do or I will not do it Now to say God doth imperfectly will is not becoming God who can do what he will do it only saves God's Credit however it falls out but it sutes not his Greatness and Goodness to wish a thing that is never accomplished 2. It doth not sute the Wisdom of God to proceed from Generals to Specials first he wills Conditions and then Men as they fall under these Conditions particular Persons as they fulfil them This argues Weakness in God's Knowledg as if he knew not who they should be before-hand 3. It makes void all Election of Persons thus their Election runs viz. He that believes shall be saved what needs any more except God's Fidelity be suspected If a Prince should say all Rebels that come in shall be pardoned what need any more mentioning of Persons except you will not give Credit to the Prince there needs no Act of Pardon to be granted when they do come in all that do come in enjoy their Pardon and it is not given them by any new Act except there be cause to suspect the Prince's or Magistrate's Fidelity There is no cause at all to suspect that God will not keep his Word and make it good for he hath said whosoever believes shall
wills Men to be saved and gives them sufficient Means would not they be saved infallibly if God put forth all his Power or else his Power is but weak he is not Omnipotent 12. How can God be happy that desires and hath not his Desire satisfied and accomplished he desireth the Salvation of all say these and yet hath it not Happiness is having every good Desire satisfied Thus the other Doctrine wrongs God takes off from the Glory and Praise of the Godhead Motive 2. Take heed of the other Doctrine cleave to this if you receive the other it will corrupt you in all the great Points of Religion it influenceth you in all When the Blood is poisoned all the whole Body will soon be poisoned so here If upon Faith and Obedience Man is elected 1. Then Man is converted by Works and the Obedience of his own Will and no Man otherwise converted 2. A Man then is justified by Works Justification follows Election no Man is saved but by Works and so all that Glory and Beauty and bright-shining Vertue of Grace which God hath manifested in the Gospel vanisheth and comes to nothing for if it be of Works it is no more Grace Rom. 11.6 3. It is then to bring in another Gospel to bring in this other Opinion of Election upon Conditions now there is a Curse upon any that shall bring in another Gospel Gal. 1. Hear then are you willing in the matter of Salvation to trust to your selves and lean upon your selves Hath Christ died and laid down a Price that you might live at your own Hand and be upon the same Terms for Eternal Life and Heaven as Adam was before he fell in a Covenant of Works Then it was Do and live and so now Do this viz. Believe and persevere and live God hath given you Power to do this so he did to Adam he gave him more Power than you for you are full of Infirmities and Weakness and Failings daily but he was perfect and strong Now is this the Gospel of Grace to require as much of a poor weak fallen Man as of Adam before he fell who was perfect and not subject to Infirmities All the Duties thou dost all the Acts of Faith all thy persevering in good being done for this end that God may elect thee they are but Acts of high Pride and Arrogancy every one of them hath this Language in them I do this that I may be elected rather than another and to put a difference betwixt my self and those that shall go to Hell I do this and this and elect God at first and after I have walked on all my days to the end in good Works he will elect me for this is the Condition he hath made of my Election If I persevere to the end he will then infallibly and peremptorily set his Love upon me and chuse me Now thus God doth made a Bargain with Man barters and sells his Love as Laban his Daughter If thou wilt have my Daughter then serve seven Yeers or else thou shalt not have her So doth God sell Heaven and Glory for a Life's Perseverance in Faith and Holiness Motive 3. To make you take heed of this false Doctrine it destroys all the Fruits of Election if not elected till Death then no benefit of Election in this Life let us see the Fruits of Election and how they are brought to nothing if Election of particular Persons be made void 1. Love to God 〈◊〉 a Fruit God's electing Persons sets out the Greatness of God's Love and fills the Heart with Love to God again Thus the Soul that hath any Intimation that God hath chosen him saith God hath passed by Millions and some of my Neighbours Kindred Friends and they are walking on in Ignorance Evil Unbelief God hath called me in which I read my Election he hath chosen me before the World from Eternity not respecting any thing that would or could be in me for I was a Sinner in my Blood when he visited me and by this Love of his he will enable me to do whatever is required of me to Salvation Who can think of this free eternal Love of God and not love God again God doth therefore in Scripture speak of this peculiar special free Love as an Argument to stir us up to Thankfulness Deut. 7.6 7. God hath chosen thee to be a special People and it was not for any Qualifications in them but because he loved them Chap. 10.15 Only the Lord had a delight in their Fathers to love them What for any thing in them no Was it for fulfilling Conditions No it is over and over in Deut 9. Not for thy Righteousness sake no a base wicked People they were And what could he see in their Fathers why Abram was an Idolater Josh 24.3 and called Now this free Love is brought as an Argument to press them to love God and walk in Holiness Deut. 7. Thou shalt therefore keep the Commandments and Statutes c. Circumcise therefore the Foreskin of your Hearts c. Deut. 10.16 Deut. 14.2 you shall see the same Argument there the Lord hath chosen thee therefore thou shalt not do so and so Object None of these Scriptures speak of God's eternal Love or of singular Persons chosen out of that Love Answ The Text speaks of Love shewed to particular Persons and how that such free Love is a Motive to love God and obey him Now this Love that God had to the Jews is a Type of that Love that God bare to the Elect. Compare Isa 1.9 with Rom. 9.29 Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a very small Remnant c. this is spoke concerning the Temporal Preservation of the Jews the Apostle takes it and applies it to the Elect Isa 8.18 Behold I and the Children whom the Lord hath given me are for Signs c. this is spoken of God's delivering the Jews from their Enemies the Apostle Heb. 2. brings this and speaks it of Christ having all the Elect considered in him God's electing Persons provokes to love God to think that God freely chose thee from Eternity thy Person appointed for thee all the Means hearing c. that thou mightst be saved blessed them to thee and gave thee Faith then in the use of them this is to stir up Love to God From the other way let us hear how it promotes Love to God God hath given Means to all and left them Talents and commands to improve and manage these well Now what if any of these be saved what may Christ say to them Have not I shewed you great Love should not you love me Yea may it be answered It was great Love to come 〈◊〉 the Flesh to redeem me from my Sin in Adam to give me Means to believe and Power to believe but there is no more Love laid out for me than for them that are in the Flames of Hell Can these love Christ so well as the other in the other
Doctrine 2. This Doctrine of Election rightly stated keeps one humble very humble all his days Election doth not take away Free-will we have Free-will but then being called it is to what is good but it takes away glorying in it Not of him that willeth Rom. 9.16 Rom. 11.35 Who hath first given to him c. He gives to will Not a Thought that is good but from him Joh. 15. Without me ye can do nothing As to our natural Being in him we do move So in the Spiritual Being he knits himself to us he is in us as a Principle then we act We cannot pray to him for his Grace but by Grace What hast thou that thou hast not received 1 Cor. 4.7 Will not this make us humble Object But they will say that their Doctrine of God's electing upon Faith will keep a Man humble because Faith is opposed to Works Answ These Men need not bring this for they hold that Faith as a Work of it self not because of the Object it receiveth justifies a Man Faith is not opposed to Works in Election in Justification it is but it is of no use in Election Christ's Righteousness is not accepted to make us elected Election goeth before our Faith or laying hold on Jesus Christ Object Yea but Faith is the Gift of God we should be humble then Answ Is it such a Gift as he that hath it offered cannot but receive it and because of the way and manner of God's working in him is he effectually brought to believe yet his Free-will preserved then we have the Cause as we would God elects Persons and works all the Conditions for them which he requireth of them to Eternal Life But if there be any thing of us required at our Hand that must cast the Scale then we have to glory 3. Assurance and Certainty of Salvation springs from Election When the Scripture would comfort Believers with the Assurance of their Salvation that they should not perish but go to Heaven certainly it fetches the Comfort from the Fountain The Decree of God taking their Persons the Constancy of the Decree of God makes that Assurance which could never be by God's giving Conditions for Election because the fulfilling of them depends upon our own changeable and mutable Will What Assurance can a Man have that is chosen under a Condition For when he hath attained to the best degree of Grace in the use of Means yet then may he say this is no more than what may be done by him that shall perish For it is not the doing this tho great but the continuing to do this upon which Election is grounded and I may fall as others and lose this before Death no Assurance this way But in the other as we have stated Election there is to take off the Fears of the Saints when they saw the Jews fall he brings this and comforts them that they should not fall Rom. 11. God hath not cast away his People whom he fore-knew Ver. 7. What then Israel hath not obtained that which he sought after but the Election obtained it and the rest are hardened He tells you none fell that were elected Psal 33.11 12. The Counsel of the Lord that shall stand and his Thoughts to all Generations then it follows Blessed is the People whom he hath chosen for his Inheritance Isa 54. With everlasting Kindness will I have Mercy on thee He comforts them with the Decree no assurance the other way For it must be either from God or a Man's self from God it cannot be he elects none but after all is fulfilled not of himself for his Will is changeable every moment 4. The Doctrine of Election is a mighty Comfort in times of Sorrow and Grief There are two things that are apt to trouble us especially 1. The Apostacy of Professors 2. The Trials and Temptations that we meet with in the World viz. Poverty Sickness Disappointment Death of Relations c. Now in both these cases Election comforts 1. Election of Persons As for Apostacy when they say If such Cedars fall what will become of such a Shrub as I Dan. 12. he speaking of the last Times how bad they should be yet adds and at that time thy People shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the Book Mat. 24.22 he speaks of such perilous Times that no Flesh should be saved but for the Elects sake those days should be shortned In Rom. 9. 11. the Apostle removes this Stumbling-block out of the way when the Jews fell and tells the Saints none fell but those that were ordained thereunto not one whom God fore-knew when Hymeneus and Philetus fell he comforts them with this 2 Tim. 2.18 The Foundation of God stands sure he knoweth who are his 2. As for Afflictions of what sort soever there is Comfort in them from the Doctrine of Election the Apostle in Rom. 8.28 comforts the Saints with this viz. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them that are called according to his Purpose Calling here is Conversion and that Power that worketh it not any particular Obedience of ours following Faith Whom he predestinates them he calls his Purpose here is not the Object of Obedience which God hath purposed that Men should do for the Apostle brings it to shew that the Call is not in our selves but in his Purpose they that are called are not called by any Obedience or Free-will of theirs but according to his Purpose But on their Doctrine what Comfort can a Man have when he seeth another fall that he shall stand by his own Might and when he meets with Afflictions that he shall be the better by them when many stronger than he have turned aside and grown worse some of as much Light and Parts as he that were just at Land have sunk that were at the very Borders have miscarried He must say tho I be now in a good State yet what I may be is uncertain Temptations have prevailed upon others and they have fallen I am not sure till I have done all and that is not till I go out of the World But the other can be comforted that receive our Doctrine God hath chosen my Person for better for worse and tho I be weak he will enable me to do what he requires and work in me all the Conditions Faith and Perseverance therein will keep me by his Power to his Kingdom he was moved by nothing to love me and do me good nothing therefore that shall separate from his Love shall be done by me he hath ordained me to be conformed to his Image therefore all my Afflictions shall tend to this to plant his Image in me which he loves Afflictions shall be as an Axe to cut off that which is superfluous in me and that Unanswerableness to his Image 5. Nothing so much quickneth a Soul to Obedience as the Knowledg that God hath loved our Persons from
you all Believers know this that Christ is in them by Faith except they be Reprobates The plain Meaning of it is this viz. All true Christians know this that where God doth long afford the Gospel unto Men and it hath had some Workings on them if they resist it and resist it totally there is reason to fear that they are Reprobates Christ it 's true may be in one and he not know it but all Christians fear that if so be Christ be not in them under the Means that then they are not accepted of God 2. We shall know hereby that by every Affliction we shall be the better Rom. 8.28 the Apostle comforts the Romans against Afflictions that they should be the better for them because they were called according to his Purpose Nothing will comfort a godly Man under Affliction but that he shall be the better for it Not the taking off the Afflictions or Support under them but it is only this that will quiet that they shall work together for good As a covetous Man is not contented to have his own unless he may have Profit by it so a godly Man is not content to keep his Grace under Affliction except he grow better by it Now this we shall see by knowing our Election 3. Knowing you Election you will be enabled to give God the Praise of the Glory of his Grace This Grace is his Electing Love Those that know their Election their Hearts will be exceeding humble for they see nothing in themselves moving God to have a Love to them this will empty the Heart and lay it low and cause it to magnify Grace mightily Your Election may be known 1st It is an Act that is past and hath a Being in the Will of God from Eternity things that are to be known must have a certain Existence Election hath he knoweth who are his and he knoweth who are his only from his own good Will and Pleasure Rom. 11.34 Who hath known the Mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counsellor Now Election upon Condition is from a Man's uncertain fickle slippery mutable Will so can never be known and hath no Existence 2dly It may be known for it is an Act of God which he will not reverse nor repeal 2 Tim. 2.19 The Foundation of God stands sure the Lord knoweth who are his As sure as the Knowledg of God cannot be deceived so he cannot cast off them that he hath chosen The Foundation of God stands sure tho Professors fall and eminent ones yet not one that was of the Foundation of Election 3dly It may be known for God hath made known who are the Vessels of Mercy Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel confirmed it by an Oath His Counsel is made known to the Heirs of Promise by the Oath or Gospel 1 Thess 1.4 the Apostle saith he knew their Election and not by Revelation and Inspiration as he had the Doctrine which he was to deliver unto Men but he judged of Mens Persons by their Practice The Apostle Paul did so Acts 13.10 he judged him to be a Child of Satan because he did not cease to pervert the right Ways of the Lord. And so Peter Acts 8.23 of Simon Magus Thou' art in the Gall of Bitterness The Ground of it was because he thought the Gift of God was to be purchased with Money The Apostle speaks of the Assurance of Election putting himself in Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect Rom. 8.33 And again Who shall separate us ver 35. He speaks of Believers How knew he the Thassalonians Election by the Works he saw in them 1 Thess 1.4 5. For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only but also in Power And by the Works of the Gospel they might know as well as Paul nay better than Paul because the Work was wrought in them The Midwife knows that the Woman was with Child when she see the Child but the Mother that brought it forth knew it more certainly He that eats any thing knows the Savor better by his Taste than he that smells the Scent of it The Apostle judges by the Thessalonians Works they might judg of themselves more certainly than he he judged by external Actions and they had the internal Operation in themselves 4thly God calls upon to be sure of it puts us upon it engageth us to look after it Now if it could not be known then may it be said that God dissembles which cannot be said 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your Calling and Election sure Object But it will be said Many have been deceived and thought they have had Evidence of it when they have not they have taken these things for Signs in which there was no Light Answ Some have taken Brass for Gold Will it follow then that there is no difference betwixt those two Metals If Men have been deceived with false Coin they should learn to go try them at the Touch-stone 1. If you will know your Election it is required you should be those whose spiritual Senses are exercised to discern of things You must have a good Understanding of spiritual Matters Novices will not reach this Hypocrisy may be so finely drawn as that it may be taken for the Power of Godliness by Men that are good and counted great Men. 2. You must have the Counsel of the Spirit beside your own Understanding 1 Cor. 2.11 12. None knows the things of a Man but the Spirit of a Man that is in him so the things of God none knoweth but the Spirit of God and this Spirit which is of God is received that we may know the things that are freely given us of God 3. That you may judg aright you must judg by the Scripture not by Reason or Revelation or external Privilege or the Perswasion or Testimony of others or the Perswasion of a Man 's own Heart only First Not by immediate Revelation without the Scripture as some pretend Some think to know their State by Revelation so some poor Souls cry out sometimes O if they knew they were in the Number of them that should be saved why then they would believe They that hold that a Man is elected conditionally if they hold that God doth know before-hand who will do well and who will not yet they must hold no Man knoweth his Election but by immediate Revelation because as none knoweth what he shall do at the point of Death but only God so none but he can immediately reveal what he will do with us and what he will do then In these late Times some have made light of the Word of God as a low Rule as a Light in a dark Place as a Morning-Star only which withdraws when the Sun comes they have been given up to strong Delusion and they have seen they tell you Glory like to the Glory of the Son of God testifying to them that