these generally come and so are the Called but amongst them some are not Chosen the man was not which had not on a Wedding Garment and so all like unto him Namely such as though they come in some sort into the House as the First-bidden Guests refused to do yet they let not go their own Righteousness which are as filthy Rags that they might have the Righteousness which is through the Faith of Christ even the Righteousness of God by Faith that Robe of Righteousness Phil. 3. 9. Isa 61. 10. Or they so receive not the Grace of God as in coming to Christ to be Justified And Cleansed as Dan. 8. 14. from their Iniquities and Idols and conformed to the Mind and Image of Christ but while they pretend to seek to be Justified by Christ they themselves are found Sinners as Gal. 2. 17. And still remain altogether or in a great measure unsanctified in Heart and unreformed in Life while yet they profess to be Christ's Disciples and believe His Gospel These though of the Called as the First-bidden Guests were not so fully yet are not Chosen or Elect ones And abidâ—ng in this condition will have their portion in the Lake where their Worm dieth not and their Fire is not quenched Ver. 8. 14. By all which it plainly appears that the Elect are such as come to Christ and so come to Him as to deny themselves and prefer Him before and part with all for His sake And this is also confirmed by the like Parable and our Saviours Instructions in Luke 14. Where also after the Supper was prepared the Servant is sent forth to say to them that were bidden Come for all things are now ready And they all with one consent began to make excuse The first said unto him I have bought a piece of Ground and I must needs go and see it I pray thee have me excused And another said I have bought five Yoke of Oxen and I go to prove them I pray thee have me excused And another said I have Married a Wife and therefore I cannot come So the Servant came and shewed his Lord these things Then the Master being angry said unto his Servant go out quickly â— to Invite others And after he had signified his great displeasedness with those who refused to come to Christ when Called saying None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper he turned and said unto the great multitudes that went with him If any man come unto me and hate not comparatively his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sister 's yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple And whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14. 16 21 24 26 33. Which confirmeth what we have said and is agreeable to the Parable we are considering and sheweth that these are the Chosen ones who so come unto and after Christ as that they sell all that they have that they may be made partakers of Him And others that so do not but prefer other things in general or something else in particular before Him however they may be Called or of the Called yet are not while so doing of the Elect of Chosen Generation or the Subjects of God's Election As we have often said But God assisting we shall speak hereto a little more particularly and shew What Election and Elect signifie in Scripture And so we say First Election doth properly and frequently signifie a Chusing out or Taking out some from others And the Elect or Chosen are such as are Chosen out of or from others and so it is here And for our Understanding and Usefulness of the proper and direct Signification of these Words and Things we shall propound and give Answer from the Scriptures to these five following Queries viz. Que. 1. What is the Argument propounded for the effecting this Election Answ The Grace or Love of God manifested and everlastingly commended to us in this that He sent the Son the Saviour of the World even of Mankind And according thereto Christ came into the World and was made Flesh and was made Sin and by the Grace of God tasted Death for every man and is raised again for their Justification And hath Redeemed them from the Curse of the Law and obtained all the Fulness of Grace and Truth into Himself for them This Grace as discovered and made known to us by the Ministry of the great Kings Servants in and by the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God is the Argument propounded for Electing men So in this Parable to the end the Invited Guests might come into Christ and so be the Subjects of God's Election the King commandeth His Servants to tell them Behold I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and Fatlings are killed and all things are ready Come to the Marriage Mat. 22. 3 4 8 9 with Luke 14. 16 17. To this also agreeth what the Apostle Paul saith even so then there is a remnant according to the Election or Out-chusing of Grace A remnant like unto the seven thousand men in Elias his days who had not bowed the knee to Baal not Idolaters and False worshippers as the Elect some men speak of may be and continue a considerable time But such as are freed from and chosen out of such polluted ones and pollutions And that not by Works of Righteousness which they had done but by the Grace of God which is Saving or bringeth Salvation to all men Rom. 11. 4 6. And so the being Saved viz. From mens Sins and Idols is the same with this being Elected or Outchosen compare and consider 2 Thes 2. 10 12. with Ver. 13. And it is by the same Means or Argument effected viz. By the Grace of God as the Apostle signifieth to the Ephesians For after he had declared what polluted ones they were in Times past namely before they heard and received the Word of Truth he then puts them in remembrance how they got an escape from their Pollutions By Grace ye are saved And again By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God Not of Works lest any man should boast Ephes 2. 1 2 5 8 9. with Rom. 11 6. Yea the Lovers of God and God's Elect are signified to be the same Persons compare and consider Rom. 8. 28. with Ver. 33. Now How come men to be Lovers of God Certainly by the Grace or Love of God even His first Love discovered to them as the Apostle John saith He that Loveth is Born of God and knoweth God for God is Love But how doth this appear and whereby iâ— iâ— evidenced that He is Love In this was manifested the Love of God because that God sent His only begotten Son into the World that we might live through Him He sent the Son the
in due time inherit gloriously and are now by Faith Heirs of the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ James 2. 5. And so many are Called but few are Chosen choice Ones The greatest part will be refused and disallowed of God because of their own stubborn refusal of and disobedience to Christ 4. Elect or Chosen doth signifie in Scripture Beloved or Loved with a delightful and peculiar manner of Love So it is said The Sons of God saw the Daughters of men that they were fair and they took them Wives of all that they chose viz. delighted in or were well pleased with Gen. 6. 2. So these two words Chosen and Delighted in are used indifferently They have Chosen their own Ways and their Soul delighteth in their abominations Isa 66. 3 4. So whereas in the Prophet Isaiah it is thus said Mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth That Scripture is thus read and rendred by the Evangelist Matthew My beloved in whom my Soul is well pleased compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. Thus again Is it such a Fast as I have Chosen Wilt thou call this an Acceptable day Chosen and Acceptable or Well-pleasing are the same And Chosen signifieth a Delight or Delightsome day unto the Lord Isa 58. 5 6 with vers 13. So chosen in the Lord and beloved or beloved in the Lord are used indifferently by the Apostle Rom. 16 8 12 13. So it is here also Many are called but few are chosen few beloved or delighted in no more than come to Christ for they are beloved in him the beloved one Rom. 16. 8. Eph. 1. 6. Indeed God loves all men while it is called to day with a love of pity and compassion with a love of mercifull kindness and hath abundantly manifested it in that he hath given his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the World Joh. 3. 16. 4. 42. And as is evident in what he doth unto them thorow Christ Thus he loves them who hate him and hath therefore propounded himself as an example to be imitated by us to the end we might so see and follow him as to love and be mercifull to our Enemies and bless them that curse us c. Matth. 5. 44 45. Luke 6. 27 35 36. He so loves all men that he is not willing that any man should perish but that all should come to repentance Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. 33. 11. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. But yet though he love them thus and is pitifull and compassionate toward them and hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth but rather that he should turn and live yet notwithstanding he cannot delight in them that still abide in their ignorance and unbelief of the Gospel and are Enemies to his Son But contrarily he hates them with such an hatred as is opposed to a love of Well-pleasedness He that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with him The foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all the workers of iniquity Psal 5. 4 5. So he saith concerning Ephraim All their wickedness is in Gilgall for there I hated them for the wickedness of their doings Hos 9. 15. The wrath of God cometh and abideth on the Children of disobedience Eph. 5. 5 6. Col. 3. 5 6. And therefore none such are delighted in nor chosen while so abiding and coutinuing They wearied the Lord with their words who said He delighteth in them that do evil Mat. 2. 17. As they now do who say Such as are unbelievers Idolaters Adulterers profane persons drunkards and notorious sinners may while abiding such be the elect of God and loved of him with peculiar distinguishing love which is directly contrary to the Scriptures as hath been said which signifie that though God pity and is compassionate to foolish ones yet he delighteth not in them He hath no pleasure in fools Prov. 1. 20 22 with Eccles 5. 4. But now his Elect ones are such as he delighteth in and loves with peculiar manner of love Hence the Elect are such as are said to be beloved Col. 3. 12. All his delight is in them that are chosen out of the World and keep his Commandements and which are the excellent ones Psal 16. 2 3. They that are of a froward Heart are abomination to the Lord but such as are upright in their way are his delight Prov. 11. 20. 12. 22. All such and only such as love Christ the father loveth with delightfull love I speak of such are come to years of capacity and have the Gospel plainly declared to them As our Saviour himself signifieth saying For the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God such he loveth with such manner of love as that he calls and owns them as his Sons by faith And if Sons then Heirs John 16. 27. 1 John 3. 1. And such as these Christ loveth and delighteth in As he saith I love them that love me And as the father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love Prov. 8. 17. John 15. 9. But who are they that love Jesus Christ and so are the subjects of his and his fathers peculiar love his Elect ones in whom he delighteth They are such as when called come to and are ruled by Jesus Christ such as he not only commands but also they are commanded by him and obedient to him and so chosen as in the second sense of the word chosen before spoken to So saith our Saviour himself He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and be that loveth me shall be loved of my father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him And again If any man love me he will keep my Word and my father will love him and we will come unto him c. Once more If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love even as I kept my fathers Commandments and abide in his love John 14. 21 23. 15. 9 10. 1 John 2. 3 5. 5. 2 3 2. John 6. Truly God so loveth his Son Jesus Christ because he laid down his life for us that he might take it up again that he loves all them that love him with a delightful love they are his chosen ones with whom he is well pleased He gives unto them Eternal Life John 3. 16 18. Jam. 2. 5. And he so loveth his Son that he hates and cannot delight in them that are his Enemies and hate him He will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him Psal 89. 23. John 3. 36. Psal 16. 3. 4. And therefore while they abide such being not lovers of Christ they are not of the elect or chosen Generation Job 14.
the Waters and he that hath no money c. And to move them hereto He saith Behold I have given Him for a Witness For a Witness of His Love and Faithfulness He hath so loved the World that He hath given His only begotten Son to be the Saviour of it that all men through Him might believe John 3. 16 17. and 1. 7. 1 John 4. 14. And hence exhorts men To seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near Yea The Wicked to forsake his ways and the man of Iniquity his thoughts and to return unto Him and He will have Mercy c. Isa 55. 1. 4 6 7. Here is a good account and sure ground given in the Gospel both for the Servants to Call so as they shall not run at uncertainty nor fight as those that beat the Air But may both Preach to any man or every man as they have opportunity and Pray for them Without wrath though they be their Enemies and without doubting whether God bears any good Will to them or no For they may certainly know and conclude God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledg of the Truth Because Christ gave Himself a Ransome and Price of Redemption to God for all a Testimony in due time And for those who are Called who from hence may be Incouraged upon principles of Certainty and Truth to come unto Him in whom dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily and in whom is all Compleatness prepared and treasured up for us And whosoever believeth in Him shall never be ashamed nor confounded Luke 6. 27 36. 1 Cor. 9. 26. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6 8. And so much for the first Inquiry Secondly By whom are the many Called By the Servants Instrumentally and Ministerially and especially by the Apostles in these last days For as we have said our Saviour in this Parable speaketh Prophetically of the Gospels being Preached unto Jews and Gentiles after He had finished the Work the Father gave Him to do upon the Earth And after His Death Resurrection Ascension Receipt of and sending forth the Holy Spirit in His Name in and by which His Apostles were fitted and furnished to Preach the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery For until then the Servants had not Commission and Furniture to Preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ And though when Christ was risen from the Dead He gave Commission to His Apostles to go into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature of all the Nations yet they were by Him commanded to tarry at Jerusalem until they were Indued with Power from on High that they might be fitted and inabled to put in Execution that Authority and Commission they had received Mark 16. 15. Mat. 28. 18 19. Luke 24. 47 49. And then they were to be Christs Witnesses unto all men of what they had seen and heard And yet though by the Servants here are meant the Apostles principally yet not only For the Bride in general saith Come And he that heareth is commanded to say Come Rev. 22. 17. And so the many are Called by the Servants of the King indefinitly though principal Respect is had to the Apostles So much is plainly signified to us in this Chapter that the many Called are called to this Marriage and Marriage-feast by the Servants So it is said as with respect to the Jews The King sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding Mat. 22. 3. Again He sent forth other Servants Ver. 4. And when the first invited Guests refused and dispitefully used them he saith to his Servants The Wedding is ready but they which were bidden were not worthy Go ye therefore into the High-ways c. Sâ— those Servants went out into the High-ways and gathered together all as many as they found Ver. 8 9 10. And indeed it is the Work of the Faithful Servants of the great King not to Commend or Preach themselves but Jesus Christ the Lord 2 Cor. 4. 5. And not to Disciple men unto themselves but to call and Espouse them to one Husband that they might be presented as a chaste Virgin unto Christ Acts 20. 28 30. 2 Cor. 11. 1 2 3. Their great Business is to bear Witness of Christ of His Sufferings and of what He hath thereby done and obtained into Himself and is become and is And of what He is now doing both from Heaven in the Name of the Father to us And in Heaven with the Father for us And what He will do hereafter John 15. 27. Acts 5. 30 32. 1 Pet. 5. 1. Heb. 13. 7 8. And not to proclaim their own goodness as the most men do Prov. 20. 6. that men might admire them or have their Faith standing in their Wisdom Goodness or Holiness 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. Acts 3. 12. But to Confess Praise and Call men unto Him in whom dwelleth all the Fulness that in coming unto and believing in Him they might of His Fulness receive and Grace for Grace But though they are called by the Servants instrumentally yet not by them only The King sends them not alone on this Errand of His but He accompanies them by the Light Influence and Power of His Blessed Spirit in their plain and faithful Ministration So much in former Times was signified to us As in that Scripture like to this and whereto it may seem our Saviour referreth in this Parable Prov. 9. 1 3. Wisdom hath Builded her House She hath hewen out her seven Pillars She hath killed her killing She hath mingled her Wine She hath also furnished her Table She hath sent forth her Maidens She crieth upon the highest places of the City c. Though She sent them forth to call others into the House yet Her Presence goes along with them And not only they Cry and Call but also She crieth Doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding put forth her Voice She standeth in the top of High places She crieth at the Gates of the City Unto you O men I Call and my Voice is to the Sons of Man She sends forth her Spirit in and with Her Servants that they might be successful Instruments in Her hand Prov. 8. 1 4 5. with Chap. 1. 20 23. So our Lord Jesus when He gave Authority to His Apostles to Disciple all Nations c. To Incourage them unto this their Service and against all their Discouragements He graciously assureth them that He would be with them always and not at some times only unto the end of the World And that He was faithful who promised another Evangelist informs us saying they went forth Preaching the Gospel every where the Lord working with them Mat. 28. 18 20. with Mark 16. 15. 20. Hence they are said to be Workers together with Him 2 Cor. 6. 1. And he that despiseth and rejecteth His Servants in their faithful Ministration of the Gospel rejecteth not Man but
and irrespective Predestinating or Decreeing from Eternity a determinate and set number of Persons in a personal consideration to Believe and be Saved And that these All and these Only shall Inevitably and Infallibly obtain the Salvation in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory Nor are the Chosen and Elect ones here spoken of the subjects of such a purpose or Predetermination as this is such an Election and such Elect ones are none of God's But the Doctrines and Notions here-about proceed from the Vain Corrupt and dangerous Imaginations of mens Hearts out of which proceeds naturally all that is evil And that by God's Election and Elect ones such a thing is not meant will appear if we consider 1. That Calling in the sense intended in the Text is always placed before Election when they are mentioned together either in the Order of Expressions or however in Order of Nature So it is here in this place we are considering as also in Mat. 20. 16. For many be Called but few Chosen Thus again 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure To the former also agreeth Rev. 17. 14. They that are with the Lamb are Called and Chosen c. To the same purpose also the Lord Speaketh unto Jacob by the Prophet Isaiah Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the Earth and Called thee from the Chief men thereof and said unto thee thou art my Servant I have Chosen thee c. Isa 41. 9. Indeed in 2 Thes 2. 13 14. Chosen is there placed in words before Called But it evidently appeareth to any Judicious and Unprejudiced Reader that in that place Called goeth before Chosen in Order of Nature for thus the Words are God hath Chosen you from the beginning unto Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto namely unto which Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth in which they were Chosen He Called you by our Gospel c. It is very clear that in order of Work though not of Word Called went before Chosen For if they were Chosen in the Belief of the Truth And men cannot believe on Him of whom they have not heard nor hear without a Preacher of the Gospel then it necessarily followeth men must be Called by the Gospel before they can Believe and so before they are Chosen Rom. 10. 14 15. And so in the Order of Nature this agrees with the other Scriptures forementioned Now though the order of expressions simply when but at sometime onely so placed proveth nothing yet when the same order is alwayes or generally so observed by the Holy Ghost it is worthy our consideration and not lightly to be passed over by us Gen 48. 5. 20. Indeed ofttime in Scripture for some good reason those persons or things are mentioned last in words which otherwise should have been before spoken of because the Holy Ghost would begin with them again or speak more fully of them So Believing is put after Confessing in one Verse but then it is begun with and first mentioned in the next Rom. 10. 9 10. So Jesus Christ is placed after the seven Spirits because He is largely Described and Treated of in what followeth Rev. 1. 5 6. And thus we might shew in many other places But neither of these can be affirmed concerning the order of Words in the Scripture we are speaking to for it is the Conclusion of our Saviour's Speech in this Parable nor of the rest mentioned 2. That by Election is not meant such a Purpose or Decree as is before spoken of nor by the Elect here the subjects of such a Decree may appear further in this that those who were afterward Elected or made of the Chosen Generation were not of it in former times To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Ye are a Chosen or Elect Generation a Royal Priesthood c. Which in time past were not a People but are now the People of God which had not obtained Mercy but have now obtained Mercy 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Where it plainly appeareth that Ver. 10. sheweth They were not formerly such Persons as he affirms them now to be in Ver. 9. Now ye are Elected or Chosen but in times past ye were not so even in the time past when they walked in Lasciviousness Lusts excess of Wine Revellings Banquettings and abominable Idolatries Chap. 4. 3. To the same purpose also the Apostle Paul speaketh as with respect to Jews and Gentiles Rom. 9. 24 25 26. I will call them my People which not only were not called but were not my People And her Beloved or Elect compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. which was not Beloved or Elect. And indeed men are Chosen in Christ as afterwards we may shew But there was a time when Paul who was after Converted a Chosen Vessel was not in Christ and then he was not an Elect or Chosen one Ephes 1. 4. with Rom. 16. 7. So the Preacher also signifieth that such as not at present Elected may be so while it is called to day in that he saith Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth or of thy Elections as others do also rightly read it that is either 1. In the days of thy Elections whilst thou mayest chuse Life chuse the best part which shall not be taken from thee Deut. 30. 19. Luke 10. 42. Or 2. In the days of thine Elections when thou mayest be Chosen though at present thou art not there are days for that in which such as are not Elected may be so while it is the day of his Grace and Patience Eccles 12. 1. Yea in our Types the very precise time is intimately set down when God chose Israel Ezek. 20. 5. Thus saith the Lord God in the day when I chose Israel And sometimes Chusing is mentioned in the present time As Blessed is the man whom thou Chusest and causest to approach unto thee Psal 6 5. 4. 3. It is further evident That God's Elect are not such manner of Persons as many would perswade us they are For they who plead for such an irrespective or absolute purpose affirm That the Elect were Chosen before the World in a personal Consideration and so remain such when Born into the World and while they abide also in their Ignorance and Unbelief and Disobedience to God They suppose though it be not manifested that prophane Persons Drunkards Whoremongers Unbelievers yea Persecutors of Christ and His People may be of the Elect. But however they are some mens Elect they are not the Elect of God For the Elect of God are such as are Holy and Beloved Col. 3. 12. The Elect Generation is an holy Nation 1 Pet. 2. 9. God's Elect are such as to whom there is no Condemnation as the Apostle intimateth when he saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that Justifieth who shall Condemn It plainly appeareth that God's Elect
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
24. Paul was not so while he was anememy unto him 〈◊〉 persecuter of them that called upon his name But he with others found favour and was made accepted in the beloved one in coming unto and believing in him Eph. 1. 6. with Luk. 1. 28. 30 5. And lastly By Chosen ones in our types are often meant and signified such as were souldiers and were pithced upon and imployed to fight the battells of the Lord against their enemies or more generally such as fought against their enemies Military men are hereby meant and sons of valour who were indued with courage and strength to go forth against and contend with their Adversaries such are often called Elect or chosen ones so Joshua Chose out Thirty Thousand mighty men of valour to go up against Ai Joshua 8. 3. So David gathered all the chosen men c. 2. Sam. 6. 1. And Abijah set the battell in aray with an Army of valiant men of warre even four hundred thousand chosen men Jeroboam also set the battell in array against him with Eight Hundred Thousand chosen men being mighty men of valour 2 Chron. 13. 3. 17. So oft time it is taken in this sense Judg. 20. 15. 16. 34. Psal 78. 31. c. And thus also this sense may be accommodated to these words few are chosen namely few there are who betake themselves unto and fight manfully under the banner of Christ against their spirituall enemies with the weapons of Gods warfarre few there are who so love and cleave to Christ as to endure hardness as his good soldiers to deny themselves and take up their Cross and follow him To watch stand fast in the faith quit themselves like men c. 2. Timoth. 2. 1-3 4. 1 Cor 16. 13 14. Rev. 17. 14. Few love his gospel so well though called by the trumpet of it as to leave the world as it were and be valiant for the truth earnestly contending for the faith 〈…〉 striving for the faith of the Gospel against the world and against that sin that dwelleth in them and those fleshly lusts after their Merchandise Farms c. And against the Devil And so in this consideration they are not chosen men But this sense may not so well as the former suit with the scope of this place And therefore it is the more briefly spoken unto Thus we have also spoken unto the Affirmative part in the first thing propounded to be considered from the latter part of this verse and shewed who are Gods elect ones namely such as are by the grace of God chosen out of the world into Christ and abide in him such as are commanded appointed and ruled by his law the law of faith such as are more excellent then others choice ones precious in his sight and account such as are the subjects of his peculiar love and delighted in by him And such as come unto and follow after the Captain of our salvation fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternall life In a word his people in a peculiar consideration all hearty and unfeigned beleivers are the elect and chosen ones here intenâ—ed by our Saviour The Nation the blessed Nation whose God 〈◊〉 the Lord is the people which he hath chosen for his own Inheritance Psal 33. 12. and 105. 43. Such God hath chosen who are rich in faith as Jam. 2. 5. hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world but not all the poor nor any that have not faith but such as are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him And as in order of nature Christ the prime elect and root of election was first Gods servant to finish the work in own personal Body which the Father gave him to do before he was his Chosen or Elect one Isai 42. 1. Phil. 2. 8 9 John 3. 35. with chap. 10. 17. So also as with respect to others who are Chosen in Christ They are his Servants before they are the Subjects of Election hence the same order of expressions is used frequently concerning them As thou Israel my servant Jacob whom I have chosen Isai 41. 8 9. and 43. 10. And again Hear 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 Jesurun or righteous people whom I have chosen Isai 44. 1 2. and 65. 13. 15. And these only are Gods Elect and chosen ones and the persons intended in this Text we are speaking to and such as abiding faithfull unto the death shall in due time receive the Crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him and look and wait for the appearing and coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as his Grace teacheth and instructeth Jam. 2. 5. with chap. 1. 12. Titus 2. 11 13. And what we have said of this Electioâ— or choosing and who arâ— not and who are the subjects of Gods Election as in the Scripture of truth plainly appeareth may be of usefulness to us 1. To preserve or redeem us from that evil and hurtful Notion and Doctrine of personal Election in a personal consideration which some call the Gospel of Election In which Men think and teach that God hath from Eternity Decreed and purposed a set determinate number of Persons in a personal consideration to Believe and be saved And that all such shall in due time be brought in to Believe and be Converted by an invincible and irresistable Power And that Men may be of this number and the subjects of this purpose who are Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers Effeminate Abusers of themselves with Mankind Theeves Covetous Drunkards Extortioners c. Yea and Persecutors Blasphemers and Injurious ones while abiding such Yea that some abiding such till almost their departure out of this world are yet and continue the Elect of God and his Chosen ones This is a very groundless Scriptureless and Pernicious Doctrine And that which renders the Cross of Christ foolishness For if Men were absolutely decreed to Salvation before the consideration of Christs interposing himself and humbling himself to death the Death of the Cross This Decree might also have been as righteously put into Execution without it And so as the Apostle saith in another case which is as true in this Christ dyed in vain or without any just cause which thought and imagination is to be rejected by us as that which renders needless his precious Blood And represents Gods love to his only begotten Son to be very small or indeed none at all In that he put him to so much grief and spared not him but delivered him up to death for our offences when there was no Absolute necessity for it And blemishes his Wisdom also not to speak of his other Atributes Seeing if this Doctrine were true God could have saved those he intends
in him Hebr. 10. 38. with ver 26. Those that died for their unbelief and murmurings when they were almost come to the borders of the Land of Canaan fell short of the typical rest as well as they who were upon the same account cut off presently after they came out of Aegypt though they had continued longer in following the Lord and endured much more hardship then the latter Even so such as have put their hand to the Plow and continued it there a good while and suffered many things will yet-deprive themselves of the reward if they bring not forth fruit unto the end All their former hearing believing professing well doing and suffering will in conclusion be in vain to such as these Gal. 3. 4. Phil. 2. 12-16 Luke 9. 62. Oh that the consideration hereof may admonish and provoke us all To be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing in thus doing and continuing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord But Christ will present us in the body of His flesh unblameable and unrebukeable if we continue in the faith rooted and grounded and be not moved from the hope of the Gospel c. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Col. 1. 22 23. Gal. 6. 9. so shall we not be like the thorny-ground hearers Lastly Some there are who receive the Word into the good ground even such as hear the Gospel and understand And therein they are better then the first sort of hearers compared to the way side And they receive the seed in an honest and good heart and therein they are preferred before the second sort of hearers who are compared to the stony ground Yea and also they keep it and bring forth fruit with patience and perseverance In a patient continuance in well-doing they seek for Glory and Honour and immortality And unto them in due season God will render eternal Life Rom. 2. 6 7. These all bring forth fruit unto perfection though not all alike but some an hundred fold some sixty and some thirty Yet they continue keeping the seed the good Word of God and suffering it to bring forth fruit in them and to make them fruitful even unto the end And herein they are differenced from and do more worthily then the third sort of hearers compared to the thorny ground Though they indeed for some time yea possibly for some considerable space of time some of them however did retain the word of the kingdom but before the harvest came they grew weary fainted in their minds so deprived themselves of that reward of the inheritance of which otherwise they might and should have partaken And so are compared to and in conclusion become like the thorny ground compare Matth. 13. 18-23 with Mark 4. 14-20 Luke 8. 11-15 Now in this Parable our Lord confirms the truth of what He affirms in the Parable we are considering a part of to wit that few of the many who are called are chosen Among the many hearers of the word of the kingdom there were three sorts that in conclusion received the grace of God in vain And one sort only that received and retained the love of the truth to be saved thereby Our Saviour in this Parable of the several grounds speaks not of the heathen who have not the Oracles of God committed to them nor the Gospel of Christ plainly preached among them nor of such as hear such instructions as cause to erre from the words of knowledge and such foolish ones as have not the lip of knowledge For no good fruit can be expected from such foolish persons and such Doctrines And therefore the Holy Ghost hath councelled us to go from the presence of such vain talkers and to cease to hear such instructions which are so hurtful Prov. 14. 7. 19. 27. But He speaks of such persons as were hearers of the good Word of God the word of Truth the Gospel of our Salvation which was spoken unto them and sown in the hearts of them by the good sower the Son of Man And yet amongst these hearers there are but few who are the called according to purpose Oh how few are there that are indeed redeemed from the Earth and from amongst men and who faithfully cleave unto and follow the Lamb that was slain whithersoever he goeth And the Reason why there are so few chosen is not as we have said and may again also shew because the most were reprobated or past by in a personal consideration from Eternity Or because no true and saving Grace was vouchsafed unto them for both these are false But because they strive not or abide not striving to enter in at the strait gate But against all the discoveries convincements reproofs and operations of the Spirit in the Gospel walk on in or return again unto the broad way in which there are such multitudes who hold fast deceit and refuse to come unto Christ in His way So much our Saviour signifieth when He saith unto His Disciples Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat Why so Because strait is the gate and narrow it the way which leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it Matth. 7. 13 14. And again when one said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved Though our Saviour gives not a direct Answer yet He signifieth in His Answer That few comparatively are so and intimately declareth That mens not being willing to enter in at the strait gate or not to do it in the present time is the Reason For He said not to him only that propounded the Question but indefinitely unto them that heard Him Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luke 13. 22-24 He doth not here signifie that there was no gate for such as in the event go to destruction nor that it was not opened but plainly giveth us to understand that there was a gate and that it was so opened that any man might enter therein Joh. 10. 9. Yea that it was held open all the day of Christ's mediation in that it presently followeth when once the master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the door c. Luke 13. 25. clearly implying That the door was not shut until that time to wit while the day of God's Grace and Patience is continued and men are joyned to all the living But He evidently signifieth that the reason why few are saved is because they strive not or will not strive to enter in at this strait gate Ezek. 33. 31 32. The gate is indeed strait A Man in entring must deny and renounce himself daily his sinful and fleshly lusts that war against the Soul his wisdom righteousness will designs and enterprizes his covetousness and love of the World and the things thereof his
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
of Christ which is therefore also called the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 9. 14. 10. 22. 12. 24. To this purpose the Apostle Paul saith How shall we that are dead to sin by the death of Christ live any longer therein Know ye not that so many of us as were Baptized into Christ were Baptized into His Death into His personal Abasement Sufferings and Death whereto He was Abased and which He suffered for our sins 1 Pet. 3. 18. And how shall we then continue in sin God forbid let not such a thing be ever done by us The beholding sin in the Blood of Christ did fill them with an abhorrency and detestation of their sins Rom. 6. 1-3 And by the precious blood of Christ the Apostle Peter signifieth the Believers to whom he wrote were redeemed from their vain conversation in which sometimes they walked when they walked in Lasciviousness Lusts Excess of Wine Revellings Banquettings and abominable Idolatries 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. with chapt 4. 3. Hereby they were called out of Darkness out of themselves who were sometimes darkness and out of their sinful and polluted condition and ways into Gods marvellous light and so were made of the elect and chosen generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. with Eph. 5. 8. Yea and in the cross of Christ the vanity and emptiness of our Idols is discovered to us and therefore it also evidenceth the great iniquity of those men who prefer vain things before the Lord of Glory Herein is made known and shewn unto us the vanity and unprofitableness of the world and the riches thereof In that we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. They that trust in their Wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his Bâ—other nor give to God a ransome for him Psal 49. 6-8 In the Cross of Christ is also discovered to us the bruitishness of our Wisdom and Knowledge In that this Wisdom was not found in the land of the living how we might be redeemed brought back to God from whom we were banished Job 28. 12-21 2 Sam. 14. 14. nay not only so but our judgment stood cross and contrary to that blessed way and means which God hath in His Wisdom and Pity found out and devised that His banished might not be expelled from Him Joh. 12. 31. 16. 11. And herein the Honour and Glory of this World is manifested to be vain and without â—…vail as to our acceptance with God in that Christ refused it and was made as the filth of all things His Visage was marred more then any mans and His form more then the Sons of men He received not Glory from men but He was a reproach of men and despised of the People Joh. 6. 15. 5. 41. Isa 52. 14. 53. 2 3. Bsal 22. 6 7. Herein is declared to us That the friendship of this World is enmity with God In that our Lord Jesus was hated and villified by the World disallowed rejected and refused by the men of it as one that was judged altogether unworthy and unmeet to be loved and delighted in by them Joh. 7. 7. chap. 15. 18. 17. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 4. Herein we may see the unprofitableness of our own works of Righteousness and of all we can do or perform in any wisdom and strength of our own to justifie us and render us acceptable in the sight of God in that Christ must needs have suffered For if Righteousness could have come by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2. 21. The Holy Spirit in Glorifying Christ and taking of His things and shewing unto us doth convince the World of Righteousness and shews unto us the vanity and unavaibleness of ours in that He is gone to the Father and we see Him no more Joh. 16. 10. And such a discovery of the vanity of our Idols are we called unto in the Sufferings of Christ That no flesh might glory in the presence of God 1 Cor. 1. 29-31 but that thorow His Cross the World in the Riches Wisdom Honour Glory Customs Fashions Friendship Righteousness c. might be Crucified unto us and we to the World Gal. 6. 14. That we might not love the World nor the things that are in the World 1 Joh. 2. 15. And indeed in the Cross of Christ God hath wonderfully stained the pride of all our gloryings and brought into contempt all the honorable things of the Earth and World that we might not set our hearts upon them nor glory in our enjoyment of them nor covet after them nor trust in them seeing they were not crucified for us nor contributed any thing to our being delivered from that so great a Death under the sentence whereof we were fallen nor to the procuring and obtaining eternal Redemption for us 1 Pet. 1. 23-25 with Isa 40. 6-9 1 Cor. 1. 13. 2. Yea and unto Christ are men called by His faithful Servants in their preaching to them the Gospel as unto one in whom all things are ready and prepared for them Mat. 22. 4. Luk. 14. 17. Even all things appertaining unto and in which consists the Kingdom of Heaven and so unto such things as are infinitely better then our Sins and Idols unto those spiritual blessings in Heavenly things wherewith God hath blessed us in the Person of His Son Eph. 1. 3. unto Him are we called who is the desire of all Nations In whom there is that which may answer unto and satisfie all their desires And in whom is to be found by way of eminency and excellency that which they desire after and seek for in wrong objects and in such crooked Paths as in which they can find no peace Hag. 2. 7. To Him are men called in whom there is fatness to delight their Souls a river of pleasures of which they may drink and drink abundantly In whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Psal 36. 7 8. Col. 2. 3. In whom is everlasting Righteousness and Strength Prov. 8. 18. Isa 26. 4. with whom are Riches and Honour Prov. 3. 16. yea Glory and Honour that hath Immortality joyned with it Rom. 2. 7. In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And in Him is all compleatness prepared for us Col. 2. 9 10. Unto Him all things are delivered of the Father even all that the Father hath is His Luk. 10. 22. Joh. 16. 14 15. And so He is evidenced to be more precious then Rubies yea that all the things men can desire are not to be compared unto Him In whose right hand is length of days even Life for evermore And in whose left hand are Riches and Honour Prov. 3. 13-16 And therefore is the excellency of Him and the preciousness and compleatness of that provision in Him declared and made known to us To buy us off from those things which are sinful
and unprofitable And to make us willing to come unto Christ and for his sake to deny our selves and take up our Cross and follow Him that we might be of the very Elect. He setteth before us in the Gospel His all things that we might forsake our all things all that we have That Christ might be the Portion of our Souls Luk. 14. 17-26-33 He doth hereby outbid all other things and renders them evil and unprofitable that we might for this treasure hid in a field when discovered to us and found by us sell all that we have and buy that field Mat. 13. 44. Hence He calleth hear for I will speak of excellent things such things as far excell those things you are apt to set your Hearts upon and the opening of My Lips shall be right things Receive mine instruction not silver and knowledge rather then choice gold for Wisdom is better then Rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it Riches and Honour are with Me yea durable Riches and Righteousness My fruit is better then Gold yea then fine Gold and My Revenue then choice Silver Prov. 8. 6-10-20 21. Now then for Men to prefer their sins and vanities before Christ To prefer their sinful lusts and pleasures or their Oxen Farms Merchandize Wives Righteousness or any other of their own things before Him in whom God hath prepared such an excellent and incomparable feast And in whom is such a true compleat and eternally blessed and glorious provision of eternal Life and all Spiritual and Eternal Blessings And to do thus also after they have been called unto the Sufferings of Christ in which is given such a clear discovery of the odiousness and abominableness of mens lusts and iniquities unto God And therefore also of the absolute necessity of their being washed and cleansed from them without which they must be everlastingly unhappy and miserable And in which Cross is also clearly manifested the vanity and worthlessness of all those objects and things in which naturally they are seeking rest contentment and happiness to their Souls Yea and to do so after they have been called unto Him in whom are and are discovered to them infinitely better things then any of those for the sake whereof they pollute themselves and by which they are hindred from coming to Christ that they might have Life and be the Subjects of Gods Election What can such desperate and unreasonable folly be but an highly provoking iniquity to the King who loves His Son so inconceivably dearly and hateth sin with an everlasting hatred And what else can this be in such unworthy refusers and slighters of such Grace but an inexcusable iniquity What is this iniquity less then that found with the Jews who preferred a Murderer before the Lord of Glory seeing such prefer such things as will tend to their everlasting destruction before Him yea in some respects it is much greater And yet how do many who cannot speak of their evil without the greatest dislike and detestation yet justifie their act in overpassing the deeds of those evil ones as Jerusalem is said to have justified her Sister Samaria Ezek. 16. 51 52. Be astonished O ye Heavens at this saith the Lord and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate For My People have committed two Evils they have forsaken Me the Fountain of living Waters and hewed them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no Water Jer. 2. 12 13. 17 13. Such a blessed object are men called unto by the Gospel And such is the Nature of Mens iniquity who come not unto Christ and therefore are not chosen because they prefer lies and vanity before their own mercy And thereby it appears their sin is exceeding sinful greatly displeasing and wholly inexcusable that they are not Elected If we further also take in and consider what followeth 2. That the called are not chosen appears also to be a great iniquity if we consider the plainess and revealedness of the call as compared with that which was in former times vouchsafed Christ by His Servants hath now used great plainess of speech and not as Moses which put a vail over his face to signifie the vailedness and darkness of that ministration in former times 2 Cor. 3. 12 13. The mystery that was hid from Ages and Generations is now made manifest and revealed unto His Holy Apostles and Prophets by His Holy Spirit as formerly it was not made known unto the Sons of men Col. 1. 25 26. with Eph. 3. 3-5 God having one Son His well-beloved He sent Him forth last of all and spake unto us by His Son whom He hath appointed Heir of all things and reserved this Honour for His Son that by Him in His Personal ministration and by the ministration of His Apostles the true light should shine more brightly and clearly then it did in former Ages He hath come a light into the World who is the Sun of Righteousness And by Him the Gospel hath been preached according to the Revelation of the mystery Rom. 16. 25 26. so as now in the Gospel of Christ as now revealed Jesus Christ is evidently set forth as one that hath been crucified for us His Sufferings the greatness and preciousness of them are brightly pourtrayed before us therein Gal. 3. 1. And we all with open face may behold in this glass in this most clear medium the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. And now the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation to all men hath appeared and been brightly manifested as in former times it was not It was witnessed in former times in the Law and by the Prophets But in this was manifested the Love of God because God sent His only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow Him Tit. 2. 11. 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. and answerably sin is now rendred more odious then it was in former times especially the sin of the World upon a new account The Holy Spirit saith our Saviour shall convince the World of sin of sin because they believe not on Me Joh. 16. 8 9. As also now the holy spirit is poured forth upon all flesh to wither it and to stain the glory and goodliness of it Acts 2. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 23-25 1 Cor. 1. 17-20-29 Yea now there is a more plain declaration and discovery of the Subjects of Christs Redemption and of the love of God therein then formerly was given forth to wit that it is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners sinners indefinitely without exception or exclusion of any 1 Tim. 1. 15. That Christ by the Grace of God tasted Death for every man And gave Himself a Ransome for all And is the Saviour of the World Heb. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 2. 6 7 Joh. 4. 42. 12. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 14. And on this ground Christ by His Servants doth beseech men and perswade