The Progress of Saints to Full Holiness, Verse 24

The Progress of Saints to Full Holiness · Verse 24

p. 332VERSE 24. Faithfull is hee which calleth you, who will also doe it.

OVR Apostle here answereth a secret objection that the Thessalonians might make. How should we be blamelesse untill the comming of Christ, seeing we have all Satans power against us, and the violence of the world, and our selves are in a most changeable condition? Our Apostle assures them of perseverance in these words, by three arguments; none of which are taken from their owne priviledge, piety, or power, but from most sure grounds, all seated in God himselfe: and they are three.

1First, from his faithfulnesse and truth: Hee is faithfull.

2Secondly, from the effect of his faithfulnesse already begun: Who hath called you.

p. 333Thirdly, from the conclusion of his worke begun: 3Who will also doe it: That is, Hee will finish and perfect his gracious worke begun.

The first Argument prooving their perseverance, is from the nature of God, Hee is faithfull. Here are two questions:

1. Quest. Why the Apostle mentions Gods faithfulnesse in this place?

Answ. 1. To bring to their mindes the promise of perseverance, and holde it before their eyes: for Gods faithfulnesse ever hath respect unto some promise. Now this promise of perseverance is in Ier. 32.40. I will put my feare into their hearts, that they may not depart from me: and Hosea 2.19. I will marry thee for ever unto me in faithfulnesse. And in this promise they must seeke their stedfastnesse.

2. To assure them that his prayer for perseverance was a prayer of faith, and grounded upon Gods promise; for no other prayer can have either comfort or assurance. 1 Iohn 5.14. This is the assurance, that if wee aske any thing according to his will, he heareth us. Matth. 21.22. Whatsoever yee aske, if ye beleeve, ye shall obtaine it. And thus hee teacheth both them and us to frame our prayers, if we would speede in our suites, namely to looke at the promise before we pray.

3. To set God before them in such a manner, as they may apprehend him not onelyonly true in himselfe, in his word and promises; but one that will not frustrate the faith and hope of such as waite and depend upon him, but will carry them out to salvation.

p. 3342. Quest. How must wee conceive God to be faithfull?

God is said to be faithfull foure wayes.Answ. God is said to bee faithfull foure wayes:

In himselfe,

in his decrees,

in all his wayes and workes,

in all his words and speeches.

1. Hee is faithfull in himselfe, by an uncreated faithfulnesse and truth it selfe, by one eternall and simple act;Differences between faithfulnesse in the Creatour, and in the creature, 4. and differeth from all created truth and faithfulnesse, and truth in the creature.

First, because this is the Ocean and full fountaine, from whence all the faithfulnesse and truth in men and Angells issue and streame.

Secondly, this is the rule and measure of that; and the nearer that their truth comes to this, the more compleate it is.

Thirdly, this is unchangeable in the Lord, in whom is no shadow of change: whereas in the creature it is changeable. The Angels that fell were faithfull, but soone changed: Adam by creation was faithfull to his Creatour, but soone changed and departed from it. But the Lords faithfulnesse is unchangeable as himselfe is.

Fourthly, whereas that in the creature is at least comparatively imperfect in part, and weake; in God himselfe it is in most high perfection.

2. He is most faithfull in all his decrees, for the counsells of the Lord must stand, and must certainely be executed, both for manner, and times, and all circumstances as hee hath decreed them: Esay 14.24. The Lord hath sworne, Surely as I p. 335have purposed it shall come to passe. See verse 27.

3. Hee is faithfull in all his wayes and workes, which all of them are according to those decrees most holy and righteous. Psal. 145.17. The Lord is righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his workes. As for example:

Looke on him in the great worke of creation, he is a faithfull Creatour, 1 Pet. 4. ult.

In the worke of redemption, we have a faithfull high Priest in things concerning God, Heb. 2.17. who faithfully performes all his office, both in expiating of our sinnes by one perfect sacrifice in earth, and now interceding before God in heaven.

In the great worke of our justification, we behold him just and faithfull to forgive our sinnes if wee acknowledge them, 1 Iohn 19. for God is so faithfull that he cannot but justifie beleevers, having said that hee that confesseth his sinnes, and forsaketh them, shall finde merciemercy, Prov. 28.

In the great worke of protection and preservation of his Church in earth, He is faithfull and true that judgeth and fighteth righteously, Revel. 19.11.

Yea and in heaven, his faithfulnesse upholds their eternall happinesse, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have beleeved, and hee is able to keepe what I have committed to him against that day.

4. Hee is faithfull in all his words and speeches: because,

1. They be the issue of a most faithfull and righteous will, void of all insincerity and unfaithfulnesse.

p. 3362. Never was word uttered by him, but it declared both the thing in it self, and as it was in the minde of him the speaker.

3. Every word of his resembles his faithfulnesse. As, first, his commandements are all just, holy, true and pure as hee is; yea the rule of truth and faithfulnesse to us, Psal. 19.9. Secondly, his predictions all of them are faithfully accomplished many thousand yeares after: as, Christs incarnation in the fulnesse of time: The Scepter departing from Iudah, thousands of yeeres after the prediction, Gen. 49.10. Thirdly, his menaces and threatnings are most faithfull and true. The olde world found them so after an hundred and twenty yeares warning. Ierusalem overthrowne 40. yeares after our Saviour foretolde, that not a stone should be left on a stone. Fourthly, his promises are most sure of accomplishment, and his faithfulnesse shines in them all. Abraham had a sonne promised in his youth, God accomplished it in his age. Israel had a promise of departing out of Egypt after 400 yeares, and the same night went out with all his armies, Exod. 12.41. Hebr. 10.23. Hee is faithfull that hath promised.

Doct. God most faithfull.God is most faithfull and true. 1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithfull by whom ye are called: 2 Cor. 1.18. God is true, and his word is not yea and nay. Revel. 19.11. He that sits upon the white horse is called faithfull and true.

First, because of his most just and righteous nature,Reas. 1. whose most righteous will is the rule of all his wayes, Psal: 145.17. And because himselfe p. 337is absolutely holy, yea holinesse it selfe, hee must be holy in all his workes, as a light in whom is no darknesse; from which image of God so soone as the Angels themselves fell, they delighted in lies, falshood, and all unfaithfulnesse.

Secondly, 2because hee is most perfect and unchangeable in perfection, a nature most simple, in which can be no composition, much lesse contrariety. Now if the Lord should be unfaithfull, he must be changed from himselfe, and so denie himselfe, which the Apostle saith he cannot doe, and be God.

Thirdly, 3his most pure and holy affection makes him most faithfull: his love to his children suffers him not to disappoint them in any of his promises; his just conceived displeasure against sinne and sinners suffers not one word of threatning to fall to the ground: his zeale to his owne glory makes him magnifie his truth and faithfulnesse above all things.

Fourthly, all imperfection is removed from him,4 No imperfection in God to hinder his faithfulnesse. which makes the creature often faile in his purposes and promises: as,

1. Want of wisedome to foresee something, which if it come to passe doth disappoint us, & lay all our plots in the dust. But he is wisdome it selfe, foreseeing all things, and forecasting all things, and ordering them so, as nothing shall crosse his purpose or promise.

2. Weaknesse or impotency may hinder us in effecting that wee verily purposed or promised. But strength is his, nothing can resist him: Is any p. 338thing impossible to God? Luke 1.47. no, though he say, a Virgin shall conceive and beare a childe, it must be so, if all created nature say contrary.

3. Distance of place may make us faile of our purpose and promise: wee cannot be present alwayes where we would and have purposed. But hee is omnipotent, fills both heaven and earth: Whither shall I flie from thy presence? If I ascend into heaven thou art there: if I goe downe into hell, thou art there, &c.

4. Discontinuance in time may hinder our projects and purposes, wee may die before wee can performe our promises. But hee is for ever, and of his yeares there is no end; his owne eternall being gives an everlasting being and truth to his promises.

Vse 1.Is God faithfull? 1. Imitate our heavenly Father herein, in all our words, workes and wayes, expresse faithfulnesse and truth; seeing wee professe our selves children of him who is faithfull and just in all his wayes. Let not us by contrary courses disclaime and disgrace him: But,

First, see that all our words be faithfull as his are,Our words must be faithfull as all Gods are, 4 Reas. agreeing with the truth of the thing whereof we speake, and with the truth in our mindes: Beware of all lies and falshood in earnest, or in jest. Consider,

1. It is a property of Satans broode to love lies, whereof he is the authour, whose first sinne was, not to stand in the truth: if wee would be like unto God, wee must hate the Divells qualities, especially wherein hee is most contrary to God.

p. 3392. God hates lying, so as hee rangeth it among most monstrous sinnes, that wee also should so hate it, Revel. 21.8. and 22.11. and fly it as a most hatefull and enormious offence.

3. The stile of a Christian is to be of the truth, being sanctified by the spirit of truth: And a marke of the remnant of Israel, that they speake no lies, Eph. 3.13.

4. The danger: God will destroy all them that speake lies, Psal. 5.6. and not onelyonly keepes them out of the gates of the great Citty, but provides a lake of fire and brimstone for them, for being most unlike God of all men, they shall be cast furthest from him.

Secondly, b…ware of slipperinesse in our promises IIand covenants: All the promises of God are in Christ yea and amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. our promises also must be yea and amen, firme and faithfull. Alas! that in the dayes of such light, men should be so light and false in promises, so unfaithfull in contracts and covenants, that words and bands almost are but winde, as if mens honest words should be as sure as bands onelyonly in dayes of darknesse and superstition; or as if the word of truth had chased away true and faithfull dealing among the professours of it: or as if Christian faith and fidelity could not live together in the same world, nor in the same age. Doth nature teach a man to be ashamed of a verball lie, and doth not grace much more of an actuall?

Thirdly, we must be faithfull in our actions and IIIwayes, and in both our callings both generall and p. 340speciall. Be faithfull in thy profession of godlinesse, lurke not as an hypocrite among the Saints, carry no treacherous purpose to save thy selfe by denying or betraying the truth; give it thy heart, hand, and tongue, and life, if it require it: beware of a politique profession, never let thy practise disagree from thy profession. Consider, Christ professed a good profession before Pilate, and sealed it with his life and death, 1 Tim. 5.13. and wilt thou so nourish any secret fraud in thy heart contrary to thy profession? and Paul telleth Timothy, hee had made a good profession and a faithfull before many witnesses. And this is a most necessary doctrine, we know not how soone we may be called to it, therefore learne it betimes, that we may be like our heavenly Father in faithfulnesse, not onelyonly in times of prosperity, but in times of tryall; for a Christian man is that indeede which he is in tryall: let us shew our selves to bee that wee seeme to be.

Then in thy speciall calling be faithfull: Christ was a faithfull high Priest in things concerning God, Heb. 2.17. and Moses was faithfull in all the house of God as a servant, Heb. 3.5. So it is required of every Minister or dispenser of the secrets of God, that hee be faithfull, 1 Cor. 4.1. the steward of Gods house must be faithfull to his Lord, and to his family. It is not great pompous titles that commends a Minister, but his faithfulnesse: Prov. 13.17. A faithfull Messenger is health.

And in thy private calling deale faithfully with all men, and in all things, both great and p. 341small; so doth God, who is not the rule onelyonly, but the witnesse and judge: 1 Thess. 4.6. Let no man defraud his brother, God is the avenger of all such things.

4. In friendship be faithfull: God is most faithfull IVto his friends, in prosperity, in adversity, in life, in death. Be faithfull especially in the fellowship of the Gospell, specially aiming at holinesse as the Lord doth; and to draw thy friend along to heaven with thee, and helpe him out of sinne, else a sorry friend art thou. But how farre we from this, among whom it is so hard to finde a faithfull friend, who in civill things will sticke to a man in adversity? Where is to be found the friendship of David and Ionathan?

Among Heathens we reade of a Daman and Pithias, of a Pylades and Orestes, of an Euryalus and Nysus, of an Achates, who was a faithfull friend to Aeneas, and would not leave him in danger. But few such are to be found among Christians, among whom faithfull friendship is degenerated into pollicy and flattery. The Heathens could say that they used not fire or water oftner than friendship; would Christians could say so of faithfull friendship: and yet they seeme to pull the Sunne out of heaven, who would take faithfulnes from friendship in the lives of men. Would to God that Christians had not forgotten these naturall principles. We all professe our selves to be of the family of Christ, would it were with us as in that, that but one of twelve were unfaithfull to God and their friend. But wee see the p. 342contrary too too often.

V5. In communicating to thy brethren be faithfull, lay out thy Lords talent faithfully, as a wife and faithfull servant, whom the Lord may make ruler over his house, Luk. 12.42. Hast thou much? many talents? be faithfull in much, and thou shalt finde much faithfulnesse in the Lord. Hast thou little? be faithfull in that little, and thy Lord shall make thee ruler over much: when it shall be said, Well done good and faithfull servant, &c. Matth. 25.23.

Oh that men would remember the doome against the evill servant, Matth. 25.30. Cast the unprofitable servant into utter darknesse. Why was he judged so severely?

1. Because an hypocrite comes among the good servants, and receives some talents.

2. Having his talent, hee hideth it in the earth, earth eates him up and buries him alive.

3. He is unprofitable, hinders his Lord, and makes him a loser, and doth no good to others; all which makes the sentence as just, as severe, and certaine.

Vse 2.2. This faithfulnesse of God is the ground of all true religion, and hereupon must the whole frame and all parts of it be laid.

This appeares in five instances. 1. In all the doctrine of faith. 2. In all the practise of faith. 3. In all the prayers of faith. 4. In all profession of faith. 5. In all perseverance in faith.

I. Al the doctrine of faith is grounded on Gods faithfulnesse.First, we must ground all the doctrine of faith, all, the articles of faith, all our judgement and p. 343opinion in matters of faith upon this faithfulnesse of God; and this by holding fast in them all the faithfull word, Titus 1.9. for that onelyonly is the true religion, which is wholly grounded upon his word, who is unchangeable in truth and faithfulnesse.

How could we beleeve all the Articles of faith, which are unconceivable, and impossible to reason, if we ground them not upon Gods faithfulnesse in his word? How should we conceive that the heavens and earth were created of nothing? that the Sonne of God should become man? should be borne of a Virgin? should by dying overcome death? by descending into hell should deliver from hell?

How should wee beleeve that our bodies cloathed with corruption, and wrapped in deaths garments, should rise againe to eternall life? which Article the Sadduces mocke at? if wee should not apprehend them as the word of him that is faithfull and true?

Contrary hereto, the maine pillars of Popery are set upon the unfaithfull words of men, of Fathers, Councels, Traditions, Popes: Whereas, Rom. 3.4. Let God be true, and every man a lyer: Be he Father, or holy Father, further than hee speakes according to the faithfull word. Nay if an Angel from heaven speake otherwise, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.8.

Nay, the Popish Church is so farre from acknowledging this faithfulnesse of God in the Scripture; as it never found a greater resister p. 344or opposite among the sects, and opposite heresies in the world: For, bring in either Iewes or Turkes, or any kinde of heretickes more vilifying Gods faithfulnesse in the Scripture, and Papists shall not be the worst.

But did ever any of them accuse the Scripture to be a nose of waxe? the authority of it to be no better than Esops Fables, without the Churches determination? to be a leaden and a Lesbian rule? to be a seed-plot of heresies, and they to be heretickes that stand to the voice of the Scriptures? Doe not they call the Bible the booke of heretickes? doe they not burne the Scriptures, as sometime did wicked Asa, Antiochus, Maximinus? Have they not burned Christian men for having them? Let any such furious heretickes against Gods faithfull word be brought in if they can: But certainly Papists must carry the bell above all other in the world, for standing opposite to the faithfulnesse of God in the Scripture, and be the most hereticall, as who shut the doore against the truth, according to Chrysostomes rule, Haereticorum haereticissimi, qui claudunt januas veritati. Chrysost.

II. All our obedience of faith must be grounded on Gods faithfulnesse.Secondly, on this ground wee must lay all our practise and obedience of faith: Both in respect of the object of faith, and the manner of mans oobedience.

1. For the object: We must therefore beleeve the whole word of God, contained in the Law and Gospell, because it is of the nature of God himselfe, immediatly flowing from that eternall truth p. 345and faithfulnesse conceived in the minde of God who is unchangeable. This is the argument of the Scripture: Because by faith we give him the honour of truth, and we set our seale to God that he is faithfull, Ioh. 3.33. And thus he also honours us to give witnesse to his faithfulnesse: and contrary, not mingling the word with faith, we make him a lyer, (namely, so farre as wee can) because we beleeve not the record that the Father witnesseth of his Sonne: and this is the ground why we must beleeve the Scripture to be the word of God, because wee doe beleeve it to be true and faithfull as he is faithfull.

2. For the act: because Satan himselfe beleeves historically the Scripture, and acknowledgeth Gods faithfulnesse in it, we must specially apply the parts of the word to our selves.

First, the promises, all which because he is faithfull he will performe to a thousand generations; not onelyonly beleeving them true in themselves, but even to us, else wee deprive our selves of them, seeing he promiseth nothing to unbeleevers. Yea not onelyonly beleeving and applying them; but on the same faithfulnesse of God grounding the hope and expectation of all those promises which thy faith hath already apprehended: For what is it else but this faithfulnesse in God that makes our hope never leave us ashamed? Where had Sarah strength to conceive and bring forth a sonne, being past age, but because shee counted him faithfull that had promised? Hebr. 11.11. That is, she knew that whatsoever God had promised, p. 346he would faithfully performe: and Heb. 10.23. Let us keepe fast the profession of our hope, for faithfull is he that hath promised.

Secondly, we must also beleeve his threats, for though he use sometimes lenity and patience to vessels of wrath; yet his faithfulnesse suffers not the least jote of them to be unaccomplished. Zeph. 3.5. The just Lord is in the middest of her, early, even early will he bring forth judgement, and will not faile.

Hath the faithfull Lord covenanted wrath with the sinner? Hearest thou his word let fly plagues as thicke as haile against the transgressours, and thinkest thou to escape? Was his faithfulnesse never yet impeached, and shall it be so for thee? Hearest thou that a large booke of curses comes flying into the house of the swearer, and darest thou sweare? and into the house of the thiefe, and darest thou be unjust? Surely if God have not lost all his faithfulnesse, thou shalt certainly finde it: this is the act of faith.

3. For the manner of obedience of faith: when the eye of the soule is once lifted up to behold this faithfulnesse of God, it will bestirre it selfe with diligence in well-doing. By this argument the Apostle inciteth the Iewes, Hebr. 6.10. God is not unfaithfull to forget the labour of your love: and Matth. 10.42. The giving of a cup of colde water hath promise of a recompence, and his faithfulnesse will make it good. No just Prince can forget the faithfull service of his subject: Ahashuerosh at length remembred Mordecai his good service: p. 347much more will our God who is faithfull. Eccles. 9.15. Wee reade of a poore man who by his wisdome delivered the Citty, but hee was forgotten in that Citty. But God because hee is faithfull is never so forgetfull of him that doth good in the world.

VponUpon this ground we must lay all our prayers of faith; so our Apostle here in the Text:III. All our praiers of faith must bee grounded on Gods faithfulnesse. for Gods faithfulnesse onelyonly gives us confidence of obtaining our suites. Our owne unfaithfulnesse in the Covenant might choake us in our suites, and stoppe our mouthes, and cover our faces with shame: But it is Gods faithfulnesse that undershores us, seeing his promise hath bound him to be found of all them that seeke him truly. Therefore Daniel, 9.16. in the name of the Church having disclaimed all their owne righteousnesse, bindeth God from all his displeasure: Lord according to all thy righteousnesse let thy wrath be turned away from thy Citty and Sanctuary. This will answer all the objections wee can make against our owne prayers.

Object. I am unworthy to pray, or be heard, and my prayer is as unworthy as my selfe.

Answ. True, but Gods faithfulnesse gives worthinesse to both.

Object. But my sinnes hinder good things, they are a partition wall, and stoppe my prayers.

Answ. Begge remission of sinnes, beholde hee is faithfull and just to forgive thee, 1 Iohn 1.9.

Object. I have no comfort of my prayer, nor deserve any.

p. 348Answ. Cast thy selfe on this faithfulnesse of God, trust thy selfe with him, Commend thy selfe unto him as to a faithfull Creatour, 1 Pet. 4.19.

Object. But I see no meanes or way of escape or deliverance.

Answ. Pray as David, Psal. 31.1. Deliver me oh Lord according to thy righteousnesse: that is, that faithfulnesse whereby thou defendest thine owne children according to thy promise.

Object. But I see nothing but present death on every side, and am even cast on my death-bed, creeping into the grave.

Answ. Now behold this faithfulnesse and be safe; it will make thee in peace and silence to commit thy selfe wholly to him in life and death: Psal. 31.5. Into thy hand I commit my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me oh Lord God of truth.

IV. All sound profession of faith must be grounded on Gods faithfulnesse.VponUpon the same ground lay a sound profession of faith. Sound profession stands in two things.

1. A constant profession of truth.

2. Pure and upright conversation.

To uphold both these, behold Gods faithfulnesse.

Is God so faithfull in his word and promises; let us then boldly confesse, and constantly embrace his faithfull word. 1. Because it is of the nature of God, truth and faithfulnesse it selfe: Why should wee be ashamed to holde out this faithfull word, as many Politicians be? what neede a man be ashamed of the truth? Remember what Truth hath said, Hee that is ashamed of me in my sayings before men, I will be ashamed of him p. 349before my Father and his holy Angels.

2. How dare men fall off from the truth of the Gospell to Popery or profanesse after the knowledge of it? what change is in the truth, that they should change their mindes and turne from it? Have not we a sure word of the Prophets and Apostles, 2 Pet. 1.19. which is as immutable and unchangeable as God himselfe is?

3. How venterously doe men goe on in their sinne, notwithstanding the light of the word, checking their consciences, reprooving their wayes, as if some part of the faithfulnesse of it should be abated to them? Is it not an eternall word that endureth for ever as God doth, of which not one jot can be any more diminished, than the very essence of God himselfe can? How dare wicked men come unto the hearing of the word, professing obedience, and listen with such attention, as if they would catch the word out of their teachers mouth: but their contrary course in all their actions plainly witnesseth, that they take no more good, nor no more expression of it in their lives than if so many bruit beasts came to Church, void of all understanding. Certainly if the word be true which they heare and professe, either must they be as men dead in their tombes, who understand not nor beleeve any thing; or mad men, that beleeving it runne so wickedly against it.

4. How desperately doe numbers resist and repell the true and faithfull word? as Iannes and Iambres resisted Moses, 2 Tim. 3.8. so be there in every p. 350Congregation resisters and adversaries. 1 Cor. 16.9. The Apostle Paul having a great and effectuall doore opened, yet found many adversaries, yea the greater doore open, the more adversaries. And how can it be other, seeing 1. it is the property of truth to beget hatred: Never was the Sunne so beset with clouds, as this word with enemies; and all the reprobates in the world fight against the light, as the Priests and people, Iewes and Romanes, and all, persecuted and crucified Christ the faithfull witnesse and teacher of his Church;Revel. 3.19.Rev 3:19 so it is not to be marvelled if true teachers that stand in the roome of Christ meete with adversaries proud and stiffe, and implacable, wronging them in their names, in their meanes, devising base and unworthy shifts to binde their owne hands from their good, as void of reason as themselves be of conscience and equity: But their comfort is, (which the Lord armed Ieremy with) they shall fight and not prevaile, for truth is strongest, and that shall conquer.

2. In sound profession is upright conversation, and this also is upheld upon consideration of the Lords faithfulnesse. Gen. 17.1. I am God All-sufficient, walke before me and be upright: hee hath given his word for our safety and welfare in this way, and he never broke with his children. Be there never so many discouragements, persecutions and difficulties in this way of uprightnesse, his faithfulnesse and truth shall be thy shield and buckler, Psal. 91.4.

p. 351VponUpon the same ground of Gods faithfulnesse wee must lay all our perseverance in the faith;V. All our perseverance in the faith is grounded upon Gods faithfulnesse. so our Apostle in the Text layes his ground of prayer for perseverance upon the faithfulnesse of God: and 1 Cor. 1.8. hee doth assure the perseverance of the Saints from the same ground: God will strengthen you to the end, that ye shall be unblameable unto the day of our Lord Iesus, for faithfull is hee by whom ye are called.

This faithfulnesse of God will answer all objections against perseverance.

Object. Alas! I am plunged in the pit of temptation with such foule and violent temptations, as I shall never be able to holde out.

Answ. Now looke upon this faithfulnesse of God, waite a while: 1 Cor. 10.13. God is faithfull, and will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but with every temptation will give an issue.

Object. Alas! were I faithfull, God would be faithfull enough; but I am unfaithfull in the Covenants, and start aside continually.

Answ. But mans unfaithfulnesse cannot make him unfaithfull, he hath promised that he will support the Saints, and put under his hand, that they shall never be removed, nor utterly cast downe: and mans faithfulnesse is not the cause of his perseverance, but Gods faithfulnesse, who gives his Spirit that they shall never depart from him: they beare not the roote, but the roote beares them. The seede of God keepes them that they commit not sinne, 1 Ioh. 3.9. they preserve not their graces, p. 352but their graces preserve them; they cannot comprehend him, hee can comprehend them, and by his power preserves them to salvation.

Object. But alas! he is so long absent from my soule, that I must needes faint.

Answ. Canst thou not discerne his presence, yet behold his faithfulnesse that will not suffer him to be so farre from thee as thou thinkest; God is within call if thou pray to him; but if thou canst neither call nor pray, yet groane and sigh after him, for the Lord heares the very sighes of his servants: O Lord, my sighes are not hid from thee, Psal. 38.9.

2. If he seeme further off, or stay long, it is not ad exitium, but ad exercitium, onelyonly to try thee: as a father may try his childe, but his love lets him not leade him further into danger than hee will leade him out againe; the childes trouble is the fathers crosse, and in our trouble hee is troubled, Esay 19.5.

Object. Oh, but I finde many potent and politicke enemies in my way, Satan, sinne, and the worlds violence, so I feare I may fall short in the end.

Answ. But Gods faithfulnesse will defend his owne, he is a faithfull shepheard, and as David, will rescue and recover his sheep out of the mouth of the Lion and Beare. Psal. 91 4. Hee will defend thee under his wing, his faithfulnesse and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. In the world yee shall have affliction, Iohn 16.33. as sure as on the sea are tossings by huge waves and windes, and stormes p. 353rising and raging against the passenger, insomuch that billowes shall seeme to overwhelme them: But be of good comfort, I have overcome the world, ye shall put safe into the harbour.

The second Argument confirming the perseverance of the Thessalonians, is drawne from the grace bestowed on them already: Who hath called you. Where for the meaning are these things to be considered: 1. What calling is here meant? and 2. How the Apostle knew that they were called? 3. Who it is that hath called them?

1. Quest. What calling is here meant?

Answ. There is a twofold calling to grace: 1. externall, 2. internall.

The first is common to hypocrites & reprobates:Differences betweene effectuall calling and ineffectuall. the latter proper to the elect. The former is a calling only according to meanes: the other according to purpose. The one being external, brings men into the visible Church: By the other being internall, men are called into the invisible Church. The one is effectuall to salvation, we being by it united to Christ the head: the other ineffectuall, tying us onelyonly to the members.

The one flowes from election, 2 Pet. 1.10. Make your calling and election sure: the other doth not, Matth. 20.16. For many are called, but few are chosen.

The one brings to illumination of knowledge onelyonly: the other to illumination of faith.

The one brings to be professours of Christ; the other to be members of Christ.

The one can onelyonly restraine corruption for a p. 354time: the other changeth the heart and life from evill to good for ever.

Now our Text meaneth of inward and effectuall calling:

First, because it flowed from election, chap. 1.4. Knowing that yee are elect of God.

Secondly, because to them the Gospell was not in word onelyonly, but in the power of the holy Ghost, and in much assurance, whereby they answered the calling, verse 5. and chap. 2.13. they received it not as the word of man, but as it is indeede the word of God.

Thirdly, it is such a calling as must hold out unblameable. This is a severing of the elect from the world, to become members of Christ by faith, Ioh. 15.19.

II2 Quest. How knew the Apostle they were chosen, and effectually called? for God onelyonly knowes who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19.

Answ. God onelyonly knowes who are his by himselfe, What way a man may know the calling of another.and from himselfe, but men may also know, to whom he pleaseth to reveale it.

2. God onelyonly knowes who are his ex priori, by seeing and searching the heart, and trying the reines, Ierem. 17.10. But though hee know onelyonly by the roote, men may know by the fruite, Mat. 7.27.

3. God knowes onelyonly by the judgement of certainty, infallibly: but ordinary men can know onelyonly by the judgement of charity.

4. God knoweth his collectively, that is, the whole university of his chosen, and no meere p. 355man or creature can in this sence know who are Gods.

Now for the Apostles knowledge of their effectuall calling, know,

First, that the Apostles had a gift Apostolicall, whereby they were enabled sometimes to discerne the finall estates at least of some particular men: but this was by extraordinary revelation. This is not here meant.

Secondly, our Apostle here walketh not onelyonly by the judgement of charity, but of certainty: for he saith not, we hope or charitably conceive, but we know ye are the elect of God, 1 Epist. 1.4.

Thirdly, hee attained this certaine judgement of their effectuall calling by the same ordinary meanes, whereby ordinary men may also be perswaded of their effectuall calling, and consequently of their salvation.

Quest. By what ordinary meanes did the Apostle discerne it?

Answ. 1. He saw it in the instrumentall cause of their effectuall calling, and their carriage towards the same, chap. 1.5. they were not onelyonly called by the voice of the Gospell, but they answered that call, for the Gospell was not to them in word onelyonly, but in power, in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

2. He saw it in the effects of the Gospell manifest in them; as in their effectuall faith, patience, hope, diligent love, which are assured and infallible tokens of effectuall calling, verse 3. chap. 1.

3. In the sound and sincere affections changed p. 356by the Gospell, such as are joy in the holy Ghost, patience in afflictions, yea joy in suffering the afflictions of the Gospell, chap. 1.6.

4. In their Christian and holy conversation, they followed the examples of the Apostles, and set themselves as examples to all that beleeved in Macedonia and Achaia, chap. 1. verse 8.

Now what is it to be a sound Christian, but by faith to be set into the head, and by love into the body of Christ; and by hope into the very fruition of the glory purchased by Christ, from which alone the Apostle concludeth them to be the elect of God, verse 4. chap. 1?

Every Christian may and ought to know his owne effectuall calling, 4 Reasons,Now by the same ordinary way may every Christian, yea and ought to know his owne effectuall calling: for else,

First, those exhortations were vaine, 2 Pet. 1.10. 1Give all diligence to make your calling sure.

2Secondly, either should we want the Spirit, or the Spirit should be wanting in his office; who is therfore given, that by him we might know the things given us of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. one of the first whereof is our effectuall calling.

Thirdly, the change by effectuall calling is so 3great, as it were strange it should not be discerned; it is a setting of prisoners to libertie, Luke 4.18. Can a man come out of a dungeon of ignorance, infidelity, and snares of sinne, and be restored to so glorious liberty of the sonnes of God, and not discerne it?

It is the opening of blinde eyes, Acts 26.18. Can a blinde man be restored to sight, and not p. 357know it? Iohn 9. One thing I know (saith hee that was blinde) that whereas I was blinde, now I see.

It is the quickening of the dead, and raising of the buried in their graves. Can hee that is dead, cold Lazarus be raised to life after foure dayes, and move, and walke, and doe all the actions of life, and not know it? Can a man be quickened with heavenly life, and move and walke towards heaven, and not know it?

May not a beleever know his owne faith, and thereby his calling, which ever goes with inward calling? Mark. 9.24. Lord I believe, helpe my unbeliefe: hee discerned in himselfe the first motions of conversion and faith.

Fourthly, Can a man have any comfort of any 4action or duty of Christianity, for which hee wants a calling? how could he assure himselfe of comfort and acceptance in any thing, if he be not sure he is come to Christ, and have yeelded himselfe to his voice and call?

Quest. But may a man alwayes know the time of his calling and conversion?A man cannot know alwayes the time of his calling, 3 Reas. or may hee know himselfe at all times after to be effectually called?

Answ. 1. Though some may know the very 1time of their conversion, and answer to Gods call, yet it is folly to be curious to know the day or houre of it. It is all that the Scripture requires, that we may know our selves truly called of Iesus Christ: although we know not precisely the time when.

Neither be foolishly censorious that another p. 358is not converted, because he cannot point the very time of his conversion. I know a tree was planted, because I see it growne, greene and fruitfull, though I know not the time and houre, nor yeare when.

Consider, first, it is often with Gods children as with ours, who are so weake and fraile in the birth, that they know not whether they are born; nor for long time after discerne that they are borne, yet afterwards they come to know their life and birth. And so may Gods childe in the instant of the new birth for weaknesse and impotency not know it.

Secondly, the Spirit bloweth where it listeth, but knowest thou the way of the winde, or how the bones grow? Eccles. 11.5. The way of the winde is unknowne in this, that a man cannot justly determine the first moment of the first blast of it: so cannot a man sometimes directly set downe the precise time of his conversion. This freedome of the Spirit allowes him to winde himselfe secretly into our hearts, and to come stealing upon us, sometime without any noyse, as Christ came in upon his Disciples, the doore being shut.

Thirdly, the casting in of this grace into our hearts is compared by Christ, Marke 4.26. to the casting of seede into the ground; so is the kingdome of God: as if a man should cast seede into the ground, & should sleep & rise up, and the seed should spring and grow, but he knowes not how. Which plainly sheweth, that although the Spirit p. 359may come rushing in with a mighty noise of wind as Acts 2.1. yet he is most free to come in what manner he pleaseth, and so still, as that a man cannot alwayes set downe the precise time of his comming.

2. For the second: Whether a man once called alwayes know his calling?

Answ. In ordinary course a Christian knowes:A man truly called may sometimes not know the calling it selfe, in two cases. But in anomolons and extraordinary cases and times, a good Christian may hardly, or not know it at all: as

First, in a strong fit or pang of temptation, which is to the soule as a swooning to the body, 1wherein a man lives, but knowes not that he is aliue: nay he will seeme to himselfe and others as quite dead. So a Christian disguised by temptation may implead his owne calling, and yet recover well, and come to himselfe againe.

Secondly, after some grosse or grievous sinne, 2God leaves his owne with terrours of heart to call great things into question: sinne as a boysterous storme shakes the foundations, and leaves the sinner as a man in a trance or extacie, stunned and senselesse for the time by some great fall. Now may the Christian doubt of his calling, and of Gods favour, till he have made up his peace againe by repentance. But yet by the cherishing of faith and graces a man may ordinarily retaine the comfortable assurance of his good estate in grace.

The efficient of this calling is God, Hee who calleth.

p. 360III1. Effectuall calling depends upon his purpose, and is called a calling according to purpose, It is God onelyonly that can call effectually, 5 Reasons.Rom. 8.28. for as he purposed the end, so also the meanes tending to the end.

2. The power is his, and argues the worke onelyonly to be his. It is a worke of new creation: who can create a new heart but he? he calleth things that are not, as if they were. Who can set light in the middest of darknesse, but hee that said, Let there be light, and it was so? But effectuall calling is a translating us out of the power of darknesse into his marvelous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. and the Apostle ascribes it to this power, 2 Corinth. 4.6.

Who can fashion man to his owne image, and repaire that image decayed, but hee that made it at the first? Surely hee onelyonly can inspire a new life into the face of the soule by effectuall calling that quickeneth the dead, Ephes. 2.1.

3. The meanes is his, even the voice of God in the mouth of his servants: Wisdome cryeth in the streetes, Prov. 28. Hee that …eareth you, heareth mee, Luke 10.17.

4. The answer to the meanes is his, and by the worke of his mighty power. Who can make a dead man heare a voice but he? Iohn 5.28. The houre is that the dead shall heare the voice of the Sonne of God and live.

5. The estate whence and whither we are called declares it to be from God alone. To free us from the servitude of sinne, death, the Divell, the p. 361world, hell and condemnation, implies a more mighty power, than all these put together; even that divine and mighty power, that bindes the strong man, and casts him out of his hold.

And whither are wee called? even to the grace of the Gospell, Galat. 1.6. to fellowshippe with Iesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1.9. to an holinesse above the first Adam in innocency, and to the happinesse of the second Adam in the kingdome of glory: and this can onelyonly be the worke of God. 1 Pet. 1.10. The God of all grace who hath called us to his eternall glorie: an excellent worke, where is such a workman.

Hence 1. See what is effectuall calling. It is 1a powerfull worke of God, calling persons to bee what they were not: of sinners to become Saints, of enemies to become sonnes; as Saul being called to bee a King… was changed into another man, and another Spirit was put upon him. So the Lord puts forth upon every convert another spirit agreeing with the condition to which he is called.

And hence it followes, that if the Lord call so powerfully, hee leaves it not in our power whether wee will come or no; as the late refined Pelagianisme would perswade us. Who can resist an almighty power? which is put forth in effectuall calling: can the creature resist the Creatour of it selfe? can the dead resist and not come forth of the grave, at the voice of the Sonne of God?

p. 362Labour to feele the mighty power of God in our effectuall calling, by 4 signes.2. We must labour to feele this power of God working in our effectuall calling; not conceiting our calling to be a matter of opinion, or imagination of things absent: but labour to finde the same power in our selves, which raised Christ from the dead.

First, by acknowledging the voice of Christ in the Ministery: Cant. 2.8. It is the voice of my beloved.

Secondly, by answering the call, as Samuel, Speake Lord, thy servant heareth. Acts 9. Lord, what wouldest thou have mee to doe? Acts 26.19. I was not disobedient to the voice.

Thirdly, by daily separation from the corrupt 3and profane of the world: thou hopest for heaven, but hast no calling to it, that cannot be got out of earth, that traducest men, and cannot away with this strict company.

4Fourthly, by conjunction with the body of Christ not as wennes, or wooden legges, but as quickened members.

3. Despaire not of others, though farre runne on in their evill: their conversion is but a call of God; it is as easie for him to create new hearts, and regenerate them, as for us to call a man by his name: he can quickly call that which is not, as if it were, which the Apostle applieth to the conversion of the whole body of the Gentiles, who lay in a wofull ruinous condition.

4. For our selves, be thankfull that the Lord hath vouchsafed to call us out of our naturall estate, to an estate of grace and glory. For a man p. 363to give an hand to the maimed, an eye to the blind, were thank-worthy: but to give the hand and eye of faith to a sinner, yea to give life to the dead is another manner of worke. See how the Apostle Peter, 1.1.4. breakes out into the praise of God for this blessing above all other.

All rivers runne into the sea, and all blessing to the full sea of blessing; if wee must blesse him for the least temporall blessing, much more for spirituall and eternall blessings; for blessing us in our soules, blessing us in his Sonne, and in the blessings of the Gospell: here is a rich grace on Gods part, an undeserved grace on our part, who were found when we sought him not; a durable grace, seeing his gifts and calling is without repentance, the same power upholdes the worke that set it up, Rom. 11.29.

From effectuall calling,Doct. From effectuall calling a Christian may certainly conclude his owne salvation. 5 Reasons. a Christian may certainly conclude his owne salvation. Rom. 8.29. Whom hee calleth he justifieth, and whom hee justifieth he glorifieth. And from calling we may rise to election, as the Apostle implies, 1 Cor. 1.26, 27. and here in the text, He hath called you, and he will doe it. And why?

1. Because of the nature of this calling. What 1is it but a drawing of men out of the state of sinne and death, into the state of grace and eternall life? Coloss. 1.13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darknesse, and translated us into the kingdome of his deare Sonne: from kingdome to kingdome, from an eternall state of death to an eternall state of life and glory.

p. 36422. Gods eternall love is hidden with himselfe till effectuall calling discover it. And hence it seemes to be called a calling according to purpose, not onelyonly as flowing from it, but also declaring, that whosoever are thus called, God purposeth eternall good to them; and they may know it shall be made good to them, because this purpose is infallible, and immutable.

33. Effectuall calling is a giving of man by God to Christ to save, Ioh. 6.37. Every one that the Father giveth unto me, commeth unto me, and him I cast not out. If then thou knowest thou art once given to Christ, thou knowest thy salvation: For this calling of God is without repentance, Rom. 11.29. this gift is never cast away.

4. A man naturally ariseth from the effect to 4the cause, from the fruite to the roote, from the streame to the fountaine: then in like sort may a man conclude of Gods eternall love by effectuall calling, which is a fruite of that roote, a streame of that fountaine of predestination to eternall life. And whereas wise men may by likely meanes judge of the end, much more may a Christian by the infallible meanes judge of the certaine end, God leading him by this meanes to the principall end, which nothing can frustrate, seeing all things fall out to the best to them that are thus called according to purpose, Rom. 8.28.

55. As in the Law, he that had first fruites, might expect the harvest, so he that is effectually called hath begun his salvation already, hee hath begun the heavenly…life upon earth: Iohn 3.36. He that p. 365beleeveth, hath eternall life, and is translated from death to life. And as the earnest penny confirmes the whole bargaine amongst men, so the earnest of the Spirit gives us assurance of full holinesse, and full happinesse, because he that hath begun a worke of grace in us, will performe and finish it to the day of Christ, Phil. 1.6.

And this reproves not Papists onelyonly who deny that a man may be sure of his salvation without extraordinary revelation: but even Protestants,Vse 1. who resolve never to trouble themselves about it: they will leave all to God,The extreame folly of those that neglect the assurance of their salvation, 4 Reas. and will not enter into his councell, but rest in a good opinion and ungrounded hope, in which if it happen well, they have well. But what a folly is this?

For, first, What man in any outward title or tenure will content himselfe with uncertainties, if he may be certaine of a good estate? we would hold him a man distracted, that would offer to claime and hold house and land without evidences and conveyances. Is any man richer, because he dreames he is rich? So to dreame of the wealth of grace, enricheth none.

Secondly, What is the use of the whole Gospell, but to be Gods embassage, certifying us of his free grace, in electing and saving us? what other use than to bring us peace of conscience through justification of faith? and what peace without assurance? 1 Iohn 5.13. These things have I written unto you that beleeve, that yee may know you have eternall life. So as the end of all Scripture is not onelyonly to know that there is an p. 366eternall life, but that beleevers have it.

Thirdly, Why are wee commanded to give all diligence to make our election sure, 2 Pet. 1.10. if it be either needelesse or impossible? When Christ commands us to rejoyce that our names are written in the booke of life, doth he not imply, that a man may know it? and convince us that the want of this joy is by our owne default?

Fourthly, a man neglecting or despising this comfortable assurance, perverts the whole Ministery. Doest thou pray for remission of sinnes, and not beleeve it? thy prayer is a dead carcasse. Doest thou professe in the Creed, thou beleevest remission of thy sinnes, and by not caring to beleeve it, give the lie to thy profession? Doth the word preached command thee to beleeve in the Lord Iesus Christ, and that thy Redeemer liveth, who loved thee, and gave himselfe for thee? and wilt thou sticke in an idle conceit, as if it were needlesse to wade into this deepe? Are the Sacraments but as seales set to blankes without this assurance, and is it yet needlesse? Doth the Apostle say that hee that knowes not that Iesus Christ is in him, is a reprobate, and is it an idle or a needlesse thing to prove it? 2 Cor. 13.5.

Quest. But where may I come to this assurance?

Answ. We send not men to poare upon the doctrine of predestination, nor to soare up to heaven, to pry into Gods councell. But thus. Looke downe into thy selfe, examine if thou beest effectually called; see what God hath done in thee, p. 367and so maist thou judge what he will further doe in thee, and for thee.

This is indeede an hard taske,Effectuall calling often hard to be discerned, and why. and requires all diligence, which the Apostle Peter calls for unto it.

For, 1. Satan seeks to plucke from us this comfort 1of our lives, both before our calling, causing us either to shut our eare from the voice, or by picking and pulling the seede out of the heart by carnall distractions and objections.

And after our calling, perswading men all is deceitfull or vaine, God is not at peace with them, nor they with him.

2. Most men rest in generall outward calling 2which is ineffectuall.

3. But chiefly, the likenesse of outward ineffectuall 3calling unto it makes it harder to be discerned.Great similitude betweene calling effectuall and ineffectuall: 5 Instances.

Quest. Wherein is the likenesse betweene effectuall and ineffectuall calling?

Answ. First, by ineffectuall calling a man may come to the feast, and sit downe at Gods table, 1as the unworthy guest did, may seeme one of the friends of Christ, may make shew of answer to the call, in respect of outward profession, and conformity to the doctrine; when the heart answers not, nor resolves to answer. Deut. 5. The people came to Moses, and said, Whatsoever the Lord commandeth, that will wee doe. But the Lord said, Oh that there were such an heart in them! If the call were denied, or fairely excused and put off, as some of the guests did, this were more discernable. p. 368But many come in among true worshippers, and bring in lampes and some oyle, and are the more hardly discerned. Because, as the same Sunne, earth, raine, roote, moisture, brings up the chaffe, as doth the wheat: so the same meanes of word and Sacraments nourish the hypocrite, which doth the sound hearted Christian.

2Secondly, by ineffectuall calling a man may come to a great measure of knowledge of the word, to consent to the truth of it, may preach it, yea soundly handle it for the conversion and saving of others; may preach it in the name of Christ, that is, for his glory, and by his grace. Many of those that preached in the name of Christ, shall come in the last day and challenge acquaintance of him, to whom he shall say, I never knew you. Nay perhaps those that have built an Arke to save others, as Noahs Carpenters, shall be drowned themselves. Yea more, a man may defend the word, as Iulian, and receive within him the seede of the word, and bring forth some fruites, as the bad ground did, and all this is like effectuall calling.

Thirdly, by ineffectuall calling a man may come 3to see his sinne, to sorrow and grieve for it, to confesse his sinne, be humbled for it, ashamed of it; to acknowledge his estate to be nought, and preferre the state of the godly before his owne, yea wish and desire to change estates with them, as Balaam.

He may crave pardon of his sinne, desire the prayers of Saints, as Pharaoh and Simon Magus: p. 369He may refraine himselfe in many sinnes, as Haman. He may fast, and rent his clothes, and lie in sackcloth, as Ahab. He may doe many things at the direction of the word, as Herod for Iohn, and yet be in the gall of bitternesse. And is not this like effectuall calling?

Fourthly, by ineffectuall calling a man may attaine to some kinde of faith; can beleeve Christ 4a Saviour; can get a perswasion that Christ redeemed him; can taste some sweetnesse, as if hee drew vertue from Christ; can rejoyce as in a good estate; as the stony ground received the seede with joy, Luke 8.13. And some that being not onelyonly enlightened, but taste of the good word, and power of the life to come, shall quite f…ll away, Hebr. 6.6. And some we reade of, denying the Lord that bought them: that is, both in their owne profession and perswasion, and in the charitable judgement of others. This is so like effectuall calling, as no man but would thinke them sheepe of Christ, as themselves doe, but are not.

Fifthly, by ineffectuall calling a man may partake of the Spirit of God, and be in some sort 5sanctified by the blood of the Covenant, Heb. 10.29. Hee may attaine unto many excellent graces, as joy in hearing, sweete gifts in praying, power in preaching, a kinde of love of God, humility under the hand of God, as Ahab; a reverencing of good men, as Herod reverenced Iohn; a seemely externall worship of God; bounty and freenesse to uphold the worship of God, and not sticke at thousands of rammes, and rivers of oyle: VntoUnto p. 370a fiery zeale for the Lord of hoasts, and upholding his worship, as Iehu, who seemed a servant, that could not abide his Masters dishonour; but departed not from the sinnes of his fathers. All which a man would thinke belongs to sound and effectuall calling. This likenesse therefore of the one with the other makes effectuall calling the more hardly discerned.

Now therefore seeing this outward and ineffectuall calling brings us not into grace with God without the inward. 2. Seeing it is common to good and bad, Matth. 22.9. Call in all you finde. 3. Seeing it is unprofitable: as what profit had Ismael of his Circumcision, Esau in Isaacks family, or Iudas in Christs family, being profane. 4. Seeing to be in the Church, and not of it, is to deprive himselfe of the chiefe priviledges of the Church, which is remission of sinnes, and life everlasting.

We must therefore labour to finde in our selves such sure markes of effectuall calling, as yet were never found in hypocrites, that wee may be sure our calling is sound and saving, proper to the elect, a note and forerunner of eternall glory.

Markes of effectuall calling.Quest. What are these markes?

Answ. 1. A discerning of the voice of him that 1calleth: this implies hearing, For hee that heareth not Gods word, is not of God, Ioh. 8.47. But besides hearing,

First, here is a spirit of discretion, putting difference betweene truth and errour, good and evill: Cant. 2.8. It is the voice of my welbeloved: and Ioh. p. 37110.8. My sheepe heare my voice, and a stranger they will not heare.

Secondly, there is a perswasion of him that calleth, Gal. 5.8. which is beyond hearing, called the hearing eare, which hypocrites want.

Thirdly, there is a yeelding unto the perswasion, that it passe not without some such effect as is not to be found in any hypocrite. The faithfull have an oyntment given them, and see Christ in his voice comming every day nearer them than other.1 Iohn 2.20.1 John 2:20 It is the voice of my welbeloved: Cant. 2.8.Song 2:8Beholde hee comes leaping over the mountaines, skipping over the hills. See this in some instances.

The Lord pleaseth to speake and utter his voice sundry wayes,

outwardly, and

inwardly.

1. Outwardly.

1. In the ministery of the word and Sacraments.

2. He calleth by the voice of his mercies, and corrections.

2. Inwardly,How an heart effectually called heareth Christs voice uttered sundry wayes. by the still voice of his Spirit to the conscience.

Now wee shall see effectuall calling answers all these.

I. If God speake in the ordinary meanes and Ministery,1. In the Ministery. an heart effectually called heareth the word, not onelyonly to know it, but to be directed by it; not onelyonly to consent to the truth of it, as hypocrites and Divels may, but to approve and like it: to receive it not into the eare onelyonly, but into the affection; and not into the affection of joy onelyonly, p. 372as the hypocrite, but of love, feare, trembling, and the rest: and not into the affections onelyonly, but into the conscience, whereby they let it in further, and allow it a deeper rooting than any hypocrite can doe. And therefore in the one it is an illumination like a blaze, soone extinct againe: in the other it is a cleare light and lampe that carries them along into the bride-chamber. In the one it is like a sodaine flash of lightening, as soone gone as come: in the other it is like the Sun-shine, that shines all the day long for direction and comfort.

For the parts of the word: the Law and the Gospell.

If God speake in the Law, an heart effectually called heares that voice,Of the Law. not onelyonly to see his sinne, and sorrow for it, which an hypocrite may; but to hate his sinne, to loathe it, and leave it: yea not to leave many, or all but one, all but our Herodias; but to forsake even the most beloved and bosome sinnes.

Hee heares the voice of God in the Law as a rule of life, not onelyonly to restraine corruption, but to drive him out to sound renovation, and reformation.

Hee heares the voice of the Law to get out of his estate of nature, and to get into the state of the godly; not at death onelyonly as Balaam, but in his life; and to apprehend so the end of godlinesse, as he useth the meanes to compasse it: whereas an hypocrite aimes at the end, but either passeth over or slubbers the meanes.

p. 373If God speake in the Gospell,Of the Gospel. an heart effectually called heareth that voice offering grace and pardon to it, which because it is weary and laden, this voice is as flagons of wine to revive his soule ready to faint in him: but an hypocrite being not seriously humbled, heares carelesly. The former heares this voice as an instrument of saving faith, by which he beleeves Christ not onelyonly a common Saviour, but his in speciall: not to wish onelyonly, and make some offers, but to purchase the pearle what ever it cost: he heares this voice, not to taste onelyonly some sweetnesse of Christ, and the heavenly gift, (which an ineffectuall calling may doe) but to digest it, and live by it.

Ineffectuall calling may enlighten many, may affect many; but this perswades the heart, and justifieth many: Esay 53.11. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many. That may consent to the word, and and receive it with joy, but not with faith, not with love. That may taste it, but digest it not, as beleeving Christ rather the Saviour of others, than their owne: or if they say their owne, they cannot prove it: but this mingles all with faith, assenteth, and truly applieth, and constantly retaines it, when all the other blaze is quite put.

If God speake in the Sacraments,Of the Sacraments. hee heares his voice there.

First, in Baptisme, to obey his first call, to be gathered into the Church, as the creatures into the Arke: But with this difference.

Hee heares this voice to be admitted not onelyonly p. 374into the externall society of the Church among true beleevers, as Simon Magus may, & Demas, and Iudas, and every uncleane beast: but to put on Christ, and to be justified by faith, to be set into the head, and so are both in the Church, and of it.

He heares the voice effectually, not onelyonly to the washing of his body with water, but to the washing of his soule with the water of regeneration, and first fruites of sanctification. He heares this voice, not onelyonly to make a profession, but an actuall renunciation of Satan, of lusts, of the fashion of the world, and to binde himselfe an houshold servant of Christ all his dayes.

Secondly, in the Sacrament of the Supper, hee heares the voice and discernes it, to feede not his body onelyonly with the Lords bread, but his soule with the bread which is the Lord. He heares the voice to renew his Covenant, and set his seale unto it; to eate and drinke worthily the flesh of Christ which is meate indeede, and the blood of Christ which is drinke indeede: and so growes up in the Covenant as a true member of Iesus Christ. He feedes his faith by this Sacrament, the hypocrite feedes his hypocrisie.

Effectuall calling heareth the voice of mercies, how.The second way of Gods externall calling, is by the voice of his mercies and crosses. The heart effectually called heares the voice of his mercy:

11. To inflame it selfe with the love of God, but not as hirelings for wages, but as children for himselfe and his goodnesse, Psal. 116.1.

2. To make him cleave to his worship, not p. 375outwardly onelyonly, as Cain and the Pharise, but inwardly and sincerely.

3. To frame him to cheerefull obedience, whereas ineffectuall calling can make men say, Lord, Lord, but they doe not things commanded.

4. To make him zealous for religion, and hate corruptions not in others as Iehu, but in himselfe, and that not by a fit, as a burning ague, but with a constant temperate heate against all evill, because of love of good.

5. To make him thankfull to God, and mercifull to men, as God hath beene to him.

Secondly, when the Lord calls by afflictions and 2crosses, this heart heareth the voice of the rod,And the voice of the rod, how to open, & keep open the door, that is, the eare which was sealed. It is the Lord, as saith Eli, and not as Pharaoh, Who is the Lord? Hee heares this voice to make him stoope, and inquire, and hearken further, as Manasseh; and as Paul stricken downe, Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe? Hee heares it to make him feare the more, but not servilly and slavishly by the spirit of bondage, as the Israelites at the giving of the Law, lest they should be stricken through with darts; but with a childlike feare, lest they further offend him. He heares the voice of the Spirit purging and cleansing him by afflictions, as by the Lords fanne, and whitening him by this sope of afflictions: Dan. 12.10.

II. The Lord speakes inwardly by a still voice in the heart:Effectuall calling heareth the still voice of the Spirits motions. sometimes by the motions of his Spirit, when the elect heare the voice behinde p. 376them saying, this is the way; they heare the voice, cherish and foster the motion, and walke in the way.

Many are the motions of ineffectuall calling, but they are not followed, but either resisted or neglected, and at last utterly quenched.

And checks of their owne spirits.Sometimes the Lord speakes by the secret checkes of their owne conscience, which the hypocrite by all meanes would choake and stifle: but effectuall calling listens to this voice, to the humbling of the heart, making the sense of one or more grosse sinnes to be as a weight of lead on their hearts to keepe them under; to the shunning of them, and terrifying of them from the like for time to come: so as by sinne, a way is made out of sinne, and a passage made to reconciliation, and grace which is given to the humble.

Thus have we described the first and most assured and infallible note of effectuall calling, namely, the true discerning of every voice and call of God, with a gracious fruite and effect following the same.

A second infallible note of effectuall calling, is a manifest and continuall change by this voice; great and wonderfull is the change in a man truly called.2. Wonderfull is the change in a man truly called. He is not the same man he was before: Gods voice and calling makes things that are not, as if they were, Rom. 4.17. Was there not a great change in Lazarus, when he was called out of the grave? yet the difference betweene Lazarus dead and alive is not more, than betweene a man effectually called and uncalled: God hath quickened p. 377a dead man.Ephes. 2.1.Eph 2:1 This change will bewray it selfe sundry wayes.

I. In respect of sinne. Before effectuall calling, oh how did he delight and joy in his sinne? 1. In respect of sinne.who was a more busie actour in sinne than he? he could runne to excesse of riot as fast as any; hee was a loving partner and companion of evill men; hee hated none so much as those who would have reclaimed him from his sin; or if sometime he were stung and pricked in conscience, he could confesse and sorrow for sinne, but not hate it, not leave it. Perhaps some sinister respects might cause him to restraine himselfe as Haman, but to a thorow reformation he could never attaine.

But now he is called not onelyonly out of the curse and guiltinesse of sinne, but out of the bondage and service of sinne; that now hee serves not in the oldnesse of the letter, but in newnesse of spirit: the more dearely hee loved his lusts, the more deadly hee hates them, as Ammon did Thamar. Now he hates that which he doth. Hee dearely accompts of him now whom God useth as an instrument to helpe him out of his sinne: so the Iaylour, Act. 16. He gives his sinnes a passe, and saith as Ephraim to his Idols, Get yee hence: hee loathes his beloved sinnes past, hates the present, and avoides sinne to come, with all the occasions, be they never so secret, gainefull and pleasant.

II. In respect of the world:2. In respect of the world. what a change is there in a man effectually called? He was in the world, and of the world, hee could follow it as p. 378earnestly as any other: hee gave the world his heart, his hands, his thoughts, his time, his tongue; he minded nothing so much as earth, he savoured nothing but earth, hee spake of nothing else cheerefully; hee treasured nothing but earthly things, he was unsatiable, unmeasurable, unweariable in gathering earth & earthly things: but now God hath called him out of his owne Country, as Abraham, in which he tooke so great content: he is called out of the world, Iohn 15.19. Now he is become a stranger at home, his heart is estranged from things below, his minde is on things above; godly thoughts and meditations begin to take him up; his affections are weaned, that now he aimes and desires other wealth than before; his tongue can speake of heavenly things without tediousnesse, hee treasures now in heaven, and will be a gainer by godlinesse. Matthew being called forsakes his unlawfull, yea and lawfull gaines for Christ, chap. 2.9. Zacheus at a word speaking, enricheth himselfe by impoverishing himselfe, and making restitution.

Happy is that man that findes this change in himselfe, that he hath got above the world, that though hee have the world in his hand, yet hee hath cast it out of his heart. Never could this be done by the strength of nature, never worldling attained it.

3. In respect of grace.III. In respect of Graces, which discover themselves, 1. in their kindes, 2. in their soundnesse, 3. in their growth.

This grace will appeare in setting forth the vertues p. 379of him that hath called us out of darknesse into his marvelous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. By vertue of this holy calling we are sanctified throughout, as we have heard in the former verse: so as there will appeare,

First, A new life of grace. He that onelyonly lived the life of nature,1. For their kinds. New life. but starke dead in respect of the life of God, and past all feeling, a carcasse without the soule of Gods Spirit, stinking in the grave of corruption; hath now heard a voice of Christ, saying come forth, and now the bands of death are loosed, a new life of grace succeedes, that hee may now say as Christ, Rev. 1. Behold I was dead, but am alive for ever.

2. A new light in the things of God.New light. Hee that was blinde, and could not see one steppe before him to eternall life, hath now his sight restored to him, that he can say with the blind man, One thing I know, that whereas I was blinde, now I see: Iohn 9.John 9the man Iesus hath opened mine eyes. Not his understanding onelyonly is restored, but his spirituall senses are quickened, that now he can taste how good God is, he can heare the voice of God, he can savour things of God, can feele the prickes of conscience: and hee whose tongue was tyed from good speech, can now speake of the things of God with understanding.

3. Grace will discover it selfe in all new affections. He that was an hater of God,New affections. is changed into a deare lover of God; which sincere love is made a manifest note of effectuall calling, Rom. 8.28. such as are called of purpose are said to be p. 380such as love God: and this love of God as a sweet perfume rectifies all the other affections, it will expresse it selfe in a studious care to please him in all things, and in a feare of displeasing him.

In a constant delight in his word and ordinances, being his love-letters, in a surpassing joy in all the meanes of our sweete fellowship with him, whom before we shunned as an enemy.

In a love and admiration of his graces wheresoever, which are as jewells and pledges of his love.

In an earnest and fervent desire of immediate fellowship with him whom we love best of all.

New motions.4. Grace will bewray it selfe in new motions, which is a new obedience unto the voice discerned and beleeved, even in difficult, dangerous, costly, and selfe-denying duties: for alwayes with effectuall calling there goes a power enabling the Christian to the fruitfull practise of the doctrine of godlinesse: Acts 3.7. And from the inward obedience of the heart flowes all outward obedience in the life. Ineffectuall calling moves not, or is not from within, but from some externall plummet, or can produce leaves, rather than fruite, or sound fruite; but not much, nor lasting, or in some things, not in all, as Herod. But this moveth and obeyeth sincerely, universally, constantly. Thus will grace discover it selfe in all kindes through the whole man.

2. For their soundnesse.Secondly, The graces of effectuall calling discover and distinguish themselves by their soundnesse. Hypocrites want soundnesse in the common p. 381graces they have, and all for want of this change by effectuall calling.

Ineffectuall calling may beget a kinde of love of God, but that is not for himselfe, but for wages; not as children love their father, but as hirelings love a strict master. Whereas true love of God attending effectuall calling, workes feare of offending him, not to be offended by him, delights in his presence, in his ordinances, and love-letters, and in his graces, as so many jewels and pledges of his love.

Ineffectuall calling may come to some feare of God, but onelyonly by the spirit of bondage, Rom. 8.15. which true love casts out: as Israel in the Mount feared revenge. But true feare of God saith as Ioseph, Hath my Master done this for me, and shall I doe this?

Ineffectuall calling may attaine some zeale for God, as in Iehu in Ahabs case, but rather against others sinne than his owne; and for durance it is but as a blaze in straw, as his being unsound lasted not. But zeale of effectuall calling hates sinne in another, because it hates his owne first.

Ineffectuall calling may attaine a kinde of love of the brethren, but this is neither ordinary, nor well grounded: it is not for Gods image, and it is rather a reverence of good men, than love of their goodnesse. Herod reverenced Iohn, but loved him not: neither can that love that is so light, and set upon indirect ends and occasions continue, but will be easily changed into deadly hatred, as Herods was.

p. 3823. In their growth.Thirdly, The grace of effectuall calling will distinguish it selfe by the growth of it, and proceeding in sanctification: Hence it is called an holy calling, 2 Tim. 1.9. both in respect of the authour, the holy Ghost, and of the meanes, the holy word sanctified hereto, and of the effect; because it workes holinesse in heart, and sanctimony in life: But also in regard of the end to which Saints are called, namely, by the degrees of holinesse, to rise to the perfection of it.

A counterfeit may be washed over, and goe for currant, but it wants, 1. weight, 2. sound, 3. substance: so counterfeit sanctification wants three things, that suffer it not to abide the tryall.

1. Vnion with Christ, being onelyonly tyed by a thred of profession, not set or incorporate into him, he hath no substance of Christ in him.

2. Righteousnesse, which flowes from the union with Christ, hee lyes under the guilt of all his sins, Christ carries none of them away: if he be put in the scale as Baltazer, hee shall be found too light, and wanting of his weight.

3. The Spirit of Christ is given onelyonly to sonnes, he dwells not in that house where is onelyonly a base sound of sanctification, in some common gift, onelyonly suppressing open sins, but not inward lusts: whereas effectuall grace, not onelyonly checkes secret corruptions, but daily renewes the heart, and perfects the image of God. Hence it is that many that seemed to answer the call, fall off to nothing, because they were never good: whereas true holinesse p. 383is like the light, clearer and clearer till perfect day. And a man truly called, is like a faire woven stuffe, that weares most shining at the wale and ground, and cannot but be best at last.

I. These are the markes of effectuall calling:1. Labour to finde these markes. labour in them, and take good paines to get them on thee, rest not in a common ungrounded hope, nor grutch the time to minde those things seriously. For,

1. What a comfort of heart and refreshment of soule will this be in the day of trouble,Reas. 1. to see Gods covenant sealed upon thee?

2. What a resolution will it breede to contemne the world, the pleasures and profits?2 what a Christian courage against afflictions, yea death it selfe, against all motions and commotions in States, in evill dayes, and perillous times?

3. What stability in holding our grounds of religion against all disputes in the world?3 against all stratagems of Papists at home or abroad? neither their masked distinctions, nor coloured devotions shall unsettle this soule; but it shall be as mount Zion, stable upon sure foundations.

4. How sweetely would all Gods ordinances relish and taste, ordained for this end?4 how firmely should wee holde our end and aime in our eye in all the meanes, beginnings and way of eternall life? when we discover daily in our selves assured and infallible markes that wee are in the right way unto it.

II. If we finde our selves by these notes truly2. Finding thē, be thankfull. p. 384and effectually called, be thankfull unto God for this great worke, whereby hee hath laid in thy soule such an infallible assurance of eternall life. Thou lookest on such as are uncalled; see thy nature in them, they and thou being digged out of the same pit: in their misery see thine owne; thou shouldest sweare, and drinke, and curse, and revile goodnesse as fast as they, resist the meanes of grace as resolutely as they, wert thou left to the power of nature as they be. But now thou seest a difference made: and who hath made this difference? who separated thee? Oh, praise the Lord for his free and rich mercy, who hath poured out the riches of his grace, in thy effectuall calling to grace, Rom. 9.23.

3. Pray for confirmation of them.III. Pray earnestly, that he which hath called thee, would also confirme his owne worke: so Peter, 1.5.10. The God of all grace, who hath called us to his glory in Christ Iesus, make you perfect, stablish and confirme you to the end.

And adde watchfulnesse against all such as would againe carry thee away from Christ, and the holy calling. It is the sinne of many, of whom we may marvell so with the Apostle, Gal. 1.6. How soone they are carried to another Gospell, having lost him that called them into the grace of the Gospell. But what was their sinne to the sinne of these in our dayes? For they were, 1. new converts, we have had the Gospell as many yeares, as they weekes or dayes. 2. They fell of weaknesse, wee of wantonnesse, wilfulnesse, even against the power of the Gospell so long working p. 385upon us. 3. They by joyning Circumcision and Christ together, which was formerly Gods sacred Ordinance; we by joyning Christ and Antichrist together, reconciling Christ and Antichrist together, reconciling light and darknesse together, patching our new garment with olde patches and rags of Romish devotions and superstitions, and as moles, undermining the grounds of holy truthes, for which the Lord might justly remove his Candlesticke.

[Who will also doe it.]

The third Argument of the perseverance of the Saints in grace, removes all scruple, taking the whole worke out of our hands, that he who hath the glory of the beginning, may also have the glory of the end. For,

1. As we could not begin our salvation, so neither could we end it; he that was onelyonly able to lay the first stone in this building, is onelyonly able to lay the last: Philip. 1.6. Hee that hath begun the good worke in you, will performe it untill the day of Christ.

2. It is safe for us, that it is in Gods hand to finish our salvation, who hath begun it; for were it put into our hands againe, it would be quite lost every day: and therefore the Apostle Peter saith, 1 Pet. 1.5. We are kept by the power of God to salvation.Doct. Gods faithfulnesse preserveth to salvation all that are effectually called, 4 Reas.

Gods faithfulnesse preserves to salvation, who are once effectually called. Rom. 8.30. Whom hee calleth, hee justifieth and glorifieth. Philip. 1.6. I am p. 386perswaded that he that hath begun this good worke, will finish it to the day of Christ▪ Heb. 6.9, 10. We are perswaded of you such things as accompany salvation, for God is not unfaithfull.

Reas. 1.And the reason is drawne from the unchangeable perfection of Gods nature, decree, will, and affection to the Saints.

No shadow of change in Gods nature.I. In his nature is no shadow of change, especially in giving his good and perfect gifts, Iames 1.13. and this unchangeable nature suffers him never to forsake this worke of his hands, Psal. 138.8.

Object. God is unchangeable, but I finde many changes in my selfe, such dulnesse, deadnesse, frowardnesse, as if hee should not forsake mee, I feare I shall wholly forsake him.

Answ. All the Saints of God have found the like changes in themselves, and yet all their changes, nor all thy changes can never change God.

2. None can wholly forsake God, but such as are wholly forsaken of God: but he never wholly forsakes the Saints, for he hath said, I will not leave thee nor forsake thee, Hebr. 13.5. his desertion and their falls are but for a time, for God in due time puts under his hand.

Nor in his decrees.II. In his decree of the finall salvation of the Saints, hee is faithfull and unmoveable. 2 Tim. 2.19. The foundation (that is, decree of Gods election) abides sure, it stands on a sure foundation, and hath this seale, The Lord knowes who are his.

p. 387Object. Yea God knowes, but what is that to us? no man knowes but by extraordinary revelation.

Answ. The Apostle addes a twofold impression of this seale in the heart of man, by which he sets his seale to Gods faithfulnesse.

1. Invocation of Gods name. 2. A departing from iniquity, which being fruites of effectuall calling, he knowes himselfe sealed up thereby to salvation.

Object. Stapleton saith, God is faithfull in his decree so long as we be faithfull, and deserve not that he should forsake us.

Answ. This were to make our perseverance depend on our faithfulnesse; whereas our Apostle makes it wholly depend upon Gods.

2. This devise makes Gods faithfulnesse dependant upon ours, which is as absolute as his owne unchangeable essence is, and no unfaithfulnesse of man can make him unfaithfull, 2 Tim. 2.13.

3. This conceit plainly dissolves our Apostles Argument, which he hath so firmely knit together, God is faithfull, and therefore hee will doe it: and God hath already called, and he will glorifie.

And if wee looke into the Scripture, wherein this faithfulnesse of God manifests it selfe, wee shall see it descrying it selfe in two things, neither of which will suffer his end to be frustrate.

First, in keeping the Saints from evill: 2 Thess. 3.3. The Lord is faithfull, who will stablish you and keepe you from evill. Doth Stapleton still doubt p. 388that those that have received true grace shall fall away? see here the faithfulnesse of God puts it out of doubt, for it shall keepe them from all such evills as might frustrate their perseverance.

Secondly, in confirming the Saints in grace received: Who shall confirme you to the end, that yee may be blamelesse in the day of the Lord Iesus Christ. Papists doubt whether the Saints shall lose their grace, but where then is Gods faithfulnesse, who shall confirme them in grace to the end? This faithfulnesse stirres them up to the meanes, excites them in their dulnesse, raiseth them after their falls, and leades them by the hand to eternall life.

Object. The Arminians drawing the same line with these Bellarminians, object, That God in all his decrees implies some conditions; and deales with a man as a physitian doth in restoring a patient: He tells him he will cure him conditionally that he follow his directions, keepe good dyet, abstaine from the feeders of his corrupt humour. But,

Answ. There is a difference betweene these Physitians; one cannot rule his patient, but the Lord can and will keepe his patient temperate, his grace shall remove all lets and impediments of cure.

2. Gods promises of perseverance imply conditions of holinesse, watchfulnesse, unblameablenesse: But Gods faithfulnesse enables him to keepe these conditions: Iohn 6.3. Whosoever are given unto Christ, shall be raised up at the last day.

p. 389III. In his will God is unchangeable,Nor in his will he hath bound himselfe by his promise and oath to effect the salvation of the heires of life. Heb. 6.17. God being willing to shew to heires of promise the stablenesse of his counsell, bound himselfe by an oath, that by two immutable things, wherein it is impossible that God should lie, we might have strong consolation.

Object. I finde my will so mutable, and so inclinable to grosse evills, that I have great cause to feare my falling away.

Answ. But art thou effectually called? then is this will of thine by Gods over-ruling will confirmed to perseverance unto the end.

IV. For Gods affection to the Saints it is perpetuall: Iohn 13.1. Whom he loved once, Nor in his affections.he loveth to the end. Ier. 31. His love it is everlasting love. This love causeth him to keepe them as the apple of his eye. This love makes them love him, and it will uphold them in his love. This is the first reason.

Secondly, Reas. 2.The second reason is drawne from the power of God, which preserves them to salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. His strength is such as none can plucke them out of his hands, The Father is stronger than all, Iohn 10. 2 Tim. 1.28. I know he is able to keepe that I commit to him.

Object. I know hee is able too: But will hee keepe me?

Answ. Yes, if thou beest effectually called, this brings thee within compasse of Christs intercession, Ioh. 17.14, 15. They are not of the world, I pray that thou shouldest keepe them from evill. Hath p. 390Christ prayed his father to keepe thee? certainly then he will keepe thee safe: for he was heard in all things.

Object. God is strong enough I know: but I am weake, Satan is strong against mee, sinne is strong in me, how then may I holde out?

Answ. 1. No mans weaknesse shall disappoint the strength of God, but manifest it rather. 2. No strength of Satan can prevaile against the faith of him that is effectually called: for God is faithfull, and will not suffer him to be tempted above his strength, 1 Cor. 10.13.

Reas. 3.Thirdly, The third reason may be taken from the gifts and calling of God, which are without repentance, Rom. 11.29. that is, such peculiar gifts as flow out of Gods eternall love and election: whereas naturall, morall, and many spirituall gifts are sometimes lost. This calling of God according to purpose is never frustrate.

Object. But though God repent not of his gifts, yet the gifts of God are in themselves changeable, and men may cast away their gifts, and fall from their faith and repentance, and shake off the calling.

Answ. 1. The gifts are indeede in themselves changeable, for nothing is simply unchangeable but God himselfe: But they are all kept by another gift, namely of perseverance, which crowneth all the rest.

2. If the elect should cast away the gifts received, then should they be tempted above their strength, and God should be unmindfull of his p. 391promise, which is impossible. Nay Gods strength suffers them not to cast away their gifts.

3. For shaking of the calling, if you speake of the inward calling it is false; for then how should God abide constant to them? or his word be true, which saith, Whom he calleth he glorifieth? Or how holdes he under his hand in their falls? Besides, he giveth these gifts to none but such as know the worth and use of them, and not to such as will reject them or cast them away.

Fourthly, The last reason is taken from the stat… of a Christian,Reas. 4. Christ raised dyes no more, no more doth the Christian. who as a member must be conformed to Christ his head: for as Christ being once risen from the grave, never returnes againe, or dieth any more; so the life of grace in his members, once called out of the grave of sinne, never dies more, no not in death, nor in the grave: It is the Apostles reason, Rom. 6.8, 9, 11. As Christ raised dieth no more, so thinke ye.

Object. The prodigall sonne, after a sonne, was dead, and alive againe, a sonne lost, and found againe.

Answ. It is a Parable, and nothing but the maine scope proves any thing.

2. The prodigall is every man lost in Adam, who by creation was the sonne of God, but in Adam lost and dead, and in the second Adam found and quickened, if by faith set into him.

3. This lost and dead childe was so, both in his fathers opinion, and in his owne seeming: So may the childe of God even after conversion p. 392seeme lost and dead, in his owne sence, and others conceit, but is indeede alive and found.

Vse 1.First, This serves for humiliation of us who are so weake and wretched, as having our salvation put into our hands, yet cannot keepe it; so many temptations from without, and corruptions frō within, that it is Gods great mercy that keeps us in grace unto glory: where then is our freewill to attain salvation before our calling? can we not holde our salvation after our calling, unlesse God holde it for us, and can wee lay holde on it before our effectuall calling? Away with such Pharisaicall and proud conceits of Popery, that all the glory and praise may be ascribed unto him, whose faithfulnesse can and will present us spotlesse before the presence of his glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ.

Let us cast downe our crownes at the feete of the Lambe, and put off all praise of doing any thing from our selves, and confesse that unlesse the Lord should adde his last worke to the first, all were lost. In naturall life, our selves conferre nothing to our lives or being at first: and after we are, it is Gods care that preserves us: for man lives not by bread onelyonly, but by every word of God. Neither doth mans life stand in abundance, Luke 12.15. Much more in supernaturall life, his worke it is to preserve us, whose will is to save us.

Secondly, it serves for a ground of consolation, in that the authour of all our grace is faithfull and unchangeable,Vse 2. hee beginneth, and accomplisheth p. 393and worketh all our workes for us. He not onelyonly bestoweth a free grace upon his people, but undertakes to preserve and perfect it. And therefore we may,

1. Rely confidently upon this faithfulnesse for all supplies; roule all thy burden upon him, and he will doe it, Psal. 37.5.

2. By prayer of faith importune his faithfulnesse, not to forsake the worke of his owne hands, till hee have finished it. Hereby commit thy whole way unto him, commend thy selfe, thy soule unto him in well-doing, and hee will keepe it, 2 Tim. 1.18.

3. Rest thy selfe undaunted in afflictions, in dangers, and losses, seeing Gods faithfulnesse will keepe thee safe; he will keepe thy salvation for thee: Heaven is reserved for thy childes part, no great matter what other things be lost or endangered.

4. Findest thou want of strength in temptation? feelest not thou the joy of thy salvation? groanest thou under the burden of corruption? weaknesse of faith? dulnesse in duties? goe to this faithfulnesse of God, importune him for needfull grace: say to him, Oh, thou that art a faithfull God, thou hast called me, and therefore doe thou doe it, finish and perfect thine owne worke in me.

Thirdly, Vse 3.for a ground of watchfulnesse and care over our selves, that we may not grow either secure or idle, and say, If God will keepe us, all is well; for hee keepes his owne by meanes, and keepes none who have not a care to keepe themselves.

p. 394Quest. What are the meanes whereby God will keepe me?

The meanes by which God keepeth us, 4.Answ. 1. Hee finisheth the worke begun by the word, the arme of God which began it. Observe the worke of the word in thee, Keepe the word, Prov. 4.6.Prov 4:6and it shall keepe thee: attend the word, for the powerfull preaching of Christ keeps the soule till the day of Christ.

2. By his holy Spirit, who renewes our strength and graces: therefore stirre up the Spirit that is in thee, and cheare him in thy heart, by listening to his motions, and taking his part against thy daily corruptions.

3. By the grace of faith, 1 Pet. 1.5. Yee are kept through faith to salvation. Therefore nourish faith, quicken it, encrease it, walke by faith, live by faith; observe the growth of faith in the power of prayer, and strength in good duties: this is the victory that overcomes the world.

4. By his daily providence, guiding us to such courses and companies, as by which we may not be losers in grace, but gainers; keepe thee in thy wayes, and hee will keepe thee in them, Psal. 91.11. Beware of consenting, much more of delighting in sinne and sinners.

Vse 4.Fourthly, a ground of thankfulnesse for graces received, all which have flowed from Gods faithfulnesse. Hast thou faith, hope, strength, peace of conscience, or comfortable assurance? ascribe all the glory to God, who hath declared his faithfulnesse in giving, and encreasing, and upholding the same: whereas every day our weaknesse p. 395and carelesnesse would lose it, every sinne might forfeit it, and every assault of Satan and seducers would easily robbe us of it.

Prize this estate in grace, make it sure; a man will be sure of a good title of any thing hee holdes: Rejoyce in it, and in the evidences of it as well as in it selfe.