A Practical Discourse of Gods Sovereignty, Part 1

A Practical Discourse of Gods Sovereignty · Part 1

p. 1A PRACTICAL DISCOURSE OF Gods Sovereignty.

THis Great and Fundamental Attribute I have choſe to begin with, as a meet Introduction to the following diſcourſe; It being indeed, the foundation of all; and that which gives Life and Virtue to every Divine Truth: Without the knowledge whereof, (in ſome meaſure) and practical yielding thereto, we ſhall want a principal means of quieting our underſtandings, touching the Points that follow. I gather the ſum of what I intend, into this Propoſition; viz.

That, Sovereign Power belongs to God.

By [Sovereign Power] I underſtand, that abſolute Dominion, which the Great God, bleſſed for ever, hath over his Creatures, to diſpoſe and determine them, as ſeemeth him good.

p. 2That there is ſuch a Power, and that this Power belongs to God, no other Reaſon needs be aſſign'd, but that He is God, and there is n…ne beſides him: There can be no more, becauſe (1) There can be but one Infinite; for ſuch a being fils Heaven and Earth; and ſo, no place or room for another. (2) There can be but one Omnipotent, For, He that is ſuch, hath all others under his feet; Beſides, where One can do all, more would be impertinent. (3) There can be but one Supream; Supream power may reſide in Many; (as in mixt Monarchies and Common-wealths,) but as Lawmakers and Supream, they are but One. (4) There can be but one firſt Cauſe, from which, all being elſe derive their Original; and that is, this bleſſed One we are ſpeaking of; Of whom, and for whom are all things, 1 Cor. 8. 6. And if he be the Author of all, he needs muſt have a Sovereign Right and Power to determine all; as to their being, ſo alſo, to their Order, Efficacy, and End.

It is a Truth ſo natural, and obvious to Reaſon it ſelf; that other proof ſeems as needleſs, as that the Sun is the fountain of light: Nor ſhall I ſuppoſe, that any who will read this diſcourſe, can ſo far forget themſelves to be Creatures, as to ſeek a proof of their Creators Sovereignty; The things that are ſeen, ſo loudly proclaiming his Eternal power and Godhead. But ſince, with our eaſy admitting the Notion, it is none of the ſmalleſt difficulties, to own it in our practiſe, and bear our ſelves anſwerably towards him; Since alſo, ſo huge a weight is born on the ſhoulders of this Supream Attribute, and our ſouls are ſo highly concern'd in the intereſt and influences of it; it needs muſt be our duty, and well worthy our time, to look or the Inſtances of it, and to mark and conſider them well; as things greatly importing our Inſtruction; whereby we may know ſomething of the Greatneſs of that God, in whoſe hands our ſouls are; as alſo, of our infinite diſtance from him, and nothingneſs to him; and ſo, with the more humbleneſs of mind, and ſelf-abaſement; as alſo, with the more Faith, and Creature-like affiance, ſubmit unto him, and bear our ſelves upon him.

To this end, the Scriptures have inrolled divers Enſignes p. 3of Sovereignty, by which, as by ſo many footſteps, we are led to the Abſolute Will, and Power of God, as the Cauſe and Ruler of all.

The Great Act of Sovereignty was Gods Decree for making the World, and of doing, or permitting to be done what ever ſhould be in it, to the folding of it up. The Heavens and the Earth, and all the hoſts of them, as yet had no being: It was at his pleaſure, whether he would make them or not: And if he would, what being he would give them; to what End, and how that end ſhould be accompliſhed. And that theſe were all aſcertain'd by the Decree, is evident; For, known unto God were all his works (which he would do in time) from the beginning of the World. Acts 15. 18.Acts 15:18The ſcheme and ſubſtance whereof, (and I hope, without intruſion) may be drawn to this effect: That the Great God being infinitely good and bleſſed in himſelf; was alſo infinitely prompt and well-pleaſed to Communicate of that his bleſſedneſs: To which end, he deſigned to raiſe up Creatures, Angels and Men: That for the manifeſtation of his Sovereignty; He would confirm a certain number of thoſe Angels in their primitive ſtate, leaving the reſt to themſelves: Who falling from that ſtate, ſhould be caſt down, and reſerved in chains of darkneſs unto the judgment of the great day. That in this lower World, he would ſet up the firſt Man to be the head and Repreſentative of all that ſhould come of him. That this ſingle perſon ſhould be created in the Image of God, fit to enjoy Communion with him, and endued with power to abide therein. That to manifeſt the weakneſs of Creatures, and their perpetual dependence upon God; he would thus leave him to his firſt ſtock: and being ſo left, the fallen Ange… tempting him to diſobedience, and alſo prevailing; both himſelf, and all his poſterity by this Revolt, ſhould fall under the curſe. That for the declaration of his Sovereign Grace, He would (and accordingly did) chooſe a certain number of Adam's poſterity, and ordain them to eternal life: And to make known the power of his wrath and his juſt diſpleaſure againſt ſin, he would leave the Reſt in that ſtate of perdition they would p. 4bring themſelves into: That of theſe Veſſels of wrath, Satan himſelf (whom they choſe to follow) ſhould be the Head and Ruler; as alſo, over them that were Elected, for a time; viz. until the Meſſiah, (their true and proper Head, and into whom he had choſen them) ſhould reſcue them out of his power. That to this end, (and that he might alſo be known to be juſt, as well as Merciful in juſtifying of them) the Son of God ſhould take on him the place of a ſecond Adam, and come into the world with an humane body; In which he ſhould fullfil all Righteouſneſs, and by the infinite virtue and merit of his death, ſhould ſatisfy the Law in all its demands; deſtroy the Devil; diſſolve his works; and Reconcile the Elect unto God: That he ſhould be raiſed again from the dead, and inveſted with all power befitting the Captain of their Salvation: and ſo, might effectually miniſter to them whatever ſhould be requiſite for bringing thoſe his Sons to glory. This I take to be the ſum of God's Decree; the Great Enſigne or Standard Royal of Sovereignty; whereof all the other Enſigns are Effects or conſequents, and ſubordinate thereto.

1The firſt viſible Enſign of Sovereignty was Creation, or, God's giving the World an actual exiſtence, in time, according to his Decree from everlaſting; Bringing that huge (yet void and formleſs) Maſs, at firſt, out of Nothing; and then this glorious fabrick out of that Confuſion: His hanging the Earth upon nothing: His aſſigning to every ſort of Creatures,Job 26. 7.Job 26:7 ſuch Form and Station, Order, Uſe and Efficacy; and impreſſing on them, ſuch Laws and Inſtincts of nature, as ſeemed him good; which alſo was effected by his word: what he would, was done with that immediate ſuddenneſs, as if the things themſelves had proceeded with his breath. Pſ. 33. 9. Gen. 1. 3. v. 9. Pſ 104. 3.Ps 33:9Gen 1:3Ps 104:3The inſtant production of light: The waters ſeperating from the other Elements, and gathering into a body; and their going up and down to the place He had ſounded for them; with many others (of which ye have an Index in the firſt of Geneſis) are witneſſes of it: as alſo, His ſo fixing this 'ſtabliſhment, that they continue this day according to his Ordinance, Pſ. 119. 91.

p. 5Conſequent to this, as a ſecond Enſign of Sovereignty, 2is that univerſal Providence, by which the Creation is ſuſtained, and all inferiour Cauſes guided to their deſigned End; and this, notwithſtanding all ſuppoſeable accidents, which might poſſibly come between, to obſtruct or divert them: And that the Creatures have, at times, deviated from their firſt Rule and ſettlement, is no derogation to the Doctrine of Gods Sovereignty; but rather an illuſtration of it; as ſhewing, that the Creatures are ſtill in His hand, as Clay in the Potters. Hence we find their innate propenſions to be ſometimes ſuſpended; Otherwhiles acted beyond; and at times again, quite contrary to, the law of their nature: and this, not caſually, nor by the force of created powers, nor yet for any private or ſelf concern; but to ſerve ſome ſpecial and ſuperiour End, which their Lord had to be done: To inſtance a few; And

1. Of Creatures without life: As, the windows of Heaven opening,Gen. 1, 6, 7. Pſ. 10…, 9.Gen 1:6Gen 1:7Ps 10:9 and the fountains of the great deep breaking …p, (Notwithſtanding the Firmament above, and the bounds beneath,Exod. 14. 21. 22. Joſh. 10. 13. Judg. 5. 20. 2 K. 20. 11.Exod 14:21Exod 14:22Josh 10:13Judg 5:20Judg 5:2) to drown the world of ungodly men, Gen. 7. 11, and 12. The Red Sea's dividing and ſtanding up as a wall, to make way for his Peopl's eſcape: The Sun and Moon's ſtanding ſtill, till they were avenged on their Enemies: The Stars, to the ſame end, fighting againſt Siſera: The Suns going back in Ahaz his Dial, to help Hezekiahs Faith:Dan. 3. 22, 27.Dan 3:22Dan 3:27 The fiery Furnace devouring thoſe, at a diſtance, who caſt in thoſe holy Confeſſors; and not ſo much as touching them that were caſt into it: The winds and the Seas, (which are ſuch turbulent and lawleſs Creatures) they ſtir not, nor breathe, but to fulfill his word, Pſ. 148. 4. Mark 4. 39.

2. Of living Creatures, that have not the uſe of Reaſon: How readily went they by pairs into Noah's Ark, at Gods appointment! The Frogs,Gen. 7. 8, 9.Gen 7:8Gen 7:9 Lice, Locuſts, &c. with what ſupernatural boldneſs did they aſſault and perplex the Egyptians! That the Magicians themſelves confeſſed,Exod. 8. v. 13. 31. Num. 21. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 16.Exod 8:13Exod 8:31Num 21:292 Pet 2:16 the finger of God was in it: and as ſtrangely withdrew, when their work was done. Witneſſed alſo, by the dumb Aſs's reproving the p. 6Prophets madneſs:1 K. 13. 24 The Lion's killing the ſeduced Prophet, for breaking God's command; yet not eating the carcaſs, nor tearing his Aſs.1 K. 17. 6. A Ravenous bird bringing Elijah food in his ſolitary condition. The Whales receiving Jonah, and at Gods command, caſting him on dry Land, without harm: Jonah 1.Dan 6. 22, 24.Dan 6:22Dan 6:24 17. with ch. 2. 10. And the Lyons not hurting Daniel in their Denn; yet greedily devouring his accuſers. It muſt needs be a Sovereign power, which thus Intends, Reſtrains, Inverts, the courſe of nature, at his will.

3Thirdly, Another Enſign aſſerting Gods ſupremacy, and Rightful Dominion, is the general Vote and ſubſcription of Men, eſpecially, the moſt knowing, and ſuch as beſt underſtood him: They own it, (1) In their Practiſe or Actions; Abel offers the firſtlings of h…s Flock to God: Gen. 4. 3, Abraham leaves his native Country,Gen 12. 4. Gen. 22 2.Gen 12:4Gen 22:2 at Gods command, to go he knew not whether: He alſo offers his only and innocent ſon Iſaac, ver. 10.in whoſe life and poſterity all Nations were to be bleſſed. Job, when ſtript of all, falls down and worſhips, Job 1. 21. When his two ſons were deſtroyed by fire from Heaven,Lev…t 10. 2, 3. Aaron held his peace: Eli, when that tingling ſentence was denounced againſt his houſe; It is the Lord (ſays he) let him do as ſeemeth him good, 1 Sam. 3. 18. David, when driven from Gods Sanctuary, and his throne uſurp'd by Abſolom, Behold here I am let him do to me as ſeemeth good to him, 2. Sam. 15. 26. The men of Nineveh, their deſtruction was pronounced peremptorily; of which they had no promiſe of Remiſſion; and conſequently, no viſible ground of hope; yet they believed God, faſted, lay in ſackcloth, and turned from their evil way, Jonah 3. 5. (2) They likewiſe own it in their confeſſions and atteſtations: Melchiſedeck ſtiles him, The M…ſt High God, Poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth, Gen. 14. 19. and Abraham doth the like, verſe 22. Job profeſſeth, that though he were Righteous, yet if G…d will contend with him, he will not anſwer, but make ſupplication to his Judge, Job. 9. 15. The Lord hath made all things for himſelf, Prov. 16. 4. For his pleaſure they are and were creaated, Rev. 4. 11. We are the Clay and th…u our Potter, Iſa. 64. 8. He worketh all things after the Councel of his own Will, p. 7Eph. 1. 11. He giveth not account of any of his matters, Job 33. 13. In his hand is the ſoul of every living thing, chap. 12, …0. He is the God of the ſpirits of all fleſh, Numb. 16. 22. All Nations before him, are leſs than Nothing and Vanity, Iſa 40. 17. He ſtils the tumult of the people, Pſ. 65. 7. If it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, Pſ 33 11.Ps 33:11Acts 5. 39. The Councel of the Lord, that ſhall ſtand, Pro. 19. 21. The lot is caſt into the lap; but the whole diſpoſing thereof is of the Lord, Pro. 16. 33. The Kingdome is the Lords, and he is Governor among the Nations, Pſ. 22. 28. Thou Lord art exalted above all Gods, Pſ. 97. 9. Nehuchadnezzar, that proud and potent Monarch, whoſe greatneſs reached unto Heaven, and his dominion to the end of the Earth, All Nations trembled before him, whom he would, he ſlew; and whom he would, be kept alive; who ſaid in his heart I will aſcend into Heaven, I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God: I will be like the moſt high: And who is that God, that ſhall deliver out of my hand? Yet even he, this Child of pride, is made to confeſs One higher than himſelf, and to bow before him; proclaiming to the World, That the moſt High d…th according to his will, in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, and none can ſtay his hand, or ſay unto him, what doſt thou? Dan. 4. 22. ch 5. 19. ch. 3. 15. ch. 4. 34, 35, and 37, verſes. and Iſa. 14. 13, 14. It might farther be inſtanced in Cain, Pharaoh, Baalam, and other wicked men; how they were forced (againſt their wills) to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God; as appears by comparing Exod. 5. 2. with ch. 9. 27, 28. and Nu…b. 22. 18. Darius alſo, in Dan. 6. 26, 27, 2.

Fourthly, Another evidence or witneſs, we have from the 4Angels, who are great in power: Notwithſtanding which, they do perfectly own and ſubmit to the Sovereignty of God. Where Subjects are numerous▪ wiſe, and magnanimous; and withall, perfectly ſubmiſs to the will of their Lord; it argues, their Lord is an abſolute Sovereign: And ſuch are the Angels. 1. The Elect or Good Angels: Theſe ſhew it by their ready ſubmiſſion to any ſervice He is pleaſed to appoint them:Zach. 6. 5. 6, 7.Zech 6:5Zech 6:6Zech 6:7 They are Gods Inetlligencers: Not that he needs p. 8their adviſes, but to manifeſt his Sovereign greatneſs: They are alſo his Meſſengers, He ſends them on His errands, to negotiate His affairs among men, and to reveal His purpoſes concerning this lower world; as appears by many Scriptures. They are His Chariots, Pſ. 68. 17. His Reapers, Mat. 13. 39, 49. The Executioners of His Judgments, 2. Sam. 24. 16 2 K. 19. 35. and Chriſts attendants at His coming, Math. 25. 31 The Apoſtate Angels, or wicked ſpirits: though the teſtimony we have from them, is not from love or good will, yet is it as great an evidence of Gods Sovereiguty, as any other; in that, being enemies to God, proud, and imperious, they are yet over-awed, and conſtrained to ſubmit: we find them ſubject to His rebukes, Zech. 3. 2. And hence it was, that the Devil anſwerd not again, when that dreadful ſentence was pronounced upon him for ſeduceing our firſt Parents: we have him alſo preſenting himſelf before the Lord, to give account of his actions; and touch Job, Job. 2. 1, 6.Job 2:1Job 2:6or any thing he had, he durſt not, without leave from God▪ nor vary a jot… from the rule preſcribed him. In the Evangeliſts are many inſtances of Chriſts commanding them forth with auth…rity; yea, a whole legion at once, Luke▪ 8. 30. 32, 33. Nor could they ſo much as enter into the Swine, without his leave, Mark 5, 12. And, which is more, they were ſubject to the Apoſtles, who had but a delegated, or ſecond-hand power committed to them, Luk- 10. 17.

5Fifthly, we have the Lord himſelf aſſerting His Sovereign Prerogative. In how lofty a ſtile, and with what Imperial authority, doth He utter himſelf to Pharaoh! And in very deed for this cauſe have I raiſed thee up, for to ſhew my power on thee: Exod. 9. 1…. The Apoſtle quotes the place to prove, that God may raiſe up men, and appoint them to what uſe and ſervice he will, Rom. 9. 17. Who hath made the ſeeing or the blind, have not I the Lord? Exod. 4. 11. I kill and I make alive: Deut. 32. 39. I will ſhew mercy on whom I will ſhew mercy: Exod. 33. 19. I am the firſt, and I am the laſt, and beſides me there is no God: and who as I, ſhall call and ſhall declare it, and ſet it in order before me: ſince I appointed p. 9the ancient people, and the things that are coming and ſhall come? Iſa. 44. 6, 7. My Councel ſhall ſtand, I will do all my pleaſure, ch 46. 10. ch. 40. 12. to the end. My word ſhall accompliſh that which I pleaſe; it ſhall proſper in the thing whereto I ſend it, Iſa. 55. 11. And if the Prophet be deceived, I the Lord have deceived that Prophet, and I will deſtroy him, Ezek. 14. 9. A remarkable ſtory to the ſame purpoſe, we have in the 1▪ Kings, 22. touching the lying ſpirit, and the effectual Commiſſion he had from God, to perſwade, and alſo to prevail. How ſhould we tremble before God, at the hearing of ſuch a word! But yet, I do not reckon the laſt two as acts of pure Sovereignty; but rather, as puniſhing one ſin, by leaving to another: Becauſe that when they kne… God, they glorified Him not as God; Nor liked to retain Him in their knowledge, God gave them over to a Reprobate minde Rom: 1. 21 & 28. (Notwithſtanding which) there is an impreſſion of Sovereignty; in that he deals not ſo with all who are alike obnoxious to it.

Sixthly, Another Enſign is form'd of thoſe ſeveral Acts 6and Inſtitutes, which cannot be derived (at leaſt, ſo properly and immediately) from any other Attribute, as that of Sovereignty: I ſhall inſtance a few; viz. The putting of Man's everlaſting condition, upon his eating or Not-eating the fruit of ſuch a Tree, Gen. 2. 16, 17. In not deſtroying Adam preſently upon his diſobedience; And in the free promiſe of a Saviour, unſought unto for it, Gen. 3. 15. In protecting Cain, when he had forfeited his life to Juſtice, Gen. 4. 15. In Preſerving Ham from the deluge, though as wicked as thoſe that periſhed, ch. 7. 13 & 16. In ordering the bleſſing to Jacob, who ſought it unduly; and denying it to Eſau, who ſought it diligently, and to whom it belong'd of natural Right, Gen: 27. 19, 34, 38. In the ſudden turning of Eſau's heart to love Iacob, whom he had inveterately hated; and came with full purpoſe to deſtroy him: yet, in a trice, his heart is melted, he weeps on his Neck, and offers himſelf and ſoldiers to be his Convoy, Gen. 27. 4… ▪ with chap. 32. 6. and ch. 33. 4, 12. In cauſing a fear to fall on the Amori…es, that they did p. 10not purſue Iacob, when highly provoked by his Sons cruelty on the Men of Sechem, Gen. 35. 5 In ſending to Sihon a meſſage of peace, when He had determin'd to cut him off; and to that end, had hardened his ſpirit, and made him obſtinate, D…ut. 2. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. In cauſing thoſe nations to deſtroy one another, who came leagued to deſtroy His people, 2 Chron. 20. 1, 22, 23 verſes. In deſtroying Eſau's mount Irrepairably, and for ever; when as Iſrael, whoſe land alſo was full of ſin, ſhall not be forſaken, Obad. ver. 9, 16, 18, 21. and Mal▪ 1▪ 4. Eſpecially, conſidering, that theſe were the ſeveral effects of His loving the One, and hating the other, and that before they had done either good or evil, ver. 2, 3. and Rom. 9. 11, 13. In ſending Ezekiel to a rebellious houſe that would not hear; and not ſending him to them that would, Math. 11 21. Acts 16. 6, 7. Mark 4. 11, 12. Luke 8 10.Matt 11:21Acts 16:6Acts 16:7Mark 4:11Mark 4:12Luke 8:10Ezek. 3. 6, 7. ch. 12. 2 and 3. In hiding the Myſteries of His kingdom from the wiſe and prudent, and revealing them to Babes, Math. 11. 25. And ſpeaking in parables to the Multitude, leſt they ſhould be converted.

In puniſhing (ſometimes) for leſſer treſpaſſes, and that ſ… verely, and in his own; whiles winking at thoſe o… a greater magnitude in other men: Moſes is excluded Canaan for a haſty word, though ſmartly provoked; when Jonah's but mildly reproved for paſſionately expoſtulating, Ʋzzah dies for but touching the Ark,1 Sam. 5. 1. 1 Chr. 13, 9, 10.1 Sam 5:11 Chr 13:91 Chr 13:10 when the Philiſtims bore it away in triumph. Hezekiah but ſhews the Ambaſſ…dours from Babylon, his houſe and treaſures;2 K. 20. 13, 17. and for this, his ſons and all muſt go into captivity. Not that any ſin is little in it ſelf, or puniſhed beyond the demerit of it: but, the Lord is pleaſed thus to doe, partly to ſhew his diſpleaſure againſt ſin, and that will not bear with it, even in thoſe that are deareſt to Him: but partly alſo (if not chiefly, in ſuch like caſes) to ſet forth His Sovereign Greatneſs, Job. 33. 18.Job 33:18and the uncontroulableneſs of His matters. The 73 Pſalm is full to the ſame purpoſe. That alſo of Job, and the manner of God's dealings with him, is much to be remark'd: He had lived a very ſtrict and holy life, (Not a Man like Job, Job. 1. 8.Job 1:8in all the earth, the Lord himſelf ſeems to glory in him) unto which, all outward bleſſings were promiſed, and freedom from ſuch ſufferings; and when bereft p. 11of all,Job 2. 3.Job 2:3 held faſt his integrity▪ yet the Lord goes on the afflict him, and leaves him wholly (ſaving his life) in Satan's power. Had he been a wicked Man, (as his friends objected) thoſe ſufferings had evidenced the Iuſtice of God▪ but nonw His Sovereignty: which alſo ſeems to be intended by that ſpeech of God to Satan, (ch. 2. 3) Thou movedſt Me againſt him, to diſtroy him with…ul a cauſe.

Seventhly, There are yet other footſteps of Sovereignty, by 7which that high and holy Attribute is farther illuſtrated to us; As (namely) the Lord's conſtant over-ruling the Deſigns and Actions of Men, to bring His own councels to paſs▪ albeit, improper in their own nature; yea, diſſervient thereto; and ſometimes contriv'd on purpoſe to prevent them: The project of building the Tower of Babel, was to keep that rebellious Rout together; but it turn'd to their utter diſperſion. Laban dealt hardly with Iacob, Gen. 11. 4 &Gen 11:4thereby to keep him low, and to ſerve himſelf of him; but God takes occaſion hence, to give him Laban's ſubſtance; and that by Lahan's conſent and agreement. Gen. 29. 27. and ch. Ge. 37. 9, 18. Ch. 39. 20 C… 41. 40. Ch. 42. 6. Ch. 50. 20.30. 27, 43. To obviate Joſeph's dreams, his brethren ſell him into Egypt; and by this means, the Lord keeps them all alive, and accompliſheth that honour to Joſeph, which they ſettly intended to prevent. Pharaoh layes inſ…perable burdens on the People, to diminiſh them; and the Lord Multiplies them under it; The more they were oppreſſed, the faſter thy grew. Gen. 27.Gen 27Exod. 1. …2. Jacob's diſſimulation and palpable abuſe of his fathers infirmity, was made a means of obtaining his bleſſing, though contrary to his father's intendment. M…ſes, a keeper of Sheep, a Man ſlow of ſpeech,Exod. 31, 10.Exod 31:10 and one that had no mind to the work; ſhall be God's Ambaſſadour to Pharaoh, Ch. 4. 10, & 13(the proudeſt and moſt inflexible Monarch upon earth) and bring Iſrael out of bondage. And who ſhall be His Commander in chief, to deliver His People from their potent oppreſſors? but Deb…rah, a Woman; At another time,Iudg. 4. 4. Ch. 6. 15.Judg 4:4 Gideon, whoſe family was poor in Manaſſeh, and he the leaſt in his father's houſe: And though he had a numerous and powerfull enemy to deal with, and (one would think) had need of all the hands he could make, to fight them; yet, his Army of p. 12Two and thirty thouſand, muſt be reduced to Three hundred Men; and they to have no other Arms, but trumpets and lamps in their pitchers: Iudg. 7. 3, 6. 7. Ch. 3. 31. Ch. 15. 15.Judg 7:3Judg 7:6Judg 7:7and by theſe He delivers them from that huge hoſte. And much like this, was Shamgar's killing Six hundred Men with an Ox-goad; and Sampſ…n a Thouſand, with the jaw-bone of an Aſs. It may further be traced, in His producing contrary effects by the ſame cauſe; and then again, the ſame effect by cauſes contrary. Exod. 4. 6. & 7Exod 4:6Exod 4:7So Daniel had a fairer countenance with pulſe and water, than thoſe who eat of the King's own proviſion, Dan. 1. 15. In cauſing the wrath of Man to turn to His praiſe; which in the nature and tendency of it,Pſ 7. 6 10 Job. 5. 12. & 13 Pſ. 5 10. Heſter. 7. 10.Ps 7:6Job 5:12Job 5:13Ps 5:10Esth 7:10 is to deſtroy them that praiſe him. By His catching the wiſe in their own craftineſs; and cauſing them to fall by their own deviſes; Plungeing them in their own ditch. 1 Kings. 22. 2…, 22, 30, 34. ver The perſecution of the Saints at Jeruſalem, was deſigned to ſuppreſs the doctrine of Chriſt; which yet was thereby diſperſed into many Countreys, and cauſed to grow mightily: ſo, The Preacher's impriſonment proved to the furtherance of the Goſpel.Acts 8 2: 4. Phil. 11. 2. 14.Acts 8:2Acts 8:4 And ſince the Scriptures were finiſhed, humane ſtori…s and our own obſervation, doe abundantly ſtand for the Matter in hand: Doe but conſider how it prevailed, to the dethroning of Satan, and turning the World upſide down; and this by means the weakeſt and moſt unlikely (to R…aſon) that could be pitch'd upon: Not the Sword and Spear; the Bowe and Battelax; the barded Horſe, and the Martial Heroes of the Earth; but by the bare word of God: And this, not by the hand of the learned, Scribes and Phariſees, Lawyers, Doctors, Poets, Phil ſ…phers; but by poor illiterate Fiſhermen, Carpenters, Publicans, Tent-makers: And who ſhall be the …ubjects and party Militant of this never-to-be-conquered kingdom? Not the Wiſe and Prudent, Mighty and Noble; 1. Cor 1. 27.1 Cor 1:27but Babes, the poor, weak, baſe, deſpiſed, and things that are not; and by theſe He confounds the things that are. Rev. 12. 11. 14. 12Rev 12:11Rev 12:14Rev 12:12And by what Arms? Patience and faith in the blood of the Lamb.

p. 13Conſider alſo, the conſtant perſecution of the Church, and that by Men o… all ſorts, eſpecially, Thoſe of greateſt power and policy; the barbarous devaſtations that have been made upon it; and with what implaca…le enmity the World is edged againſt it; and that yet it ſtands invincible, and is ſtill getting ground; ye cannot but acknowledge, the evident foot-ſteps of Sovereign Power; That the Moſt High beareth Rule over all; and as for the Councels of the wiſe, He turneth them backward, Iſa. 44. 25. Dan. 4. 25, 26.

Eighthly, An eſpecial Ray of this glorious Power, ſhines 8forth in God's actual predominating the Spirits of Men; as at firſt, in chooſing; ſo now, in Calling and Converting whom He will. One would think that a Rational being ſhould better diſcern his own intereſt; and out of choice, comply with the will of his Maker, as who muſt needs beſt know, what is beſt for His Creature; and who, in Reaſon, can have no other deſign upon him, but his own good. But, we find it otherwiſe; the beſt things degenerated turn the worſt, and are hardlieſt reduc'd: Of all Creatures, Man fallen, doth moſt avert, impugn, and reſiſt, when God would turn him out of his natural courſe; Notwithſtanding, that the ſoreſt of evils do attend his preſent ſtate; and all deſirable happineſs would apparently follow his change. Yet, ſo wedded he is to his Luſts, and head-ſtrong in his own Will; that none of theſe things move him: But On he goes, and On he will; yea, though an incenſed Angel, with a drawn ſword, ſhould withſtand him. To cruſh them to nothing, or break them in pieces, were eaſily effected; a little of Divine Power would do that: But, to humble a proud and lofty Spirit; To ſoften and melt an obdurate heart; To tame, meeken, and reconcile, a Sanguinary Rebel; To change the very inwards of One habituated in Sin and enmity againſt God, and make him plyable to Divine impreſſions; …This highly proclames the exceeding Greatneſs of His Power; 'tis a glorious Trophee of Divine Sovereignty: Which alſo is farther conſpicuous, in Maintaining the work begun; and bearing it on through all oppoſitions: For, there needs the ſame Power to preſerve the new Creation, as at firſt to p. 14raiſe it: The way of God, being altogether upwards and ſupernaturall, there's a great proneneſſe in creatures to Revolt from it; (like a Rolling ſtone on the ſteep of a hill) The Remains of old nature, would torrent-like bear down all, if Sovereign Power did not barr up the One, and ſuſtain the Other. For a ſpark of Divine nature to live in the breſt, of a lapſed Creature, is as great a miracle and as high an effect of Sovereign Power, as all the Instances before enumerated, and More.

Laſtly, The Sovereignty of God, is moſt glorious and adorable, in Ordaining His own ſon, who was holy, harmleſs, undefiled, and ſeperate from ſinners, and was alſo United to the Second Perſon, to be the Mediator, and to make His ſoul an offering for ſin: And then, in His Eternal diſpoſing of Mens everlaſting condition. To ſhew, or not to ſhew, Mercy unto Men equally dignified (or rather, Indignified) in themſelves; To make, of the ſame lump, one Veſſel to honour, and another to diſhonour; is the higheſt act and demonſtration of Sovereign power concerning Men: Which thing, when ever we hear of, or think upon; we ſhould put our mouths in the duſt.

Before I come to the Inferences, I would add a Caution or two, to prevent thoſe ſiniſter deductious, which our deceitfull hearts may be apt to draw from this Sovereign Truth:

Firſt,Caution. 1. See that you make not God the Author of ſin, by charging His ſacred Decrees with Men's Miſcarriages; as if they were the Cauſe or Occaſion of them; which we are ſure they are not, nor can be, any more than the Sun is the cauſe of darkneſs. Be it alwaies remembred, That the Lord's Rejecting of Men puts nothing of evil into them; Nor neceſſitates the will; It only leaves them to their own wayes, which they freely chooſe: yet Banking them in and ſtopping them up, as He did the Fountains of the Great Deep; leſt they Deluge the World with ſin.

Secondly, Go not about to palliate, Nor think to extenuate your ſin, by Arguments fetcht from thoſe Decrees: p. 15That ſin of the Iews in Crucifying Chriſt, was in no wiſe, leſſened; becauſe the Councel of God had determin'd the thing to be done: For, they perpetrated it with wicked hands. Nor is any Man's Unbelief e'r the leſs culpable, from God's Eternal diſpoſement of Mens conditions; For, it is not upon that conſideration, that they ſtumble at the Word, or turn the deaf ear to it; or reſiſt it: but from their own natural blindneſs and enmity againſt it.

And ſo I come to the Inferences: And

Firſt,Infer. 1. From the Scriptures ſo copiouſly holding it forth, I infer, That the Doctrine of God's Sovereignty is a very teaching Doctrine, and full of inſtruction; and conſequently, that it is both a Duty, and much for our Profit, to be well acquainted with it: And great confidence I have, That the farther ye go in an humble fiducial diſquiſition, and contemplation of it; the clearer will be the Reaſon thereof; and the more uſefulneſs will ſtill appear to be in it. Let Reaſon but keep its own place; (that is, let it work by the Rules of Right Reaſon) and nothing will be more conſonant thereto, than that the Moſt High ſhould bear rule over all, and Do according to his Will; and that Men, who are Atoms of Clay animated by his breath; ſhould own Him for their Sovereign Lord, and accordingly ſubmit to Him; yea; though ſo it were, that our own perſonal welfare were not concerned in it: It will be of ſingular Uſe and Moment to us, in the whole of our lives: Nothing, like this, will allay thoſe carnal Reaſonings, which are ſo unreaſonably prone to put in their Verdict of ſpiritual things; (which yet, Carnal Reaſon hath no cogniſance of) and will (indeed) be ſilenced by nothing elſe: The Apoſtle, therefore, in Rom. 9.ver. 19, 20, 21. thinks them not worthy a further Reply, whoſe captious Enquiries the Sovereignty of God will not ſatisfy.

A ſecond Inſcrence,Infer. 2. which naturally flowes from this Doctrine, is that of the Pſalmiſt: Oh, come let us Worſhip and bow down, Pſ. 95. 6.Ps 95:6and kneel before the Lord our Maker. Let us give Him the glory of this great Attribute, by a Real and Practical Owning that indiſpenſible bond of obedience which it layes upon every Creature: We are highly obliged by it, p. 16both in point of ſubjection, and in point of faith.

1. In point of ſubjection, to His Laws, Ordinances, Providences

Firſt, For the Lawes of God, and His Appointments: Theſe we are to attend, Job 22. 3. 35. 7.Job 22:3Job 22:35Job 22:7obſerve, obey; I cannot ſay, For the Lord hath need of them; (For, neither can our Righteouſneſs profit Him; nor our wickedneſs impair Him; He that is Wiſe, is wiſe for himſelf) but do it becauſe the Lord hath commanded;Pſ. 9. 1….Ps 9:1 He is the Lord thy God and worſhip thou Him. Pro. 45 11.This is that ſtrong Reaſon by which He hath backed both Commands and Prohibitions:Exod. 20. 2.Exod 20:2 I am the Lord thy God: Thou ſhalt doe thus: And thus thou ſhalt not doe; I am the Lord: This he ſets in the front of All; and with this He cloſeth the R…re, and Guards them on every ſide. Moſes brings it in as a convincing Reaſon, why we ſhould love God with our whole heart, and keep his Commandments, (namely) becauſe he is the Lord, and He onelyonly: Deut. 6. 4. No One, therefore, may pretend to a right of giving Laws to Men, or to an intereſt in their love and obedience; ſave with reſpect to God, and the authority they have from Him.

And though He is ſometimes pleaſed, (and it is a great condeſcention in the great God) by arguments taken from our own Good, to draw us to obedience: (Do it, for it is your life:)Deut. 32. 47.Deut 32:47 yet, in our ſpirits, That of His Sovereignty and Glory, ought to have the preference. To caſt out Iſhmael, was a thing grievous to Abraham; but being Commanded of God, he debates it Not, Nor delayes to do it. Therefore, hold on your way, though never ſo great Obſcurity be upon it at preſent: Minde your duty in the midſt of diſcouragements: Do as Peter; who, though he had labour'd all night and caught Nothing; yet, Maſter, At thy command I will let down the Net again.

2 Be ſubject to His Ordinances: If He pleaſe to Command the uſing ſuch Meanes,L…ke 5. 5. as have no Natural virtue towards ſuch an effect, (as in Moſes ſtretching his hand over the Sea; and ſmiteing the Rock with his Rod: ſo, Water in baptiſm, Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper) Preſume p. 17not to ſay, What is there in theſe? Godlineſs is a Myſtery, which onelyonly faith can underſtand: There is no Divine Inſtitution, but hath Meat in it that you know not of; which, if rightly uſed, will ſpeak for it ſelf. If He pleaſe to make Clay of Duſt and ſpittle; Contemn it not; but ſubmit to His Will and way; and be thankfull for thy Cure.Iudges 12▪ …. with Ch. 16. 1…Judg 12 Sampſons hair was an Ordinance to him; which when he ſlighted, the ſpirit of God left him; and he became as other Men; and recovered not his ſtrength until it was grown again.

3. As touching the Providences of God; Obſerve them and Submit to them: look not upon them as Empty things: The leaſt may yield you Inſtruction; as alſo, the Moſt unlikely: Out of the Eater comes forth Meat, and out of the ſtrong, ſweetneſs: Though the thing be a …iddle to an heart uncircumciſed; Plough with His Heifer, and ye ſh…ll find it.

Neither look on them as Things Impertinent; But ſay, rather, Is there not a Cauſe, though I ſee it not? The Lord does nothing in vain.

Neither yet look on them as Things Contingent: Math. 10 29 30Matt 10:29A ſparrow falls not without His will; and the hairs of your head are all Numbred:Pſ. 39 9.Ps 39:9 David was Dumb, and opened not his Mouth; why? Becauſe Thou Lord didſt it; And Shimei's Curſing he beares patiently,2 Sam. 16. 10.2 Sam 16:10 on the ſame account; It may be the Lord hath bidden him.

There may be Such a Mixture and Confuſion of things, and your expectation ſo delayed and fruſtrated, That your froward untamed heart may be ready to Wrangle it out;Eccles. 8. 14.Eccl 8:14 Why falls it alike to All? Why to the Juſt, according to the Work of the wicked; and to the wicked according to the work of the Righteous? Or, why One event to them All? This is not to Enquire wiſely: you ſhould rather conclude, and ſay, (as the Diſciples, in another Caſe) The Lord hath need of them: That is, He hath occaſion to uſe ſuch a Providence, to fullfil a Word. If ye would Caſt ſo, as to lye by your Mark, this Attribute of Sovereignty gives you the beſt Ground. Search and Obſerve as much as ye will, ſo you take Faith along with you; Without which p. 18ye can do Nothing Warrantably. Faith is a Sworn Officer to the Great king, and has a key for every lock that is fit to be opened; It forces Nothing; but where it cannot Enter, it ſtands without, and Waits a fitter ſeaſon. Let Faith alſo, be Chief Speaker in all your Debates: And then, the Reſult will be, That Carnal Reaſon, and Preſent Senſe, (though very Tenacious and Stubborn) ſhall yield the Cauſe, and let you goe.

The Summ of all, is this, That though ye be not Conſcious to your ſelf, of any particular Cauſe or Miſcarriage, beſides what is Common to Men, (which was the Caſe with Job) Lay your hand upon your Mouth, as Job did; The Moſt High doth according to His Will: Dan. 4. 34: 35.Dan 4:34Dan 4:35This, even the proudeſt of Kings acknowledged, when his underſtanding returned to him; and ſo do you: And know, That if your ſpirit be out of frame in your preſent Condition; it would not be better in any other.

Secondly, Our Faith alſo is highly concerned in the Sovereignty of God: For, It both obligeth to Believe in Him, and alſo affords Matter for Faith to work upon. To theſe Ends, the Lord holds it forth to Abraham Once and Again:Gen. 17, 1.Gen 17:1 I am God Almighty &c. This was it, enabled him to believe he ſhould have a Son; even whiles the Deadneſs of his own Body,Rom. 4. 19.Rom 4:19 and of Sarah's Womb, wrought ſtrongly againſt it. This alſo was that made him ſo readily aſſent to the offering up of this Son, when he had him. He had as much to ſay againſt it, as could well be ſuppoſed; For, the Promiſe was, That in Iſaac all families of the Earth ſhould be bleſſed: which Promiſe and this Command, Abraham's Reaſon could not Reconcile: The Contradiction would ſurely have Run him down, had not his faith in this Great Attribute, held faſt and guided the Reignes; Suggeſting to him, That He who gave Iſaac a being from a Withered Stock, was able alſo to raiſe him from the dead:Heb. 11. 19.Heb 11:19 Abraham there fore diſputes it Not; Stands not ſo much as to conſider upon't: but up he gets him Early, to do it: And hence he obtained that honourable title,James, 2. 23. to be called, The friend of God.

Ye have ſeen Now, what Abraham did; Go ye, and do p. 19likewiſe: Take hold of Gods Sovereignty as your own; and to be improved for your good: Faith gives a Propriety in any Attribute it looks upon; and drawes out the virtues and Influence thereof, for it ſelf. And therefore, What ever difficulties are in your way, be not diſheartened by them; but call in this Sovereignty of God, by faith, to your help: Remember the ready ſubjection which all Creatures do pay to his Word; By which alone (without Creatures ſervice) He can level the Mountains, and make Crooked things ſtreight, Reſtra…, Alter, Invert, and Turn upſide down, the very Courſe of Nature: ſo that That which is death in it ſelf, ſhall be life to you. New Cords and Wyths, when touch'd by his word, are as flax and tow, when touch'd by the fire; Iron ſhall be as ſtraw, and braſs as rotten wood: Therefore, lengthen the Cords, and ſtrengthen the ſtakes of your faith: you cannot beleive for greater things or better than God can do for you: Even ſin it ſelf, which is the Great (and in truth, the onelyonly) evil; It is His enemy as much as yours; And you may be ſure, He would not have ſuffered its being in the World, if He had not a Power to Correct and Curb it; yea, and to deſtroy it too, at His pleaſure. Take hold of His ſovereign ſtrength, and your work is done.

But here alſo a Caution or two, may be ſeaſonably added.

1. That if death in the pot have once been healed, and your borrowed Ax-head, (ſunk once paſt hope of Recovery) have been brought again to your hand, look that Remiſſnes grow not upon it: Beware, ye gather not Wilde Gourds a ſecond time; Nor perſume to throw the helve after the Head: The Divine Power is too great a thing to be trifled with; or Made to ſerve with the …ollies of Men.

2. That you never look on this Great Attribute of Sovereignty, without your Mediator; As without whom it would be matter of Terror and Amazemeut to ſinners: It is He onelyonly can render It Propitious to you. As Nothing is pleaſing to God, but in and through Chriſt; So, Nothing in God, is Comfortable to Men, or for their Eternal Good, but as it comes to them through Him: As Waters out of p. 20the Sea immediately, are not potable, unleſs they be firſt exhaled by the Sun; or paſs through ſome vein of Earth, which makes them Congruous to our Nature.

I ſhall mention two particulars, of Neareſt Co…cerment to us; wherein we are, in a ſpecial manner, to have reſpect unto the Sovereignty of God.

1. As touching your own Condition, (your everlaſting Condition) Submit to Mercy, to Sovereign Mercy: that is, yeild your ſelf to God without Capitula…ing or Mak…ing terms with him: Thoſe Syrians well under ſtood the Meaning of this; They put Ropes on their heads, and themſelves in the Conquerors hands,1 K. 20. 31. upon an uncertain Conjecture, (Peradventure they will ſave us a live:) So do ye, although ye have but a [May be] we ſhall be hid. Zeph, 2. 3.Minde your Duty, and leave the iſſue to God: Believe above hope, and againſt hope: Follow God in the dark, as your father Abraham did, Not knowing whether He would lead him: Thus to do, is To give Glory to God. Therefore Fear the Lord▪ and Obey the voice of His Servant, even then, when ye are in Darkneſs, and have noe light, (Namely, of His ſpecial Favour and love, to you in perticular.) And though never ſo great diſcouragements are afore you, from the Guilt of ſins Committed the power of Indwelling Corruption, and your preſent Averſneſs to Beleiveing; and hear withall, That Faith is the Great Commandment: let your heart anſwer, Is it my Duty, (my Duty) to believe? Nay, then I muſt. Remember His Greatneſs; His abſolute Dominion; The …ncontrollableneſs of His Matters; That He hath concluded All in unbelief▪ That He might have mercy upon All:Rom. 11. 32.Rom 11:32 (that is, That the Salvation of Thoſe who ſhall be ſaved might appear to be of Mercy, and be ſo acknowledged) To him, therefore Commit your Cauſe, and Commit it to Him as your Sovereign Lord; and ſo leave it with Him; And ſee, that you take it not out of His hand again, by your doubting the iſſue of it: And know that then is your Soul neareſt to Peace and ſettle ment, when brought to this Submiſſion: Be in ſubjection unto the Father of Spirits, Heb 12. 9.Heb 12:9and live.

But, let not the Word be miſconſtrued: I do not mean p. 21by [Submiſſion] That you ſhould be ſatisfied under a denial of Mercy, on the accompt of God's Abſolute Dominion: I cannot think That a Neceſſary term or qualification, in your …reating with God for Salvation: For

1. I do not find, That God requires ſuch a Submiſſion, as the Condition of obtaining Mercy; Nor that He hath made any Promiſe to give ſuch a Submiſſion, in order to that end; Nor any Inſtance in ſcripture of Mens having or indeavouring ſuch a frame of ſpirit, in that buſineſs; Nor yet, That Men are any where tax'd for-Not att…ning to it. They are blamed indeed, and that worthily, For not ſubmitting to the Righteouſneſs of God; (that is, For not Renouncing their own, and flying to That of Chriſt:) And this blameworthineſs you cannot eſcape, if finding your ſelf loſt and undone, you will not preſently run to Chriſt, without firſt finding in your ſelf Something that may ſeem to commend you to him.

2. Such a Submiſſion ſeems Repugnant to God's revealed Will: For, if this be the Will of God, even our ſanctification, That we ſhould believe in His Son, and love Him with our whole heart; Then it cannot be his Will, That we ſhould be willing to Remain in an unſanctified eſtate, in unbelief and enmity againſt Him; which are the inſeperable Conjux of Willingneſs to be Seperated from God.

3. Becauſe the promiſe of Eaſe and Reſt, is made to the Weary and Laden, coming to Chriſt; Not to a Contentedneſs to be divided from him. And the promiſe of Satisfaction, is to your bungring and thirſting after Righteouſneſs; Not to the C…ſſation of your deſire, without the Thing which onelyonly can ſatiſfie.

4. Becauſe, To be ſatisfied without obtaining Mercy, is to be ſatisfied with an utter incapacity to Glorify the Grace of God, and to enjoy Communion with Him; which are the principal End and Duty of Men.

5. It is Croſſe to the Genius and Concreated Principle of the Reaſonable Creature; which is, to ſeek its own happineſs; In any thing ſhort of which, it ought not to acquieſce.

6. Such a ſubmiſſion cannot be Requiſite in Preparatory p. 22work▪ becauſe, That would ſuppoſe the higheſt pitch of Grace attain'd (if yet it be a Grace, and attainable) before you beleive; and conſequently, That it is not a Grace out of Chriſt's fullneſs; for ye are ſuppoſed to have it before ye go to Him.

And therefore, when I ſay, ye muſt ſubmit without Capitulating or making terms▪ my meaning is, ye are not to Treat upon terms of your own Making; Nor propound any thing to God, but What Sovereign Mercy propounds to you, as the Way and Means of obtaining your Great End: And great Reaſon ye have for this Submiſſion; for herein lies your Intereſt; Thoſe being (in truth) the onelyonly Terms, by which a loſt and ſinfull Creature can be rendred ſalvable, or capable of being ſaved: (as may further appear in the Sequel of this diſcourſe.)

I think (with humble Submiſſion) That if any Point of time may be ſuppoſed before the Decree, It was Then that Abſolute Dominion bor… ſway: But, ever ſince Election came in, It is Grace that Reignes: Not, That Sovereignty is Ceaſed▪ but Tranſferr'd: Before, it was in Power but Now in Grace: In Grace, as touching the Elect; and in Juſtice, as touching the Reſt▪ Grace is the Attribute God delights to honour; And all the Other, are (if I may ſo ſpeak) Subjects of This: Even Chriſt Himſelf was made a Servant, to perform the pleaſure of His Grace.

So then▪ That you are to Submit unto, is the good pleaſure of God's will, as held forth in the Covenant of Grace; undertaking for, and perfectly able to ſave you; and as having His Sovereign Power engaged to make it good: Which ſeems the ſcope of that paſſage in Moſes his prayer for the people,Numb. 14▪ 17, 18, 19.Num 14:17Num 14:18Num 14:19 when they had highly provoked God; Let the power of my Lord be Great, according as Thou …aſt ſpoken &c. It was to pardon, and ſtill Own them for His people. And to this agree all thoſe Scriptures which hold forth the Power of God, as the ground of Faith; as that by which He is Able to pardon ſin,Iſa. 27. 5.Isa 27:5 To ſubdue miquity, and to hold your Souls in life: you are therefore directed▪ If ye will have peace with God▪ to take hold of His ſtrength: Which cannot be meant of p. 23Contentedne…ſ… in having that ſtrength put forth to deſtroy, but as being perfectly Able and engaged by His Covenant to Save you. As to the time When He will manifeſt His love to you; As alſo touching the manner and meaſure of His diſpenſing it; the good pleaſure of God's Will is expreſsly and with all quietneſs of ſpirit, to be Submitted unto: But as to the Thing it ſelf, You ought not to be ſaid Nay: but as he who had power with God and prevail'd▪ Hoſ. 12. 14. Gen. 32. 26.Hos 12:14Gen 32:26He wept and made ſupplication, but ſtill reſolv'd, I will not let thee … except thou bleſs me.

2. As for the other neareſt Concernment, touching your Children, deal in like manner for them, by ſubmitting them to the ſame Mercy. It is true, That next to your own perſonal ſalvation, there cannot be a greater evidence of God's love to you, than to Chooſe your Children after you▪ Nor any thing more deſireable to you: Therefore Command them, Gen. 18. 19.Gen 18:19and Inſtruct them, to keep the way of the Lord; That He may bring on them the bleſſing you moſt deſire for them: But be not Over-ſolicitous and eaſt down, becauſe you ſee not yet, the Marks of Election upon them: The Lord doth not (indeed): bind himſelf to take all a Believers Children▪ Nor doth He limit Himſelf from taking any others: There is Nothing declared …ouching His Purpoſe to Take All the One, …eſt they ſhould from thence take occaſion to be Remiſs in their Duty▪ (which, ſtill Converſion, is very natural to us) nor doth He exclude the Children of others; For, that …ight diſcourage and weaken their hands to that as is good. In this various diſpenſing of His everlaſting love; He is pleaſed … His liberty and ſovereign Prerogative, That … greatly manifeſts his love to Believers, in ſo frequent … Chooſing of their Seed: And the Freeneſs of His Grace, in Not-rejecting altogether, the Seed of Others.

Inference 3.

Thirdly, How happy and ſovereignly bleſſed are Thoſe who have an Intereſt in this Great and Sovereign Lord! Which Every One is bleſſed with, that has, in truth, taken p. 24hold of His Covenant: For, That takes in all between the Two Eternities, and Eternity it ſelf withall: And the ſpirits or ſtrength of the Whole, lies in thoſe few (but very Compendious) Words, [I will be your God.] When the Lord would comfort His People to purpoſe, and p…t on their Eagles wings, What a glorious Narrative doth he make of His Power and Sovereign Greatneſs! in Iſa. 40. from v. 12. to v. 26. And then tells them That all this is Theirs, v. 27. And if God be yours, All things are yours: Who and where is he, that can ſupplant you of His bleſſing? y…u may rejoyce in His Highneſs, the thoughts whereof are Matter of terro…r to other Men. After the rehearſal of all the happineſs and Glory that Men or Angels are capable of, it ſhall all be compriſed in this, as the Original thereof, and ſumm of the whole, Bleſſed are they whiſe God the Lord is!Pſa. 144. 15.Ps 144:15

Inference 4.

Fourthly, We may ſee here, the Reaſon Why God doth ſometimes defer to Anſwer the Doubts and Querie's we ſtick at, and moſt deſire to be Reſolv'd about: It is not only to ſhew His Sovereignty; But to bring our hearts to a ſubmiſs and practical acknowledgment of it. Moſes was very unwilling to go on his Meſſage to Bharaoh: Many pretences he had to put it by; when as the danger he might be in for killing the Aegyptian, was the bottom-Objection; (though he ſpeaks it not Out.) Indeed, the men who ſought his life, were now dead▪ Which, if the Lord had told him of, at firſt; all thoſe excuſes had probably) been ſpared. But He was pleaſed to conceal it from him, until He had brought him to a full compliance with His Will;Exod. 3. 11. with Ch 4. 10, 13, 19Exod 3:11 and then reveals it to Him Ʋnask'd. So likewiſe, He would not take off His hand from Iob, until He had well learn'd him this leſſon.Job. 42. 2 6, 7.Job 42:2 Say not therefore (becauſe you hear not from God ſo ſoon as you would.) The Lord hath …orſaken me, My Lord hath forgotten Me: But follow that good Reſolution recorded in Iſaiah. I will wait upon the Lord, who h…deth his face (for the preſent) from the Houſe of Jacob,Iſa 49. 14.Isa 49:14 and I will look for Him, v. 17.

p. 25Inference 5.

Fifthly, Let no Man, then, who will Say, The Lord, He is God, preſume to intrench on His Sacred Royalty, by ſeeking a Reaſon of His Decrees, beyond or beſides the Good pleaſure of His Will: Even Sovereigns of duſt, will not admit it in Subjects, though of the ſame Mould with themſelves. It is an Imperial Secret, The Chief of the wayes of God: It belongs to himſelf alone to know it: and the knowledg thereof would not profit us Now. Beſides, There is enough revealed, of great importance to us, at preſent; On which to imploy the utmoſt of our time and ſtrength. By Over-graſping we may ſprain our hands, and unfit them for ſervice which lies within their Compaſs; But we gain Nothing. Therefore, go not about to fathom this Great Deep: Who, but one of ſhallow underſtanding, would think to meaſure the Sea by handfulls? or to give a Demonſtrative Reaſon of its various and convertible Courſes? Remember That you Magnifie His Work;Job, 36. 24. but leſſen it Not by pretending to Comprehend it.Eccleſ. 8. 17.Eccl 8:17 Sanctifie the Lord in your heart, and fear before Him!.

Inference 6.

Sixthly, This gives a Reaſon, why Men of the largeſt Capacity, for Learning and Natural underſtanding, are ſo mightily Puzzelled and Labyrinth'd in Spiritual Matters; particularly The Doctrine of Election: Why they do ſo ſtrongly oppoſe it, and are ſo hardly Reconcil'd with it: They are not, in truth, ſubdued to the Doctrine of God's Sovereignty: And therefore, whiles in diſcuſſing thoſe points of Faith; they judge as their Natural Optick repreſents them; they loſe both themſelves and the Truth: Which yet, (in ſome degree) is made known unto Babes, (Men of low ſtature to them) whoſe ſpirits the Lord hath ſubdued, to reſt contented with what their Father is pleaſed to tell them; And for the Reſt, (as, namely, the Manner and Reaſon of God's p. 26Diſpoſements and Diſpenſations) they live by Faith in His Righteouſneſs; Waiting for the day that ſhall Reveal all things; when the Tabernacle of God, which yet is in Heaven, ſhall be let down among Men, (or They taken up into it) and theſe hidden things of Sovereignty, ſhall be more openly known amongſt them.

Inference 7.

Laſtly, This Doctrine of God's Abſolute Dominion, Clears away all that Made-ground and Rubbiſh, which the Principles of Free-Will-Grace, do found their Election upon; and ſhews us the only true and Proper foundation of Scripture Election; with thoſe other Important Truths which hold upon it; or are Conſequents of it: All which, have their Head in the Sovereignty of God; and Derived thence, as Rivers are from the Sea; As through his bleſſing and Grace, may appear afterwards. And ſo I ſhall cloſe up this firſt particular, with that holy Rapture of the Pſalmiſt, Be thou Exalted, Lord, in thy own ſtrength, ſo will we ſing, and praiſe thy Power. The Lord hath prepared His Throne in the Heavens, and His Kingdom ruleth over all! Bleſs the Lord, ye His Angels that Excel in ſtrength. Bleſs the Lord, all ye His Hoſts; ye Miniſters of His that do His pleaſure! Bleſs the Lord, all His works, in all places of his Dominion! Bleſs the Lord ô my Soul!