Effectual Calling and Election, Sermon 13
SERMON. XIII.
2 Pet. 1.10.
Wherefore the rather, Brethren, Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure.
IN the proſecution of this ſubject, you may remember the laſt Doctrine I drew forth was this, That Chriſtians ſhould put forth a great deal of diligence to make this ſure to their ſouls, that they are eternally elected by God the Father. In the handling of which, I have ſhewn you, 1. What Election is. 2. That the people of God may make ſure their owne Election, though done from all eternity.
I come now to ſhew you how the people of God may be aſſured in their owne hearts that they are eternally elected. And h…r…, to compaſſe this knowledge or aſſurance of our Election, I doe not onelyonly carry it ſo farre as the Papiſts doe, that ſay, you may have a perſwaſion, which they call Fides conjecturalis, a conjectural faith, or hope you may be ſav…d; but will not come up ſo farre as the words of my Text, to be ſure of it. Now ſhould a man uſe no more then the words of the Text, in that it is preſſed as a command, it is an argument it may be made ſure to a mans own ſelf. For no man is bound to an impoſſible thing; and in that it is a thing required, to be aſſured of our election,Nemo tenctur & impoſſ…ile. the Scripture would never oblige our obedience to that which is impoſſible in it ſelfe. I doe not drive ſo far onelyonly, but further. What ſhould an elect man doe to be certainly perſwaded that he is eternally elected by God to obtain life and ſalvation. I am now handing a doctrine to be trembled at, while you are attending to it. And in the reſolving this quere, you muſt take this rule; that you cannot get aſſurance by aſcending into Gods decree, but by deſcending into your own hearts, ſearching them by the word whether thoſe ſaving effects, which God doth work in an elect perſon, be wrought in your ſoules or no: and that is t…e way to come to a ſure and certain knowledge of your elec…ion. The knowledge of your election is not attainable by aſcending into Gods decree; for who hath made you his Counſellors. Nor is it enjoyned you by way of Revelation, That is an unſure ground, and you may runne into Enthuſiaſme, as well as perſwaſion about your election. It is not done by Revelation, neither againſt nor without the word. What ever t…ſtimony there is, if it come not from the word, you may ſuſpect it to be a deluſion. Now the ſafeſt way, (though I know much cried down) for you to go by in ſearching wheth…r you are in the number of Gods elect, is to ſearch into your own hearts, whether thoſe things be wrought in you, which are wrought in thoſe whom God hath elected to life and ſalvation: and here I ſhal content my ſelf with the naming of ſix ſaving effects.
Firſt, every man that is elected, ſooner or later, ſhall be effectually called, and ſavingly converted by the power of the word. This the Apoſtle laies down, 1 Theſ. 1.4, 5. Knowing brethren, beloved, your election of God. How ſhould this be known? Verſ. 5. For our word came not to you in word onelyonly, but in power, and in the holy Gh…ſt: that is, o… Goſpel did not come in word onel…, to affect you… e…rs, and reſt there; but our word came with powe…, being b…k… with the operation of the Spirit, for your conve…ion. This work all men that are elected, ſooner or later muſt come under, to have the power of the word come with auth…rity upon Conſcience, for his effectual calling. So Rom. 8.30. Whom he predeſtinated, whom he appointed to life, t…e… he called. And therefore, Beloved, who ever you are, if you live and die without having the power of the Word to paſs upon your ſoule, for your …ffectual Calling, you may lay your h…ar…s under this Concluſion, that you are no elected by God to ob…ain life and ſalvation. For, Whom he hath predeſtinated, them he calls.
Secondly, a man that is elected by God to life, ſooner or later God will ſanctifie him by renewing and regenerating grace: And this is onelyonly different from the former in degree; for calling is ſanctifica…ion begun. Now, when God elects a man, he doth not onelyonly begin the work of grace, but he carries it on in a courſe of ſanctification. And of this your read 2 Theſ. 2.12, 13. We are bold to give thanks to God alwaies for you, beloved of the Lord, becauſe God hath from the beginning choſen you to ſalvation, through ſanctification of the Spirit, and beliefe of the truth. If God hath from the beginning choſen a man to ſalvation, the Lord doth it through ſanctification; not for ſanctification, as the Papiſts ſay, or for faith foreſeen, but it is through it, as a means whereby we are brought to ſalvation; ſanctifica…ion ſh…ll runne through our lives, as water through a channel. So, 1 Pet. 1.2. They that are elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by Chriſt, through ſanctification. So 2 Tim. 2.21. And therefore beloved, if men live and die, and have not the power of ſanctifying grace upon their hearts and conſciences, and working in their lives, doubtleſs thoſe men are not elected; becauſe this you ſee clearly, that at one time or other God will work this in ſuch men. Jude 4.
Thirdly, men elected by God to life and ſalvation ſhal ſooner or later be brought into a ſtate of believing, Acts 13.48. As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. No man that is ordained to eternal life, but ſhall be brought to a believing eſtate. And therefore men living and dying in a ſtate of unbeliefe, are not elected. Hence you read, Tit. 1.1. it is called, the faith of Gods elect; implying, that all that are elected, before they die ſhall have faith; and none ſhall have faith, but onelyonly they; and therefore in a peculiar manner, called the faith of Gods elect, appropriated only to them.
Fourthly, That man that is elected, ſooner, or later before he dies, God will work in his heart a ſpecial delight in, and an intire love to the word preached. This you have expreſſed, John 8.47. He that is of God, heareth Gods word; therefore ye are not of God, becauſe ye hear not his words. To be of God, that is, to belong to God by election. Now, he that is of God, God will in time make him hear his word with delight and love; but he that takes no delight therein, is no… elected of God. 1 John 4.5, 6.
Fifthly, The Lord will ſooner or later work in the heart of an elect man, love to the people of God, and compaſſion to thoſe who are not the elect and choſen one of God, Col. 3.12. Put on as the elect of God, bowels of mercy and loving kindneſs. The Apoſtle there by the manner of phraſe doth ſeem to intimate thus much, Put on as the elect of God, &c. As if it were a thing ordained to, and inſeparable from an elect man, after his effectual calling, that he ſhould have bowels of mercy towards thoſe that are not called, and that he ſhould have loving kindneſs towards thoſe that are called. For a man that is once elected, and hath the execution of that decree in effectual calling, it is proper to him to have bowels of mercy.
Sixthly, God will ſooner or later work an elect man into a new courſe of living, and of obedience, from what he had in times paſt. 1 Pet. 1.2. You are elected according to the foreknowledg of God through ſanctification to obedience; that though you were diſobedient before, ſerving divers luſts, yet God, if he hath choſen you, will bring you in a courſe of obedience, Rom. 8.29 He hath predeſtinated us. What to doe? that we might be conformable to the image of his Son. God intends, that that perſon whom he chooſeth to life, ſhould be conformable to Jeſus Chriſt, and that he ſhall live another manner of life then before; that though he hath formerly been ſubject to ſinne and ſatan, yet then he ſhall walk in waies of obedience to Jeſus Chriſt.
Thus having briefly finiſht theſe heads, I have onelyonly foure or five cautions to lay down, to bound what hath been ſaid within the limits of truth. As,
Firſt, Take notice, that theſe ſix defects do not extend to children who die while they are children, but to men and women that are grown in years. A childe that cannot act reaſon, as he is a childe, cannot have any of theſe particulars wrough in him, at leaſt in that way and manner men of years have. A childe, as it is an infant, hath not converſion in that way a man hath, though it hath ſomewhat equivalent to it; as ſomewhat like ſanctification, and ſomewhat like that faith men of years have; but what that is, and how wrought, man cannot determine. In preſſing of this therefore, I ſay, it doth not extend to children who die in their infancy, but onelyonly to men come to years of diſcretion, if they live and die without having theſe ſix effects, they may conclude, they cannot be elected.
Secondly, that the want of theſe ſix particulars for a time, is no Argument of a mans non-election; for before converſion (which is Gods firſt dealing with a ſinner) an elect man may be as vile, and as bad as any wicked man alive. As the Apoſtle Paul tells us, Titus 3.3. In times paſt we were alſo diſobedient, and ſerved divers luſts, and lived in pleaſure and excess, &c. So 1 Tim. 1.12. So that the want of this for a time, is no argument of a mans non-election, for then it would follow, a man unconverted is no elect man, which would croſſe the whole tenour of Scripture: But a man living and dying without theſe, doth not belong to the election of grace.
Thirdly, I do not preſſe the having of theſe effects actually, if you have them habitually. My meaning is this: A man may be elected, and yet may not act any thing anſwerable to effectual calling, nor act with any delight and love to the word, nor act any thing in a way of ſanctification; yet, if you have theſe habitually, in the habit of them, theſe may be teſtimonies or evidences of election.
Fourthly, I do not preſſe the having of theſe effects ſenſibly to be an evidence of election, if ſo be you have them really. There are many men have theſe really, when they have them not in their own apprehenſion.
Fifthly, I do not preſſe the having of theſe effects gradually, ſo you have them ſincerely. My meaning is this, that a man may be elected; yea, and he may not onelyonly be choſen in Gods eternal decree, but the execution of that decree may be paſſed upon him, that he may be effectually called, and yet he may not have all theſe ſix effects in a great meaſure in the higheſt degree, yet he may have them ſincerely, and ſo be a pledge to his own heart of his eternal election.
And thus having finiſhed this third Quere, I come now to enter upon another, depending upon the former; which indeed is a very dreadful ſubject, and a point to be trembled at, while it is handling, and that is this: what probable gueſſe may be given of a man, that he is not within the compaſſe of Gods election? This is a very high point, and muſt be handled with a great deal of ſeariouſneſſe, and ſadneſſe; it being a point concerning the ſalvation or damnation of all the men upon earth. And therefore I would intreat you to look about you. Gods decrees they are in Heaven, and it is onelyonly a reall, work of grace upon your hearts on earth, that can give you evidence that thoſe decrees are for good to you, As good wrought is an evidence of Gods purpoſe to ſave you; ſo the contrary work may be an evidence of Gods purpoſe never to ſave you, but of leaving you without the compaſſe of his eternal election. There can be nothing laid down abſolutely and certainly, yet there may be many probable gueſſes given of the men that are not within the compaſſe of Gods election: Of which I ſhal name but ſix or ſeven ſorts. And I wiſh to God that none of you that are before the Lord this day, have your names written in this black book▪ leſt you have juſt cauſe to fear your names are no written in the book of life.
Firſt, That man that falls back from a courſe of profeſſion to a courſe of profaneneſſe, without timely returning; the Scripture gives a ſhrewd gueſſe of ſuch a man, that he is not within the compaſſe of Gods purpoſe to ſave. I do not ſay, every backſliding, and every decaying affection, but a total and final relapſe; when a man falls, and riſeth not again; w…e… a mans runs from God, and …eturns not again; the Scripture gives a gueſſe at him, that he is not within the compaſſe of Gods election. Heb. 10.38, 39. If any man draw back, my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. Interpreters obſerve, that in theſe words there is a figure, wherein there is leſſe expreſſed, then is intended, My ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. It is as much as if God ſhould have ſaid, My ſoule ſhall hate, or I will exceedingly hate him. But we are not of them that draw back to perdition; but of them that believe, to the ſaving of their ſouls: which words clearly import, that men that draw back without returning, they draw back to perdition, to damnation; but we are not of them, ſaith the Apoſtle. And here then, beloved, doth this word fall upon any man before God this day? Haſt thou left a courſe of ſtrictneſſe, and fallen into a courſe of prophaneſſe and looſneſſe? Haſt thou fallen from thy God, and never thinkeſt of a returning? I ſhall not cenſure thee now, but if thou liveſt and dieſt in this eſtate, it is an undoubted argument, thou art not within the compaſſe of Gods decree to ſave.
Secondly, Men that do make the mercies and goodneſs of God as arguments to embolden them the more in ſin, ſuch men are not likely to be the perſons whom God hath elected to life and glory. In the Epiſtle of Jude, v. 4. It is ſpoken there of men, that turned the grace of God into wantonness. And what ſaith the Apoſtle of them, they are men ordained of old to damnation. The Scripture there makes it the badge of a man ordained of old to damnation, when he ſhall perſiſt in this ſinful temper, to turn Gods grace into laciviouſneſſe; that is, to take arguments from the grace, and mercy, and goodneſſe of God, to walk in waies of ſin. And therefore look to it, and with your hearts bewaile it, all you that are apt to abuſe doctrins of grace; and becauſe God is good you will be evil; becauſe God is merciful, therefore you will be ſinful; if you die in this temper, the Scripture declares, that you are the men ordained of old to condemnation.
Thirdly, a man that doth walk in a courſe of ſin, wilfully, with malice, and knowingly againſt conſcience, and obſtinately without reluctancy; and perſiſt in this, and live and die thus, that man is not within the compaſſe of Gods election. There is a phraſe, Pſal. 59.5. Be not merciful, O Lord, unto wicked tranſgreſſors. It is in ſome tranſlations, be not merciful to them that ſin of wicked malice, or of malicious wickedness. Now there is this rule which Divines give; that thoſe prayers which were made by David, they are rather Propheſies of what ſhould be, then meere prayers that this might be. As David prayed againſt the Jewes, Pſal. 69.2…. that their table might be a ſnare to them, and that they ſhould alway bow down under their prayes which was a prophecie, and they did ſo. And ſo he burden: here, that God would not be merciful to men that ſ…n of wicked malice; which is as much as a prophecie, that God will not be merciful to men that ſin of malicious wickedneſſe. And therefore, beloved, all you that ſo live, and reſolve you will die, and haply do die, and yet ſin obſtinately; that, let God command what he can, you wil do what you pleaſe; let the Miniſter ſay what he will, you will do what you lift; that ſin againſt knowledge, and againſt conſcience, and without any reluctancy; reſolve to live and die in a courſe of ſin: the Lord be merciful to ſuch perſons; for certainly there muſt be no Bible, if ſuch men fall within the compaſſe of Gods election.
Fourthly, That man that by living under the powerful Miniſtry of the Word, is more hard in heart, and worſe in life; if a man grows thus, it is an argument, he is not within the purpoſe of Gods election. Matth. 13.14, 15. By hearing, you ſhall hear, but not underſtand; by ſeeing, you ſhall ſee, but not perceive; …his peoples heart is waxed gross, their ears dull in hearing, their eyes ſhut, leſt at any time they ſhould ſee with their eyes, hear with …heir ears, underſtand with their hearts, and be converted, and I …hould ſa…e them. Here is the judgement God laies upon ſuch …inne…s, that they ſhall have eyes, and not ſee, they ſhall be ig…orant, their hearts ſhall …axe groſſe, they ſhall be uncapable …f taking any impreſſion of t…e word upon them. And wha…'s …he end of all this? left they ſhould be converted, and I ſhould …ave …hem; implying, that if God lets you that live under the Mi…i…ry, to have dark eyes, and hard hearts, it is an argument God hath no intent to ſave you, and therefore his purpoſe is to condemn you. So John 12.40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, leſt they ſhould ſee with their eyes, and underſtand with their hearts, and be converted. Here is laid down as an act of Gods, that God did harden their hearts, and God did blind their eyes, leſt they ſhould be converted; Implying, that if men do live and die, in this temper, that they have lived year after year under a powerful Miniſtry, and yet they grow more blind in judgement, and more profane in life, and more hard in heart, after 20, 30, 40 years hearing, then they were before; that the word doth but draw out their wickedneſs, and makes them more profane, and more to oppoſe godlineſs; the Lord have mercy upon ſuch ſoules, for certainly if God leave you thus, it is an argument he never intends to ſave you; for the Lord doth thus with ſuch, that they might not be ſaved. There is a paſſage Rom. 11.7. Iſrael hath not obtained that which he ſeeks for, but the election hath obtained, and the reſt were hardened. By election is meant the elected, (the Abſtract put for the Concrete.) As often in Scripture, Circumciſion put for Circumciſed; and ſo here; Election put for elected, The elected have obtained it: what did they obtaine? they obtained ſalvation and glory; but the reſt that were not elected, they were hardened. The Lord there makes it the badge of them that are not elected, that they are a blinded people, and a hardned people. Imitating, that men that are not elected, they ſhall live under the word, yet ſhall be blind in mind, ſhall be hard in heart, ſhall be wicked in life, and the Miniſtry of the word ſhall never reform them. And if any of you be ſuch, O that the Lord would make you tremble this day, tremble leſt you are not in Gods thoughts, to do you any good another day.
Fifthly, when God doth give up men to ſtrong deluſions, not only to believe lies themſelves, but to teach lies to ſeduce others, when the Lord leaves them to live and die in that eſtate, the Scripture makes it an argument of them that are not choſen by God to life and glory. You ſhall read therefore in that great deluſion of Antichriſt, 2 Theſ. 2.10, 11, 12. God gave them up to ſtrong deluſions, to believe lies, that all might be damned, that believe not the truth? It is made a brand of damnation, when God ſhall give them over to believe lies. Though a godly man may die in a corrupt opinion, for every errour is not a badge of damnation; but errou…s that are foundamental, that ſtrike at the foundation of Religion, wherein men runne ſo far, as never to repent of their errour; that, the Scripture makes the badge of a man, whoſe ſoul is in a world of danger. Read that Text, 2. Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. There were falſe Prophets among the people, like as their ſhall be falſe teachers among you. And who are they? verſ. 2. They ſhall deny the Lord that bought them, they ſhall bring in damnable hereſies. (Every errour is not an hereſie,) but theſe men ſhall bring in damnable hereſies, and many ſhall follow their pernicious waies. Now what is their cenſure? whoſe judgement now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation ſlumbers not. Their damnation was not aſleep, but for a long time damnation did attend them, and they were in danger of it. So that, beloved, it is great danger for men to be patrons of errour, eſpecially when they are groſſe and palpable; and when in Scripture language they may be called damnable hereſies. It is an argument, if men live and die thus, that they are not within the purpoſe of Gods Counſel to do them good.
Sixthly, Men that live and die in a continual ſpurning and oppoſition againſt the Goſpel, and word of God powerfully preached, it is a dreadful ſign they are not within the compaſs of Gods election. 1 John 4.5, 6. You are not of God, for you hear not his word. So John 12. He that heareth the word, is of God, but you hear not his word, therefore you are not of God. Therefore you belong not to him. But more pregnant to this purpoſe, is that place, Act. 13.46, 47, 48. It was necessary the word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken to you, but ſeeing you put it from you, and judge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Now compare this with verſ 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. The oppoſition lies thus: As many as God purpoſed to ſave, they glorified God for his word, and they rejoyced, and were glad in his word: but thoſe that were not decreed to ſalvation, they put off from them the word of the Lord, they ſpurned at it, and oppoſed it, and could not endure the word of the Lord. Therefore the Text ſaith, The Jewes ſtirred up the devout and honourable women, and they raiſed up perſecution againſt Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coaſt. It was ſaid to Amaziah, 2 Chron. 25.16. By this I know, that the Lord hath purpoſed to deſtroy thee, becauſe thou haſt not harkned to my counſel. Thus you ſee, the Scripture makes it the badge of a man, that doth not fall within the compaſſe of Gods election, to bring him to life and glory, to live and die in oppoſition to the word of God.
Seventhly, and this we may ſpeak more confidently and poſitively, that that man is not within the compaſſe of Gods election, who ſinnes the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt, Matth. 12.32. He ſhall neither be forgiven in this life, nor in the life to come. This is an unpardonable ſin, 1 John 5.16. Now I know there are many men, who confine this ſin only to the Phariſees, as if they onelyonly were guilty of it. There are others, that ſay this ſin is ſeldome committed; and ſo many Divines ſpeak favourably of it: but, Beloved, I am perſwaded, this ſin is oftner committed, then moſt men in the world dream of; and many men are plunged into this ſin, that think well of their own ſouls. The ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt is only this:
It is a wilful and deliberate act in a profeſſor of Religion, whereby he doth not onelyonly fall from his profeſſion; but he runns into, a courſe of ſin knowingly, againſt conſcience; obſtinately, againſt counſel; and maliciouſly, againſt Jeſus Chriſt. This is briefly a deſcrption of this ſin. Now I am perſwaded there are many in the world that have profeſſed Religion, that are, if not in this ſin, yet at the very next door to it. And if a man be gone thus farre, this is called in Scripture, a ſin unto death; a ſin, which if a man fall into, he may be ſure he ſhall be damned. And thus I have in breif given you an account of theſe ſeven particulars, whereby every man may give a gueſſe in his own thoughts, whether he be within the purpoſe of Gods election unto ſalvation or no.
I have now, from this ſad Doctrine, only a few comfortable poſitions to lay down, and ſo conclude. As,
1. That though theſe part…culars may give you a gueſſe of thoſe that are not within the compaſſe of Gods election, yet no man is bound to make this ſure to himſelfe, that he is not elected. You are bound to make your election ſure, but you are not bound to make your reprobation ſure. For theſe heads I have given out, not to make any godly man queſtion his election, but to ſtartle wicked men, who live quite contrary, and oppoſite to the elect of God.
2. That a man may come very nigh to the worſt of theſe ſins, and yet may be an elected man. We were (ſaith Paul) ſometimes diſobedient, deceived, and ſerved divers luſts. Titus 3.3. And Eph. 2.2. In times paſt you walked according to the courſe of the world, according to the power of the Prince of the aire, who worketh mightily in the children of diſobedience. In times paſt ye were children of wrath, as well as others. In times paſt before calling, you may come very neer to theſe evils, yet be within the compaſs of Gods election, Provided that you do not live and die in thoſe evils. For if ſo, there is no hope of mercy.
3. That for men to queſtion their election, meerly becauſe they do not finde the ſaving effects of election in their hearts and lives, is rather an argument of their being, then of their not being elected. Becauſe men not elected, they never look after their election, to make it ſure, they will truſt all upon the mercy of God, and grace of God, and never look after holineſs; ſin never troubles them, profaneneſs never grieves them, want of holineſſe perplexes not them. The queſtioning therefore of your election ariſing from the evils of your converſation, is rather a ſign that God hath choſen you to life and glory.
4. Election it runnes often times to thoſe, that are the worſt ſort of men in the world. Election runnes to them that have been worſt in their lives, before they were called. And thereby God magnifies the riches of his grace. Election paſſeth by civil honeſt men, and ingeniou… …emperate m…n, and commonly runns to men, that have been ſcandalous, looſe, Atheiſtical, profane livers, before they were called. Matth. 21.31. Whores and Harlots ſhall come to Heaven before you. Manaſſeh, that was a cruel murderer, and Idolater, yet election ran to him. Mary Magdalen, a common ſtrumpet, out of whom Chriſt caſt ſeven Devils, yet election ran to her. Rahab, a Harlot; Paul, a perſecuter, a blaſphemer, a man injurious to the Saints; yet Acts 9.15. He was a choſen vessel unto God, and obtained mercy. God, to magnifie the riches of his free grace, lets election run to the worſt of men that are in the world. And this ſhould be great comfort to you; though you have been drunkards, and though you have been Sabbath breakers and adulterers, and though you have been profane, yet if you can but now cloſe with Jeſus Chriſt, and look after heaven, if you can but now mourn over your condition, and repent of your former failings, and come in to Jeſus Chriſt; Election hath run unto men as bad as you, and though you may be now men profane in your lives, yet you may be obj…cts of Gods election.