do go alone But he that hath Gods Word let him speak Gods Word faithfully What is their Chaff to this Wheat Is not His Word like as a Fire And like an Hammer that breaks the Rock in pieces Jer. 23. 28 29. It argues a secret fear and jealousie in men as if the Gospel of Christ were a Weak Forceless Spiritless Doctrine and needed some what of mans to make it powerful when they deliver it in the Words or with the Arguments which mans wisdom teacheth And in thus doing they are so far from making it more Effectual or Saving to men that they render it Inforcible and Inefficacious because they thus corrupt the Word of God 2 Cor. 2. 14. 17. Christ sent me saith the Apostle to Preach the Gospel not with wisdom of Words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect For the Preaching of the Cross even this manner of Preaching it without wisdom of Words the foolishness of Preaching is to them that perish Foolishness but unto us that are saved it is the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 21. The weapons of their Warfare who War not after the flesh after the Wisdom or Guidance thereof are not Carnal but Mighty through God to the pulling down strong Holds casting down Imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 3 4 5. It is good therefore for Christs Servants in Calling men to the Marriage and Marriage-feast to beware of Philosophy and vain Deceit Yea and to chuse rather to speak five Words with their understanding that they may Teach others also then Ten Thousand words in an unknown Tongue for in so doing they do as to the Generality of men speak into the Air Yea are unprofitable to all and not understood by the most of men 1 Cor. 14. 19. And to that end its needful both to deny desires of vain Glory Aswel as also to consider that the plain and foolish Preaching of the Gospel is the Way God hath pitcht upon for Saving men And how weak or foolish soever this Way appears to the Wise ones yet the FoolishnesS of God is Wiser then men and the Weakness of God is stronger then men 1 Cor. 1. 21 24 25. Col. 2. 8 9 10. Oh then how doth it behove His Servants seeing they have such hope to use great plainness of Speech And not as Moses who put a Vail over his Face c. 2 Cor. 3. 6 12 13. To renounce the hidden things of Dishonesty not walking in Craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth commending themselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. 4. It may exhort us to give diligent heed to their Words and Calls and to esteem them highly for their Works sake who speak to us the Word of God because their Master also is present with them and assistant to them it might therefore Ingage us when His Servants come amongst us to say in our hearts however as the Centurian did to Peter We are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Acts 10. 33 34. The Apostle speaks this to the praise of the Churches of Galatia that when he first Preached the Gospel amongst them they received him notwithstanding his Temptation in the flesh as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus Gal. 4. 13 14. Oh! How Beautiful are and should be the feet of them that Preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad Tidings of good things Rom. 10. 14 15. Did we indeed consider that they call us unto the Fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord and into the Grace of Him 1 Cor. 1. 9. Gal. 1. 6. And that the great King of Heaven and Earth speaks by them and with them and doth as it were by them beseech us to come and Eat of Wisdoms Bread and to Drink of the Wine she hath mingled To forsake the foolish and Live c. It would certainly be powerful with us to Ingage us to receive their Word and obey their Call not as the word or call of men but as it is in truth of God 1 Thes 2. 13. And to account them worthy of double Honour who Labour in the Word and Doctrine for their Masters sake even because they belong to and are Labourers with Christ And though not to Idolize them or think of them more highly then we ought to think yet to account them as Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4. 1 6. And to know that when in and with Preaching the Gospel of Christ they Call upon and Invite us to come unto the Feast God also Calleth us and enableth us to what He Calleth us unto And as our Saviour saith to His Disciples Verily verily I say unto you he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me And he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me John 13. 20. Whereas were the most of men Called with an outward Call only they might either receive or reject the Caller and neither receive nor reject Jesus Christ or Him that sent Him 5. This Consideration shews unto us their causless Iniquity and inexcusable folly who when they are thus Called to Christ by such a Powerful and Effectual Call yet regard not but turn a deaf Ear thereto Of such our Saviour saith Ye will not come unto Me that ye might have life John 5. 32 36 39 40. This was the provoking Iniquity of Gods People in former Times whereby God was greatly Incensed against them They refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their Eaers that they should not hear Yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone lest they should hear the Law and the Words which the Lord of Hosts had sent in His Spirit by the former Prophets Therefore came a great Wrath from the Lord of Hosts Therefore it is come to pass that as he cried and they would not hear so they cried and I would not hear saith the Lord of Hosts Zech. 7. 11 13 14. Indeed those Persons who say the greatest part of the Called ones are only called with an outward and ineffectual Call put a Plea into their Mouths and fill them with Arguments to excuse their not coming They may say they had no power of themselves and God gave them none or not that which was sufficient These teach men to lay the blame upon God and to father the brats of their disobedience on Him But alas it will appear in conclusion that such charge God foolishly And that though the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envic yet He giveth more Grace that Grace which brings Salvation to all men to enable us to come at His Calls And at last He will be Justified in His Sayings and overcome when He is Judged James 4. 5 6. with Tit. 2. 11. This is mens iniquity not that they cannot come of themselves but that they will not when God is enabling them hereto This
them to jealousie Acts 13. 46 47. and 28. 28. Rom. 11. 11 12. And the Iniquity of too many of the Gentiles after Called and brought into the House Ver. 8 9 12. And this Verse we have propounded to speak unto contains in it particularly the Reason of God's great displeasedness with and severity 1. More remotely against the Jews who pâ—t away the Word of God and judged themselves unworthy of Eternal Life which was their own not God's Fore-judgment Acts 13. 45 46. Mat. 22. 7. 2. And more immediately against the unworthy Gentiles or the Man indefinitely that had not on the Wedding Garment Concerning whom He gives this Charge to the Servants Bind him hand and foot and cast him into â—uter Darkness there shall be Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth Ver. 11. 13. To which He subjoyns this I say as the Reason of His being so angry with and Incensed against the unworthy both Jews and Gentiles For many are Called but few are Chosen In the former part of which Words to wit Many are Called let us inquire and consider I. To what are the many Called and upon what Account II. By whom are the many Called III. Why saith He Many are Called and not All IV. To what End are they Called And this will lead us to the latter part First To what are the many Called and upon what Account They are called to the Marriage and Marriage-feast which God hath prepared in the Person of Jesus Christ our Lord So it is said The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain King which made a Marriage for his Son And sent to call them that were bidden to the Wedding Again he sent saying Tell them which are bidden behold I have prepared my Dinner Come unto the Marriage Ver. 2. 4. And when these first bidden Guests the Jews refused and made light of it he commands again Go ye into the High-ways unto the Gentiles and as many as ye shall find bid to the Marriage ver 8 9 10. And so it is to the Marriage and Marriage-feast there-with and thereby prepared to which the many are Called Bidden and Invited Now the Marriage to which they are Called signifieth not only as some say the Feast prepared though that may be and is included also But firstly and principally the Marriage it self which the King of Heaven the most High God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth who is indeed a great King Mal. 1. 14. made for His Son His only Begotten Son In which the Divine and Humane Nature were Married and United in a close and Personal Union in the Person of the Word the Son of God which was the Root and Cause of that Provision prepared for us And to which Men are Called to the end they might come to and be Espoused unto Jesus Christ This I conceive is first meant and intended by the Marriage here spoken of that in which the Word was made Flesh For asmuch as the Children were partakers of Flesh and Blood He also Himself likewise took part of the same That in our Nature He might be further Abased for us that He might take out of the way all that was contrary to us and obtain into Himself all the fulness of Grace and Truth John 1. 1 3 14. Heb. 2. 14. This is the first Branch in the Mysterie of Godliness God was manifest in the Flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. And being made of a Woman He was under the Law as Mankind was fallen under it yet without Sin And had the Sins and Trespasses of the World imputed to and laid upon Him God made Him to be Sin for us who knew no sin Gal. 4. 4. with Rom. 3. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. And in and by this Marriage He was fitted and prepared to be Wounded for our Transgressions and Bruised for our Iniquities and to Taste Death for us even that first Death which was the Wages of our first Sin and Sinfulness As here it is said My Oxen and Fatlings are killed Mat. 22. 4. Christ our Passover hath been Killed and Sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. And so That whereto Men are Called first of all it is to the Beholding View and Belief of the Abasement and Death of the only Begotten Son of God in the Nature of Man which is indeed the procuring Cause of all the Glory conferred upon it in His Person 1 Cor. 15. 3. Gal. 3. 1. Phil. 2. 6. 9. John 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17. Rev. 5. 12. And because all that is Treasured up in Christ is the Purchase and Procurement of His Cross and Sufferings therefore the Gospel is called The Preaching of the Cross and of Christ Crucified 1 Cor. 1. 17 18. 22 24. and Chap. 2. 1 2. Gal. 3. 1. and Chap. 6. 14. And together herewith also they are Called unto the Marriage-feast or Dinner which is prepared by means of the Sufferings of Christ in the Virtue whereof He is raised again in which all things are ready Which in a like Parable to this Luke 14. 16 17. is called A great Supper Great indeed for in it all things are ready And it is called a Supper because once in the end or Evening of the World Christ appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of Himself Heb. 9. 26. This Purpose and Grade was given in Christ before the Ancient or Agie Times But in these last Times all Things are now actually prepared 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. so as in Him there is a Justification from the Guilt of our first Sin and Sinfulness Rom. 3. 22 23. and 5. 18. the abolishing of our first Death 2 Tim. 1. 10. A Victory obtained by Him over all our Enemies Heb. 2. 14. John 12. 31. Psal 98. 1. And in Him there is Redemption through His Blood even the Forgiveness of our following Sins Acts 13. 38 39. And He hath brought in everlasting Righteousness Gal. 2. 21. And received the Spirit without measure John 3. 34. Acts 2. 33. In Him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2. 3. He is full of Grace and Truth John 1. 14 16. God hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in His Son 1 John 5. 10 11. Yea in Him it hath pleased the Father that all Fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. and 2. 9 10. He is Glorified in our Nature with the Father 's own self with the Glory He had with Him before the World was John 17. 4 5. All Things that the Father hath are His John 16. 15. The Father so loveth the Son because He laid down His Life for us that He might take it up again that He hath given all Things into His Hand All Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly things all things that pertain to Life and Godliness And all Power both in Heaven and in Earth John 10. 17. with Chap. 3. 35. Ephes 1. 3. Mat. 28. 18. By means of His being Sacrificed for us there is a Feast prepared for us 1 Cor. 5. 7 8.
God who also hath given to them His Spirit to accompany them and make their Word powerful 1 Thes 4. 8. And hence they are in every place a sweet Savour unto God of Christ 2 Cor. 2. 14 15. He is verily and continually so present with them by the Power and Influence of His blessed Spirit in their sincere speaking the Word of Christ as that He that heareth them heareth Him and he that receiveth them receiveth Him even Christ and Him that sent Him And he that despiseth them despiseth Christ and Him that sent Him Mat. 10. 40. with Luke 10. 16. Hence the stiff-necked Jews who were Uncircumcised in heart and ears are said in opposing and rejecting His Servants the Prophets to have always resisted the Holy Spirit which they could not have done had not the Holy Spirit been always present with them and assistant to them Acts 7. 51 52. Neh. 9. 30. Isa 63. 10. And this Consideration that the many are Called by the Servants the Lord working with them may be of usefulness unto us 1. To shew unto us the evil and falseness of mens sayings in which they divide and separate the Word of Christ in the faithful Ministration of it from the Spirit and say It is true many men are 〈◊〉 Called with an outward Call but they are not Called with an inward and effectual Call The Servants speak to their outward Ears but God by His Spirit speaketh not unto the Hearts of them The contrary to what they say plainly appeareth to be true in what hath been said from the Scriptures of Truth God is certainly present in and with His own Word that it might be received by men As the Apostle signifieth I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the Increase So then neither is he that Planteth any thing neither he that Watereth But God that giveth the increase For we are Labourers together with God c. The Apostle saith not as many do in their Glosses corruptly and injuriously to the Text and Souls of Men Paul may plant and Apolla water but God must give the Increase In which saying they Imply that the former may be without the latter But the Apostle evidently assures us not that God Must only but that He doth give the Increase whether men receive it or not And therefore when He speaks in the time past of their Labouring He speaks in the time past of Gods Co-operation I have planted but God gave c. And when in the time present of the former he so also speaketh of the latter Paul planteth Apollo watereth but God giveth the Increase It is true indeed we are to distinguish between the Word and Spirit but not to divide between them as if when ever God sends His Servants to Preach the Gospel He doth not vouchsafe His Spirit to go along with them which is not true 1 Cor. 3. 5 7 9. Nor is it safe or good for any to conclude from the event that because men receive not therefore God gives not For God may give and yet men not receive God may turn men and yet men may not be eventually turned God may draw men unto Christ and yet they may not come but break his Bands asunder and cast away his cords from them God may Purge and yet men through their stubbornness may not be purged his goodness may lead them to Repentance who yet are not led thereby to it but may forsake Him when He leads them by the way Neh. 9. 20 26. Acts 26. 18. Has 11. 4 5. Jer. 5. 5. Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 4 5. Christ the Good and Faithful Sower soweth the good Seed the Word of the Kingdom in the Hearts of the worst sort of Hearers to the end they might Believe and be Saved And it would effect this in them did they not suffer the Devil to steal away that which was sown in their hearts Mat. 13 19. with Luke 8. 12. And certainly therefore also the Gospel is called The Ministration of the Spirit because it doth so infallibly accompany it in the faithful Preaching thereof that they that Preach the one Minister the other 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Gal. 3. 2 5. And hence also the Words of Christ are said to be Spirit and Life and the Spirit is said to be the Word of God John 6. 63. with Ephes 6. 17. 2. This Consideration also may Incourage his Servants who bring good Tidings to get them up into the high Mountains to Lift up their Voices with strength to Lift them up and not be afraid or ashamed of their Message because His Spirit remaineth with them Hag. 2. 5. This is contained in Gods Covenant with Christ and them that turn from Transgression in Jacob that his Spirit that is upon Christ and his words which he hath put into his Mouth shall not depart out of his Mouth nor out of the Mouth of his Seed the Apostles and first Trusters in Christ nor out of the Mouth of his Seeds seed those that believe on Christ through the Apostles Word John 17. 20 22. saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever His Spirit and His Words go together inseparably in the Mouth of His Servants So that while they speak His Words to the outward Ears of men His Spirit speaks to the Hearts of men And thence He exhorteth His Servants Arise shine c. Isa 59. 20 21. and 60. 1. Alas otherwise His Servants might be discouraged and ashamed and even say as He did O my Lord send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send Exod. 4. 13. For they have no sufficiency of themselves to think any thing as of themselves though they be in pain and labour to bring forth yet they will bring forth nothing but the Wind they can of themselves work no deliverance in the Earth neither will the Inhabitants of the Earth fall before them 2 Cor. 3. 5. Isa 26. 17. 18. But now this may Incourage them to Lift up the Hands that hang down and confirm their feeble Knees that the Great King will be with their Mouth in speaking His Word so as where the Word of this King is there also shall be Power going along with it Eccles 8. 4. with Luke 4. 18 32. Hence the Apostle saith I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God c. Rom. 1. 16. Go ye forth therefore ye Servants of the Lord in this your might holding forth the Word of Life hath not He sent you whose Presence shall go along with you He will not leave you nor forsake you Judg. 6. 14. 3. It may also Admonish His Servants to declare the Testimony of God without Excellency of Speech or of Wisdom Seeing He hath promised to be always with them and faithful is He that hath promised who also will do it Let them make use of quaint Language inticing Words and Excellency of mans Wisdom if they please who think they may or know not but they
is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men loved Darkness rather then Light c. John 3. 19. 20. And certainly God may Expostulate with us as He did with Israel of Old and say Oh thou who art Named the House of Jacob is the Spirit of the Lord straightned Though thou hast no power nor sufficiency of thy self as of thy self to come to Christ yet is the Spirit of the Lord shortned towards thee Are these thy disobedience and refusals to come His doings Are they His doings because He prevents thee not with power and capacity to what He Calls thee to Indeed they might be said to be His doings did He Call thee to the Feast and Threaten thee with destruction and yet not assord thee any power or ability to come As He might be said to Kill who did not what was proper and powerful to save the Life when He had an opportunity But it is not so here For as in His Hand is Power and Might so also in His Hand it is to give strength unto all He is Gracious and gives liberally unto all men without upbraiding Mic. 2. 7. with Mark 3. 4. 1 Chron. 29. 12. Jam. 1. 5. And therefore it will be found to be such an Iniquity in men as for which they will have no cloak however artificial their spiritual Taylors are that they will not come to Christ when thus Called As our Saviour signifieth when He speaketh concerning the Jews saying If I had not come Though my Servants had come never so oft and Called and Invited never so frequently and urgently Yet if I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their Sin John 15. 22. Because I have Called saith Wisdom and ye refused I have stretched out my hand my Power and Spirit in and with my Call to inable you to come and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof I also will laugh at your Calamity and mock when your fear cometh c. Prov. 1. 20 24 31. Thirdly Why saith He Many are Called and not All 1. Not because all men who are capable are not Called in due time by such means as the Great King in His infinite Wisdom is pleased to make use of For the Mighty God even Jehovah hath spoken And Called the Earth from the rifing of the Sun unto the going down thereof Psal 50. 1. Wisdom crieth without without the City without the Pale of the professed Church without where are Dogs Gentiles and Uncircumcised ones in heart and flesh compare Rev. 22. 15. with Mat. 15. 26 27. she uttereth her Voice in the streets How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge To these she calleth and stretcheth forth her hand Prov. 1. 20 23 24. Doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding put forth her Voice Can any one truely deny this she standeth upon the Top of High places by the Way in the places of the Paths She crieth at the Gates at the entry of the City at the coming in of the Doors that is she crieth and lifteth up her Voice every where without and within the City abroad and at home c. But to whom doth she put forth her Voice Surely to men indefinitely for so it followeth unto you O men I call and my Voice is to the Sons of man And not of Israel only O ye simple understand wisdom Hear for I will speak of excellent things c. Prov. 8. 1 4 6 10. and 9. 1 4 5. Christ was and is the true Light which Lighteth every man that cometh into the World And He is therefore a Light unto them that He might be for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth John 1. 9. and 8. 12 with Isa 49. 6. and Acts 13. 47. And the Gospel is Preached in every Creature or in all the Creation under Heaven Col. 1. 23. And those who have with the heart received the wholsome Words of our Lord Jesus and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness know and believe that God would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledg of the Truth And that because Christ gave Himself a Ransome for all a Testimony in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4. 6. And though mens voices will be heard but a little way yet lo he sendeth forth His Voice and that a Mighty Voice and saith Look unto me all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved For I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. Psal 19. 1. 6. with Rom. 1. 19 21. Yea and the word Many doth also sometimes signifie All. As many of them that are in the dust of the Earth shall awake Some to everlasting Life and some to shame and everlasting contempt Certainly all that are in the Graves shall hear the Voice of the Son of man and shall come forth compare Dan 12. 2. with John 5. 27 29. 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. So again Through the offence of one many are dead And as by one man's disobedience many were made Sinners When as it is evident that by one man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin and so Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5. 15 19. with Ver. 12. 18. compare also Mat. 20. 28. with 1 Tim. 2. 6. Neh. 13. 26. with 1 Kings 3. 12 13. and Chap. 4. 31. Psal 32. 10. But though what we have spoken under this Head be verily true both that in due time God calleth all men as is said to the end they might come to the knowledg of the Truth and be saved And that many may signifie all Yet notwithstanding I judge 2. By many in this place we are insisting on all men are not intended nor meant Not only 1. Because all Infants are not called and commanded to come into the House and they are a very great part of the World But nothing is required of them in their Incapacity Hence when the Lord saith to Israel Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and keep his Charge and his Statutes and his Judgments and his Commandments alway He addeth And know you this day for I speak not with your Children c. Deut. 11. 1 2. God is no hard or austere Master to Reap where He hath not Sown nor Gather where He hath not Strowen though wicked Servants so say As where much is given much will be expected and where little little So by the same rule of Equality where nothing is given of such nothing will be required Indeed Infants are a part of the Nations that are to be Discipled and as a means to that end to be Baptized by the Servants in or unto the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost being brought unto them for that purpose As in former Times the Male-Infants of Israel were to be Circumcised And the Gospel
is to be Preached as to Include them also as the Subjects of the great and fundamental Truths thereof to wit That Christ hath Died and is Risen again for them c. Mat. 28. 18 19. with Mark 16. 15. But until they come to the Use and Exercise of Understanding or some Capacity be vouchsafed to them there are no Commandments given unto them by the Lord Jesus But I say not only in this Consideration it appeareth that by many all men are not here intended But also 2. Because in this Parable our Saviour speaketh of mens being Called by the Servants as is before shewn And so of their being Called and Invited to the Feast by the clear and distinct Declaration of God's Grace in Christ by the Gospel And so all men who are come to years of Capacity are not Called viz. by the Servants in the plain Preaching of the Marriage and Marriage-feast therewith and thereby prepared The Commission is given to the Servants first to Call the Jews and after they made light of the Feast and Invitation the King said to the Servants go ye into the High-ways and as many as ye shall find bid to the Marriage So those Servants went out into the High-ways and gathered together all as many as they found Mat. 22. 8 10. These are the many here spoken of as many as the Servants found and Preached the Gospel unto according to the Revelation of the Mysterie And these may be called many to Intimate to us that all Nations and Persons in the World have not this Favour vouchsafed to them though yet a multitude have And called many to signifie That this advantage is now more largely vouchsafed then in former Times Then He shewed His Word unto Jacob that one People and Nation His Statutes and His Judgments unto Israel He dealt not so with any other Nation And as for His Judgments they have not known them Psal 147 19 20. Deut. 4. 5 8. And unto them He sent all His Servants the Prophets rising early and sending them because He had compassion upon them 2 Chron. 36. 15 16. Jer. 7. 25. And herein they were priviledged above and had greater advantage then other Nations According to that What advantage then hath the Jew Or what profit is there of Circumcision Much every way chiefly because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 1 2. Acts 3. 25. But they were the fewest of all People And however but one Nation at first and so very few in comparison of all Nations But now after the Oxen and Fatlings were actually slain and the Feast prepared the Servants Commission was inlarged and many Nations were Called by their Ministration and Professedly believed the Gospel and yielded fained Obedience to Christ Yea and at this time many Nations though not all have Scriptures of Truth amongst them and therein the Gospel as Preached according to the Revelation of the Mystery by the Apostles And His Servants continued and preserved amongst them sutable to those Prophecies and such like Thou shalt Call a Nation thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee Isa 55. 5. He shall sprinkle many Nations Isa 52. 15. Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day Zech. 2. 11. And of these many we have to speak in what followeth and so would be understood Though yet we desire that these three Cautions may be considered and minded in the whole Treatise To wit Caution 1. When we say many only and not all are intended in this Parable We mean not nor believe all the rest are not Called by any means For though All are not Called by the distinct Preaching of Christ in the Mouth and Ministry of His believing Servants yet God leaves not Himself without Witness to others But that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the Invisible things of Him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even His eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1. 19 20. Hence the Apostle when he had been intimating that men cannot believe except they hear propounds a Question and gives Answer thereto But I say have they not heard Namely the Gospel Yes verily even so heard that they might believe for so much appeareth by the scope of the place their sound went into all the Earth and their Words unto the ends of the World In which the Apostle referreth to Psal 19. 1 6. And signifieth that the Gospel is Preached in every Creature Rom. 10. 14 18. with Col. 1. 23. And so though all are not called by the Servants in the clear and plain Preaching of the Gospel Yet all that are capable are in due time called by the Lord of the Servants who is Lord of all as is before shewn And who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2. Nor do we suppose or believe that none of them who are not of the Many here spoken of may hereafter partake of Eternal Life though they have not the clear and distinct Revelation and Knowledg of Christ and the Gospel vouchsafed to them But however some zealous ones though not according to Knowledg neither have nor think they want this Charity yet we desire to be so charitable and believing of the Scriptures as to conclude God is no respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted of Him As was Cornelius before the Gospel was plainly declared to him and many others amongst Gentiles Acts 10. 2 34. and 13. 26. and 16. 14. c. Yea in this Parable is signified to us that when the Servants went out into the High-ways they found some good ones amongst the Gentiles that were so before called by them Mat. 22. 10. And had they died before the Gospel had been plainly Preached to them as doubtless some such did they should have injoyed Eternal Life in due season The Judg of all the Earth will do right and not destroy the Good such as He reputes such with the bad Gen. 18. 24 25. And though all shall be Judged according to the Rule of the Gospel yet it shall be according to the means vouchsafed And if the Uncircumcision who have not the Law and Doctrine of God keep the Righteousness of the Law as the Appostle supposeth he may do if he believe that God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him Shall not His uncircumcision be counted for Circumcisiou Shall not he come acceptably to God and be graciously rewarded with Eternal Life Yes surely Rom. 2. Heb. 11. 6. Certainly many Thousands and Ten Thousands shall be eternally Saved who were never Called by the Servants with the plain Preaching of the Gospel and who never had any distinct knowledg of Jesus Christ while they were in Mortal Bodies As Infants dying in their Incapacity and many Jews
and irrespective Predestinating or Decreeing from Eternity a determinate and set number of Persons in a personal consideration to Believe and be Saved And that these All and these Only shall Inevitably and Infallibly obtain the Salvation in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory Nor are the Chosen and Elect ones here spoken of the subjects of such a purpose or Predetermination as this is such an Election and such Elect ones are none of God's But the Doctrines and Notions here-about proceed from the Vain Corrupt and dangerous Imaginations of mens Hearts out of which proceeds naturally all that is evil And that by God's Election and Elect ones such a thing is not meant will appear if we consider 1. That Calling in the sense intended in the Text is always placed before Election when they are mentioned together either in the Order of Expressions or however in Order of Nature So it is here in this place we are considering as also in Mat. 20. 16. For many be Called but few Chosen Thus again 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure To the former also agreeth Rev. 17. 14. They that are with the Lamb are Called and Chosen c. To the same purpose also the Lord Speaketh unto Jacob by the Prophet Isaiah Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the Earth and Called thee from the Chief men thereof and said unto thee thou art my Servant I have Chosen thee c. Isa 41. 9. Indeed in 2 Thes 2. 13 14. Chosen is there placed in words before Called But it evidently appeareth to any Judicious and Unprejudiced Reader that in that place Called goeth before Chosen in Order of Nature for thus the Words are God hath Chosen you from the beginning unto Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto namely unto which Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth in which they were Chosen He Called you by our Gospel c. It is very clear that in order of Work though not of Word Called went before Chosen For if they were Chosen in the Belief of the Truth And men cannot believe on Him of whom they have not heard nor hear without a Preacher of the Gospel then it necessarily followeth men must be Called by the Gospel before they can Believe and so before they are Chosen Rom. 10. 14 15. And so in the Order of Nature this agrees with the other Scriptures forementioned Now though the order of expressions simply when but at sometime onely so placed proveth nothing yet when the same order is alwayes or generally so observed by the Holy Ghost it is worthy our consideration and not lightly to be passed over by us Gen 48. 5. 20. Indeed ofttime in Scripture for some good reason those persons or things are mentioned last in words which otherwise should have been before spoken of because the Holy Ghost would begin with them again or speak more fully of them So Believing is put after Confessing in one Verse but then it is begun with and first mentioned in the next Rom. 10. 9 10. So Jesus Christ is placed after the seven Spirits because He is largely Described and Treated of in what followeth Rev. 1. 5 6. And thus we might shew in many other places But neither of these can be affirmed concerning the order of Words in the Scripture we are speaking to for it is the Conclusion of our Saviour's Speech in this Parable nor of the rest mentioned 2. That by Election is not meant such a Purpose or Decree as is before spoken of nor by the Elect here the subjects of such a Decree may appear further in this that those who were afterward Elected or made of the Chosen Generation were not of it in former times To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Ye are a Chosen or Elect Generation a Royal Priesthood c. Which in time past were not a People but are now the People of God which had not obtained Mercy but have now obtained Mercy 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Where it plainly appeareth that Ver. 10. sheweth They were not formerly such Persons as he affirms them now to be in Ver. 9. Now ye are Elected or Chosen but in times past ye were not so even in the time past when they walked in Lasciviousness Lusts excess of Wine Revellings Banquettings and abominable Idolatries Chap. 4. 3. To the same purpose also the Apostle Paul speaketh as with respect to Jews and Gentiles Rom. 9. 24 25 26. I will call them my People which not only were not called but were not my People And her Beloved or Elect compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. which was not Beloved or Elect. And indeed men are Chosen in Christ as afterwards we may shew But there was a time when Paul who was after Converted a Chosen Vessel was not in Christ and then he was not an Elect or Chosen one Ephes 1. 4. with Rom. 16. 7. So the Preacher also signifieth that such as not at present Elected may be so while it is called to day in that he saith Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth or of thy Elections as others do also rightly read it that is either 1. In the days of thy Elections whilst thou mayest chuse Life chuse the best part which shall not be taken from thee Deut. 30. 19. Luke 10. 42. Or 2. In the days of thine Elections when thou mayest be Chosen though at present thou art not there are days for that in which such as are not Elected may be so while it is the day of his Grace and Patience Eccles 12. 1. Yea in our Types the very precise time is intimately set down when God chose Israel Ezek. 20. 5. Thus saith the Lord God in the day when I chose Israel And sometimes Chusing is mentioned in the present time As Blessed is the man whom thou Chusest and causest to approach unto thee Psal 6 5. 4. 3. It is further evident That God's Elect are not such manner of Persons as many would perswade us they are For they who plead for such an irrespective or absolute purpose affirm That the Elect were Chosen before the World in a personal Consideration and so remain such when Born into the World and while they abide also in their Ignorance and Unbelief and Disobedience to God They suppose though it be not manifested that prophane Persons Drunkards Whoremongers Unbelievers yea Persecutors of Christ and His People may be of the Elect. But however they are some mens Elect they are not the Elect of God For the Elect of God are such as are Holy and Beloved Col. 3. 12. The Elect Generation is an holy Nation 1 Pet. 2. 9. God's Elect are such as to whom there is no Condemnation as the Apostle intimateth when he saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that Justifieth who shall Condemn It plainly appeareth that God's Elect
contend for is such an one as is sutable to the Spirit of this World and those evil Thoughts which proceed out of our corrupt Heart and therefore they hastily embrace one Scripture which they groundlesly judge is on their side and run away from and evade the force of twenty to one every one whereof is of equal Authority For certainly we are naturally destitute of all good and inclined to all that is evil The Lord knoweth and hath declared that the thoughts of Men yea of the wisest of them are vain every thought in us standeth cross to the obedience of Christ and his Gospel Psal 94. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 20. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. But 2. We further Answer by way of exception to the Objection and say This Scripture contradicts not at all no not seemingly what is affirmed by the residue nor affords any relief to them who so frequently betake themselves hereto for refuge But sweetly and fully agrees with the rest mentioned And that we may rightly understand it let us consider these things I. When they are said to be chosen II. In whom or in what Root III. Who are the Subjects of this Election 1. When they are said to be chosen This Scripture saith not any men were chosen before the world was Created of God at first but before the foundation of the world Now that may signifie 1. Either before the Dejection or Casting down of the World For so the Word translated Foundation doth properly signifie and comes from a word that signifieth to Cast down or Downwards Rev. 12. 10. 2 Cor. 4. 9. Now then the Subjects of this Election are such as were Chosen before the Dejection of the World in the Sentence of God before He denounced the Curse and Judgment upon the World for the Sin of man But that was not before the World but since the Fall of Adam and Interposition of the Mediator Gen. 3. 15 19. 2. Or as we read it before the foundation of the World may not signifie before any thing was formed of God but before the foundation of it as now laid The World as at first made was marr'd by the Sin of man the Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved Now Christ steps in and makes it again John 1. 10. And is as it were the Basis on which the Pillars of the Earth or World stand Psal 75. 3. By Christ He made the Worlds God made all things by Him at the first and made them when they were marred by mans Sin And He upholds all things by the Word of His Power having by Himself purged our Sins Heb. 1. 2 3. And so As Abel's blood was said to be shed from the foundation of the World Luke 11. 50 51. So these were Chosen before that time yea before he was Born Yea indeed at that time as I conceive when Christ interposed Himself after the Fall of man and in order of Nature after that And so their Election is included in that Oracle Gen. 3. 15. And this is the time when they were Chosen And so it was before the Agie or Secular Times 1 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 1. 2. 2. In whom were they Chosen or in Root And that is expresly declared to us in Christ the last Adam Therefore it is evident they were not Chosen in the first Man Adam nor so early For that was not first which is Spiritual but that which is Natural and afterward that which is Spiritual 1 Cor. 15. 46. Hence Christ is called the second Man who was Interposed as Mediator after the Fall of the first Ver. 47. And as considered in Him and not in the first Adam or in themselves they were Chosen And this is worthy our Consideration But to this we shall not Inlarge here because we may mention it again 3. Who are the Subjects of this Election The Apostle saith Us whereby either more generally 1. He may have respect to the Persons to whom he Writes and such as are like to them And so the Subjects here spoken of are not any Persons in a personal Consideration but the Saints which are at Ephesus and faithful or believing Ones Believers John 20. 27. 1 Tim. 6. 2. in Christ Jesus Ephes 1. 1. Where also he shews to us what is the meaning of us in Christ Ver. 4. Namely us as Considered in this Root of Election and prime Elect viz. Christ and not as we are in our selves or while we abide in our Natural estate And so the Subjects of this Election in this double Description to wit Saints and Believers in Christ are the same with that 2 Thes 2. 13. He hath Chosen us from the beginning in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Therefore not before it And so God in Chusing Christ did Chuse not any man while out of Him but all such as should come into and believe in Him without difference or respect of Persons Now these Ephesians who now were Believers were sometimes without Christ and then they were not Chosen in Him because not Believers in Him Ephes 2. 12. with Chap. 1. 1. 4. But now believing in Him after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation they were made of that Generation of Men that were Chosen in Him before the Dejection or Foundation of the World They were now of the Chosen Generation which in time past were not an Elect People as before 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. with Ephes 2. 1 2. They had a new Name given unto them And in thus understanding it it appeareth that God worketh all things according to the Counsel of His own Will His actual Election and Elect ones are sutable to and agreeing with His purpose Ephes 1. 11. 2. Or we may look upon the Us here spoken of in a more especial Consideration to have Respect and Reference not to the Believers in general as being Chosen in Christ to Salvation but to some Persons being Chosen in Him to a more excellent Service and Ministration then were any of the Holy Ones before the coming of Christ in the flesh Mat. 11. 9 11. And so the Persons here directly spoken of and intended are Christ's extraordinary Ambassadors viz. The Apostles of our Lord Jesus The Apostles here magnifies their Office and Service Rom. 11. 13. And signifieth that as before the Dejection or Foundation of the World God Chose Christ to be the Mediator Saviour and great Apostle and purposed to send Him forth in the last Ages to make Peace actually for us and Preach Peace to us So He reserved this Honour for His Son that by Him the Mysterie should be opened And in Him He Chose not Paul or Peter as men simply considered but the first Trusters in Christ Ephes 1. 12. to be Instruments in this choice Service and to be sent forth into the World as God sent Christ into the World viz. To Preach the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mysterie Ephes 1. 8 10. And