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
the Chosen But the many that are Called are such as are Called to Christ as is before said by Christ's Servants in proclaiming Christ's Gospel unto them in the Words which the Holy Ghost hath Taught As the Great King directs His Servants to Call to the Wedding so He puts into their Mouths what they should say which is Summarily the form of sound Words He sent forth other Servants saying Tell them which are bidden behold I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and Fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the Marriage Mat. 22. 4 8 10. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 1 John 4. 13 14. And what hath been said shall suffice to this Enquiry Fourthly To what end are the many Called Certainly They are therefore Called and Invited to the Wedding and Dinner that they might obey the Call and come and Eat of Wisdom's Bread and Drink of the Wine which She hath mingled Forsake the Foolish and Live and go in the Way of Understanding Prov. 9. 1 3 6. That they might come to the knowledge of the Truth and be Saâ—ed 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. His end herein was not nor is to leave men without excuse or to aggravate their Condemnation though this will be the Issue and Effect of mens stubborn and still continued in refusal But we may see the End of the Lord to be such as declareth that He is very pitiful or very well Bowelled and of tender Meroies to the Souls of men as James 5. 11. For as God sent not His Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through Him might be saved John 3. 17. 1 John 4. 14. And the Son of Man came not to destroy mens souls or Judge the World but to save them to save the World Luke 9. 55 56. John 12. 47. So as the Father sent Him and accordingly He came into the World He sent and preserveth His Servants in the World that they might Call men unto Himself to the end they might come and be Saved John 17. 18 22. He sendeth them to open the Eyes of the Blind and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sin and Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in Christ Acts 26. 17 18. We have this same Parable or a like to it mentioned in Luke 14. 16 17. And there it followeth after our Saviour's giving Instructions about an earthly Feast and was spoken as it seems at a Feast Ver. 1. 14. Now to what end doth an honest man provide a great Dinner or Supper and Invite Persons to it by his Servants Is it not that they might come and partake hereof Doth he Intreat and Beseech men to come And when they will not be perswaded and prevailed with is he very angry with them for such refusal And yet had no Cordial desire or intention they should come What should we call this amongst men Not Honesty or Sincerity but Dissimulation And shall we entertain such evil evil and wicked thoughts of God as to think That though He hath prepared a Dinner at such a dear Cost and Invites men thereto and is exceedingly and eternally Angry with them who will not come yet He never meant or intended they should come Or shall men call this an holy Dissimulation when they cannot but see it is a Dissimulation Is not this the way to make them Dissemblers also who thus think and speak of God how Holy soever they appear or would be thought to be as they were whose Leaven was Hypocricy Mat. 23. Oh! far be it from us to think thus wickedly of God! He is Perfect Upright and without Dissimulation in all His Mercy and Kindness Hence whereas in one Evangelist our Saviour saith Be ye merciful as your Father is In another it is Be ye Perfect as your ther in Heaven is Perfect And then presently warneth His Disciples to beware of Hypocrisie Luke 6. 36. with Mat. 5. 48. and 6. 1. c. To signifie to us that in all Gods Kindness and Kind and Gracious Invitations He is perfectly Merciful And hath pleasure in Uprightness 1 Chron. 29. 17. And because He knows what evil thoughts and jealousies concerning Him proceed naturally out of our Hearts and to the end they should not lodg within us Therefore He assures us of His Uprightness and Sincerity in His Calls and Invitations Unto you O men I call and my Voice is to the Sons of man O ye simple understand Wisdom and yee fools be ye of an understanding Heart hear for I will speak of Excellent things and the opening of my Lips shall be right things For my Mouth shall speak Truth and Wickedness is an abomination to my Lips All the Words of my Mouth are in Righteousness and not in Hypocrisie for these two are opposed the one to the other Mat. 23. 28. Receive my Instruction c. Prov. 8. 4 7 10. He hateth burning Lips and a wicked Heart and saith Their wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation Prov. 26. 23 26. And warns us to beware of such whose Lips drop as the Hony-comb and their Mouths are smoother then Oyl But their end is bitter as Wormwood sharp as a two-edged Sword Prov. 5. 3 4. And certainly He is not such an one as they are though some foolish ones so think Psal 50. 21. He doth not command the Gospel to be Preached to all and yet intendeth the most of men should not believe it But therefore He causeth it to be proclaimed that all to whom it is so published might through Christ believe John 1. 7. We may read His gracious End in His Invitation He saith Come that we might indeed come and so not only be of the Many who are Called but of the Chosen ones also And this leadeth us to the latter part of the verse But few are Chosen In speaking unto which Words we shall indeavour to shew these things God assisting I. Who the Elect or Chosen ones here spoken of are And what is the Election or Chusing the Scripture speaketh of II. That few of the many Called ones are Chosen III. That it is mens 〈◊〉 Iniquity that they are not Elected or Chosen First We shall indeavour to shew who the Elect or Chosen ones here spoken of are and what is the Election or Chusing the Scripture speaketh of And in speaking hereto we no otherwise intend to speak of Election unto Worldly things or to choice Advantages or Offices only then as may illustrate or conduce unto the Election here intimately intended to wit that which is unto Salvation In speaking then to this first Thing we shall first shew What is not the Election here spoken of and who are not the Elect or Chosen ones And then what it is and who are the subjects of it 1. Then By Election here intimately spoken of or elsewhere in Scripture is not meant An absolute
CALLING AND ELECTION OR Many are Called but few are chosen BEING A Consideration of Mat. 22. 14. By CHARLES PHELPES To whom coming as unto a Living Stone disallowed indeed of Men but chosen of God and precious Ye also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Ye are a Chosen Generation c. which in time past were not a People but are now the People of God 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 9 10. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind Rom. 1. 28. God worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own Will Ephes 1. 11. LONDON Printed for Benjamin Southwood at the Starre next to Serjeants Inne in Chancery lane 1674. TO THE READER Christian Reader I had no thoughts of writing out the ensuing discourse until a very good friend of mine requested me that when I had opportunity I would do so much for him which I was not very forward unto not resolved against But upon further consideration I did intend according to my small ability and as I had time to satisfie his desire But before I had begun it several others also were as desirous as the former both to have it written out and also that it should be made publick The former is now done but whether the latter desire will be answered or no I yet know not That which made me the more willing to grant what was desired by my Friend and Friends was That I might in some measure discover the abuse of the Doctrine of Election by many of the Leaders of the People whereby many Blind ones being led by the Blind fall into the ditch of Errour And many others also are indangered also so to do For as it was said in former times by the Lord concerning some Teachers so surely it may be said of too many in ours Thy Interpreters have transgressed against me Isa 43. 27. What the Scriptures speak concerning Election agrees sweetly with the word of the beginning of Christ to wit That He is indeed the Saviour of the World And therefore nothing at all opposeth them who believe it But Men in their Interpretations and Glosses pervert those things which are more hard to be understood And then also they wrest the other Scriptures which are more easie to their own and others destruction that they may make them agree with their perversions of the more hard 2 Pet. 3. 16. So it is in this particular instance They first devise and imbrace a new Doctrine of Election which the Scripture knoweth not to wit An absolute Election of some mens persons in a personal consideration before the World had a being And then they deny or confess not that Jesus Christ by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man or that the Grace of God brings Salvation to all men that they may be saved That so there may be some agreement in their instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge But those who first begin with and learn the word of the beginning of Christ which is the foundation of other Doctrines receive light therefrom by degrees into other Doctrines which are built thereon And in following Christ therein who is the light of the World they shall not abide in darkness but the light shall be vouchsafed and shine more and more unto them until the perfect day If any should fault me for not speaking to other Scriptures which some think favour their device of personal Election as Acts 13. 48. Rom. 8. 28-30 c. Let them know I have not medled with them both because the word Election is not expressed therein And also and especially because these and other Scriptures of like nature are spoken unto already more fully and profitably then I can do by my Brethren and Helpers in the Lord as by Mr. Thomas Moor Sen. in his Book entituled An explicite declaration of the Testimony of Christ from page 354. to 372. and page 451-457 And in his Treatise of Election And by Mr. John Horn in his Essays page 24. 26 c. And therefore to them I refer them because also I have been much more large then I at first intended And let not them who believe the Testimony of God concerning Christ viz. That He is the Son of God and Saviour of the World deceive themselves in thinking that my only or principal end and aim in what I have written is to detect the errours of them who are enemies thereto for though I have endeavoured so to do in some things for their good who do so err And to preserve others from such evil and erronious Doctrines if they have an heart and opportunity to read this Yet I principally intended this discourse to discover how many vain believers of the Gospel of Christ there are who though they are called yet are not chosen And for admonition to them and instruction to all who have the form of sound words that we might all of us not only in word profess to believe Christs Gospel But so from the heart obey it that we may be and abide free from sin and become continually servants unto Righteousness that we may have our fruit unto Holiness and the end Eternal Life Consider what is said herein and compare it with the word of God and Testimony of Jesus And what agreeth therewith embrace it and yield up thereto And if in any thing I have dissented therefrom let it be rejected Try all things hold fast that which is good Charles Phelpes Feb. 24. 1672 3. Mat. 22. 14. For many are Called but few are Chosen THese Words are in General the Shutting up or Conclusion of the fore-going Parable which it may seem our Saviour speaketh directly to the Chief Priests and Pharisees though it was spoken also in the Hearing and for the Good and Admonition of others of the People then present and of the Disciples also But it appears to be spoken directly to the Chief Priests and Pharisees For in Chap. 21. our Saviour spake in Parables in which He signifieth how He should be Dealt with and Rejected by the Husbandmen and Builders Verse 28. 44. And when the chief Priests and Pharisees had heard His Parables they perceived that He spake of them Ver. 45. And this Chap. 22. thus beginueth Jesus answered and spake unto them again by Parables and said c. Ver. 1. As also and further appeareth by what is said in this Chap. 22. 15. And it appears That this Parable is Prophetical shewing before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that He should receive there-through And then God's Grace to the Jews together with their Unworthiness generally Ver. 2. 7. And on their Rejection of the Gospel God's Mercy to us Gentiles for through their Rejection of Christ when Preached by the Apostles and Fall thereby Salvation came to us Gentiles for to provoke
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
before the first Coming of Christ And many fearers of God amongst the Gentiles both before and since Christs Appearing to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of Himself Mat. 2. 16 18. with Jer. 31. 15 17. Mat. 19. 14. Psal 11 5. 9 10 11. And yet there is no Salvation in any other but Christ and through Him and through His Name Power and Authority and upon the Account of His Sufferings and Sacrifice they shall be saved though no clear or distinct knowledg of Him was vouchsafed to them And therefore the want of it shall not be Imputed to or Charged upon them to their Condemnation And this Charity we desire to have because we thus judge that one Died for all and Rose again viz. That Jesus Christ by the Grace of God tasted Death for every man and is Risen again from the Dead for their Justification And hereby all that have sinned in the first publick man and come short of the Glory of God are Justified freely by God's Grace through that Redemption in Christ Jesus in an answerable sence as they were Condemned in the first man Adam 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. Rom. 3. 23 24. and 5. 18. So as no man shall perish in that first Death for ever which was the Wages of the Disobedience of that one man Nor in the Eternal Judgment shall there be any occasion for the use of that Proverb The Fathers have eaten sower Grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 2 4. And in the Cross of Christ and Virtue thereof we so see the admirable Love of God to every sinful Creature of Mankind while it is called to day aswell as also in plain Intimations and Instructions given us in the Testimony of the Scriptures That we cannot but judge that His Requirings and Expectations will be no other then according to His Distributions and Dispensations that is where much is given of them He will require the more and where little He will require but according thereto And where He hath not sown He will not reap nor gather where He hath not strowen And therefore all Infants who die in their Infancy and were never guilty of that Condemning Sin of the World of loving Darkness rather than Light after Light is vouchsafed shall in the general Resurrection have Eternal Life through Christ's Name And all others who have not had any distinct knowledg of Christ and yet by the Goodness and Mercy of God through the Mediatour have been led to Repentance and have feared God and been Workers of Righteousness according to the means vouchsafed and continued such to Death shall also through Christ have the reward of Everlasting Life 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. Rom. 2. 4 7 12 16. Luke 12. 48. Mat. 25. 24 26. Rev. 20. 12 15. But how can they have such Charity or desire to have it who deny or believe not the Great and Fundamental things of the Gospel as spoken and delivered to us in the Words which the Holy Ghost teacherh Do men gather Grapes of Thorns or Figs of Thistles Mat. 7. 15 16. Those Builders can never Build well who dis-alow and reject the Foundation 3. Nor do we believe that by the many called are meant all such as are Called by realous Teachers and such as name themselves the Ministers of Christ or however not such in this consideration as Called by them for there are many such who in their evil Doctrines rather Call men from Christ then to Him How many are there that disciple men to Antichrist instead of inviting them to our Lord Jesus and steal away the Word of God from the People in the Records of them And how mauy others are there though not so grosly evil yet as dangerous and destructive to the souls of men who though they would have the Scriptures continued amongst men in such Languages as are understood by them yet they tell them the meaning of the Scripture is the Scripture and that is such as lieth not in the plain import of the Expressions however not in many of the fundamental Sayings of the Gospel And the Scripture some call a dead Letter other some call it the Letter And their Glosses and Interpretations are the Spiritual meaning Thus they call the World which God so loved as to give His Son to be and of which He is the Saviour the World of Elect the all and every man for whom Christ Dred some of all sorts or every Godly man c. thus indeavouring to pervert the Gospel of Christ And yet appearing very zealous in seeking the good of men which is indeed somewhat strange considering that they believe Christ Died for the fewest of men only and for whom they know not As one of them lately exprest himself in his Prayer such an one as it was as I was instantly informed by some Credible persons that heard him Lord said he if there be any one Soul in this Congregation which was a great one for whom Christ hath Died let me not lose my Labour And considering also that they believe that there is a precise and certain number of Persons determined to Salvation And these shall Infallibly be Saved though they held their Tongues and all the rest inevitably perish I say these things considered it is somewhat strange they should be so appearingly zealous in seeking the good of men Indefinitely It may be fcared this Zeal proceeds not from the Love of Christ For the Love of Christ constraineth us saith the Apostle because we thus judg that if one Died for all then were all dead and that He died for all c. Which they believe not But that herein they are like them who did shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men neither entring in themselves nor suffering them that were entring to enter And yet for a pretence they made long Prayers for their Hearts went after their Covetousness and they did compass Sea and Land to make a Proselite Mat. 23. 13 14 15. Truly concerning such who Preach and Plead for such Doctrines as these viz. That Christ Died not for all men but for the fewest only That God hath Decreed a set and determinate number of Persons in a Personal consideration to believe and be saved And these all shall Insrustrably believe and be saved and these only and all the rest must unavoidably perish That such as are once in Christ cannot possibly fall finally from the Grace of God c. It may be said Hearken not to the Words of these Prophets they make you vain they speak a Vision of their own Heart and not out of the Mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 16. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 1. For how much soever these thus Call and how much soever others Listen thereto and how Reformed and Zealous soever they appearingly be come hereby they are not in this Consideration of the Called here spoken of much less of
Saviour of the World And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us God is Love c. Hereby is our love made perfect even through the Knowledg and Belief of His Love and that He is Love And what Love of God is the producer of our love to Him is also declared by the same Apostle We love Him because He first loved us It is the Manifestation and Discovery not of any delightful distinguishing Love of His but of that great Love wherewith He loved us and all Mankind whereby we are begotten to the Love of Him and therein made of the Chosen and Elect Generation 1 John 4. 7 10 16 19. with Ephes 2. 4 5. And so it appears that the Argument for effecting this Election is the Grace of God to Manward discovered in the Gospel of Christ Que. 2. What is the way owned and approved of God in or through which men are Elected Answ The way of His owning and approving is the Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth when and as discovered to them That is Men are then Chosen when they so with the Heart believe the Word of Truth and Grace of God therein discovered as that thereby they are Sanctified and Cleansed in the Spirit of their Mind and devoted unto God and not before To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh Elect according to the foreknowledg or Fore-approbation of God the Father according to that way fore-owned of Him in or through the Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1. 2. To which agreeth also that of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians We are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning viz. of their Gospels coming to them as 1 Thes 1. 5. and 2. 13. Chosen you to Salvation through or in the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Whereunto He also Called you by our Gospel c. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. No man therefore while he abides in his Ignorance Unbelief and Disobedience of God is Elected or Chosen nor until he be in some measure Washed and Sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 9 11. Que. 3. Out of what are men Elected or Chosen Answ Out of the World which lieth in Wickedness or in the Wicked one 1 John 5. 19. And of which until they were Chosen out they were as well as others and not only in it but also of it They sometimes walked according to the course of this World according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience Amongst whom we also had our Conversation in times past in the Lusts of our Flesh And were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others saith the Apostle Paul of both Gentiles and Jews who were after Chosen out of this sad condition Ephes 2. 1 3 5. To this purpose speaks our Saviour unto and concerning his Disciples Ye are not of the World but I have Chosen you out of the World And I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the World John 15. 19. and 17. 6. In both which places it is plainly Intimated that time was that they were not only in the World in their Persons for so they still were nor did our Saviour pray to His Father to take them out of it in this sense John 17. 11 15. but also they were of the World as to their State Condition Fellowship and Demeanour and during that time they were not Elected or Chosen out of it For Gods Elect and Chosen ones and the world are opposed the one to the other and the former hated by the latter As also our Saviour oft times signifieth in such expressions as these If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you John 15. 18 19. Ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce Chap. 16. 20. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me out of the world I have given them thy Word and the World hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world Chap. 17. 9 14 16 20 21 23. 1 John 3. 1 13. And so the chosen ones are such as are seperated and severed from others in their state pollutions evil principles and manners And so Seperated and Chosen are used indifferently and put one for another in our Types whom we are instructed to behold 1 Cor. 10. 18. As whereas in Deut. 10. 8. it is said At that time the Lord seperated the Tribe of Levi to minister unto him It is thus rendred Chap. 21. 5. 18. 5. 2 Chron. 29. 11. The Sons of Levi shall come near for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him So again in one place it is said I am the Lord your God which have seperated you from other people Ye shall therefore put difference between clean Beasts and unclean And ye shall be holy for I have severed you from other people that ye should be mine In another place upon a like occasion it is thus said The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing Consider and compare Levit. 20. 24 26. with Deut. 14. 2 3 c. And so they are a chosen Generation who are called not only whom God is calling but who are eventually called out of darkness out of the darkness of this world and out of their ignorance and unbelief into his marvelous light Compare 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. with Chap. 4. 3. Such as are delivered out of the power of darkness and translated or removed into the Kingdom of Gods dear sons Col. 1. 13. with Acts 13. 22. This is that out of which men are chosen even out of themselves and out of the world and power of darkness Que. Into and in whom are Men chosen Answ Into and in Jesus Christ as the Apostle saith Who hath chosen us in him Eph. 1. 4. As we have seen before The Elect are not chosen in the first Adam nor in themselves but in Christ who is the prime Elect unto whom God hath given the pre-eminence and first-ship in all things Isa 42. 1. Col. 1. 18 19. Rom. 16. 13. And who is the Root and Foundation of Election To this purpose the Apostle Peter speaketh To whom coming to wit unto Christ as unto a living stone chosen or elected of God Ye also as lively stones are built up a Spiritual House Ye are a chosen Generation It is here signified that in order of Nature however and of Time also Christ is first of all an Eleâ—t chosen stone an Elect foundation and Corner stone And those that
in due time inherit gloriously and are now by Faith Heirs of the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ James 2. 5. And so many are Called but few are Chosen choice Ones The greatest part will be refused and disallowed of God because of their own stubborn refusal of and disobedience to Christ 4. Elect or Chosen doth signifie in Scripture Beloved or Loved with a delightful and peculiar manner of Love So it is said The Sons of God saw the Daughters of men that they were fair and they took them Wives of all that they chose viz. delighted in or were well pleased with Gen. 6. 2. So these two words Chosen and Delighted in are used indifferently They have Chosen their own Ways and their Soul delighteth in their abominations Isa 66. 3 4. So whereas in the Prophet Isaiah it is thus said Mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth That Scripture is thus read and rendred by the Evangelist Matthew My beloved in whom my Soul is well pleased compare Isa 42. 1. with Mat. 12. 18. Thus again Is it such a Fast as I have Chosen Wilt thou call this an Acceptable day Chosen and Acceptable or Well-pleasing are the same And Chosen signifieth a Delight or Delightsome day unto the Lord Isa 58. 5 6 with vers 13. So chosen in the Lord and beloved or beloved in the Lord are used indifferently by the Apostle Rom. 16 8 12 13. So it is here also Many are called but few are chosen few beloved or delighted in no more than come to Christ for they are beloved in him the beloved one Rom. 16. 8. Eph. 1. 6. Indeed God loves all men while it is called to day with a love of pity and compassion with a love of mercifull kindness and hath abundantly manifested it in that he hath given his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the World Joh. 3. 16. 4. 42. And as is evident in what he doth unto them thorow Christ Thus he loves them who hate him and hath therefore propounded himself as an example to be imitated by us to the end we might so see and follow him as to love and be mercifull to our Enemies and bless them that curse us c. Matth. 5. 44 45. Luke 6. 27 35 36. He so loves all men that he is not willing that any man should perish but that all should come to repentance Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. 33. 11. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. But yet though he love them thus and is pitifull and compassionate toward them and hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth but rather that he should turn and live yet notwithstanding he cannot delight in them that still abide in their ignorance and unbelief of the Gospel and are Enemies to his Son But contrarily he hates them with such an hatred as is opposed to a love of Well-pleasedness He that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with him The foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all the workers of iniquity Psal 5. 4 5. So he saith concerning Ephraim All their wickedness is in Gilgall for there I hated them for the wickedness of their doings Hos 9. 15. The wrath of God cometh and abideth on the Children of disobedience Eph. 5. 5 6. Col. 3. 5 6. And therefore none such are delighted in nor chosen while so abiding and coutinuing They wearied the Lord with their words who said He delighteth in them that do evil Mat. 2. 17. As they now do who say Such as are unbelievers Idolaters Adulterers profane persons drunkards and notorious sinners may while abiding such be the elect of God and loved of him with peculiar distinguishing love which is directly contrary to the Scriptures as hath been said which signifie that though God pity and is compassionate to foolish ones yet he delighteth not in them He hath no pleasure in fools Prov. 1. 20 22 with Eccles 5. 4. But now his Elect ones are such as he delighteth in and loves with peculiar manner of love Hence the Elect are such as are said to be beloved Col. 3. 12. All his delight is in them that are chosen out of the World and keep his Commandements and which are the excellent ones Psal 16. 2 3. They that are of a froward Heart are abomination to the Lord but such as are upright in their way are his delight Prov. 11. 20. 12. 22. All such and only such as love Christ the father loveth with delightfull love I speak of such are come to years of capacity and have the Gospel plainly declared to them As our Saviour himself signifieth saying For the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God such he loveth with such manner of love as that he calls and owns them as his Sons by faith And if Sons then Heirs John 16. 27. 1 John 3. 1. And such as these Christ loveth and delighteth in As he saith I love them that love me And as the father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love Prov. 8. 17. John 15. 9. But who are they that love Jesus Christ and so are the subjects of his and his fathers peculiar love his Elect ones in whom he delighteth They are such as when called come to and are ruled by Jesus Christ such as he not only commands but also they are commanded by him and obedient to him and so chosen as in the second sense of the word chosen before spoken to So saith our Saviour himself He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and be that loveth me shall be loved of my father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him And again If any man love me he will keep my Word and my father will love him and we will come unto him c. Once more If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love even as I kept my fathers Commandments and abide in his love John 14. 21 23. 15. 9 10. 1 John 2. 3 5. 5. 2 3 2. John 6. Truly God so loveth his Son Jesus Christ because he laid down his life for us that he might take it up again that he loves all them that love him with a delightful love they are his chosen ones with whom he is well pleased He gives unto them Eternal Life John 3. 16 18. Jam. 2. 5. And he so loveth his Son that he hates and cannot delight in them that are his Enemies and hate him He will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him Psal 89. 23. John 3. 36. Psal 16. 3. 4. And therefore while they abide such being not lovers of Christ they are not of the elect or chosen Generation Job 14.
shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 22. Men as before we have seen are the subjects of Gods election in coming unto and abiding in Christ And in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. And if we be Christs then are we Abrahams Seed and Heirs according to Promise And so an elect Generation Gal. 3. 29. with Deut. 7. 6 9 10. 10. 15. And they who dwell in this secret of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Psal 91. 1 12. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever And the Lord will do good unto those that be good and to them that are upright in their hearts But as for such as turn aside out of the path of the just to their crooked paths the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel Psal 125. 1 4 5. with Psal 73. 1. Therefore the Apostle Peter writing to them who were elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father and had obtained like precious faith with the Apostle exhorts them to give diligence to make their calling and election sure for saith he If ye do these things ye shall never fall plainly signifying to us that otherwise they might and should fall 1 Pet. 1. 2. with 2 Pet. 1. 1 10. Those that are with Christ on Mount Zion are such as are Called and not only so but Chosen yea and not only Chosen but faithfull also Faithfully following the Lamb wheresoever he goeth Rev. 17. 14. with Chap. 14. 1 4. Oh that we may never say We are the Elect of God and our Mountain is so strong setled that we shall never be moved however we demean our selves But that we may be of the Sheep of Christ and abide such hearing continually the voice of our Shepheard and following him for to such as so do he will give Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of his hand neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come Nor heighth nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to seperate them that love God and keep his commandments from the love of God which is for ever in Christ Jesus John 10. 27 28 29 with Rom. 8. 28 33 39. And so much to the first Particuler in which we have endeavoured from the Scriptures to shew what is not and what is Gods Election and who are not and who are the subjects of it And now we come to shew 2. That few of the many that are called are chosen as our Saviour here plainly affirmeth But few of many as Jer. 42. 2. even of the many which are called by the Servants in the plain Preaching of the Gospel as it is now revealed For that our Saviour speaks of and intends such by the Many here we have before shewn and desire that may be considered and what is contained in the three Cautions foregiven Now of these many who have the Scriptures of Truth amongst them which have been spoken and recorded by the Servants the extraordinary Servants of the great King viz. by the Holy Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And amongst whom also are some of his Servants preserved and continued even such as have believed on Christ thorow the Apostles word he here saith Few are chosen few comparatively to those so called Few to the many who say they are Jews and are not There are threescore Queens and fourscore Concubines and Virgins without number But my Love my undefiled is but one saith our Lord Jesus She is the onely one of her Mother she is the choice and chosen one of her that bare her Cant. 6. 8 9. In this sense also it is true and may be thus taken As the Lilly among the Thorns so is Christs love among the Daughters one Lilly among many Thorns one Love amongst many Daughters other Professours Churches and Societies Who swear by the Name of the Lord and make mention of the God of Israel but not in Truth non in Righteousness for they call themselves of the Holy City c. Cant. 2. 2. Isa 48. 1 2. And as was also fore-prophesied In that day seven women Churches or Congregations shall take hold of this one Man Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 5. saying we will eat our own Bread and wear our own Apparell as the Man did that had not on the Wedding Garment Only let us be called by thy name Christians to take away our reproach Isa 4. 1. Many cleave unto him by flatteries Dan 11. 34. And few heartily receive or faithfully and constantly walk and abide in him unto the end So that â—…t may be applied to these chosen ones the Israel of God which was spoken of Israel after the flesh a Type of the Spiritual Seed The Lord did not set his love upon you nor chuse you because ye were more in number than any people for ye were the fewest of all people not counted worthy in respect of the smallness of their number to be reckoned amongst the Nations of Professours Deut. 7. 6 7. Christ's flock of actual believers and upright followers of Him is a little flock Luk. 12. 32. I still mean as compared with the many or multitudes which are called and in some sort also the called And so much our Saviour giveth us to understand in His Parable which He spake in His personal Ministration In one He saith The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Net that was cast into the Sea which gathered of every kind some good and some bad Mat. 13. 47-49 And in another He more plainly and evidently signifieth that of the many to whom the Gospel is preached but few comparatively obey it from the heart or continue so to do One sort of the hearers of the Kingdom He compareth to the Way-side ground and and like to it many abide The word hath little or no entrance into or impression on them in respect of any willing reception of it from them The sower indeed soweth his seed in the hearts of this first sort of ground And did they suffer it to take place in them and enter into and abide in their hearts they should believe and be saved But they understand it not consider it not set not their hearts to it open not to let in this blessed seed which would convert them in so doing but letting it lye above ground it is open unto and fit to be taken away by the Fowls And the wicked one cometh and catcheth away that which was sown in the hearts of such lest they should believe and be saved Of this sort so abiding it may be said It is a People of no understanding therefore He that made them will not have mercy upon them and He that formed them will shew them no favour Matth. 13. 18 19. with
Luke 8. 11 12. Isa 27. 11. Another sort of hearers He likeneth to stony places or to the rock they hear the word of the Kingdom and the glad tidings therein declared And in some measure understand it And so are not like unto the Way-side hearers for anon or immediately with joy they receive and gladly entertain it And do believe for a while what is therein reported That Christ is indeed the Saviour of the World But these have no root in themselves they suffer not the word to sink deep enough to break the stone or rock at the bottom and to effect in them an honest and good heart which it would do were it with the heart believed Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an bammer that breaketh the rock in peices Jer. 23. 28 29. this is powerful to convert and change the Soul Psal 19. 7. But they suffer it not to take root downward but still retain some stone at the bottom some design or enterprize of theirs unbroken And though possibly in hearing this word gladly they do many things which it is effecting in them part with many things thereby reproved and do many things which are good in themselves yet there is still some one beloved iniquity or other which they will not let this good and powerful word mortifie and root up some lust or idol remains at the bottom of their hearts which hinders the seed from sinking deep enough and and so in conclusion the Word becometh unfruitful Herod knew John the Baptist was a just Man and an holy and observed him or kept him from danger and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly But when John reproved him for Herodias his Brother Philip's Wife and said it is not lawful for thee to have her he turned not at this reproof of God's instruction he suffered not the word of God to purge out and root up this iniquity but was angry with this faithful reprover and first put him in Prison and afterwards caused him to be beheaded Mark 6. 17-20 Ezekielis hearers said one to another Come I pray you and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord And they come unto thee saith the Lord as the People cometh and they sit before thee as My People and they hear thy words but they will not do them For with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness And â—…e thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument for they hear thy words but they do them not For still from the least to the greatest of them every one was given to Covetousness Ezek. 33. 30-32 Jer. 6. 12. Thus it is with too many now in our days they hear the glad-tidings of good things brought to them in the Gospel of peace and by and by they receive them with gladness And they are perswaded that the word of Christ is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation And they marvel at the gracious words therein contained and wonder that every one doth not give credit thereto But still they believe in vain and though they have some love for what they hear yet they love some thing reproved thereby rather and better they hold fast a lye in their right hand while the truth is but in their left they set and keep up some stumbling block of iniquity in their hearts some intemperance or uncleanness or strife or covetousness or pride c. And by the deceitfulness of that sin which doth so easily beset them they harden their hearts like an Adamant stone so that the word sinks not deep enough into them And this is afterwards made apparent For when tribulation or persecution ariseth for the word by and by they are offended As immediatâ—…y at first they received the word of the kingdom with joy so immediately in time of trial and temptation they are offended and fall away Joh. 3. 19. 2 Thes 2. 10. Isa 44. 20. Matth. 13. 20 21. with Luke 8. 13. A third sort of hearers appear in conclusion to be like the thorny ground they are such as hear the word and receive the seed And it may seem for sometime receive it to purpose and it brings forth fruit in them These understand as the Way-side hearers do not These have some root in themselves as the Stony-ground hearers had not These bring forth fruit but afterward without any good reason or cause they go out and depart from Christ Jesus and from the mindfulness of His Grace and Gospel and abide not faithful unto the death These endure not unto the end though at first they did run well They continue not rooted and grounded in the Faith They abide not in Christ stedfast and unmoveable but forsake the Lord the fountain of living waters and wander out of the way of understanding and turn aside to their crooked pathes after they have escaped the pollutions of the world thorow the Knowledge and Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so are like Birds that wander from their Nests they are removed from him that called them into the Grace in Jesus Christ And after they have clean and indeed escaped from them that live in errour yet they sin willingly and erre from and forsake the right way in which abiding they should be saved But they go forth Luke 8. 14. and then the Thorns enter in Mark 4. 19. They were not there always they were it may seem rooted out and cast forth by the Plow of the Gospel And had they abidden in Christ they had been still preserved from them For Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not He keepeth Himself that the wicked one toucheth him not in whom the seed of God remaineth 1 Joh. 3. 6 9. with Chap 5. 18. But going out the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and lusts of other things enter in and choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful namely in conclusion they bring no fruit unto perfection none to the harvest And so none which will abide and appear on their account in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ These may endure some of them a considerable time and even almost though not altogether unto the harvest And how far soever they go or how long soever they continue yet not enduring unto the end not overcoming and keeping Christ's Works unto the end but going out and departing from Him and so persisting all their righteousness shall not be remembred but for their iniquity that they have committed they shall dye for it there is no reaping if men faint how long soever they have exercised themselves in well doing Matth. 13. 22. with Mark 4. 18 19. 2 Pet. 2. 18-20 Gal. 6. 9. Ezek. 33. 12 13. Rev. 2. 26-29 Now the just shall live by faith but if he at any time draw back Gods Soul will have no pleasure
desires of vain-glory praise and honour of Men and friendship of this World his ease and pleasure his inordinate affection to nearest and dearest relations yea and to his own life also Yea and whatsoever doth hinder him or would turn him aside from coming unto and following after Jesus Christ And the way is narrow which leadeth unto life it is an afflicted persecuted way and those that walk in it must thorow much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14. 22. They that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 11 12. Christs Disciples and Followers I mean such as are His Disciples indeed shall be hated of all Men for His name sake not only of profane ones though they will be the song of the Drunkards and the by-word of base nameless Men who are viler then the Earth but also the appearingly righteous and zealous ones will reproach and villifie them and the Doctrine professed by them and cast out their names as evil for the Son of Man's sake their Mothers Children will be angry with them Cant. 1. 6. their Brethren will hate them Isa 66. 5. And the Sons of the Sorceress the seed of the Adulterer and the Whore such as are begotten of divers and strange Doctrines will sport themselves against them and make a wide mouth and draw out the tongue against them Isa 57. 3 4. so that in coming unto and following after Jesus Christ they can expect nothing but frowns cruel mockings reproachful words and gestures scoffings afflictions and persecutions from all that are not of their own company He that is not with them is against them so that they that will come after Christ must not only deny themselves but also take up their cross daily and follow him For God hath predestinated and fore-ordained that all that are lovers of Him who are the called according to purpose and so Gods Elect ones should be conformed to the Image of His Son that He might be the first-born among many Brethren That as He was despised and rejected of Men a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief so they also should be made like unto Him and drink of the same cup whereof He drank Matth. 16. 24 25. Luke 9. 23 24. Rom. 8. 28 29-33 Now because most of them who are called by the Gospell when they hear this saying are offended crying out in their hearts at least This is an hard saying who can hear it as they Job 6. 60. and will not strive to enter in at this strait nor walk in this narrow way which is so persecuted hence it comes to pass that Christs flock of actual and unfeigned believers is a little flock and small amongst the thousands of such as are called and call themselves by the name of Christ And so we have seen the truth of our Saviours saying in this place else where confirmed and have considered and shewed the reason thereof why few of the many called ones are chosen And this assertion and instruction of our Saviours That few are chosen may be of usefulness unto us 1. To shew unto us how little reason they who hear and believe the Gospel with the heart have to glory or boast of the multitude of them that come amongst them and who are called thereby seeing they know from the testimony of Christ that of those many to whom the joyful sound is proclaimed few unfeignedly entertain it or yeild up themselves to the saving operations of it Indeed it may be matter of gladness to them that many do come to hear the Gospel of peace for how can Men believe on Christ if they hear not the Doctrine concerning Him But when they wisely consider That many who are called by the Gospel are only so and will not come to Christ that they may have life it occasions sadness unto them and keeps them sober and preserves them from glorying in the numerousness of them who come amongst them Other persons who glory in appearance and not in heart are apt to be lifting up and priding themselves in their great companies and in the many hundreds that come to hear the doctrines of such as consent not to wholsome words the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine according to Godliness But alas for those who are indeed the Disciples of Christ they have so many occasions of sorrow and fighing presented to them even amongst such as are professedly one with them that instead of boasting of their numbers rivers of Waters run down their eyes because such keep not Gods Law Psal 119. 136 And sometimes those who are in any good measure upright are ready to take up that wish of the Prophets Oh that we had in the Wilderness a lodging place of Way-faring Men that we might leave the generality of our Brethren professedly and go away from them as Jer. 9. 2 3. For though as the Apostle saith they have all heard and many of them oftentimes heard the Gospel of Christ yet they have not all obeyed the Gospel for Isaias saith Lord who hath believed our report Rom. 10. 14-16-18 Joh. 12. 37 38. Oh how few are there who from the heart obey that form of Doctrine that hath been delivered to them The Kingdom of Heaven in the gracious and spiritual administration of it is like to a Net cast into the Sea that gathereth of all kinds But how few are willing to be drawn out of their Elements into Jesus Christ And to forsake and go on to forsake all that they may be and continue His Disciples indeed Were this considered it would preserve them from glorying in their number and cause them rather to say Woe is us for we are as when they have gathered the gatherings of summer as the grape gleanings of the Vintage there is no cluster to eat Mich. 7. 1 2. 2. It might also awaken and provoke us all To examine our selves in the Glass of the Gospel and see whether we ourselves are only of the many called or whether we be also of the few who are chosen Indeed if all who are called by the plain and faithful ministration of the Gospel were chosen also we might save our selves this labour and rest secure and well satisfied that we are of the remnant according to the election of Grace Or if the greatest part of the called ones were elected also it might nor so greatly concern us to search and try our selves and inquire so diligently into this matter But when our Lord who is the truth it self saith few of those invited by the Servants are chosen it greatly concerns us to try ourselves that we may not think our selves to be something when when we are nothing and so deceive our selves which will be the saddest and miserablest cheat and of the most pernicious and everlastingly destructive consequence that ever was Gal. 6. 3 4. Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves that
Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. What a sad thing will it be for us to sport our selves in our self-deceivings as too many do 2 Pet. 2. 13. Better it is now for us to deal faithfully with our selves then to flatter our selves or be flattered by others to our endless and eternal misery and calamity Come we then to the light of the Lord the Gospel of Christ and therein and thereby we may see our selves whether we be chosen no Even he that is an hearer of the word and not a doer is like unto a man that beholdeth his natural face in a Glass for he beholdeth himself Even as a man may see his natural face in a Glass and see whether it be clean and free from spots and pollution or no so a man that is only called by and an hearer of the word of Truth may see himself and see what manner of person he is Jam. 1. 22 23 24. He may see whether he be chosen out of the World by the Grace of God or whether he be not but still remain in or be turned back again into the World and so is at present rejected of God and not loved with peculiar manner of love As the Apostle intimateth 2 Cor. 13. 5. And if by this Glass we see we are hearers and of the called only Oh let us give no rest to our eyes not slumber to our eye-lids until we so receive and retain the Grace of God which brings Salvation to us that we may be chosen out of this miserable condition and redeemed from amongst Men that it may be well with us for ever and we may not perish with the World And if it appear that we are of the number of those who are chosen that we still abide and continue in the Doctrine of Christ that we may have both Father and Son 2 Joh. 9. Inq. But some may say how may we know whether we be of the chosen number or no declare a little more particularly how we may know it Answ Those who are indeed chosen do know that they are of God and that the whole World lieth in Wickedness as 1 Joh. 5. 19. by keeping His Commandments as the Apostle saith Hereby we know that we know Him and are in Him if we keep His Commandments 1 Joh. 2. 3-5 And he that keepeth His Commandments dwelleth in Him and He in him chap. 3. 24. that is to say in more and plainer words His Commandments are That we believe on the Name of Jesus Christ and love one another as He hath given us Commandment 1 Joh. 3. 22-24 He that hath and keepeth these hath right unto the tree of life and shall enter in thorow the gates into the City even into the new Jerusalem Rev. 22. 14. that is to say they do know they are chosen 1. By this That the Faith they have received is the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and according thereto they believe with the heart that good report the Father hath given of Christ in His Word and Sayings in which He hath testified That He sent the Son into the World not to condemn the World but that the World thorow Him might be Saved And so they believe on the Name of the Son of God Joh. 3. 16-18 they have their Faith begotten by closing with and founded on not Mens Doctrines or their own Thoughts and Imaginations which they know to be corrupt and evil But they have received and retain for their Faith nothing else then the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus which was witnessed by the holy Prophets in former times and is now revealed to us by the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so they believe on Christ as the Scripture hath said and testified of Him and not as Men in their Glosses and Interpretations speak of Him They call no meer Man whatsoever their Rabbi nor own any to have dominion over their Faith but Jesus Christ and God in Him He is their only Law-giver in this respect the Father of their Spirits the Lord of what they believe And so according to His testimony they believe Him to be the Son of God the Saviour of the World the only Foundation of Faith and Hope the only Fountain of all the fulness of Grace and Truth the only Bread and Water of Life the only door of approach of God the only Lord of our Faith and Consciences the only High Priest and Mediatour between God and Men And according hereto they come unto and depend on Him in His way for bottoming all upon Him for receiving all from Him for living continually by Him and to Him for approaching to God thorow Him and expecting and waiting thorow His Spirit for His perfecting all that concerns them c. And so they hold forth this word of Life in Word and Conversation And he that thus believeth on the Son hath the Witness in Himself and gives not God the lye but hath set to His Seal that God is true in all He hath testified of His Son 1 Job 5. 10 11. Job 3. 33. And in receiving this Testimony of Jesus they receive also therewith certainly and undoubtedly the Spirit of Gods Son Gal. 3. 2-5 which Spirit beareth Witness with their Spirit with their enlightened mind and judgment that they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 16. And hereby they know that they dwell in Him and He in them because he hath given them of His Spirit And they have seen in the light and by the evidence thereof and do restifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 13 14. with 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. They also know they are chosen by this that this Faith worketh in them by Love Gal. 5 6. and therein is efficacious in them And so they are distinguished from and preferred before such as say they have Faith and have not its works and so believe in vain But this Testimony of Jesus being received by them not as the word of man but as it is in truth the word of God it worketh effectually in them From the knowledge and belief of Gods love in Christ His first love they are begotten and prevailed with to love God even to love Him withall the heart and mind and soul and strength And so to love Jesus Christ as to suffer the loss of all things and count them but dung in comparison of Him It makes them willing to part with their Sins and Idols for His sake and prefer Him before all other things which they may love with a moderate affection 1 Joh. 4. 16-19 And this love of God in Christ known and heartily believed by them begetteth them unto and effecteth in them a delightful love to those who are begotten of Him and that not in word and in tongue only but in deed and in truth And by this they know that they are passed out of death â—nto life because
they love the Brethren And hereby they know they are of the truth and can assure their hearts before God 1 Joh. 3. 14. 18-19 5. 1. And also they are taught and led of God by this love of His to the love of all men even to love them with a love of pity and compassion and to testifie love to them according to their needs as they have opportunity Mat. 5. 44 45. He that saith I know Him and keepeth not His Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in Him But whoso keepeth His word in Faith and Love in him verily is the Love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in Him 1 Joh. 2. 4 5. And so hereby we may know whether the Grace of God hath its electing efficacy upon us And so also on the contrary we may be assured we are not of this chosen Generation if we reject the testimony of God concerning His Son 1 Joh. 5. 10 Joh. 14. 21-24 or receive it in vain and are not saved and sanctified thereby But however we profess to believe the testimony God hath given of His Son yet while we love darkness rather then light and imprison the truth professed by us in unrighteousness we believe in vain and so persisting shall miserably deceive our selves Joh. 3. 19. Rom. 1. 18. Jam. 1. 22. In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devil Whosoever doth not righteousness believes not with the heart the record God hath given of His Son 1 Joh. 2. 29. with chapt 5. 1 10. 4. 6. is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 Joh. 3. 10. These two Faith and Love being had and kept by us to wit The Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and Love wrought thereby we herein keep the Commandments of God and have the new Creature and are in some measure new Creatures compare 1 Cor. 7. 19. with Gal. 5 6. chapt 6. 15. And he that is called by and an hearer of the Gospel may in the Glass of the perfect law of liberty behold himself that he is at present none of Gods elect if he have not the Faith of God and our Lord Jesus if he believe not with the heart the word of God and Testimony of Jesus so as to work effectually in him in some measure Or if he hath not this love begotten produced and continued in him by this faith as hath been said Jam. 1. 22 23-27 And hereby also we may discern and know the Election or non-election of other persons so as to have or not have delightful love towards and fellowship with them that come amongst us As the Apostle Paul saith not only of himself but also joyns with himself Silvanus and Timotheus in this knowledge of others knowing brethren beloved your Election of God to wit by their work of Faith and labour of Love c. For saith he our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost c. And ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost c. And they were also taught of God to love one another and all Men Hereby they knew the election of these Thessalonians first it was the Apostles Gospel which was heartily received by them and that not as the word of men but as the word of God And this wrought effectually in them to turn them and they did turn unto God from all their Idols 1 Thes 1. 3 4-10 2. 13. 3. 12 13. 4. 9 10. And whatever zeal men may have or whatever reformation be wrought in them or whatever profession they make or conversation they have Yet if they hear and imbrace not Gods Words if they receive not the Faith of Christ as His Faith they are not of God Joh. 8. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 6. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 Joh. 9. On though men do in some sort believe the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus yet if this be not yielded up unto and suffered to work effectually in them they do believe in vain and they are vain men 1 Cor. 15. 2. Jam. 1. 26 27. chapt 2. 14-20 22 c. Yea and by this Faith and Love and the Fruits and Effects thereof as being held forth unto and before others even those who are of the World may know that those that walk in this Faith which worketh by Love are Christs Disciples indeed and so Gods Elect ones they are Christs Disciples known and read of all Men being by these two manifestly declared so to be even to such as hate them and therefore make war with them which keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. with Rev. 12. 17. 14. 12. By this shall all men know that ye are My Disciples saith our Saviour if ye have Love one to another Joh. 13. 34 35. But we shall add no more to this use 3. In that the Elect and chosen ones of God are few it sheweth unto us the wonderfulness of Gods care concerning them and protection over them in preserving such an handful amongst so many enemies They are like a Lilly amongst many Thorns Cant. 2. 2. like a Turtle Dove amongst a multitude of birds of prey Psal 74. 19. And yet they are and shall be preserved because they have a strong redeemer and a careful and faithful Shepheard who will keep them and preserve them from this generation that hates them and that for ever Psal 12. 7. If it were not the Lord who were on their side they may always say if it were not Jehovah who is on their side when men rise up against them they had been often swallowed up quick when mens wrath was kindled against them Psal 124. But God is for them and who then can be against them Rom. 8. 31-33 34. The Lord is their Shepheard and they shall want no good thing And their Salvation is of the Lord He is their strength in the time of trouble And He shall help them and deliver them He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in Him Psal 23. 37 39 40. And hence also 4. This instruction contains consolation and incouragement in it against cause and occasion of fear and discouragement That the Elect are few causeth fear to them hence they are incouraged and strengthned against their fear occasioned by the smallness of their number Fear not little flock Luk. 12. 32. fear not thou worm Jacob and ye few men of Israel Isa 41. 14. But that these few are chosen chosen out of the World choice ones in Gods account and loved with delightful well pleased everlasting love this is proper and powerful to strengthen them against the fear of evil And to encourage them to lift up the hands that hang down and the
true That no Man can come to Christ except the Father who hath sent Christ draw Him Joh. 6. 44. But it is also as true That God in and by Christ in due time doth draw them that come not He draws all Men to Himself Joh. 12. 31 32. He draws them who refuse to come with cords of a Man and bands of Love And because He knows what a Yoke is upon them without the removal whereof they would be hindred therefore He takes off the Yoke on their Jaws c. Hos 11. 3 4 5. And since Christ hath finished the work which the Father gave Him to do in His own personal body on the Earth since He laid down His Life and is raised again He hath now gloriously and most immeasurably received the promise of the Spirit in the Nature of Man And hath more abundantly poured it forth on His Servants in their faithful declaring the Gospel then in former times so that the Gospel is called the Ministration of Spirit and Life yea and the Spirit also 2 Cor. 3. 6-8 Phil. 2. 16. So that it is only Mens own wilful and stubborn refusal and rejection of the power of Christ in the call which hinders their coming unto and being chosen by Christ they close their Eyes when opened and stop their Ears lest they should see with their Eyes and hear with their Ears and understand with their Heart and should be converted and He should heal them Mat. 13. 15. And this also sheweth unto us how provoking and excuseless an iniquity it is that the called are not chosen 4. And lastly This also further appears so to be if we consider the good will and gracious intention of the Caller in calliâ—g Men by His Gospel whose love and gracious heart towards sinners is most clearly manifested and perpetually commended to us in the Cross and Sufferings of Christ Rom. 5. 6-8 Joh. 3. 16 17. Heb. 2. 9. He therefore calls and stretcheth forth His hand that they might come to the Feast He hath prepared for them He doth not therefore call that He might leave Men without excuse though they will be so they will be Speechless who are disobedient to the Gospel nor is His end in calling them to aggravate their condemnation though their condemnation will be aggravated who when they are thus called unto the most High will not at all Exalt Him Hos 11. 2-4-7 But He therefore declares His Gospel to them and therewith councelleth them to come unto Himself that they might listen unto and obey Him that it might go well with them for ever Thus our Saviour graciously acquainteth the Jews who sought to kill Him with His gracious end in Speaking and Preaching the Gospel unto them These things I say that ye might be saved Joh. 5. 16-34 And by His Apostles the Gospel was Preached according to the Revelation of the Mystery and according to the Commandement of the Everlasting God made known to all Nations for the Obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 25 26. He iâ—deed that hateth dissembleth with his Lips and layeth up deceit within Him When he speaketh fair or maketh his voice gracious believe him not for there are seven abominations in his heart Prov. 26. 24-26 But far be it from us thus to think of the Almighty who is a God of Truth and without iniquity just and right is He Deut. 32. 2-4 He is not like him that faith Eat and Drink but his heart is not with thee Prov. 23. 6 7. He saith not come eat of My Bread and drink of the Wine I have mingled when either He hath prepared none for thee or hath no cordial desire and intention thou shouldest partake thereof but His gracious will is that thou shouldest be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth Prov. â— 1-5 with 1 Tim. 2. 4-6 And therefore He thus expostulates Wherefore when I came was there no Man when I called was there none to answer But how appears it that they did not answer His call This is declared to us in another Scripture They did Evil before Mine Eyes and chose that in which I delighted not In which is plainly signified to us that His end in coming and calling was that they might have done what was good in His Eyes and chosen that in which He delighted that so they might have been of His chosen ones indeed Compare and consider Isa 50. 2. with chapt 66. 3 4. chapt 65. 12-15 By all which it evidently appeareth that it is their great iniquity who are called by the Servants in their preaching the Gospel of Christ that they answer not His call who accompanieth them and so are not chosen This is that iniquity which is so greatly provoking unto the great King that He thus threatneth to deal with such as are guilty of it Therefore will I number you to the Sword and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter because when I called ye did not answer when I spake ye did not hear but did evil before Mine Eyes and did chuse that wherein I delighted not Therefore behold My Servants My chosen ones who did answer My call shall eat but ye shall be hungry Behold My Servantâ— shall drink but ye shall be thirsty Behold My Servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed Behold My Servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and ye shall howl for vexation of spirit And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen c. Isa 65. 12-15 with Prov. 1. 24-32 Mat. 22. 13 14. And it appears to be an inexcusable iniquity that those who are so called are not chosen There will be no Cloak for their sin They cannot plead that Christ never dyed for them or that saving Grace was not afforded to them for both these are false as we have said and shewn But they will be convinced in the day of the Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God that their Destruction and Non-election was wholly of themselves And therefore they will be found speechless as the Man was who had not on the Wedding Garment Let the consideration then of all said move and prevail with us all so to receive the Electing Grace of God that we may be of the number according to the Election of Grace And let us not listen to such desperate sayings as these If I be Elected no sins can bereave me of Heaven if I be Reprobated no good deeds can help me to Heaven But be we well assured that the Scripture speaketh of none as the Subjects of Gods Election to Salvation while they continue in their natural condition and filthiness nor of any Reprobated before they were born or Christ Preached by His Spirit to their Spirits But all Men while it is the day of Gods Grace and Patience towards them may thorow His Grace which bringeth Salvation to them come to Christ the prime Elect one and root of Election and so be reckoned