MAT. 22. 14.
THe Doctrine contained in the adversative or exceptive part of this Proposition, carrieth much terror with it; for how easily may the soul be discouraged under this consideration, The fewness of those that are elected or saved? Now although there are few who need encouragements, the greater part of our Auditors being presumptuous and self-confident; yet that I may handle this truth compleatly, I shall Answer this particular case of Conscience,
What that person should do, who is overwhelmed with fears and thoughts whether he belong to Election or no, whether he hath any interest in the Covenant of1 Grace; for though but few, yet some such there are, who through the tenderness of their own heart, and Satans subtil temptations, are many times cast down, as if there were no hope for them: Though God be gracious to others, yet not to them; insomuch, That they sit down like deflowred Tamar, weeping and wailing, not knowing whether to go; would not therefore he be like a Messenger from God, that could tell how to ease the soul of this burthen? But before I apply my self to this satisfaction, I shall adde some further signs and effects of Election, to what I propounded the last day; and certainly, if the hearts of men were as careful to make their Election sure, as they are to make the Evidences of their Estates, or any outward advantage they enjoy, even a little said, may do good unto them. In worldly things that Rule is received, Tene certum, dimitte incertum, Hold that which is certain, and let2 that go which is uncertain: Why then are ye not as wise in this respect? Thy outward mercies, thy security, and quietness of conscience, these are no certain signs of thy Election; therefore let them go and put no more confidence in them. We proceed to adde more, That he who is not convinced in the want of one, may be in the want of the other. And
First, They that are thus chosen, the preaching of the Gospel comes not unto them in word onely, but in a full and efficacious power on their heart, and assurance of their understanding: We Ministers of the Gospel may here take up our lamentations,3 To whom is the Gospel preached, any more then meer bare words? Do not our Sermons, as the Psalmist said of our lives, Pass away as a tale that is told? Oh this is an ill sign! consider that place, 1 Thess. 1. 4, 5. Knowing (brethren) your Election of God: The Apostle speaks so of others, either in the judgement of charity, or from that spirit of discerning, which was vouchsafed some in the Apostles times: Well, how comes Paul to know this? by this glorious effect, Verse 5. For our Gospel came not unto you in word onely, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance: See what the end and issue of every Sermon should be, it should come with power, and with the Holy Ghost into your hearts; viz. The Spirit of God accompanying the word, works faith, conversion, and a through reformation of our lives: Its therefore very good to consider, with what power the word preached falls into thy heart: Doth it convince thee, humble thee, mollifie and soften thee, this argueth thou belongest to God. Iohn 8. Our Saviour argued on the contrary, that the Pharisees were not of God, because they did not hear with faith and obedience his word: Thus you see, great discoveries may be made of men, according to the efficacy Gods word hath upon their hearts. Every faithful Minister is like Iohn, a voyce, but if he be no more, then he said of the Nightingale, vox & praeterea nihil, a voyce, and nothing else; woe be to that Auditor who feels it no more: Ezekiel was no more to his hearers; God tell shim, He was like a pleasant song to them, Ezek. 33. 32. they would come and hear as his people, but they would do nothing; If therefore the Election of God ever put forth any glorious power on thee, thou wilt finde it in this some time or other, that the word preached will be more then the word of a man, more then a meer humane Oration, or verbal Declamation: Oh! it will be like fire in thy bowels, like a two edged sword in the secret places of thy heart; thou wilt cry out, Verily God is here: Oh the power, the conviction, the meltings of my soul that I feel within me!
Secondly, A further effect of Predestination, is a conformity to the image of Christ:4 Thus the Apostle expresly affirmeth, Rom. 8. 26. Whom he did foreknow, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son: This is a glorious fruit, to be made like Christ, to have the image of Christ in us, affections like Christ, zeal and heavenliness like Christ. This conformity unto Christ, may be in three things: