Chapter 16. Showing That All Must Be Resolved into God's Purpose

Let us ascribe the whole work of grace to the pleasure of God's Will. God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us makes us worthy. Proud men are apt to assume and arrogate too much to themselves in being sharers with God. While many cry out of Church-sacrilege, they are in the mean time guilty of a far greater sacrilege, in robbing God of his glory, while they go to set the Crown of Salvation upon their own head: but we must resolve all into God's purpose. The Signs of salvation are in the Saints, but the Cause of salvation is in God. If it be God's purpose that saves, then,

1. Not Free-will. The Pelagians are strenuous asserters of Free-will, they tell us, that a man has an innate power to his own conversion; but this Text confutes it, our calling is according to God's purpose, The Scripture plucks up the Weed of Freewill by the roots, Romans 9:16. It is not of him that wills. All depends upon the purpose of God. When the Prisoner, is cast at the Bar, there is no saving him unless the King has a purpose to save him. God's purpose is his Prerogative Royal.

2. If it be God's purpose that saves, then not merit. Bellarmine holds, that good works do expiate sin, and merit Glory; no, the Text says, We are called according to God's purpose: and there is a parallel Scripture, 2 Timothy 1:9. Who hath saved us, and called us, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. There is no such thing as merit: Our best works have in them, both defection and infection, and so are but splendida peccata, glittering sins; Therefore if we are called and justified, it is God's purpose brings it to pass.

Objection. But the Papists allege that Scripture for merit, 2 Timothy 4:8. Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day. This is the force of their Argument, If God in justice rewards our works, then they merit salvation.

Response. To this I answer. First, God gives a reward as a just Judge, not to the worthiness of our works, but to the worthiness of Christ. 2. God as a just Judge rewards us, not because we have deserved it, but because he hath promised it. God hath two Courts, a Court of Mercy, and a Court of Justice: the Lord condemns those works in the Court of Justice, which he Crowns in the Court of Mercy: Therefore that which carries the main stroke in our salvation, is the Purpose of God.

3. If the purpose of God be the Springhead of happiness, then we are not saved for Faith foreseen. It is absurd to think any thing in us could have the least influence upon our Election. The Arminians say, that God did foresee that such persons would believe, therefore did choose them; and so they would make the business of salvation to depend upon something in us: Whereas God doth not choose us for faith, but to faith, Ephesians 1:4. He hath chosen us, that we should be holy; not because we would be holy, but that we might be holy. We are elected to holiness, not for it. What could God foresee in us but Pollution, and rebellion? If any man be saved, it is according to God's purpose.

Question. How shall we know that God hath a purpose to save us?

Answer. By being effectually called. 2 Peter 1:10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. We make our Election sure, by making our Calling sure. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification. By the Stream, we come at last to the Fountain: If we find the Stream of Sanctification running in our souls, we may by this come to the Spring-head of Election. When a man's eyes are so weak that he cannot look up to the Firmament, yet he may know the Moon is there, by seeing it shine upon the water: So though I do not look up into the secret of God's purpose, yet I may know I am elected, by the shining of sanctifying grace in my soul. Whosoever he be that can find the Word of God transcribed and copied out into his heart, may undeniably conclude his Election.

Use 2. Here is a sovereign Elixir, or unspeakable comfort to them who are the called of God; their salvation rests upon God's purpose, 2 Timothy 2:19. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this Seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. Our Graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation standeth sure. They who are built upon this Rock of God's Eternal Purpose, need not fear falling away; neither the power of man, nor violence of temptation, shall never be able to overturn them.

FINIS.