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effectually to call them; firft to awaken them out of their former eafe and security, to convince and humble them, and so drive them to Chrift : That if he goes to Chrift for life upon the general call of the golpel, his election of God is put out of question; and then he need not be difcouraged on account either of his unworthynefs or inability; for the promises of effectual and perfevering grace made to Chrift in behalf of the elect are abfolute, and he may plead them, and take the com fort of them, and reft affured that as Chrift will caft out none that come to him, so it is not the will of his father in heaven, that one of thefe little ones should perish t; and therefore he has undertaken to perfect that which does concern them, to compleat the good work begun in them, to protect and guide them thro' this evil world, and carry them fafely to the kingdom prepared for them. When, I fay, a minifter applies himself in this manner, upon thefe principles, to an awakened diftrefled foul,does it. not carry greater encouragement, & ftronger confolation in it, than the other, which only makes the falvation of all men poffible, but fecures falvation to none of them

+ Mat. 18. 14.

and

and leaves them fo much to themselves in a difficult and hazardous work, to which they know & find they are fadly unequal?

Thus an answer has been given to fome of the more common objections bro't againft this truth. But I have not yet gone thro' all that I propos'd; tho' I have endeavour'd to be as comprehenfive as I could. Another difcourfe must be allow'd me: In which I fhall endeavour to improve the fubject to the ends of practical religion; and perfons may be directed how to make their election fure; for a perfon will never be thro❜ly reconcil'd to this doctrine, till he has a hope of his own intereft in it. Confider of what has been faid, and the Lord give you understanding in all things; eftablishment in this, and every other gofpel truth. This alfo we wish, brethren, even your growing up towards perfection,in knowledge and faith, together with holiness and comfort. We wou'd not have you always as babes to be fed with milk, but as men in Chrift to be able to receive and digeft these truths which the apoftle calls Strong meat. 'Tis a mean and a low thing for a chriftian to be content to know nothing but what is neceflary to falvation. There are many truths reveal'd in the gofpel, which we can't say are abfolutely neP 2

ceflary

ceflary to falvation, which yet 'tis a fhame for chriftians not to have the knowledge of, because they redound to the honour of God, and have an influence into fome parts at leaft of practical religion. And if these are among the deep things of God, let it not difcourage you from a humble cautious fearch into them by the light of fcripture, and with prayer to the fpirit of truth, to lead you into all truth.

I conclude now with the apostles prayer for the Philippians, 1 chap. 9, 10, II. V. This I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; (or, as the margin reads it, try things that differ;) that ye may be fincere and without offence till the day of Chrift; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jefus Chrift,to the praise and glory of God. AMEN.

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SERMON, IV.

ROMANS, VIII. 30.

:

Moreover, whom he did predeftinate, them be also called and whom he called, them be alfo justified: and whom he justified, them be alfo glorified.

W

E have had three difcourfes from these words concerning the doctrine of predeftination unto life. The truth has been explain'd & stated in feveral propofitions. It has been confirm'd and eftablish'd by plain fcripture proof, and folid argument agreeable to fcripture. Some mifreprefentations made of it have been rectified; and feveral objections obvi

ated.

ated. I hope now to finish the fubject as God fhall vouchfafe to help. And the next thing we are to proceed to according to the method we at firft propos'd is,

IV. To set before you fome of the abfurd confequences which follow upon the denial of this doctrine, and the difficulties of which the contrary fcheme labours, and with which they are embarrass'd who are on the other fide of the queftion. This, I apprehend, will caft fome more light into the fubject, and further confirm the truth we are maintaining; and it may help to undeceive fome who have been ready to think all the difficulty lies on our part, and there is little or nothing for our opponents to reconcile, or to clear away, before this notion can be embrac'd.

And

I. If fuch an election as we have been speaking of is not granted, it follows, That the will of God, even in an affair wherein his own glory is fo greatly concern'd as the falvation of men, is dependent on the will of the creature.

I think the more general scheme of those who cannot fubfcribe to the doctrine of election is, That God has not infallibly will'd the falvation of any particular per

fons,

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