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Predeftination unto Life.

SERMON I.

ROMANS, VIII. 29, 30.

For whom he did fore-know, he also did predeftinate to be conformed to the image of bis Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

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

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HE apoftle having in the foregoing chapters of this epiftle, explain'd the doctrine of juftification, and prefs'd the neceffity of fanctification, applies himfelf in this to the confolati

on of the Lord's people. For the holy

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fcriptures

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fcriptures are not only profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, but are written that we, thro' patience and comfort of them, might have hope: And the minifters of the word are appointed to be helpers of the joy of them who thro grace have believed. And, as a worthy Expofitor fays of this chapter, many of the people of God have found it a well-fpring of comfort to their fouls, living and dying, and have fuck'd and been satisfied from these breafts of confolation, and with joy drawn water out of thefe wells of falvation.

Having reckon'd up many particular inftances of the happiness of true chriftians, fuch as a freedom from guilt and condemnation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a relation to God as his children, a title to future glory, and the concurrence of all providences to promote their fpiritual and everlafting good, he reprefents the ground. of all these as laid in God's eternal decree of Election, or Predeftination unto life, in the words that I have read. For whom be did fore-know,them he also did predeftinate, &c. Here the order of the caufes of our falvation is plainly fet before us These words have been commonly call'd the golden chain of

↑ Mr. Henry.

falvation;

falvation; and fuch a chain it is as cannot be broken. There are four links in it.

I. Whom he did fore-know, he also did predeftinate to be conformed to the image of hisSon. Whom he did fore-know. This is the foundation upon which the whole frame of the furprising work of man's redemption ftands; the first thing to be confider'd in the scheme of falvation, upon which all the other parts follow, and with which they are infeperably connected. It is here faid of a number of the children of men, as diftinguish'd from the reft,thatGod has fore-known them. And this fore-knowledge implies choice; his having pitch'd upon them to be the objects on whom his redeeming grace shall be glorified. It is the fame with that everlafting love, wherewith he is faid to have loved his people, Jer. 31. 3. And means nothing less than his having fet them apart for himself, Pfal. 4. 3. Words of knowledge in fcripture often fignifie affection and choice. So God faid to Mofes, Exod. 33. 17. Thou haft found grace in my fight, and I know thee by name. Where one expreffion explains the other. So the apoftle tells us, 1 Cor. 8. 3. That if any man love God, the fame is known of him. A knowledge of favour and good-will muft needs be here intended; and this previous and preparatory to any thing recommending and lovely in

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the

the objects of it; as is plain from the manner in which the apoftle speaks to the Galatians, ch. 4. v. 9. Te have known God, or rather are known of God. On the other hand, we are told ourSaviour will fay to fome in the great day, I never knew you, i. e. I never approv'd and own'd you; for both their perfons and characters were well known to him.† The fame word is rendred fore-ordained, in 1 Pet. 1. 20. Who, (i. e. Chrift) was verily fore ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in thefe last times for you. God's fore-knowing his people means nothing less than his eternal purpose to make them his friends and favourites. It must fignifie his deter

Mat. 7. 23.

+ Duplex Dei decretum verfatur circa elettos, quorum alterum appellat Apoftolus weg' vow; alterum eogopov, predeftinationem, five electionem lia autem Teglvas, five prænotio, non eft nuda et fimplicis notitia, fed approbationis, juxta fitatiffimam fcripturæ phrafiologiam. Si quis diligit Deum, hic cognitus eft ab eo. Ecquid cognitione nuda, feclufa approbatione Dei? At fic cognufcuntur etiam ofores Dei. Twifsi Vind. Grat. Lib. 3. Pag. 259.

Ftiam @Pifcatore obfervatum προϊνωσίν et ευδοκίαν pro eodem adhiberi.

mining to do them good, to call, juftifie, and fanctifie them now, and glorifie them hereafter.

Those whom God thus fore-knew, he did predeftinate to be conformed to the image of bis fon; to be like to Jefus Chrift in the temper of their minds, and actions of their lives. This takes in the whole work of fanctification, of which Chrift is the great pattern and famplar. Obferve; It is not faid God fore-knew they would be conform'd to the image of his fon, and fo predeftinated them, as fome turn the fence of the words. This cannot be the meaning of them; for this conformity to Chrift is faid to be the thing they are predeftinated to, and is made the refult of this foreknowledge; the effect of it, and not the caufe. Whom he did fore know, them he did predeftinate to be conformed to the image of his fon. Being defign'd for glory and happiness as the end, they are decreed to grace and holiness as the way. For if there is a difference between fore-knowledge and predeftination, it seems to be this, the former is the appointment of the end, the other of the means unto it. And they are predeftinated to this conformity to the image of the fon of God, for the honour of Christ, whofe glory is defign'd by the Father in the whole work of redemption. That he might

be

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