annul it? and his hand is stretch- [ not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LoRD hath not done it? ed out, and who shall turn it back? Isa. xxxvii, 26. Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps. Hab. i, 12. the LORD of hosts that the people be smitten? forbare, and said, I know that Then the prophet God hath determined to destroy and hast not hearkened unto my thee, because thou hast done this, Counsel. But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he sought after the gods of Edom. might deliver them into the han is of their enemies, because they Isa. xix, 14. The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the caused Egypt to err in every work midst thereof; and they have thereof, as a drunken man stag Jer. xxvii, 6, 7. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given bim also to serve him. And all counsel or this work be of men, it gereth in his vomit. nations shall serve him, and his Jer. 11. 20-23. Thou art my Lam. ii, 17. The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old...... Lam. ii, 38 Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not evil and good? Dan. iv, 15, 24, 25. Nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a bind of iron and brass, in the tender grass Acts v, 38. 39. And now I say of God, ye cannot overthrow it; Deut. ii, 30. But Sihon king of city that made peace with the hearts, that they should come was of the LORD to harden their Judges ix, 22, 23. When Abimelech had reigned three years over rit between Abimelech and the Israel, Then God sent an evil spiShechem dealt treacherously with men of Shechem; and the men of Abimelech. stirred up an adversary unto So- king hearkened not unto the of the field; and let it be wet with Dan. xi, 22. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the Covenant. Joel i, 15. Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Amos iii, 6. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people 2 Kings xxiv, 20. For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled 2 Chron. x, 15. So the king 2 Chron. xxv, 16, 20. And it 677 of the LORD it came to pass in Je- LESSONS. ye will deal kindly and truly with LORD God of Israel saith, I said them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, 1 Kings xii, 23, 24. Speak unto house of Judah and Benjamin, king of Judah, and unto all the shall not go up, nor fight against and to the remnant of the people, saying. Thus saith the LORD, Ye your brethren the children of Is rael: return every man to his They hearkened therefore to the house; for this thing is from me. Word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD. Esth. iv, 12-14. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the holdest thy peace at this time, Jews. For if thou altogether deliverance arise to the Jews then shall their enlargement and from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? lished unto thee; and the light cree a thing, and it shall be estabJob xxii. 28. Thou shalt also deshall shine upon thy ways. Ps. Iv, 22, 23. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. Jer. xviii, 7-10. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build, and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them. Zeph. ii, 1, 2. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decrey bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upou you. PRESUMPTION. 2 Kings xviii, 25. Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD Said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. Isa xxxvi, 10. Am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? The LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. 2nd. THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT IN SPIRITUAL THINGS. THE DIVINE DECREES AND CHOICE. Exod xxxii, 32, 33. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin-; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Exod. xxxiil, 19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Prov. xvi, 3, 4. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Isa. iv, 3. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusa- Jer. i. 5. Before I formed thee in Matth. xxii, 14. For many are called, but few are chosen. Matth. xiii, 10, 11. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given, Matth. xx, 16. So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matth. xxiv, 22. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matth. xxv, 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my ther, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ordained you, that yo should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John xvii, 6, 9. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thone they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word, I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. Rom. i, 6, 7. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from Golour Fa ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ. hom ix,10 14,16. And not onlythis; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac, (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any God according to election might good or evil, that the purpose of stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I Fa-loved, but Esu have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Mark x, 31. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Mark xiii, 20. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. Luke vili, 9, 10. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luke x, 22. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father, and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Sou will reveal him. Luke xviil, 7,8. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? John vi, 44, 45. No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. 1, 26-29. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things Which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his pre sence. 1 Cor 1, 7, 8. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God or dained before the world unto our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Eph. 1, 4-6, 10-12. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adop tion of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in hea ven, and which are on earth, even in him: In whom also we have ob tained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph. ii, 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. iii, 10, 11. To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ACcording to the eternal which he purposed in Christ Jesus purpose our Lord. 2 Tim. ii, 10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Titus 1, 1. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. 1 Pet. i 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied Rev. xiii, 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Rev. xx, 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. xxi, 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoerer worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. THE DIVINE REJECTION. Deut. xxix, 4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. [ against another, the judge shall 2 Sam. xxiv, 1. And again the Job xvii, 4. For thou hast hid therefore shalt thou not exalt their heart from understanding: them. not. and tell this people, Hear ye inIsa. vi, 9, 10. And he said, Go, deed but understand not; and see Make the heart of this people fat, ye indeed, but perceive shut their eyes; lest they see with and make their ears heavy, and their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Isa xxix, 10. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. Isa. xliv, 18. They have not hath shut their eyes, that they known nor understood: for he cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. Thus Jer. vi, 21, 22, 30. Therefore will lay the stumblingblocks bethus saith the LORD, Behold, I and the sons together shall fall fore this people, and the fathers upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish. saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth. Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them. Therefore said I unto you, that John vi, 65. 66. And he' said, no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. them in the world, I kept them in John xvii, 12. While I was with me I have kept, and none of them thy name: those that thou gavest is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 2 Cor. iv, 3. But if our gospel be aud Jambres withstood Moses, so hid, it is hid to them that are lost. 2 Tim. iii, 8, 9. Now as Jannes men of corrupt minds, reprobate do these also resist the truth: shall proceed no further: for their concerning the faith. But they folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. Ps. lxxxi, 11, 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice; hearts' lust; and they walked in and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own their own counsels. and he shall be holden with the ties shall take the wicked himself, Prov. v, 22, 23. His own iniquicords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Isa. Ixiii, 17. O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy their delusions, and will bring Isa. Ixvi, 4, 5. I also will choose their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spike, they did not hear: eyes, and choose that in which I but they did evil before mine delighted not. Hear the word of the LORD. ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated name's sake, said, Let the LORD you, that cast you out for my be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. had not executed my judgments, Ezek. xx, 24-26. Because they their eyes were after their fathers' had polluted my sabbaths, and but had despised my statutes, and idols. also statutes that were not good, Wherefore I gave them and judgments should not live: And I polluted whereby they them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I am the LORD. to the eni that they might know that I might make them desolate, 2 Cor. xiii, 5-7. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; Rom. ix, 22. What if God, will-not your own selves, how that prove your own selves: know ye ing to show his wrath, and to Jesus Christ is in you, except ye make his power known, endured be reprobates? But I trust that with much long-suffering Vessels of wrath fitted to destruc- reprobates. Now I pray to God tion. ye shall know that we are not should appear approved, but that that ye do no evil; not that we though we be as reprobates. ye should do that which is honest, the Rom. xl, 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he 1 Sam. ii, 25. If one man sin seeketh for; but the election hath 679 2 Thess. II, 11, 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 1 Peter ii, 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this con the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before. Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha Rom. xi, 4--6. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But it it be of works, then is it no more grace; chil-otherwise work is no more work.' demnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. ILLUSTRATIONS. Gen. xxv, 22, 23. And the dren struggled together within ber: and she said, if it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 1 Kings xix, 18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Lal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. Isa. 1, 9. Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Isa. x, 22, 23. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with right eousness. For the Lord GoD of hosts shall make a consumption, eveu determined, in the midst of all the land. Jer. xviii, 2-6. Arise, and go down to the potter's house; and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house; and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, caunot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. Rom. ix, 27-29. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though 2 Tim. ii, 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Exod. iv, 21. And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. wonders may be multiplled in the land of Egypt. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land. Exod. xiv, 4, 8, 17. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that Le shall follow atter them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upou all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon chariots, and upon his horsemen. Ps. cv, 25. He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilely with his servants. Rom. ix, 17, 18. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, aud whom he will he hurdeneth. MEANS AND END. Isa. x, 21. The remnant shall return, eren the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. Exod. vii, 3, 4. 13. And I will and harden Pharaoh's heart, multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Jer. xxxi, 3. The LORD hath Egypt, and bring forth appeared of old unto me, saying, armies, and my people the chil-Yea, have I loved thee with an dren of Israel, out of the land of everlasting love, therefore with Egypt by great judgments. And loving-kindness have I drawnthee. he hardened Pharaoh's heart, Acts ii, 39. For the promise is that he hearkened not unto them; unto you, and to your children, as the LORD had said. and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. hardened the heart of Pharaoh, Exod. ix, 12, 16. And the LORD and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. Exod. x, 1, 20, 27. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. Exod. xi, 9, 10. And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my Acts xiii, 38, 39. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts xvii, 9, 10. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city. after long abstinence, Paul stood Acts xxvii, 21--26, 30, 31. But, forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hear kened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no los8 of any man's life among you, but me this night the angel of God, of the ship. For there stood by whose I am and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be, even as it was told nie. Ilowbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. LESSONS. LUTY. Deut. xxix, 29. The secret loved, as ye have always obeyed, foundation of God standethi sure, 2 Pet. i, 10, 11. Wherefore the find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? thou made me thus? Hath not Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? what hast thou that thou didst 1 Cor. iv, 7. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and not receive? now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 3rd.-MAN'S RESPONSIBI LITY. SUFFICIENT INSTRUMENTALITY thirsteth, come ye to the waters, of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Rom. viii, 28--30. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predes-dom tinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Gal. i, 14--16. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in nine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I con ferred not with flesh and blood. Phil. ii, 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. PRAISE. Matt, x1, 25-27. At that time Je in this rejoice not, that the spirits Jer. xxvi, 3. If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent do unto them because of the evil me of the evil which I purpose to of their doings. Ezek. xviii, 23, 24. 31. 32. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD; and not that he should return from his ways, and live? when the righteous turneth away But from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that tioned: in his trespass that he hath he hath done shall not be mentrespassed, in his in that he has siuned, in them shall he die. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dieth, saith the selves, and live ye. 1 Thess. i. 3-5. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God them unto babes: even so. Father, Lord GoD: wherefore turn your and our Father, Knowing, breth-for so it seemed good in thy sight. ren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 2 Thess. i, 13, 14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to sal vation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth; Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. then say to these things? If God 1 John iv, 19-21. We love him, O thou son of man, speak unto the Ezek. xxxiii, 10-16. Therefore, house of Israel, Thus ye speak, saying, if our transgressions and away in them, how should we then our sins be upon us, and we pine live? Say unto them. As I live, saith the Lord Gou, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day |