be proved a liar, if this doctrine be not received. Therefore, let us fight constantly; for it is the groundwork of our salvation. How can we build, and maintain the building, if the foundation be destroyed? St. Paul showeth us here, with what virtue we must fight, and how we shall come to this inheritance, which was so dearly purchased for us: he showeth us how we shall enter into the possession of the glory of God, and make an end of this building and faith. My friends, we must be grounded upon the grace that was given us, not to-day nor yesterday, but before the world began.

It is true, God calleth us at this day, but his election goeth before; yea, and God chose us without any respect to our works, as we could have done nothing before but we are debtors to him for all; for he drew us out of the bottomless pit of destruction, wherein we were cast, and past all hope of recovery. Therefore, there is good reason for us to submit ourselves wholly to him, and rely upon his goodness, and be thoroughly ravished with it. Let us hold fast this foundation, as I said before, unless we will have our salvation perish and come to nought. This doctrine is profitable for us, if we can apply it well to

our own use.

They that would not have us speak of God's election, will say, it is not necessary. But such men never tasted God's goodness, neither do they know what it is to come to our Lord Jesus Christ. If we know not that we are saved because it pleased God to choose us before the world began, how can we know that which St. Paul saith to us; to wit, that we should give ourselves wholly to God, to be disposed of at his will, and to live and die in his service? How can we magnify his name? How can we confess that our salvation cometh from him only, that he is the beginning of it, and that we have not helped him therein? We may say it with our

mouths, but unless we believe it, as it is here set forth, it will only be hypocrisy.

Therefore, let us learn that the doctrine of God's election, whereby we are taught that he predestinated us before the world began, ought to be preached openly and fully, in despite of all the world that would stand against it. And not only so, but we should know that it is a very profitable doctrine for us; because we cannot lay hold upon the infinite goodness of God, until we come thither. Unless this point be well cleared, God's mercy will be always disguised. I say, unless this be made plain to us, that he hath chosen us before we were born, and before we could prevent him.

Men will frequently say, that we were bought with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we are not worthy that God should show us such great mercy they will likewise say, who hath part and portion in such a redemption as God hath made in the person of his Son? Even they that will; they that seek God; even they that submit themselves to him. They that have some good motives, and are not rude; those that are good natured, and have some good devotion. When men make such a mixture, and think they are called to God, and to his grace, for something that is in themselves, that they bring something to recommend them to the favour of God, whereby they may attain salvation, the grace of God is darkened, and rent asunder.

This is a sacrilege that ought not to be countenanced. For this cause, I said the goodness of God shall never be thoroughly known, until this election be laid before us; and we are taught that we are called at this time, because it pleased God to extend his mercy to us before we were born. This doctrine must be explained more at large; but as time will not admit at present, we shall attend to it in the latter part of the day.

SERMON III.

2 TIMOTHY, Chap. 1. verses 9 and 10.

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world be gan;

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

We have shown this morning, according to the text of St. Paul, that if we will know the free mercy of our God in saving us, we must come to his everlasting counsel whereby he chose us before the world began. For there we see, he had no regard to our persons, neither to our worthiness, nor to any deserts that we could possibly bring. Before we were born, we were enrolled in his register; he had already adopted us for his children. Therefore let us yield the whole to his mercy, knowing that we cannot boast of ourselves, unless we rob him of the honour which belongs to him.

Men have endeavoured to invent cavils, to darken the grace of God. For they have said, although God chose men before the world began, yet it was according as he foresaw that one would be diverse from another. The scripture showeth plainly, that God did not wait to see whether men were worthy or not, when he chose them: but the sophisters thought they might darken the grace of God, by saying, though he regarded not the deserts that were passed, he had an eye to those that were to come. For, say they, though Jacob and his brother Esau had done neither good nor evil, and God chose one and refused the other, yet notwithstanding he foresaw, (as all things are present with him,) that Esau would be a vicious man, and that Jacob would be as he afterwards showed himself.

But these are foolish speculations: for they plainly make St. Paul a liar; who saith, God rendered no reward to our works when he chose us, because he did it before the world began. But though the authority of St. Paul were abolished, yet the matter is very plain and open, not only in the holy scripture, but in reason; insomuch that those who would make an escape after this sort, show themselves to be men void of all skill. For if we search ourselves to the bottom, what good can we find? Are not all mankind cursed? What do we bring from our mother's womb, except sin?

Therefore we differ not one whit, one from another; but it pleaseth God to take those to himself, whom he would. And for this cause, St. Paul useth these words in another place; when he saith, men have not whereof to rejoice, for no man finds himself better than his fellows, unless it be because God discerneth him. So then, if we confess that God chose us before the world began, it necessarily follows, that God prepared us to receive his grace; that he bestowed upon us that goodness, which was not in us before; that he not only chose us to be heirs of the kingdom of heaven, but he likewise justifies us, and governs us by his holy spirit. The christian ought to be so well resolved in this doctrine, that he is beyond doubt.

There are some men at this day, that would be glad if the truth of God were destroyed. Such men fight against the Holy Ghost, like mad beasts, and endeavour to abolish the holy scripture. There is more honesty in the papists, than in these men : for the doctrine of the papists is a great deal better, more holy, and more agreeable to the sacred scripture, than the doctrine of those vile and wicked men, who cast down God's holy election; these dogs that bark at it, and swine that root it up.

However, let us hold fast that which is here

taught us: God having chosen us before the world had its course, we must attribute the cause of our salvation to his free goodness; we must confess that he did not take us to be his children, for any deserts of our own; for we had nothing to recommend ourselves into his favour. Therefore, we must put the cause and fountain of our salvation in him only, and ground ourselves upon it: otherwise, whatsoever and howsoever we build, it will come to nought.

We must here notice what St. Paul joineth together; to wit, the grace of Jesus Christ, with the everlasting counsel of God the Father: and then he bringeth us to our calling, that we may be assured of God's goodness, and of his will, that would have remained hid from us, unless we had a witness of it. St. Paul saith in the first place, that the grace which hangeth upon the purpose of God, and is comprehended in it, is given in our Lord Jesus Christ. As if he said, seeing we deserve to be cast away, and hated as God's mortal enemies, it was needful for us to be grafted, as it were, into Jesus Christ; that God might acknowledge, and allow us for his children. Otherwise, God could not look upon us, only to hate us; because there is nothing but wretchedness in us; we are full of sin, and stuffed up as it were with all kinds of iniquity.

God, who is justice itself, can have no agreement with us, while he considereth our sinful nature. Therefore, when he would adopt us before the world began, it was requisite that Jesus Christ should stand between us and him; that we should be chosen in his person, for he is the well beloved Son: when God joineth us to him, he maketh us such as pleaseth him. Let us learn to come directly to Jesus Christ, if we will not doubt God's election: for he is the true looking glass, wherein we must behold our adoption.

If Jesus Christ be taken from us, then is God a