A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

1 But if election stand wholly and only in the will of God; Objection. and that purpose be so long since and irrecoverably past; then cannot I alter it. Therefore if I be elected to salvation, howsoever I live, I cannot frustrate it: and if I be appointed to confusion, what care soever I take, I cannot prevent it. A devilish speech, not to be uttered with mouth, nor harboured in heart! God is not the cause of thy condemnation, but thy self, Wis. 1.13. God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. Bis interimitur, qui suis armis interimitur. No, the surest way to the Sea, is to take a river by the hand. If a man would know whether the Sun shine or not, he need not climb up to the sky; for he may behold the beams on earth. So wouldest thou know whether thy name be written in heaven, never assay to get the view of Gods own book, thou shalt find the beams of that grace in thy self Consecrate thy ears to hearing, thy tongue to praying; thy hand to working, thy heart to desiring, thy body and soul to obeying; this is the course to make it sure. Yet are not these the efficient causes that make it to be decreed, but the means that make it certain to thy self. So Ambrose; Neque merito suo qui salvantur, &c. Not by the merits of them that are saved, nor by their worthiness by whom they are called; but this is done only by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ.

1 But if election stand wholy and onely in the will of God; Objection. and that purpose be so long since and irrecoverably past; then cannot I alter it. Therefore if I be elected to salvation, howsoever I live, I cannot frustrate it: and if I be appointed to confusion, what care soever I take, I cannot prevent it. A divelish speech, not to be uttered with mouth, nor harboured in heart! God is not the cause of thy condemnation, but thy selfe, Wis. 1.13. God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. Bis interimitur, qui suis armis interimitur. No, the surest way to the Sea, is to take a river by the hand. If a man would know whether the Sun shine or not, he need not climbe up to the skie; for he may behold the beames on earth. So wouldest thou know whether thy name be written in heaven, never assay to get the view of Gods owne book, thou shalt find the beames of that grace in thy selfe Consecrate thy eares to hearing, thy tongue to praying; thy hand to working, thy heart to desiring, thy body and soule to obeying; this is the course to make it sure. Yet are not these the efficient causes that make it to bee decreed, but the meanes that make it certaine to thy selfe. So Ambrose; Neque merito suo qui salvantur, &c. Not by the merits of them that are saved, nor by their worthinesse by whom they are called; but this is done only by the mercie of God in Iesus Christ.