A Golden Chain

The fifth point is, concerning the number of the Elect. And that I expressed in these words, hath chosen some men to salvation. If God should decree to communicate his glory and his mercy to all and every man, there could be no election. For he that takes all, cannot be said to choose. Therefore Christ saith, Many are called, but few are chosen. Some make this question; how great the number of the elect is, and the answer may be this, that the Elect ⟨p. 460⟩considered in themselves be innumerable, but considered in comparison to the whole world, they are but few. Hence it follows necessarily, that saving grace is not universal, but indefinite or particular, unless we will against common reason make the streams more large & plentiful then the very fountain it self. And this must excite us above all things in the world to labour to have fellowship with Christ, & to be partakers of the special mercy of God in him, yea to have the same sealed up in our hearts. Benefits common to all, as the light of the sun, &c. are not regarded of any. Things common to few, though they be but temporal blessings, are sought for of all. God gives not riches to all men, but to some more, to some less, to some none. And hereupon how do men like drudges toil in the world from day to day, and from year to year, to enrich themselves. Therefore much more ought men to seek for grace in Christ, considering it is not common to all. We must not content our selves to say, God is merciful, but we must go further, and labour for a certificate in the conscience, that we may be able to say that God is indeed merciful to us. When the Disciples would have known how many should be saved, he omitting the question, answers thus, Strive to enter in at the straight gate.

The fifth point is, concerning the number of the Elect. And that I expressed in these words, hath chosen some men to saluation. If God should decree to communicate his glorie and his mercie to all and euery man, there could bee no election. For he that takes all, cannot be said to choose. Therefore Christ saith, Many are called, but fewe are chosen. Some make this question; howe great the number of the elect is, and the answer may bee this, that the Elect ⟨p. 460⟩considered in themselues be innumerable, but considered in comparison to the whole world, they are but fewe. Hence it followes necessarily, that sauing grace is not vniuersall, but indefinite or partilar, vnlesse we will against common reason make the streames more large & plentifull then the very funtain it selfe. And this must excite vs aboue all thigs in the world to labour to haue fellowship with Christ, & to be partakers of the special mercie of God in him, yea to haue the same sealed vp in our hearts. Benefits cōmon to all, as the light of the sunne, &c. are not regarded of any. Things common to fewe, though they be but temporall blessings, are sought for of all. God giues not riches to all men, but to some more, to some lesse, to some none. And herupon how doe men like drudges toile in the world from day to day, and from yere to yere, to inrich themselues. Therefore much more ought men to seeke for grace in Christ, considering it is not common to all. We must not content our selues to say, God is mercifull, but we must goe further, and labour for a certificate in the conscience, that we may be able to say that God is indeede mercifull to vs. When the Disciples would haue knowne how many should be saued, he omitting the question, answers thus, Striue to enter in at the straight gate.