1Therefore, the first gift of God (that we may briefly consider the effects of predestination) prepared for all the elect, without which they can in no wise come to the end: and therefore the first effect of predestination is our Lord Jesus, with his obedience, merits, death, resurrection, glory: namely, in that respect he is made mediator between God the father and us, and the head of all the elect. And therefore, in as much as he is such a one, he is also the cause of all other graces and benefits, which come unto us by the free predestination of God. For the effects of predestination are so ordered among themselves that the first, which go before, are the causes efficient, or (if we will so speak) the material causes of the latter, and those that follow. Therefore, seeing Christ is the first effect of predestination, he is also the cause of all other effects, by whom we are made partakers of them.2 The Apostle therefore saith very well to the Ephesians: In the first place (saith he) we are elected in Christ, namely as in the head, to be his members. Secondly, he writeth that we are predestinate to adoption by Christ, namely to obtain it: for we are adopted into the sons of God in ⟨p. 707⟩Christ, the first begotten son of God, and by making us partakers of his sonship, we are really made the sons of God, yea, and we are also endued with his spirit too, that we might be borne anew. Thirdly,3 (saith he) we are made acceptable and beloved unto the father, and his beloved son, namely, Christ. Fourthly, that we have our redemption in the same Christ, by his blood, and have obtained remission of sins, and all wisdom and understanding, as well in heaven, as in earth. In a word, the Apostle showeth there (as also else where) that whatsoever benefits we do, or shall hereafter obtain, counting from our eternal election, even unto our glorification: all those we now do, and shall obtain hereafter, in Christ, and by Christ. Therefore, whosoever are elected to eternal life, besides this that they are elected in Christ, they are also predestinate to Christ, that is, to have fellowship with him, that they may by him enjoy all other benefits.4 The second benefit of God and effect of our predestination, is our effectual calling to Christ, and to his Gospel, in which the elect are only called:
1Therefore, the first gift of God (that we may briefly consider the effects of predestination) prepared for all the elect, without which they can in no wise come to the ende: and therefore the first effect of predestination is our Lord Iesus, with his obedience, merits, death, resurrection, glorie: namely, in that respect he is made mediatour betweene God the father and vs, and the head of all the elect. And therefore, in as much as he is such a one, he is also the cause of all other graces and benefits, which come vnto vs by the free predestination of God. For the effects of predestination are so ordered among themselues that the first, which goe before, are the causes efficient, or (if we will so speake) the materiall causes of the latter, and those that follow. Therefore, seeing Christ is the first effect of predestination, he is also the cause of all other effects, by whome we are made partakers of them.2 The Apostle therefore saith very well to the Ephesians: In the first place (saith he) we are elected in Christ, namly as in the head, to be his members. Secondly, he writeth that we are predestinate to adoption by Christ, namely to obtaine it: for we are adopted into the sonnes of God in ⟨p. 707⟩Christ, the first begotten sonne of God, and by making vs partakers of his son•hip, we are really made the sonnes of God, yea, and we are also indued with his spirit too, that we might be borne anew. Thirdly,3 (saith he) we are made acceptable and beloued vnto the father, and his beloued sonne, namely, Christ. Fou•thly, that we haue our redemptiō in the same Christ, by his blood, and haue obtained remission of sinnes, and all wisdome and vnderstanding, as well in heauen, as in earth. In a word, the Apostle sheweth there (as also else where) that whatsoeuer benefits we doe, or shall hereafter obtaine, counting from our eternall election, euen vnto our glorification: all those we now doe, and shall obtaine hereafter, in Christ, and by Christ. Therefore, whosoeuer are elected to eternall life, besides this that they are elected in Christ, they are also predestinate to Christ, that is, to haue fellowship with him, that they may by him enioy all other benefits.4 The second ben•fit of God and effect of our predestination, is our effectuall calling to Christ, and to his Gospel, in which the elect are onely called:
- 1The first benefit of God, predes••nat•ng us is Christ.The first benefit of God, predes••nat•ng vs is Christ.
- 2Eph. 1.4. &c
- 3Gal. 4•6.
- 42. Tim. 1.9. Rom. 8. 30.
