A Golden Chain

And therefore we are constrained to fly unto the Lord, and to crave his assistance: therefore the eight effect of our predestination is the calling upon God, that in this fight he would give us aid against the Devil, the world, and the flesh. For this is the property of the spirit, which the elect have to stir them up to prayer: for the spirit it self maketh request for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered, that is to say, it moveth us to make request. And because we are sons,¹ God hath sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. And God biddeth us call upon him in the day of tribulation, promising to hear us. From these proceedeth the ninth effect of predestination, namely, a perpetual repentance for our daily slips, and a continual desire to be bettered in godliness. So that also, for this cause chiefly, we heartily desire to be dissolved out of this world, and to be with Christ for this end, that we might sin no more. For this is a thing proper to the elect of God even now borne anew: as we may see in the Apostle, who speaketh thus in the name of all the regenerate: O miserable man that I am,² who shall deliver me from the body of this death? And again, I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. From this ninth effect proceedeth the tenth, namely, a desire that Christ may come, and make an end of all our miseries and §10sins, and perfectly restore his own kingdom. ³That this is proper to the elect, ⟨p. 710⟩the Apostle showeth, when he saith, that they love the coming of the Lord: and John bringeth in the spouse of Christ, crying,⁴ Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Yea, and Christ himself hath taught us to pray: Let thy kingdom come. And because that they which pray on this wise, are also heard according to Gods promise: In the day of tribulation call upon me, and I will hear thee: hence appeareth §11the eleventh effect of Predestination, true patience, that is, not only true comfort, but also a rejoicing in adversity: