Therefore the first gift of God (that we may briefly consider the effects of predestination) prepared for all the elect,1 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, ⟨p. 61⟩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. The Apostle therefore, doth very well to the Ephesians: In the first place,2 (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 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, (he saith) we are made acceptable and beloved unto the Father, & his beloved son, namely, Christ. Fourthly, ⟨p. 62⟩that we have our redemption in the same Christ, by his blood, and have obtained remission of sins, and all wisdom and understanding. Fifthly, that in the same Christ, all things are reconciled, as well in Heaven, as in earth. In a word, the Apostle showeth there (as also else were) 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. The §IIsecond benefit of God, and effect of our predestination, is our effectual calling to Christ:
Therefore the first gift of God (that we may briefly consider the effectes of predestination) prepared for all the elect,1 without which, they can in no wise come to the end▪ and therefore the first effect of predestination is our Lord Iesus, vvith his obedience, ⟨p. 61⟩merites, death, resurrection, glorie: namely, in that respect he is made Mediator betweene God the father and vs, and the head of al the elect. And therfore, 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 effectes of predestination, are so ordered among themselues, that the first which go before, are the causes efficient, or (if wee 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 effectes, by whome wee are made partakers of them. The Apostle therfore, doth very well to the Ephesians: In the first place,2 (saith he) We are elected in Christ, namely, as in the head, to be his members. Secondly, he writeth, that we ar predestinat to adoption by Christ, namely to obtaine it, for wee are adopted into the sonnes of God in Christ, the first begotten sonne of God, and by making vs partakers of his Sonneship, we are really made the sonnes of God: yea, and we are also indewed with his spirit too, that wee might be borne anew. Thirdly, (he saith) wee are made acceptable and beloued vnto the Father, & his beloued sonne, namly, Christ. Fourrhly, ⟨p. 62⟩that wee haue our redemption in the same Christ, by his bloud, and haue obtained remission of sinnes, and all wisdome and vnderstanding. Fiftly, that in the same Christ, all thinges are reconciled, as wel in Heauen, as in earth. In a worde, the Apostle sheweth there (as also else were) that whatsoeuer benefites we do, or shall hereafter obtaine, counting from our eternall election, euen vnto our glorification: all those we nowe do, 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 benefites. The §IIsecond benefit of God, and effect of our predestination, is our effectual calling to Christ:
- 1The first benefit of god, predestnating us, is Christ.The first benefit of god, predestnating vs, is Christ.
- 2Eph. 1.4. &c.
