Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

II. By a particular enumeration of those eternal Blessings which were decreed for us in Christ, viz. Election and Adoption, vers. 4, 5.

Having thus looked so far back before the foundation of the World, vers. 4. the Apostle sets down what Christ did in time for us in his own Person, when he took our Nature upon him, and entered into the Office of a Mediator, as our Head, completing our redemption in himself by dying for us, in whom we have redemption through his Blood, the forgiveness of Sins, vers. 7. Then follow the Blessings that we our selves, as Members of Christ, are Partakers of in this Life; and they are all comprehended in Faith, and in the certain consequents of it.

Having thus looked so far back before the foundation of the World, vers. 4. the Apostle sets down what Christ did in time for us in his own Person, when he took our Nature upon him, and entred into the Office of a Mediator, as our Head, compleating our redemption in himself by dying for us, in whom we have redemption through his Blood, the forgiveness of Sins, vers. 7. Then follow the Blessings that we our selves, as Members of Christ, are Partakers of in this Life; and they are all comprehended in Faith, and in the certain consequents of it.

These Ephesians were called to this Faith by the preaching of the Gospel, which (the Spirit of God accompanying it) became effectual to beget Faith in them. Paul was mightily affected with the success the Gospel had among the Ephesians, gives God thanks for it, vers. 15. and prays heartily for a further increase of that Faith in them, vers. 16. and shows what a wonderful thing it is, that any are brought to believe in Jesus; 'tis as great a Miracle as the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead; that was an effect of Divine Power, and so is this.