CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Reasons. 3 3. Election must needs be of Grace, and so we are given to Christ, because of that wretched and sinful estate we are all in by Adams Fall; Upon his Apostasy we are all involved in his guilt, We are by nature Children of wrath, Ephes. 2.3. Though there were no actual sins to witness against us; Seeing then there was nothing in us but sin and misery, it's no wonder if God doth what he doth out of his mere grace and favour, I acknowledge there are many eminent and learned Divines called Supralapsarians because they hold an Election of some and a pretension of others even before Adams Fall, and thereupon make Election not an action of grace, because it supposeth no sin but of mere dominion and sovereignty, whereby he may dispose of his creature as he pleaseth, but I think it more consonant to Scripture to hold an Election that supposeth mans fall, and that we are all in a corrupt lump and mass, and hereby the grace and free favour of God is made more illustrious; Hence the Apostle to the Ephesians is large to show what they are by nature, and how corrupt of themselves, that so the grace of God may be made more manifest; Such thorns as we are, cannot bear any grapes, Such polluted Fountains as we are, cannot send forth sweet streams.

Reasons. 3 3. Election must needs be of Grace, and so we are given to Christ, because of that wretched and sinfull estate we are all in by Adams Fall; Upon his Apostacy we are all involved in his guilt, We are by nature Children of wrath, Ephes. 2.3. Though there were no actuall sinnes to witnesse against us; Seeing then there was nothing in us but sinne and misery, it's no wonder if God doth what he doth out of his meer grace and favour, I acknowledge there are many eminent and learned Divines called Supralapsarians because they hold an Election of some and a pretention of others even before Adams Fall, and thereupon make Election not an action of grace, because it supposeth no sinne but of meer dominion and soveraignty, whereby he may dispose of his creature as he pleaseth, but I think it more consonant to Scripture to hold an Election that supposeth mans fall, and that we are all in a corrupt lump and masse, and hereby the grace and free favour of God is made more illustrious; Hence the Apostle to the Ephesians is large to shew what they are by nature, and how corrupt of themselves, that so the grace of God may be made more manifest; Such thorns as we are, cannot bear any grapes, Such polluted Fountains as we are, cannot send forth sweet streams.