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

Thirdly, Faith and all holiness is the Effect and Fruit of our Election, and also of the Death of Christ, and therefore it cannot be an antecedent Condition; That is plain, that the same thing cannot be an Effect and Consequent of Election, and yet an antecedent Condition, at least in the same Respects, for then it should be considered as before and after at the same time, which is a plain Contradiction: Now that Faith is a Consequent and an Effect of Election, and that we are Elected to Faith and Holiness, not because we have Faith and Holiness, is clear by several Texts of Scripture, as Act. 13.48. They believed as many as were ordained to Eternal Life: Here is plainly set down the Effect and the Cause; They believed, and why? Because ordained to Eternal Life; As for that Cavil to understand [Greek or Hebrew] intransitively, as if it were no more than dispositi, and so did imply some inherent probity that is not worth the answering; For how were the Gentiles disposed to believe, who were said to be dead in sins, and plunged into all manner of impiety until Grace had converted them: Besides this disposednesse to believe, whence doth it arise? Either from our selves, and so all Glory is due to us, or from the Grace of God; And if so, How cometh it to pass that some have it and not others but because of Election? And it is further to be added, That it is not said in the Text, They believed that were ordained; Or (as they say) disposed to believe, but to Eternal Life, which doth necessarily suppose an Action of God, in whose power alone it is to dispose of Eternal Life: Thus also Ephes. 1. There are very emphatical Expressions to show that we are Elected to be holy and unblameable in the sight and presence of God; And whereas they would refer this to our glorious Estate in Heaven that cannot be, because unblameable doth properly relate to our being here upon the Earth: It is true, we will readily grant, That both Faith and Holiness they do enter into the Decree of Election taken terminatively, as it ends in Everlasting Happiness: Therefore it is a mere Calumny to say, We hold such an absolute Election to Glory and Happiness as hath no respect to Christ or to Faith:

Thirdly, Faith and all holinesse is the Effect and Fruit of our Election, and also of the Death of Christ, and therefore it cannot be an antecedent Condition; That is plain, that the same thing cannot be an Effect and Consequent of Election, and yet an antecedent Condition, at least in the same Respects, for then it should be considered as before and after at the same time, which is a plain Contradiction: Now that Faith is a Consequent and an Effect of Election, and that we are Elected to Faith and Holinesse, not because we have Faith and Holinesse, is clear by severall Texts of Scripture, as